Legion part 8
The will of Zantonith was not moved. He and his band of necromancers began to speak incantations. From this they repeated over and over again until at long last the world had opened herself up and released upon it a frightening terror, The sky became black and the shadows had passed blinding all that was in range. The Dracolich had finally arrived.
With the presense of these new and powerful dragons the fight became even more intense. The Dracolichs seemed to be only hellbent on destroying those that got in their way. As they flew they were met with the dragons of the alliance. The two forces bit and clawed at one another though it seemed the Dracolichs wre gaining the upperhand. As the claws ripped into the scales a deep poison was entered in the blood of the dragon. As a result the dragons again fell to ground killing any who was unfortuntate to be underneath. The Elder together with Agite narrowly escaped being caught by the dracolichs terrible power. The two moved only striking down those they could. Wing waves were seen as a rally to regroup and try again.
The Renewed power of Zantonith's army had reached its peak now tearing down anything that wasnt evil or dead moved quickly. As the body counts climbed a telepathic message came through to all parties. "Sorry were late but I had to make sure they were ready," said the voice. The link was shut and the Movement of rustling bones came across the winds. At last The calvery had arrived. The bone dragons though not as powerful as his mothers, made up for it in sheer force and numbers. They raced toward th skys th ground plowing through like a mighty storm. The poison had no effect on the bones of these dragons and smashed the enemies to pieces.
The Demons had come too little too late. The dragons and elves at full force destroyed any and all remains of the army. Ashnew was seen but cut down by an arrow. soon after. All was now cleaned up outside but nothing was known about inside. With everyone standing outside They began to try to crack the barrier.
The efforts to break inside were fruitless seemed nothing could be done to crack that shell. The magic was inhuman and dark. The powers they had were not enough. The only thing they could see was the troops around the castle. Scorning them the troops laughed and pointed at the alliance worthless effort. They decided to go back to the forrest line to try and let the dragons dig underneath. This too proved futile as the ground too was covered in barrier.
As a gesture of defiance the castle guards brought hostages from the dungeons. To ensure they were being watched shot out light stremas that rose through the barrier. With all eyes gazed they watched horrified as the hostages were decapitated. With the heads now in their hands they spat on them and threw them over the balcany. Laughter erupted yet again as the guards tossed the bodies as if they were dead fish over the side.
No longer able to see the sickening sight Agite raced forward his hand clenched firmly on the Tanese blade began to swing wildly. It is pointless to try that way elf. Said a voice from behind the trees. It was then in the darkness came the sounds of many footsteps. We Drow shall show you what needs to be done.
"Shadow Brigade Form!," called the drow commander. Ready Shadow Bows Archers ready! He Cried. "I am Xalanthis Commander of the Shadow brigade and Ambassador of the Drowian Tribes." It has come to our knowledge the war between our people was a trap set up by Zantonith to weaken our forces and bleed our lands. the king and queen wished me to swear our alliagance until all this passes. We may then go our seperate ways if we must."
With these words spoken he marched his troops to the open field passing over the dead. He came within ranger of his intended target. The archers Immediately drew their bows and waited to fire. The metal piece had formed two prods and a green string appeared. With an almost in human strength they pulled back. As they reached all the way back a dark purple arrow appeared. Seeming to be mustered out of thin air. They merely waited on the order.
FIRE! The words echoed across the sky like a lions roar. The shafts let loose and the arrows flew. Hitting the mark the barrier became like broken glass the Shadow Brigade launched yet more arrows into the sky. Falling around the castle. The only sounds were the gaurdsmen dying. "That was great work keep firing you should be proud of your drow blood yelled Xalanthis. Do not stop until all the enemy is dead!"
"Dragons and elves it is safe to cross our lines they wont hurt you I promise. We Drow have mastered this bow and wil only kill whom we see fit. We dont have long for the sun is about to rise and we cannot survive so please hurry," He said willfully.
The dragons lunged at the castle tearing open the towers and halls. Inside they could hear great pains. The Dragoness was indeed alive but something was wrong. Ever faster they searched with their hind sight searching each room looking for survivors. Of ones that were littered with evil and dead men they destroyed utterly. Knowing the castle was defiled the elves rallied behind the dragons and tore the walls to shreds.
Once the walls were completely breached the dragons made themselves smaller in form. The terrible cries from their mother had hastened their efforts and nothing was to stand in the way. The dragons quickly made the guards pay for the crimes against them. The bellowings of the Dragoness got louder and louder as they penetrated deeper in the castle. Then laughter rang out from every brick. "Come find me idiots Your efforts will be a waste when you do," said Zantonith.
The Castle was now a twisted maze of evil and vile corrpution. The sounds of the tortured could be heard in dungeons below. They split into groups and hunted. Agite clasping the Tanese Sword felt a strange pull. Almost without thinking he raced toward the direction the sword was leading. Feeling strangly he came upon a large chamber. In it he saw the Dragoness clad in chains still wallowinging in pain from something unforseen.
