“Yes,” I whispered.
“This is war, Vervain. There will be casualties. There must be casualties. If not, all will see you as weak, and you will never have peace.”
“Very well. See the humans to safety and then we'll handle the gods,” I gave in. “But spare Marduk; I promised his father.”
“As you wish.” She winked at me and disappeared, back into my mind.
I took a deep breath and let my silk robe fall from my shoulders to slither down to the stone balcony. A desert wind blew up the side of the stronghold, warming my skin, and I closed my eyes to enjoy the heat as I let my dragon rise. She came tearing out of my body; an uncaged beast eager for blood. I spread my massive wings and sunlight shone off my gleaming golden scales as I roared.
The army below roared back and spread their wings in one, coordinated movement as they crouched for takeoff. I dove off the balcony, my wings catching the currents with a slap of air, and my dragon army leapt into the sky to join me. Elation surged through my veins like a drug; the feeling of freedom tumbling playfully with the anticipation of violence. In this form, it was easier for me to fight. Not just because of the strength of my body but also because of the mentality of my dragon. There was no hesitation within her. She was born to kill. Born to glory in gore and relish the taste of blood. And when I released her, her desires became my own. I could slaughter without regret. Burn and bite and rend without feeling an ounce of remorse. I could be the ultimate warrior.
I flew at the head of my army, ten dragons directly behind me. The rest of the dragon warriors remained in their vaguely-human form; the better to maneuver once they landed. But, if need be, they would shift and the world would tremble beneath the feet and flight of a dread of dragons.
The shores of Saudi Arabia quickly came into sight, lined with gods and humans. The Mesopotamians stood stern and resplendent in ancient armor. Magic gleamed in the air around them and crackled up toward me like static. The humans around them wore desert camouflage along with thick helmets and vests for protection. Black stripes across their chests soon revealed themselves to be assault rifles, lifting as we came into range. Tanks squatted like fat frogs among their ranks, and artillery aimed their barrels at us, preparing to fire. But, in an instant, the humans were gone. Vanished. Guns falling to the sand, tanks unmanned, and artillery abandoned. The Gods stared around themselves in surprise, but they didn't falter and there was a good reason for that.
Sin and Enki had prepared me so I wasn't surprised by the show of force. After seeing the six hundred Anunnaki, I would have known to expect a vast army anyway. But the number of Mesopotamian Gods was staggering, even with being prepared. Sin had called them legion, and I agreed with his description. Their ranks extended to either side and back over the land like an infection.
Fire is the best cure for infection.
I dove and circled above the god army, blasting them with my burning breath and relishing in the screams that rose in my wake. The Star Gods split away from me to lead their regiments, but Sin and Enki flanked me, their mounts blasting our enemies as gleefully as I. Wards went up and magic lit the air with vibrant colors as the Mesopotamians scrambled to defend themselves. Fire would generally have only a temporarily incapacitating effect on them. These were immortals after all and there were doubtless healers among their ranks. But, depending on the strength and magic of the deity, a direct hit of dragon breath could kill them. Even if it didn't, it would cripple a god enough for even the most basic of weapons to finish them off; a sword, an arrow, or a claw.
After areas were blanketed in fire, my dragon warriors landed and began the long task of dispatching the wounded gods before moving on to others. They streamed over the Mesopotamians; a tide of dark crimson fluttering with leather wings and sparkling with the glint of teeth and talons. Magic blasted them, horrible magic that tore flesh, froze bodies, and filled lungs with water. Evil magic. But for every dragon felled, fifteen gods succumbed to the slaughter. The Mesopotamian Gods were dying. Going extinct. My warriors may be without magic, but they were resilient and strong and had fire on their side. They were Dragons!
“Foul beast!” Marduk shouted as he strode forward over blood-soaked earth and body parts. “Face me! Your death awaits!”
Marduk raised a hand and lightning shot down from the sky, filling that hand with a burning bolt. The lightning lifted him into the air as his body filled with fire, waves of heat radiating out from him. I cocked my head in fascination. Fire wouldn't work with this god, not even to incapacitate. I felt a thrill shiver through me; finally, a real challenge.
I couldn't resist Marduk's taunt, not in my dragon form. I circled about and headed back to him. Enki directed his mount to follow, screaming at me to remember my oath. I barely heard him, my mind was drenched in blood and dragon pride.
I hovered before Marduk, taking a moment to admire his fire and bravery, enjoying the crackle of the electricity he held like a rope. So confident. So proud. Gold and leather armor adorned Marduk's body; pretty, though the breastplate looked strange. Was that a slab of stone strapped to the metal?
The Tablet of Destinies! Star hissed covetously. Don't let him use it against you.
How exactly does one use a tablet? Besides the obvious, of course. How do you expect me to stop him?
Well, I could stop him easily, but you told me not to hurt him.
He
