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Five Dragons: TLoP: Chapter 26: Captured


The night had fallen over Sorlacom's roofs and a single shadow flitted across the large square behind the cathedral. He quickly ducked behind the battlements, from shadow to shadow, to the entrance to the dragon quarters.

Roland was standing well armed in the large square of the cathedral. Hopefully he glanced north over the battlements. “I'm coming to you, Kyndle.” He said softly to himself as a quick gust of air whipped up the wall. He ducked hastily behind the wall and heard the flapping of large wings. A gryphon landed next to him with elegant movements. Impressively, he stretched his feathered chest forward and snapped his long wings on before he lay down on the ground to let his rider dismount.

Roland looked in amazement at the dwarf walking towards him. “By running, you won't get there until the next age, you idiot!” Kumash waved him over and pointed to the griffin. “With this, it go faster.” The gryphon then got up quickly and put his wings on aggressively. He bowed his head threateningly with his ears behind. The unmistakable growl from this creature rounded off the gesture. Roland stood still and looked intently at the predator's slit pupils, which were watching the dwarf. Kumash held up both hands and cleared his throat loudly. “All right, all right. My ass!” He muttered to himself with rolling eyes. He made a slightly bent gesture towards the gryphon. “With your help, it would be much faster, Attrius.” He said clearly. “Arrogant plumage.” He thought grumpily after.

The gryphon instantly took a more relaxed stance and nodded to the two in confirmation. Shortly thereafter, he sank back to the ground and let Kumash take another seat on the saddle. “Why are you helping me?” Roland wanted to know. “Because I'm such a lovely guy.” He replied with a sarcastic expression and blinking eyes. Roland looked at him in confusion. “Oh, I'll explain the shit to you on the way. Sit on, now!” The dwarf demanded, pointing his finger out to the back of the saddle. Roland approached the gryphon skeptically.

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Attrius flew at a remarkable speed. Instead of several days, the two fellows reached their destination in Orcus after only a one-day-flight, thanks to the gryphon. The moon was high in the sky as they landed at a safe distance from Xeen's tower.

“... and that's exactly why I want to send this asshole personally to the other side.” Kumash finished his story, when he got off the saddle. Roland said nothing. He silently dismounted from the griffin and unbuckled the saddlebag. He strode in front of the bird of prey and thankfully stroked his head down his neck. His hand ran gently through the soft feather skin. With closed eyes, the gryphon took note of his touch and cooed quietly. “Thank you.” He whispered to him. “And order Barnaba's best regards.” Kumash added.

The griffin stood upright and bowed his head forward in greeting before rising again with elegant wing beats. Roland inhaled heavily. “Why Barnabas?” He wanted to know from the dwarf. “Well, because that was his bird.” He replied. “But it's still an arrogant asshole.”

“Alright.” Roland started confidently. “We should ...” “Watch out!” He was interrupted frantically by Kumash. Roland accidentally overturned the bag of the dwarf and some of the contents rolled out: a half-full glass bottle and a metal ball with a thick wick on it. Slightly panicked, the dwarf reached for the ball and looked at it carefully. He exhaled in relief when he saw no damage on it. “And that's what?” Roland asked. Kumash looked at him vigorously, lifting the ball a bit. “That'll help me, to pop the asshole of this wanker open wide.” He replied as he put it back in his pocket. “It´s a custom-made from such an ass violin from Riva. His name was Gerhard, or something ... but it doesn't matter.” A broad grin grew under his thick beard. “He won't even notice how quickly I will smash his head.” “And what is about that?” Roland asked curiously, pointing to the wrapped sword on Kumash's back. The sign of Arkas was visible on the dirty sword grip. “Don't touch!” The dwarf grunted grumpily. “This is also intended for the over-asshole.”

After a few minutes, they finally reached the view of Xeen's tower. The black keep towered gloomily out of the masonry and a dim light penetrated from the upper windows. The whole fortress was a lot bigger than he had seen in his vision. Protected by a low rock, he peered along the wall. Numerous shadow armors moved behind the battlements and in front of the main gate floated a strange large ball with several holes in it. “What's that?” Roland wondered in a whisper.