Hello Prince its been a long time," said Zantonith. I still have your family here I guess you were the one to get away from me Still though it wont matter now I have what I wanted. As Zantonith drew his sword a strange sensation could be felt over Agites body. With a sudden burst of speed He lunged forward.
Feeling the strenght that the sword inherited he leaped around Zantonith with ease. The sorcerer was no match for the power in the blade. As the blades clashed in the morning hours the Only thing that could be done was sit and wait. Many tried to intervene but were easily cut down. Zantonith still tried to keep pace but was still to slow for Agite and his mighty sword. Agite swung and hit Zantonith in the ribs. Thinking this was a death blow he drew back.
Zantonith simply laughed. "Im not as unprotected as you think noble Prince." He drew back his cloack to reveal armor and quickly tucked away. "See nothing harmed me," he said mockingly. However Zantonith did not see what Agite had seen for inded he was hurt and the armor all but shattered. He let lose a frenzy and called forth all the power in the blade. As the blade struck pierced both sword and armor. Quicly agite spun the hilt and pressed upward. Withdrawing the blade he quickly slashed across the neck.
Poor Zantonith had been cut in four pieces as his body slumped to the floor an oder arose from the carcuss. As he seemed to melt away . A black ooze remained. Over time the ooze too burned away. It was at the moment all enchantments ceased and all were free. The Prison doors had sprung open. and Out emerged the queen and the rest of the High Elven.
Tired of fighting and from the strain the sword had placed on his body fell forward exhausted from a long night. The Elder and the rest of the dragon made their way to the lower depths. Still hearing their mother cry tried to break the chains from the wall. This sent the Dragoness in a frenzy. As the chains were pulled away the power of the dragoness poured into the ground. Her blood spilt to the floor and she fianlly ceased to cry. The Elder realizing the final enchantment was the castle itself told everyone to halt. He told everyone to evacuate immediately. Taking all survivors they made there way to the edge of the valley passed the newly formed moat.
As He began to lift chains off the Dragoness he whispered in her ear "Mother I am sorry for the trouble. I will free you I promise." As he pulled off the chain he did not notice a black figure emerge from the floor. With nearly all the chains off now the Elder stepped back to plan his next move. As he paced backwards the black figure emerged and picked up theTanese Sword and plunged it deep in the heart of the Dragoness. With a final chuckle it too fell. As the sword glowed it instinctly pushed itself forward. Driving it self deeper in the Dragoness. Now nearly all absorbed into her body she slumped as if lifeless.
The ground began to rumble. The world was shaking violently. With the castle being so unstable the Elder had no choice but to try and carry the Dragoness. As he moved forward she began to sink. He desperately tried to reach for her but to no avail she was gone. The Castle ddi indeed start to cave in. So with all the strenght he had left teleported outside the castle. As he emerged the castle toppled and fell. Everyone was safe Only the Dragoness was lost.
Then in a strange turn of events a bright beacon slew to the sky. The Night time had fianlly turn to daylight almost immediately. The Drow were already long gone hidden away from the rays of the sun. As the light spread the forrest that was bleak was now radiant. The bogs had turned back into clear waters. The shadows had all been lifted the vile foul land was now swelling with its magic once again.
Once the beacon had finished those who looked to the sky saw the figure of Tanese in his mighty shadow form. As he looked down he saw the world move once again. Then turning his body, swept toward the sky and all the souls of the departed followed him. A telepathic thought had came to the Elders mind "Retribution" the voice said weakly then vanished.
Suddenly without warning the castle that once was sprang forth in a loud explosion. Emerging like a pheonix rose the Dragoness. She as brilliant as ever raced toward the stars above. Basking in the light she swooped and looped until finally she felt revitalized. She came to a crashing halt in front of the Elder and her progeny. The elves and all beings that saw this kneeled low to the ground as a sign of respect. The dragoness rumbled loudly in a loving motherly way. She made a great portal and bid everyone return to her lands. And so they did.
A few days later a great furneral was held. In rememberance to those lost in the battle. Everyone had attended. Dragons and elves alike lined the corridor each facing toward the entrance. The elves helding a long spear the dragons holding a single wing as each of the departed passed among the ranks. Preciding over the funeral was the Dragoness and the Queen of the elves. each saying words of grace and sentiment couldn't hold back the tears flor the fallen. All had come in attendance The Drow who helped in the battle were given a special medicine that would carry over to all future generations that the no longer suffered in daylight and was a welcome part to all elves. In this they swore to help protect the queen and her house along with everyone else.
The departed were lead one by one to a great ship. They were loaded one by one upon the timbers of soaked wood. They were neatly rested each in the presence of a comrad. as the final being was laid the ship was sealed. With great effort the boat was cast out to sea. The dragons had circled the sky and when the boat was far enough blew fire upon it lighting the wood. In a great flame the boat sailed away and with it the end of this tale.
