Born From Fire Engulfed In Flame (Open)

[Adam]

Every dragon alive knew the stories of the Hun’Drog, a vicious Fire Lord that existed ages ago, before the Lot’Prodaz, or Great Migration in the human tongue. The Hun’Drog was also known as Faal Kaal, or “The Champion” to the Fire Dragons, a mighty warrior that had purged the Dragon Nation of their most corrupt, and turned the Dragon Kingdom into the most powerful that it had ever been. Scores of dragons both revered and feared the return of the Hun’Drog, revered because many Fire Dragons saw him as their second coming. A warrior that would uplift them to glory again, and would lay waste to their enemies, be they god or mortal. The very word, “Hun’Drog” was the most honored title of the Dragons. It translated from the Ancient Tongue to mean, Hero-Lord. As to what happened to their hallowed Hero-Lord, was a source of myth for eons.

Many believed that he ascended to take fight against the other gods, in battle for their throne, which some Dragons believe that he still battles for today. Others believe that he was vanquished long ago by his foes, while others believe that he left on a noble pilgrimage to arm the strong and aid the weak against cruelty and injustice. The truth however, is never really as glorious as the tales told of the legend. Or, perhaps some legends simply go to sleep. Slumbering until they can return again to finally finish the legend. Many tried to keep the faith, and many abandoned faith that the Kruziik Hun’Drog would ever return.

Eons later…

When Dragon-kind had moved from their ancestral home and into the stars for a new home, what they unintentionally brought with them was a spell. This spell was ancient, and hand woven by the gods themselves to contain a being too powerful for even the deities to control. Had the gods used this spell on any other dragon, it would have the power to contain that dragon in-between the infinite realities. Never seen, nor heard, nor felt, this spell would trap a regular being in limbo for all eternity. However, the being that it was used on contained a power within that the gods had not seen since the dawn of time, itself. This was the power of Faal Kaal Samael, better known in legend as the Kruziik Hun’Drog, or as translated, the Ancient Hero-Lord. His will and dedication to his people was so strong that it focalized on the presence of the Dragon race, specifically of the Fire Clan. It was here, in the new home of the Dragons, where the fires of resurrection were burning their brightest.

Upon this harsh, unforgiving patch of badlands, pea gravel began rising up, from the smallest grain, to form into a singular mound that stood the size of a man, and oval shaped. Pieces of the mound began to flash red, as if it were metal and was struck by invisible lightning. More patches of red began to flash against the vertical, oval shaped mound. Bright red at first, and then the patches that were present illuminated a dim-red color as the flash went away from that particular spot. Soon, the flashes began erupting flames from within the mound, as if a chemical reaction was happening on the inside to cause random patches of spontaneous combustion. Before too long, the mound of rock was blanketed in fire, and not long after that, the fiery mound went up in a loud explosion, but it was not the explosion itself that attracted the ear of every dragon in every corner of the planet, but instead, it was the sound of a man roaring from within the flames.
The fires consumed any and all life in the immediate area. Those creatures with a natural immunity to the fires of the land, soon found themselves nothing more than a cinder in comparison to what once stood. The only thing left alive within the area was a being that stood where the mound once stood for a few short moments. He wore armor that looked as if it had seen countless battles, yet had a sturdiness to it that made it look almost brand new. It was smooth, almost as if it were forged by bare hands, a feat that would be impossible for even the hardiest of blacksmith. His eyes were almost pitch black in color however, there was also a red hue within his eyes too. If one looked close enough, they could swear that it was real fire within those eyes.

While he remained standing in place, his eyes quickly scanned the area. His stone face had the signs of weariness and confusion on them, but his stance, and now, movements he made as he walked from the crater he once stood in, showed signs of fatigue. Yet, the dragon did not falter, nor did he stop to catch a breath. His entire being was exalted with purpose.