One of the shadow armors leaned over the battlements above the gate. Awkwardly, it pushed a small stone from the wall, which fell to the floor next to the floating ball. The thing awoke frightfully. A huge eye opened in the middle and small tentacles came out of the holes with further eyes on it. Below the large iris, a wide mouth with long dagger-like fangs opened. With a loud growl, it looked hectic at the fallen stone. The pupil of the big eye turned fiery red and shortly afterwards a tongue of flame stood out. The color of the eyes quickly changed to a bright blue and a strong flash of lightning discharged into the burning place where the stone had landed. Defeated the supposed threat, the eye looked frantically with its tentacles. It slowly closed again and the small tentacles retreated.

“Shit, a beholder!” Kumash muttered to himself. “If that notices us, we're fucked. So I wouldn't recommend that route.” “Neither would I.” Roland confirmed. “We should go in from there.” He suggested softly, pointing to the crack in the wall on the left side of the fortress.

“What if there are more such surprises waiting for us in there?” “It would be better if not.” Roland said confidently. “By the way, I squeezed Aaros a little bit over this Minerva.” Kumash began. “And?” His human colleague asked tensely. “Heh, listen, this whore really calls herself the Princess of the Night.” He said amused. “That doesn't help us, Kumash.” “Oh, besides, she can conjure up miscarriages like those down there.” Roland let out a heavy breath. “That will be fun.” He thought to himself sarcastically.

“So, as far as the vision had looked like, Kyndle is being held in the tower.” With his arm outstretched, he pointed to the dark tower. “Somewhere in the upper rooms, where the light can be seen.” He looked at the glowing windows tensely when he suddenly heard a slight clearing of the throat from Kumash. He turned to the dwarf and was sure to see a big smile under his beard. “What?” He asked in amazement. “Nothing. I just thought… uh, doesn't matter.” He started amused. “Come on. What is it?!” Roland asked impatiently. “Well, an evil princess holding a dragon trapped in the tower.” Kumash looked at Roland for a long moment. “Sounds like a cheap cliché, doesn't it?” Roland shook his head and turned back to the front. “How is that supposed to help us, please?” He said quietly.

“Oh, go shit yourself.” The dwarf cleared his throat and adjusted his bag. “So then, after you.” He added, standing behind him. Roland swung around the rock and looked at the big crack in the wall. With his eyes closed, he took a deep breath as he pulled his medium through. The scales on the back of the hand rose slightly. It seemed to him that the closer he got to the keep, the more his strength would return.

Crouched and in the shadow of the wall, they both crept to the breakthrough. He carefully took a look around the corner. Then he pulled his head back again and pushed himself hard against the wall, breathing heavily. He grabbed Kumash by the chest and also pressed him to the wall. “What the ...?!” He growled softly “Schhht!” Roland hissed in between. Shortly thereafter, another beholder hovered out of the crack and snarled at the surroundings. Roland bent quietly and picked up a small stone. He threw it silently behind the nearby bushes.

The beholder immediately panned in the direction of the sound. With his mouth open and tentacles extended, he roared behind the bushes. A smashing echo of a fire burst came out of the direction. Roland waved to Kumash and with quick steps they moved through the crack in the wall. When they arrived in the courtyard, they immediately sought cover behind an open cage car. “That was close.” Kumash whispered, looking back at the wall. Shortly afterwards the beholder floated back into the courtyard and continued his patrol. “It won't be easier.” Roland replied quietly, lifting his attention to the second gate. “At least the drop gate is open.” He said with relief and continued to peer along the battlements. Then he stared in amazement at the outer wall. “Strange?” He muttered to himself. “What?” Kumash asked softly, still watching the beholder. “There are only guards on the outer wall.”

Kumash pushed him forward slightly. “Ehrm ... that thing is coming over to us.” Roland threw his attention back and recognized the beholder as it headed for their cover. The careful eye wandered around the carriage, but no one was to be seen behind. With a dull growl, the beast continued to hover across the square.

