Orian and his friends stood back to back as they were completely encircled by a numberless horde of goblins.The 5 younglings did their best to intimidate their tormentors, but all they got for their troubles were dementia laughter.
Suddenly a bright light appeared in the tunnels behind the goblins. A blue and red fireball struck the ground in the middle of the goblins, and a moment later it exploded with great force.
Sending goblin bits flying in every direction.
Both Orian's group and the goblins turned around and watched as a large 50 foot azure blue dragon stepped into the light.
Lightning was constantly arcing out of his scales. His blue eyes scanned over the cowering goblins and his face was twisted into a snarl.
"Dad!!" Exclaimed Orian.
Father and son locked eyes and Orian couldn't help but shrink when he saw the fury in his father's eyes.
"You are sooo grounded!!" Exclaimed Quill.
The others nodded their heads.
Pandemonium decended in the tunnels as every remaining goblin charged at Orian's father. A wave of golden lightning left his scales and fried numerous goblins as they closed on him.
The atmosphere around him was so hot and charged with electricity that the rocks around him had started to melt.
Several goblins popped like baloons as they entered the electric field surrounding Orian's father. Storm suddenly spread his wings and flapped down hard, jumping into the air.
He hovered in the air for a moment before diving down like a meteor at the ground below him.
When he struck the ground, an explosion of fire and lightning sent hordes of goblins flying in every direction.
One of the goblins that survived realized that fighting was pointless, the dragon was too strong and they were all going to die today.
Spite entered his heart. He looked at the little golden hatchling cowering further away.
Clearly this little one meant much to the larger dragon.
If he was going to die today, he was going to take something precious from his killer before he does. He pulled a shiv from his belt and took off running towards the hatchling .
"ORIAN, WATCH OUT!!!" Called Storm.
Orian looked up and saw the goblin diving towards him with shiv in hand and arm pulled back to strike. He knew there was nothing he could do. He couldn't dodge in time, nor could he attack before the goblin reached him.
He closed his eyes and waited for the strike to land. He heard a 'squelch' sound a moment later, followed by something warm and wet spraying across his chest and face.
Orian knew it was blood! Most likely his own!
Strangely though it didn't hurt at all.
He slowly opened his eyes and he was shocked to find that the blood covering him was green not red. The goblin that tried to skewer him was cleanly cut in half. Both halves laid on either side of Orian.
A massive dragon was standing in front of him.
He closely resembled his father, but his scales were a darker navy blue color. Almost completely black.His eyes were red and his mane of hair black.
His red eyes scanned the battlefield with a savage delight that made Orian's blood run cold. His father was a warrior, accustomed to battles and killing, but he wasn't overly cruel.
He kills because he has to, not because he enjoys the act. The dragon in front of Orian now was the kind of person that killed just for the sheer joy of it.
The kind that would dive into the biggest bloodbaths so that he can revel in the carnage and suffering.
"Dad?" Asked Orian.
"You wish, kid!!" Stated the Dark Dragon.
"Orian!!" Called Storm.
He looked up at the sound of his name and saw his father standing a short distance away in an on guard position.
There was no denying the resemblance between the two dragons. His father and the Dark dragon was so close in appearance that they might be mistaken for twins.
"Stay away from him!!" Stated Storm.
"You're welcome. " said the Dark dragon sarcastically.
He became incorporeal and sunk into the ground before reconnecting with Storm's feet.
The goblins around them were all dead.
"Orian!! Come here now!!" Bellowed his father.
Orian kept his head low and avoided eye contact as he walked closer to his father.
"What were you thinking!?" Stated his father.
"I... I only wanted to help!!" Exclaimed Orian.
"You almost got yourself and all your friends killed!!" Retorted Storm.
His son dipped his head.
Lavender stepped forward.
"The fault lies with all of us, sir! We agreed willingly to go through with this!" Defended Lavender.
"Don't try and cover for him, girl!! Or do you think I don't know how persuasive my son can be!?" Exclaimed Storm.
Orian sniffed as he tried to hold back tears.
"I don't mean to tell you how to raise your child, Storm. But perhaps now isn't the best time to address it? The danger has not yet passed." Stated Grombrim.
Storm took a deep breath as he tried to calm himself.
"You're right... I'm sorry, Sargent but we need to escort my son and his friends back to safety.
Grimm was just about to reply when he suddenly received a blank look.
Storm recognized the signs that someone was contacting him mentally immediately.
"I'm sorry, dragon. That will have to wait.
We just received an urgent request from the second team. The resistance they encountered is greater than they realized and have been unable to reach the goblin nest.
They're requesting that we use the tunnels to flank the nest and destroy it to weaken the resistance they're encountered. " Explained Grimm.
Storm's blood ran cold. Aurora was on the second team. Leaving Storm with the difficult decision of choosing between taking his son to safety, or rescuing her.
"We can make our own way back!!" Exclaimed Orian.
"Absolutely not!! The area is still swarming with goblins!! If they encountered you, you're dead!" Exclaimed Grombrim.
Storm swallowed.
Making a decision he hoped he wouldn't regret later.
"We press on! Flank the goblins and destroy the nest." Exclaimed Storm.
He looked down at Orian's group.
You five will stay close to us! Do not leave our side and don't join the battle except if you are about to be attacked. Don't make yourselves a target in any way. Do you understand!!?" Ordered Storm.