[Deleted]

Bellator was a man revered within the Brigade for his loyalty and honorable devotions and sacrifices to the organization. Many sacrifices of which were not even publicly known save for a select few. He was practically worshiped by his men which he had always put first above all else. He carried out tasks and displayed deeds that seemed beyond humanly possible which filled his men with confidence and inspiration in otherwise grim and normally hopeless situations. However the reason for his capabilities were simpler than most seemed to be able to grasp. Bellator was not a god, he wasn't chosen by any either, nor did he hold divine grace. His abilities stemmed from hard work yes but from the fact that he was a dragon and a gifted one among his race. His family line held minor traits from a earth dragon whom his great great grandfather chose as a mate leading to 5 generations of abnormally large sized air dragons in his family, each generation becoming smaller and smaller as the gene faded more and more. Of his nest Bellator was actually the smallest of his brethren and remained so until he reached adulthood but even so for an air dragon he held a unnaturally large build though not more so than other species, still surprising for his own. Bellator however possessed great potential and fearlessness in the face of danger just seconds after being born. He grew with a strong desire to protect those he cared for and was willing to give his life to do so from his first moments alive where he nearly died saving his brother from a large serpent.

Bellator was quick to come into his abilities being among the youngest to learn how to fly and use his abilities long before among his kind. He always sought to better himself and embraced hardship and struggle as a rite of passage into doing just that, a philosophy he holds onto and teaches his men this very day. Most choose to see strife as something to avoid if possible and when it comes about an obstacle to overcome. Bellator has always seen it as a gift and an opportunity to show how much one deserved to be alive and through this was the only true way to improve oneself. But Bellator was not careless with this train of thought, he understood limitations and the capabilities of his men. So when a request to investigate what appeared to be a dragon terrorizing people just outside the border of the homelands of the fire dragons Bellator though confident in their ability did not needlessly risk anyones life with such a task but his own. The reports described a dragon looking creature that breathed fire and devoured and burned all in its path. However the description was a little odd. Bellator wasn't an expert on dragons despite being one, especially one outside of his species, but the description did not seem to describe any fire dragon he had heard about. However some of the characteristics described took on traits he was familiar with; demons. Had a demon possessed and corrupted a fire dragon? Or perhaps a demon had come through with the power to take the form of and imitate that of a fire dragon.

Regardless given the sizable payment offered Bellator took the job feeling he could use the money to first buy improvements he wanted in fortifications for the brigade, equipment for his men, and if anything was left give raises to the officers who displayed exceptional performance in their duties. Bellator took off right away leaving on horse, when he was a great deal of distance away he left his horse and sent it running back. With no one else about he transformed into his true form and with the aid of the very wind itself flew at speeds no other species of dragons could match. He stopped at the border changing back to his human form. Scratching his beard he investigated damage caused by what he assumed was the creature described. He could sense a evil presence about the flame that lingered. This fire came from no dragon that was for sure, it was unholy fire. Just then though an explosion occured far inward from the lands the fire dragons called their home. But even at the border Bellator felt it. Was this the creature? What demon could possibly possess such great power? Bettator headed inland changing once more then returning to human form dropping from the clouds above through smoke and ash and landing about a hundred yards from where the powerful explosions originated. But no demon stood in the epicenter of the force, a man stood there in armor Bellator thought reminded him of a old style the older generations of his family was use to. This set was unique still.

Bellator could recognize this man as a fire dragon but something felt different about him than any fire dragon he had come across before. Something had happened to this dragon though and its effects were noticeable to Bellator as he saw it constantly with his officers. The ability to push through the wear, tire, and never show any weakness. Obviously this man was a warrior. Winds shifted however around Bellator and with a gesture the winds erupted from Bellator towards the fire dragon. However upon reaching the fire dragon it did not push at him, it was cool, invigorating even. The dragons fatigue would fade and his mental state would surge anew as if he had awaken from a well needed sleep energizing his body. Ballator stood fast though not sure what to expect. He wore silvery dragon depicted heavy armor. It had his family crest on the neck guard and his title in the brigade in his own kinds tongue which many in the brigade believed to just be fancy symbols or designs decorative. "I am Commander Bellator Draconis of the mercenary legion known as the Bridage. Do you require aid warrior?" Bellator spoke with his deep baritone like voice brusquely in tone.

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[Adam]

Another step, and then another. Although weak and light headed, he moved as if nothing were wrong. Long ago, the Fire Clan once believed that the only demons that existed were in the form of self-limitations brought on by the dragon, themselves. To give into fatigue, hunger, thirst, or even death were among the greatest offenses that a dragon could do to their spirit. To kill the spirit meant no glory in death, and no promise of an afterlife. Consciousness forever trapped within an eternal void, with no chance to ever move on. Any limit presented, no matter how impossible it may have seen, was a wall. A wall heavily reinforced to keep to common soul out. To a Fire Dragon though, it was these fortifications that possessed any real power over a dragon, and Fire Dragons chose to live a hard life, and when life brought an obstacle their way, they tore through it, rather than embrace it. In service to oneself, to take that might and add it to an army with might to rival, there was nothing that could not be overcome, even if the obstacle were the gods themselves. Fear no one, for Death is a wanting mistress, and to cheat her icy grips, a Fire Dragon must purge their mind of all doubts and see only the burning will to live.