Roland's head came out in the shadow of the archway and made sure they hadn't been spotted. “All right, move on.” Both walked under the raised gate and found an empty castle courtyard. Kumash adjusted his bag and spat on the floor once. “This thing stinks.” He grumbled to himself.

At the same Time, a deafening hiss swept across the square and shortly afterwards the drop gate fell down behind them. A large figure jumped down from above the archway and landed noisily in front of the two intruders. “Easy prey!” He gasped, standing upright. A soft crunch came from his battered armor as he pulled out his mighty two-handed axe. Small purple runes shimmered on the night-black metal. Two beholders appeared next to the dark general and blocked the remaining escape routes.

Roland held up his medium and created a bright flame in his hand, ready to start the fight. A diabolical laugh echoed across the courtyard and a green circle of flames ignited around Roland and Kumash. In front of the keep, a high flame of prickle pierced the night sky and revealed the Lord of Xeen's tower. The necromancer hovered before them. His bony hands raised, ready to fight, they burned with green flames. “How nice that you please us with your presence.” A dark glitter from his black eye sockets accompanied his panting words. “I didn't expect you, to return the favor of my last visit so quickly.” Slowly Kargesh lowered and looked greedily at Roland. “Choose your next step wisely.” He threatened.

Roland's gaze wandered slowly around: a mighty lich in front of him, a beholder on each side and a general of the northern empire behind. Add to that the shadow armors on the wall and Kargesh's home advantage. Against him and Kumash Gor. A situation that both couldn't escape. He let out a breath as he extinguished the flame in his hand and shortly afterwards, he felt a thump on the back of his head. With a foggy look, he dropped to his knees. He heard a loud “Fuck you in your knee!” from his bearded comrade before he passed out.


Roland's senses came back quietly and he heard the voice of Kumash Gor. “You walking bag of shit! Hey! I'm talking to you!” Roland recognized a silver mask in his field of vision that stared at him with a greedy sparkle in his eyes. “HEY! Move your rancid ass over here so I can personally kick it to the boneyard!” Kumash roared further from his cell next door. With a condescending gasp, Kargesh's eyes swung to the angry dwarf. He leaned slowly over to the little man and looked at him with his head tilted. “Stubborn and short-sighted, the whole bloodline.” His biting voice whispered through the bars. Kumash stared at the necromancer with rage. “I'm going to kick my boot so deep in your ass that you digest my shoe for a week!” He threatened slowly as Arkas’ mark on his neck began to glow slightly.

Roland looked at his cell in the meantime. He was hung from his wrist cuffs on a torture bench. His feet dangled loosely in the air. His belongings and those of Kumash were set up on a table on the back wall of the room. His medium was there too.

The necromancer giggled darkly and walked back to Roland's cell. He looked at Roland greedily through his bony fingers. “I've been waiting too long for this moment.” He lowered his hand and continued to stare at him with his face tilted. “Where is she?” Roland asked firmly and looked at the lich seriously. “Hah, so the dragon is your only concern?” Roland lowered his eyes slightly and inhaled heavily. “No, don't waste your tears.” Kargesh waved an outstretched index finger at his words. “She has the honor of being a part of something great.”

“But you don't have to worry about that anymore.” He pointed his finger at his prisoner. “Nobody eludes a pact with me!” Roland looked at the mask in surprise. “What pact?” He wanted to know. The bars of his prison melted into smoke as Kargesh walked into the cell. Panting, he approached him. With his bony hand, he lifted the mask from his terrible face and revealed his putrid face. The purple flames in his musty eye sockets blazed greedily as he breathed his cold breath into his prisoner's face. Roland turned away from him as the rotting smell rose in his nose. “Your father thought he was smart and was sure, that he would have thought of everything, even to hide you from me too.” He gasped in his biting voice. Roland's eyes widened suddenly when he mentioned him. “But it looks like all his efforts have just vanished into thin air.” With a chuckle, he put his mask back on and strode out through the smoky bars. As soon as he stood in front of the cell, the metal bars reappeared. “Your role in this story will soon be over.” He announced quietly without turning and with a dark giggle he walked towards the door.

