dwell in large numbers deep within the castle walls. I can feel the power of their dark magic plaguing us, The shadows protect them, and I would not venture near.
That voice, it sounds like the voice that spoke to me in the throne room, he pondered, remembering her words.
Shadows, thought Vartan, like the shadow demon that killed Finn.
“Thanks for the warning, but can I see you in person?” asked Vartan, his voice echoing throughout the city.
A woman laughed mockingly, the echoes of her dark laughter reverberating throughout the city. Vartan searched frantically for the source of the voice and found nothing to reveal her position.
“So, the poor little boy who failed his king has run back when it’s too late? What a pity for you, but pity is reserved for the weak! Greenhaven is ours now, and your king is dead, so it is no longer safe for you here. Unless you wish to consider the alternative of serving Derian and I as your new rulers of Greenhaven, I’m afraid that you will not leave here alive.'
Vartan spat at the ground and screamed, “What? Serve you and that walking bucket of bile, Derian? Over my dead body! Show yourself, you cowardly whore! Or are you too afraid to face only a poor, little boy?”
“Be careful what you wish for, fool! Do you honestly think that I am afraid of you? Not in the slightest, and I am so sorry to disappoint your inflamed ego. Have you not heard that I fear no one? I am Kassina, the greatest sorceress in all the lands. Do not mistake my courtesy for kindness, as you will not find a warm bosom here. You are lucky to be standing outside and not here with me in the darkness for a proper introduction. However, I do have powers at my disposal that do not rely on the shadows. Excelsior! ”
Kassina! She is responsible for shadow demons, and she is responsible for Finn’s death! She must die, thought Vartan.
He felt a gentle rumble beneath his feet, and the ground began to shake. He drew his sword and tried to keep his balance as the ground began to shake viciously.
Vartan, you must listen to me if you want to survive an encounter with Kassina. No matter what you do, don’t stop running!
Heeding Nymira’s words, he ran as fast as his legs would carry him, quickly sheathing his sword as he headed towards cover.
Kassina's voice taunted, 'Not so tough now, are you?'
The ground exploded violently into the air wherever he stood, chunks of earth and stone flying in all directions.
Duck!
Vartan leapt forward into a roll and watched shards of wood shrieking through the air barely a foot above his head. Quickly regaining his footing, he resumed his sprint.
Turn left, now!
Turning sharply, he ran through the gaps between the houses.
She will have trouble seeing you in those spaces.
The explosions suddenly stopped, as only dusty winds swept past his face. Vartan coughed up the dust that had filled his lungs.
“You obviously aren’t quite as stupid as you look, young knight. It’s not too late for you to change your mind, you know. We could use someone of your talents in our ranks.'
Vartan shook off the layer of dirt on his clothing and marched out from his cover.
What are you doing? Stay in cover!
“You pathetic fiend. You have terrible aim for someone with such a famed reputation. Sorceress? Please, you’re more akin to a little girl playing with fire. Tell me, have you lost your touch in your old age? Why don’t you come out and get a tan, I’m sure it’ll help you brighten up that horrible mood of yours.'
Taunting the queen of the underworld is not a good idea.
“You egotistical little insect, how dare you insult me? I will crush your bones into dust where you stand! Cave canem, te necet lingendo!” she yelled, the fury in her voice sending shivers up his spine.
Vartan looked around like a startled tiger. Feeling and hearing nothing, his pounding heartbeat filled his ears. Keeping his sword drawn as he peeked around the corner of a house, he found nothing but air and dust.
“Did you forget how to cast your spells?” he asked.
As Vartan began to relax his body and return the tip of his sword to its sheath, he saw it. Barreling around the corner of the farthest house at the other end of the street was a giant three-headed wolf, drooling acidic saliva on the ground as it ran. It had dark grey fur and glowing red eyes, and stormed towards him at a frightening speed.
Be careful, this is a creature summoned from the underworld.
“By the gods!” he proclaimed, swallowing hard. He stood still and held his sword up high. The blade reflected light throughout the city from the sun. The beast leapt high into the air to pounce on Vartan; he dropped backward onto the ground and placed the sword’s hilt vertically, like a spear.
Two heads cried out in pain as the third was impaled, and blood burst in all directions. Its gigantic body tumbled violently along the ground to crash harshly into the city walls. Its middle head hung dead on the wolf’s body as it regained its composure and circled Vartan warily. One of the heads bit deep into the bleeding flesh and ripped the dead head out from its body before returning its attention to Vartan.
Immense pearly white fangs glistened, and giant slimy drops of drool splashed onto the ground beside him, steam rising from the burning acid. Its growl was so powerful that the air in Vartan’s lungs shook from it, along with his vision. He watched the hilt of his buried sword poking out of the beast, desperately looking for an opportunity to retrieve it.
Vartan stood helpless as he realised that he had left his bow and arrows on his horse. This is it, he thought, here is where I will die.
He closed his eyes and prepared to feel the sharp pain of the giant jaws tearing him apart limb from limb.
I cannot allow you to die, Vartan. The time has come for dragons to be seen again.
Invisibly, Nymira leapt down from the eastern wall. Her heavy body connected with the ground like a shockwave. The wolf whimpered and looked around in confusion. Vartan lost his balance and fell backwards, landing solidly on his side, screaming out in pain as his damaged ribs held most of his weight.
As he caught his breath and struggled back to his feet, it happened.
Scale by scale, her shiny, purplish body was revealed. She was directly beside him, facing down the wolf that was now dwarfed by the dragon’s size.
“ What? This can’t be happening! What kind of magic is this?” cried Kassina, her voice tearing through the city.
“This is no magic, sorceress. I will not let you harm him!” replied Nymira.
Nymira took a deep breath and roared as she breathed out dragons breath which engulfed the wolf, setting it alight. The stench of burning flesh invaded the air. The wolf howled and shrieked as it burned alive. It ran towards Vartan in a desperate attempt to end the knight’s life. Nymira opened up her tail, and four razor-sharp spikes flexed open as she swung them hard into the path of the burning wolf.
With a sickening crash, the tail and wolf met with full force, sending the flaming beast flying back into the city’s walls. The power of the blow shook the ground and dislodged Vartan’s sword from the dead head, sending it spinning wildly into the air. The conjured beast crumpled in a burning heap, defeated.
Curl into a ball and cover your face, Vartan, now!
Vartan quickly followed her instructions. With a slick metallic thud, his sword landed deep into the ground beside his right ear.
“Thank you great dragon,” said Vartan, quickly returning his sword to its sheath.
Nymira took another deep breath and sent searing fire in every direction around them. Houses were set further into flames and dark screams escaped from the shadows within them.
Stand up straight, and stay as still as possible. I promise that I won’t hurt you and you have to trust me.
She spread her wings wide, turned to Vartan, and grabbed him with her claws as she leapt off the ground.
“No! Disjecta membra! ” screamed Kassina. The flames around the city were sucked into large flickering balls