Many times in his life, Samael had cheated Death. Held her, caressed her, and even slipped his tongue inside her icy mouth and resurfaced with more life than before. Taking a few steps after what seemed like a long, lost slumber was a challenge, but some Samael proudly went to overcome. However, when he felt the presence of a new dragon in the area, his interest was instantly peaked. By the presence of their movement, and the pulse of their aura, which went through Samael like a current, he could feel that this one was an Air Dragon, but there was something else too. Something more…earthly about him. The dragon landed, a gush of cool wind touching Samael’s face, and then the landing of the Dragon. The dragon spoke in a foreign language unknown to Samael’s ears. He cocked his head slightly to the side before placing his hand upon his chest and firmly saying, ”Faal Kaal Samael.” Samael looked around, confused to the landscape. Although somewhat similar to him home, the landscape was completely different. The air was not right, and the wind blew differently. Had Bellator not come along, he would have thought that he had been thrown into another dimension.





”Kolos los daar?” He asked Bellator, ”Zu’u dreh ni mindrus daar noksenor...” Samael was unsure as to where he was, but as unsure as he was, his distraction was put on hold when his senses were overwhelmed with a disgusting aura. To the direction where Bellator came from. A foul beast with a hunger that was insatiable. It overwhelmed the senses. But it was the people that was in danger that Samael was worried for. His gazed turned to Bellator, and Samael soon unsheathed his sword the ancient ancestral blade emitting a fiery aura and soon glowing red hot within his palm.







Glancing over to Bellator, Samael motioned for him to draw his weapon. ”Un joriin praag mii!” Samael simply said as his wings erupted from sides of his armor, the armor seemingly modifying in both a mystical and mechanical way at once. Once reconfigured to Samael’s form with his wings, his eyes glowed a fiery red and the once-weary dragon took flight.

[Deleted]

Bellator had not spoken the language of his kind in over four decades. This was more than that too, this was a much older dialect, something similar to his ancient great grandfathers dialect, but even variable to that. Each species had their own unique twists on certain words and something similar to accents sometimes. Some words were completely made up to one species as well if it was unique to them. But generally speaking they could all communicate with each other. Bellator understood enough though. Before he was able to respond Samael drew his flame erupted blade and called for Bellator to do the same. Bellator sensed it too and he was all too familiar with the kind of beast that gave that kind of stench and power. It had seemed Bellator was correct, it was a demon. That meant this beast had used a dragon as its template to form no doubt an abomination of his kind as its form. It was a disgrace to all dragons to allow such a wretched thing exist and Bellator was greatly insulted.

The wings of the dragon formed spaulders on Bellators armor sprung out and the wings of the one on his back extended slightly too. Then a great flow of air formed around him and shaped into wings pushing Bellator through the air like a jet with his armor channeling the wind perfectly as thrus and providing even more enhanced turning capabilities than he normally would have outside his true form. Bellator drew his blade which was a large specially crafted greatsword. Though Bellator was able to wield it with one hand it would normally need to be held with two. The blade was designed to allow wind to pass through it and around it better which with Bellators abilities enhanced it greatly making it swift enough to seemingly cut the air itself despite its size. Its hilt was formed from pieces of bone from Bellators father to honor him in every battle and the blade was used by his peoples magically forged metal and then enchanted by the mages at the Brigade to link to Bellator and sync with his abilities more efficiently.

Bellator took flight towards what he was confident was the demon with Samael. His blade as big as it was actually invisibly extended further than the naked eye could see with wind lengthening almost equally as sharp too as the blade itself. Sparks of electricity arc'd around it as well. Bellator matched Samaels speed and spoke to him "Faal Kaal Samael. Mu luft hokzii tol lost gahrot un dremsil buld. Zu'u lost roodam un coming ful nii fen ni koraav mii. Nuz nii fen mindok mu los til. Mu fend lost verin do eldraag ful mu kent lost diist nos tii. Nuz fod Zu'u nos Zu'u fen ni kos vos wah iliis mii ahst rinis tiid." Bellator manipulated the light around himself and Samael so that they could not be visually seen, he reinforced this with a illusion matching their background where they were. This would not stop the demon from sensing their great power approaching nor from catching their scent or hearing them.