“If it's about me, then what do you want from Kyndle?!” Roland shouted after him and pulled hard on his bonds. But these did not yield in any way. He watched the necromancer for a long time until he finally left the room. The iron door slammed shut, leaving both prisoners alone. Roland's head fell depressed.

“Ahh, fuck faces!” It came from Kumash out of the cell on the other side. “These cunt heads even found my hidden lockpicks!” He continued to swear as he fumbled in his pants. Roland just shook his head and let his forehead drop forward.

The dwarf walked up to his cell door and looked out thoughtfully. “Sucks! We have to get out of here, damn it!” He threw angrily into the room. “I still have a bill open with this walking sack of shit!” Roland raised his forehead slightly with his eyes closed. “Tell me something new.” He said softly hanging in the chains.

“You can't stop him ... not now.” A female voice came from the third cell in the corner. Two silver eyes shimmered out of the shadow. “We are only chess pieces in a game that the mighty of this world are fighting among themselves.” Dejected, the woman sat on the floor. “You're this Minerva, right?” Roland said quietly. “You were in Ironwing too.”

“I should have known better, should have recognized the signs earlier.” She complained. “And now that I have fulfilled my benefits, I am also part of the expendable waste.” “But it is not too late to do the right thing.” Roland said confidently. “Just tell me how I can ...” “It is too late!” Minerva shouted, discouraged. “Kargesh is just another puppet in this game! And in his arrogance he doesn't even notice it!” She stared through the bars, completely scared. “The forces they try to release are far beyond our understanding.” With a paranoid glint in her eyes, she backed away into the shadow of her cell. “We are not up to this onslaught.” An anxious whisper finally came from the dark corner. “None of us …”

“Well, we can remove this cunt from the list now.” Kumash said loudly. “Any ideas?” He asked hopefully. Roland started turning his left hand in the shackle. “Well, I could try to ... ARGH!” Suddenly his eyes widened and his head lifted up tight. Breathing for air, he trembled frantically in his bonds. Kumash flinched slightly from his cell door when he saw Roland's reaction.

A panicked cry from Kyndle hit his soul. He cramped as if someone was thrusting a blade straight into his heart.

“WHAT THE …?!” Kumash exclaimed in his cell, startled, when he looked at his comrade. Roland threw himself back and forth in the chains, but the bonds kept him fixed. He let out a groan of pain and gasped for air uncontrollably.

The intense impressions of Kyndle echoed in Roland's mind. The access to her was still blocked, but these feelings, these heavy pains were still there. It felt like he was on fire, as if his soul was slowly being ripped out of his body.

“What is this bastard doing with you!?” His mind voice complained against her whimpering echoes. But then this painful connection started to weaken. Her soul moved further away from him. Roland looked frightened into the void, knowing that his mate might be dying and there was nothing he could do about it.

Roland clenched both hands and closed his eyes. “NO!” Kyleth's symbol on the back of his right hand began to glow brightly. His medium flew from the table to his cell at lightning speed. “I WILL NOT ALLOW THAT!” Roland said in a dark angry voice. The bonds on his wrists glowed red until they finally broke with the ensuing flaming shock wave. The blazing blast also destroyed his cage and hurled the fragments away.

“DAMN!” Kumash shouted when he got away from the door just in time. The debris from Roland's cage pierced the bars as if they were made of paper. The metal bars were glowing in the wall of the dungeon. The dwarf looked confused at his colleague. Shortly thereafter, he spotted the table on which his equipment was lying.

Released from the bonds, Roland hovered in the remains of his cage. He took a deep breath in the glare of his glowing eyes at the gate when another echo from Kyndle reached him. “YOU WILL NOT DO THIS!” His booming voice echoed against the locked entrance. A strong blast accompanied his words and crashed loudly against the iron door.

Meanwhile, Kumash gathered his equipment and finally reached for the wrapped sword. As he tied it on his back, he looked at the dark cell in the corner. A pool of blood covered the floor of the cage, and Minerva was pierced by three bars in the wall. “Hmpf.” He grunted, as he turned away from her.