Once they approached they would have to strike swift and make their first strike count because Bellator would not be able to maintain cloaking their presence while utilizing his other powers and fighting but they would have the element of surprise. As they came upon the location the demon was in Bellator could see the foul beast. A corrupted and twisted looking beast resembling a dragon but clearly not. It wasn't as large as even most juvenile dragons in their true forms but still larger than most natural animals and enough to terrorize the people around it. Coupled with demonic power like unholy fire this beast needed to be put down. The site of this creature attempting to cling to the greatness of dragon kind by shaping itself as such disgusted Bellator even further and his rage grew without limit. Dark clouds began to form and a storm brewed above the top of the area as the weather shaped to reflect Bellators rage.

Bellator broke off from Samael and darted for the beast head on shouting "Hi los nid dovah!" With great strength Bellator crashed into the beast driving his blade deep into its shoulder shocking it greatly and causing allot of damage. But Bellator was aiming for the heart and had missed and the demon was quicker to recover then anticipated. The beast grabbed Bellator squeezing him with crushing strength and flung him to the side about 200 yards when Bellator was done rolling and sliding. Bellators blade remained within the beast shoulder and the beast turned to Bellator and from its mouth erupted a stream of blue and black unholy fire. Bellator was slow to get to his feet and threw his hand out in front of him sending a burst of wind forward intercepting the flamed just short of his face as a barrier. Bellator could feel the intense heat of the flames that was unlike any fire he came across naturally. They felt more than just hot, they felt like death followed . The flame stream ended and Bellator began to rise to his feet again to face the beast unsure of what Samael would be doing. The storm above them crackled with lightning and roared with thunder. Bellator wanted to end things quickly but he had failed to do so.

[Adam]

Samael followed closely with the warrior, Bellator. He was rather large for an Air Dragon, Samael noticed. Had they evolved to become more stocky in his time of absence? Then again, there was that Earthly scent that his body had. One of mountain stone, and deep, deep gravel within the earth. His own sweat smelled mineralistic. No doubt somewhere in his heritage, his family mated with Earth Dragons. No Air Dragon of Samael’s recollection were that big. Only Earth Dragons, and Fire Dragons typically produced large, built men. Regardless, his extra strength will be honored among Samael’s side in battle with this beast.

Bellator spoke what was, at best, broken dialect of Samael’s language. Although difficult to understand, Samael picked up what Bellator was trying to get across. Samael had noticed fragments of another language mixed in, pieces that Samael simply translated to himself by piecing Bellator’s words together. Some of these words, Samael noticed were similar to the language Bellator spoke earlier. Samael’s eyes flashed red momentarily, and he uttered the words, ”Pah’Tinvok…” Samael looked over to Bellator and nodded once again, fully understanding what he was saying. “Commander Draconics,” Samael finally spoke in perfect English, his voice sharp and collected, “I have used a spell taught to me by my Elders. It will help me in understanding the languages in which you, yourself are fluent in. It may make our communication easier.”

On the subject at hand, Samael’s rage was awakened for the first time in eons. Although his entire body gave off the presence of a perfectly calm and focused man, inside, he was abrupt with flame. A flame that he used to fuel his movements, his thinking, and his own reserved calm. Fire Dragons of his day were taught to temper the flames within. Only letting the fire burn too bright at the right moment. When one’s fist was close to connection, when one’s enemies laid bloodied on the floor, and when their dishonorable pleas of mercy are curdled in blood, then one unleashed their rage upon the wicked. Samael had few tolerances for certain things in the world, one in which was one dishonoring the Dragon form. A mutation such as this was an abomination, and its mere aura sickened Samael to his foundation. “We will flay the beast alive, break off its snout, and tear open its insides together, by each of us using the top and bottom of the beast’s jaws, and then we will slice off its taloned fingers and toss them into the skull like darts!” Samael declared loudly in righteous fury, his body engulfing into flames to the point that his armor was white hot.