In front of the locked gate, a guard looked at the reinforced door when it trembled slightly. Two shadow armors, drawn by the strange noises, moved also toward the dungeon. Arrived at the gate and the unsettled security guard, Roland's anger broke through and smashed the iron gate with the armors against the wall. The man ducked hectic to the side and looked in shock at the prisoner.

Roland floated menacingly out of the breakthrough and stared furiously at the man lying next to the entrance.

“WHERE IS SHE?!” Roland's voice echoed painfully in the mind of the remaining guard. The man got up and covered his ears screaming. “Who?!” He panicked and fell on his knees. Roland moved slowly towards him. “WRONG ANSWER!” His anger reentered the guard's skull. Roland held his hand forward as if he were grasping the man tightly and the guard was raised trembling. The man's eyes widened, screaming, all his aching lungs could give. Driven by his rage, Roland dug through the man's mind and got the answers himself. Blood ran from the guard's nose and ears, while his eye sockets caught fire and his movements went limp with a low gasp.

Breathing heavily, Roland looked ahead as he dropped the lifeless body that gave him no answers. Kyndle's pain echoed against his mind again. He could see her fading point of light through the walls. Ignoring the aching echoes, he ran furiously towards the wall. He jumped up and hit it with his glowing right fist. A loud bang accompanied the harrowing collapse of the wall and Roland ran purposefully towards his light.

Ready to fight, Kumash jumped over the rubble of the gate and sent his war cry out into the aisle. His mighty hammer raised, his echo called out of the quiet hall. He looked slightly confused at the lying armors and the burning head of a security guard. Skeptically, he gazed at the big hole in the wall and walked over the rubble. A loud bang with a rumbling shock through the floor came from this direction. “Hmpf!” He said soberly and started chasing.

Another wall was torn down by Roland's anger and he was now standing in a dome-like room. A long carpet stretched out in front of him, reaching to a high gate. Six shadow armors stood in front of the large entrance, behind them, eight skeleton archers on the ramparts and in front of the gate was a large dark figure. It towered far above the armors and carried a powerful, double-edged axe on its back. It held a huge double shield, one half in every hand. Skull symbols and sinister signs glowed on it in a purple glow.

Broderick set down one shield, raised his visor and exposed his rotting face. The piercing gaze of his shimmering yellow eyes on Roland, he gasped loudly. “Only up to this line ...!” He threatened with a deafening hiss and smashed one of the shield halves into the ground.

Roland stubbornly stared at the dark general. Behind the locked door, he recognized Kyndle's dwindling soul. Unimpressed by Broderick's threat, he started toward the door. Two shadow armors rushed towards him with their spears and heaved their tips forward. Before their weapons could reach their destination, however, a strong shock wave swept across the floor, which clattered the two armors to the ground.

Roland stopped and quickly opened his fists. With a loud crackle, two bright, orange-red flames burned over the glowing palms. With his fiery eyes always on the general, he pushed the flames away from him with both hands. The mighty fire stretched across the floor like long tongues and melted the armors to glowing metal puddles.

He stretched out both arms sideways and pulled them together in front of him. His flames reflected this movement. They swept from both sides to the middle of the room and got rid of the remaining shadow armors. Finally Roland pushed forward with his medium and unleashed a whirlpool from the two tongues of fire against the general. With a loud hiss, the orange-red flames swept against the gate.

Roland straightened up again and took another step towards the reddish door. A lone shield stood in front of the entrance. It broke in half and a smoking general emerged. A dark giggle accompanied his weak panting. Roland raised his face slightly, but he noticed the shooters above the gate too late. Before he could raise his arm, an arrow hit him in the shoulder.

He sank to his knees and lifted his left hand up to the gate. A second arrow pierced it. He painfully closed his eyes and still felt his soul dwindling. Taking a deep breath, he tried to gather his strength.

Broderick approached the kneeling man with long, heavy steps. “... and no further!” He hissed across the room. Noisily he dropped his shield halves to the ground and picked Roland up by his neck. He kept his eyes closed, but felt the cold grip on his throat. Broderick opened the visor of his helmet again and stared at him greedily. “Easy prey!”

Roland smelled the foul stench of his breath and felt the tightening grip around his neck. But Broderick dropped him unexpectedly.

Kumash Gor stood by the hole in the wall and threw his hammer. With a thud, the massive weapon struck the general's helmet. Roland landed on the floor and groaned cramping. The dwarf ran to him with hurried steps and raised him again. “Get up, damn it!” He swore in his face. He then looked up at the general and his new bulge in his helmet. Broderick shook his hand on his forehead and let out a threatening growl.

Roland knelt exhausted on the floor and held his face down, breathing heavily. He felt his soul continue to fade and tears came from his closed eyes. “Kyndle ... I ... I can't ...” “Don't give up, Roland.” He heard a warm, feminine voice in his head. He opened his eyes and saw a bright glow in front of him. “Let me help you carry this burden ...”

With a scowl in his eyes, Broderick looked at the dwarf and pulled out his mighty two-handed axe. With widened eyes, Kumash's gaze fell on the sharp, black edges of the weapon. “Shit!” He remarked grumpily and turned his attention to his hammer, which was lying on the floor in front of Broderick.

Kumash stood ready to fight and looked up into the dead face when suddenly a bright glow came from his back. Roland knelt on the floor and a light blue light shone from him. “STOP IT!” His massive voice echoed against the walls. The blast knocked Kumash to the ground and Broderick braced himself hard, but could hardly keep up on his feet. The bony archers in the battlements were thrown backwards against the wall and disintegrated into their individual parts.

Roland completely disappeared into the light. “You won’t get past me!” The dark general hissed against the blinding glow and smashed his axe in the ground. The light changed its shape and got bigger. It was unmistakably the appearance of a dragon, which was filled with glittering light. The creature stood up ready to fight, its head bowed and its wings bent aggressively. Orange-red, Kyleth's sign shimmered on the forehead.

With a deafening roar, the dragon began to approach the general. Broderick took out his weapon and took a step towards the attacking creature.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..


Meanwhile in the chamber.

“Just a bit more.” Kargesh gasped impatiently and looked intently at the soul vessel. Shady clouds moved faster and faster from the lying dragoness around the vessel and were sucked up by it. The black stone became more and more orange-red in color and the lifeless heart inside began to beat slowly.

Kyndle tried to keep her weakened gaze open, but the draining process was too much for her. Blood trickled from her nose and ears, and her claws scraped the ground in spasms. With tears in her eyes, her head sank to the plinth, snorting, and she felt her pulse steadily weaken. "Roland..." she thought desperately as his image in her memories was sucked into the pyramid in front of her.

Kargesh walked up to her and looked into her dilated pupils. “Not long now and it will be done!” He shouted up to the ceiling with his arms apart. A faint laugh came from the figure in the gray robe, hovering next to the soul vessel.

The lich jumped in alarm when a blinding light suddenly burst through the door. Kargesh watched Broderick fall to the floor in front of him after being pushed through the door. Coughing heavily, the general straightened up and looked at his master.

A shining blade came out of his chest, eyes wide open. It was the glowing tail of the dragon. His arms and legs tensed, he was lifted up by the light. The glow grew brighter and with a strong push, it pierced the general completely. Two paws clung to the rotten flesh of Broderick and tore him apart as the tail quickly drove down. The shimmering blade cut easily through the spoiled body and the remains of Broderick bumped bloodily against the floor.

The dragon gave a threatening growl as it approached the necromancer and crushed the general's dead head under its mighty paw. Ready to attack, he looked down into the purple sparkle of the silver mask. “Too late!” Kargesh gasped and at that moment, the glowing soul vessel emitted a strong shock wave. The dragon's light broke like a mirror and Roland fell exhausted to the ground.

The necromancer looked briefly up at the filled soul vessel, but then turned to Roland. A purple glitter popped out of the mask's empty eye sockets as he leaned greedily over him. “Amazing.” He whispered to him. “This access will be a powerful tool for me.”