It was not long before the duo arrived to witness the abomination. What Samael saw was an affront to his eyes, setting his heart ablaze with fury, his body burning bright in flames, and the armor holding against the flame. Though weary from his rest, his body was filled higher with new life in the rage he felt. Samael allowed his body to drop to the ground a hundred a few dozen yards from the beast, the goliath of a demonic dragon looked at the two with hungry eyes, ignoring the ruined village that surrounded them. Samael held his sword in his right hand firmly, his rage going inward, pumping unnatural adrenaline throughout his body, his body radiating heat and energy. He looked across the ruins of the village, eggs could be seen burning within, children dead in the streets and mothers with their children in their arms attempting to flee the chaos as the storm brewed.

Samael watched as Bellator broke off and charged the beast first. He fought bravely against the beast before it flung him a couple hundred yards away. Samael could only glare back at the beast, his body no longer ablaze, but with steam rising from his body with each drop of water that touched him. Every step he took scorched the earth as he paced towards the larger opponent that equally paced towards him, expectant to see a similar outcome


Samael, however, suddenly charged, his fire igniting patches of oxygen molecules in the air with his fury. The demon did not expect this, and was met with a greater force than what was expected from the Fire Dragon. Samael sent the beast crashing deep into the ground, coughing up blood, the monster struggled to rise up, only to be sliced across the chest with Samael’s red hot blade. The beast lashed out in pain, and struggled to swipe at Samael, who dodged the onslaught. He did not grunt, nor take a deep breath. It was like a light jog for him, and despite his weary state, he showed not the slightest strain. As the beast landed a massive claw to squash Samael, the Fire Dragon caught it mid air, and held his own against the creature’s might, before pushing the hand upwards and rolling it backwards up the arm like a carpet, the sound of breaking bones could be heard along with the creature’s screeches of pain as Samael went up. The arm completely broken and useless, Samael flew away from the demonic beast, the jelly-like arm over his shoulder, and with a swift thrust, Samael ripped not just that arm, but a third of the beast’s flesh off from the front of it’s left side. Pieces of its skull could be seen, along with pieces of rib cage and intestine.

“In the name of those that have fallen by your foul hand, I banish you from with world!” Samael roared before speaking in his native tongue, “Aal hi sov’ul ko Ausul!” Samael touched the beast, and suddenly, the creature was abruptly set ablaze in the fire Samael wrought upon the beast’s insides. It shrieked until it crumpled into dust. Samael inhaled deeply, and let loose a vehement roar following a stream of flame that pierced the heavens. “NEVER AGAIN!” He roared out into the open, the survivors of the demonic onslaught looking outwards towards the man that had helped kill the demon. Samael rushed to where Bellator crashed, kneeling to his comrade, and holding out a hand. “Are you injured Commander Draconis?” the stern Samael asked Bellator as if asking a brother.

Samael looked around at the wreckage, the bodies that laid strewn across amidst the leftover chaos. “This will not do.” he said, “I do not know how long I have been gone, but to see fellow dragons, regardless of tribe in such a state is unacceptable. In my time, these creatures would not have dreamt of the concept of doing this. If it took this many woes and cries from my people for me to break the bonds of the gods and return, then I have much work to do.”

[Deleted]

Bellator looked on as Samael fought with furiosity and power Bellator rare seen before. It was a remarkable feat considering just moments before this warrior was weary and weakened in his state. Samael had beaten the beast, ripping it apart, and then incinerating it. It was gone, they had won, but this was no true victory. The area around them burned and the destruction of peoples homes and lives was already made. Samael came to Bellator offering his hand. Bellator grabbed it and pushed himself back to his feat. He had been asked if he was injured, his armor had shielded him from most of the damage, Bellator had but a few bruises. Bellator responded with regret in his tone as he looked around wondering if he could have prevented this sooner. "Only my pride really." Bellator looked up to the sky and for a moment rain poured down heavy and hard putting out most of the fire. As Bellator calmed the storm clouds faded and the weather returned to the hot and harsh state it naturally was it. "This was my responsibility, these people paid for protection and the belief that this demon would be put down before it could terrorize them any further. I failed them in that task. I will need to return their payment to them, they will need it to help rebuild and recover. I owe them more than that though. And I owe you a debt as well. You accomplished what I could not. I cannot do much but should someone come to seek aid from me or my men to oppose you for some reason or another I shall turn down their request. Should you require the aid of the warriors of the Brigade and myself though,you need only ask." Bellator was not sure what Samael was talking about mentioning being asleep for a period of time a task supposedly brought about by the gods themselves.