Roland tried to sit up, breathing hard, but couldn't. His strength was too weak.

“Hey asshole!” A deep voice echoed into the room. Kargesh looked up. “Who dares?!” He called angrily to the broken gate. A ball crashed into his mask and exploded with a faint bang. The blow smashed him hard on the floor. Coughing slightly, the lich straightened up and waved the red and silver cloud of dust aside with his arm. Then he sent a threatening glow from his eyes to the entrance. A dwarf strode across the door to Kargesh with a massive hammer. He stood ready to fight sideways in front of the necromancer and angrily pointed his index finger at him. “YOU are mine!” He roared, lifting his hammer with both hands.

“Do you think a gnome like you has grown to me?!” Kargesh scoffed, raising his arm in the direction of the dwarf. With a grumpy growl, Kumash slowly started walking towards him. “An eye for an eye!” With these words, he rushed towards Kargesh with his weapon raised.

The necromancer giggled confidently and held his hands openly to the side, but was surprised to find, that no green flames appeared on his palms. His eyes then panicked to the attacker, but all he saw was a quick oncoming hammerhead.

The silver mask clattered to the floor with a metal clatter, and Kargesh knelt on all fours, coughing. Blood flowed from his broken nose and shattered lower jaw. The rags of skin hung dripping from the cracked corner of the mouth. "How is that possible?" he wheezed softly. Kumash stood in front of him and looked into his putrid face. He dropped his hammer to the ground and pulled out the old blade on his back. The metal shimmered reddish-blue. "Greetings from Arkas, you son of a bitch!" the dwarf said mockingly and grabbed the necromancer by the throat. Kumash looked at the hilt of the blood-encrusted sword. Arkas’ symbol on it began to glow red and blue, as did the mark on Kumash's neck. "Mas verges nedroff!" he whispered softly.

With a slow thrust, he sank the sword's blade into Kargesh's stomach. The dwarf exhaled tensely as he drove the steel under his ribs. The necromancer's glowing eye sockets ruptured as the weapon slid through his heart from beneath. His body moved, trembling, while the violet glow in his eyes brightened. Kumash glared at him angrily. Skillfully, he twisted the gun a bit and pressed it a little deeper. He stared greedily into the dying eyesight of the lich. Crackling softly, the sparkle dwindled and the necromancer's face began to collapse. Shimmering cracks rippled across his putrid body. Kumash pulled out the now burning blade and let go of its throat, watching Kargesh's body sag more and more. A blazing green flame erupted from the corpse and took the form of a deformed skull. A distorted screech screeched from him, jaw agape, which echoed heavily in the chamber. Shortly thereafter, the image dissolved. For a long time Kumash looked down at the remaining, faintly glowing heap of ash.

A figure watched quietly from the shadows. Without a word, she stretched out her arm and the filled soul vessel floated towards her. Holding it in hand, a reddish glowing portal crack appeared behind him, through which he left the place without anyone seeing him. The rift closed as quickly as it appeared.

Relieved, Kumash dropped to his knees and took a deep breath. With his loud war cry, he released his relief. Exhausted, his head laid back, until a weak cough penetrated his ears and quickly brought him back. “Oh shit! Roland!” He called hastily and hurried to him.

Roland sat up convulsively and quickly approached the pedestal where his dragon was still trapped. He grabbed Kumash's hammer and hit the crystal ball in front of her with it. The steel bounced violently and the recoil rocked him back heavily. Roland exhaled tensely and straightened up again. A large crack appeared on the surface and the whirlpool began to flicker slightly. Groaning, he struck again and dropped the blunt weapon once more on the object. The sphere broke apart with a crash, and the cloud of the whirlpool hissed out between the splinters. The fragments fell to the ground, glowing, just before they went out. And just as the black vortex, panting, evaporated, so did the cursed bonds that held the dragon to the pedestal.