"I do not know what has happened to you or what life and world you left before you slept. But this is the home of the fire dragons today and it is a very conflicting one. Evil witches pull at the powers of the demon realm too often bringing about possession of themselves and creatures around them. Unpredictable portals allow for demons to pass through in a grander form able to use more power than they normally would with a simple possession. Many things come through these portals actually, some things unknown. There is an entire kingdom of undead, vampires, and death that hold power to shake this world should they desire. Their very lands are poisonous to us and having attempted to traverse there before I can say that our kind cannot walk their lands for long without weakening, falling ill, and eventually dying. They have waged a war currently with werewolves causing chaos and I cannot say that should they win that their conquest would stop with there. There is much I still don't understand about this world and the things in it. I have joined an organization that has chosen to create a resemblance of order and watch over the doors to other worlds but for centuries things seem to be spiraling out of control.

Bellator sighed faintly not sure what to say to Samael. He barely kept up with the current events of his own tribe let alone any of the others. But he felt he should know what little Bellator had to offer. "I have not kept up to date with the state of your tribe I am sorry but I know the air dragons are a shadow of what they once were long before my great grandfathers time." Bellator chuckled a little remembering the rambling stories he heard as a child. "He never stopped reminding us of that all the way up to his final moments. Each generation seems to change, weaken, and adapt into a less dominant role and more submissive of the previous in their nature. Its one of the reasons I had to leave. I knew when I was first born I needed to be a warrior, gain strength, it was the only way to protect those I cared about and my beliefs. Peace is well enough, order is good, but people want to forget what holds these things in place. Few want to get their hands dirty or acknowledge the blood that needs to be spilled. But atlas everyone wants negotiation and diplomacy, mean while the world burns. But it is not my place to question the politics of others or act outside my oath. So I do what I can."

Bellator spoke with disappointment in his voice. He had always felt he had failed his family and kind but the Brigade gave him a chance to make up for this. He would not fail the brigade that much he was certain of, not before death anyways. Though Bellator was curious about the great warrior before him he wondered how he had never come across any like him or heard of him. Or perhaps he did at some point? Bellator lost allot taking up the life and facade of a human commander. He clung to important traditions of his people and honored his family but when he swore an oath to the Brigade his loyalties cut the ties he had to his people. And regardless of the respect he had for his kind he believed in loyalty above all else and could not betray the Brigade even for his own people. Bellator looked at Samael wondering why he felt like things were about to change drastically all of a sudden. "What is that you will do now?" Bellator asked with a little uncertainty not really sure if it was any of his business anyways.

[Adam]

Samael tilted his head honorably to Bellator, thanking him for his assistance, and honoring the Fire Dragon. Although, should enemies to Samael come, then they would arrive to be put to rest in the same spot that they find him. But what was more important to Samael right now was what Bellator himself said next. The feeling of disappointment, resentment, shame. These were emotions that Samael saw amongst other fledglings when he took part in the Rites of Passage. Many were afraid, nervous even about this passage. Samael looked at Bellator the same way he did the other recruits long before and looked him dead in the eyes, the red hue in Samael’s eyes illuminating somewhat. “Are you not Commander of a mighty Brigade, or are you not, Bellator Draconis?” Samael asked the mountain of a being that stood before him, “A commander weeps for the fallen, but he does so by sharing the pain he feels with the enemies that sent such a beast. Precious lives were lost, but that is why we fight. We fight to find the ones responsible and we fight to unleash a Hellish punishment on them that the next life could only hope to offer.”

As Bellator explained more about the lands of the Fire Dragons, Samael listened. “By making Commander, I would assume that you have made great changes. Such a title is not just thrown out like candy to children, but earned by only the strongest and most dedicated. Something, you have truly demonstrated today. Regardless of the beast, you are alive, and your wounds are present on the front, rather the back. In those regards, you’ve proven you’re a person that is worthy of my allegiance.” Samael knelt down at the rubble and picked up a single, smooth rock amongst the jagged rubble at their feet and held it in the palm of his hand. He placed the rock close to his face and whispered, “Bel’Nu Samael!” and sparks shot from Samael’s mouth onto the stone. As he removed the stone, there was a sygil hotly etched on the rock.