With this blow, the psychological blockage also collapsed and the connection to her was restored. But the contact was faint, scarcely perceptible. He heard her almost panting breathing and watched her silently. A faint gasp sounded in her breath and he felt sharp pains in his chest. Blood started dripping from his nose and spasming waves of pain rippled through his muscles.

She lifted her paw towards him, but let it drop weakly again as she gave her partner a wet look in her eyes. He had reached her. After all, he had still reached her. She tried again to raise her right paw. Roland knelt shakily in front of her and smiled warmly at his Kyndle as he grabbed her paw. With tears in his eyes, he held his right hand to her cheek and slipped his left hand under her paw. "We'll get you out of here! I promise!” he whispered softly and leaned his forehead against hers. Tears flowed from his closed lids, wetting their clouding scales. A barely audible coo escaped from her throat as her claws tried to snag his fingers. "Roland..." her weakened voice flickered through his mind, but her strength was no longer sufficient. Exhausted, her paw fell to the ground and with her last effort she looked at her partner.

Roland felt it deep in his aching soul but didn't want it to be true.

Dejected, he slumped as he looked at her lying body. She lifted her head slightly and looked up at him, whispering a weak “Chirp”. Her partner put his hand on her cheek. “No! No! Stay with me! You belong to my side!” He implored, staring deeply into her eyes. “Forever yours ...” Her mental voice disappeared from his soul.

He felt her breathing weaken and felt her soul begin to break with his. Desperately he stared into her wide eyes. He could see one last spark before the turquoise glow in them disappeared. The pupils became clouded and her head sank lifelessly to the ground with closed eyelids.

Completely horrified, he stared blankly at her. She looked like she was sleeping peacefully. Only her fading scales and her stillness spoke of her true state.

Roland's tears filled his eyes and a crushing emptiness took hold of him as if he were a lifeless shell. Where her gentle and loving aura once stood was now an all-consuming hole. He knelt before her, paralyzed. It was heavy on his chest and his hands were shaking. His fingers placed over her closed lids, he breathed in and out irregularly.

But then he lost his control. “NO!” With a painful cry, he released his despair. He grabbed her head in panic and pressed his forehead to hers, crying, pressing her convulsively against his body.

“Come back to me!” He sobbed, running his hand over her cold scales. Small rivers of sadness were reflected in his face and dripped onto her mat skin. “You can't do this to me!” He remained shaky and held onto the lifeless body of his dragoness. His forehead pressed hard against hers, he gritted his teeth and tried to control his emotions but failed hopelessly.

“Open your eyes! PLEASE!” He panted helplessly on her face and trembled stroking her closed eyelids. “YOU SHOULD COME BACK TO ME!” His echo called again in the high hall. He pulled her head to his chest one more time and held it with his eyes closed. “No, not you ... please don't.”

He plunged deeper and deeper into his grief.

“I do everything.” He sobbed desperately. “Everything! Just be by my side again!” He whimpered in her cheek. Desperate, he stared at the void with his grief, still holding her lifeless body.

He would give anything to feel her breath once again, to look into her soft blue eyes and to see this bright spark. This spark that was only meant for him. That one shimmer that he only shared with her. But this was now meaningless. In his eyes there were already cloudy spots, where her aura once shimmered. The bright spark had gone.

Kneeling by her side, more tears fell on her mat scales. “Don't do this to me.” He whispered to himself, stroking the already wet scales on her face, but then finally collapsed over her. “Don't go, where I can't follow you…”

Kumash slowly approached him. He put his hand gently on his shoulder. "Roland, we should..." "No!" Roland interrupted his soft words angrily. "I'm not going without..." His eyes suddenly widened and a hesitant exhalation suddenly silenced his desperate voice. He fell lifeless from Kumash's grasp backwards onto his back. The dwarf stood over him in shock and looked helplessly into his empty eyes. "WHAT THE…?!"


Above them hovered a dark shadow in the shape of a great dragon. White eye sights shimmered in the eye sockets of the head and thin columns of light blue smoke rose from them. Beside this shadow flickered a misshapen outline with a faint orange-red color and a faint blue glow. Kumash didn't notice this.