“Upon this rock is my sygil,” Samael stated, “should you ever need my assistance, break the stone and it will summon me to your location.”

The pain of his people passed through Samael like a surge of electricity. This was not what he intended to find when he awoken from his imprisonment. He knelt again, as if sickened by what he saw, like a father returning from journey to find his home with his family in it destroyed. He stood again, and he looked at the surviving group of dragons that were moving about the land. A group suddenly began to walk toward them when Bellator asked Samael what he would now do. “Take back my world.” The village elder walked towards Samael, looking at him, and feeling a little at ease at what he was seeing. “W-w-wh-o are y-you?” He asked Samael, who walked out towards where the few ashy remains of the beast still laid. “I have been gone for far too long, and to all of you, my people, I apologize.” he said, his voice just loud enough for it to break the silence of ruin, “There was a time when this wretched abomination would have never dared tempt our fury by taking our sacred form, and ravage our land in such a way. Our lands were sacred! Holy! Blessed by the blood and sweat of our fallen, and enriched by the decomposing corpses of our enemies! And now we quiver? When does any dragon quiver to anything? When we draw our weapons, the gods flinch! We are not made to hide, but rather conquer!” By this time, the entire village of surviving dragons were surrounding Samael, the words he spoke to them had been said many times before by others, but when he spoke, it finally broke the silence and instilled fire back into the fire dragons. Their tempers embroiled at the way things had become, despite being raised to live this way all their lives. This invigorating new feeling in their bodies caused them to rally behind their savior. Who was he? Could the myths be true? Was the legend real? Those that were bewildered and curious had their questions answered when he spoke again, “Your ancestors fought by my side eons before, running off the corrupted and vanquishing the injustice of our world. Dragons, I ask you now, to stand with me and together, we will regain our kingdom, together, we will take the fight to these demons, these vampires, and we will remind them why even the gods feared us!”

“You’re Faal Kall Samael...are you our Kruziik Hun’Drog, returned?” asked the Elder. Samael looked him in the eyes and before he could nod, the people already knew and a war cry could be heard amongst the ground that now surrounded their king returned.

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Bellator listened to Samaels words, there was wisdom and truth in them. Bellator nodded in agreement to his reminder of who he was and what he was doing. "You are right of course and I must never forget who I am, what and why I do what I do, and how I have gotten here." Bellator grinned "I am Commander Bellator Draconis, I lead the finest army of soldiers this world has seen in two life times and as long as I remain strong so will that truth. I may have not made the final blow in this fight here, I may have been knocked about, but I survived. I walk away alive and stronger then when I arrived and for that I am thankful for such a worthy foe. This struggle will be remembered with each encounter I overcome because of it." Bellator watched as Samael prepared a stone with power channeled into it and marked. He said it was to summon him for aid should Bellator require it. Bellator graciously took the stone. Bellator slightly bowed in respect to Samael and ended his time there with his own words of truth. "Thank you Faal Kaal Samael, it is comforting to know there is still yet hope for my brethren here. I must take my leave though, I must report what has happened here and make arrangements for payment and perhaps supplies to be sent here. Recover your strength quickly great warrior, there are worse things in this world than that beast we faced today."


Bellator walked over the what remained of the ash of the demon. He pulled his somewhat charred blade from the pile and sheathed it. The magic imbued in it protected it mostly but he would need to repair it. Bellator didn't mind until that happened, for he needed no blade to be dangerous. Bellator turned to see Samael speak among his people. Kruziik Hun’Drog?. Bellator had know this title and the name along with it. But that was simply a bed time story was it not? A hero among the fire dragons, a legend respected among the clans conquered, and a myth told to scare the children of those that opposed him. But no matter what perspective one carried for the stories Bellator never known them as anything more than tales. He assumed they were based on someone real, exaggerated over ages, but seeing first hand now Bellator was not sure. Samael would no doubt bring great change to the world but how he got there whether it be smooth or bloody would yet to be seen. Bellator would need to help the Brigade keep updated on his activities and let the commander of the spymaster division be aware of this new entity in the world. Bellator walked towards the direction of the Brigade headquarters. A long journey ahead. When he recovered a little more and got further from the heated lands of the fire dragon he would take flight.