Army of the Damned

VOLUME 2 Chapter 7

Inside the well lit halls of the white castle, the ornate marble floors were strewn with blue carpets on top, leading the way towards the various corridors and rooms as light bulbs made out of an unknown illuminating rock beamed brightly through the night.

Stopping and looking to his left, the Knight General sees a wonderful view of the city. Walking to the large clear arching class window, he presses his fleshy hand into it, feeling the cold wind outside. "Woah... this... is truly something I've never seen before..." At night, many of the buildings down below had their lights turned on, but as most were using candles, it didn't give out the same overbearing brightness of modern cities.

It was more controlled and light, giving him a perfect view of the bright stars at night as it calmly showed the Moon and its little friend that's orbiting around it. Bahamut creeps out of his inner jacket's pocket and climbs into his shoulder. Licking her claws as she looked out of the window alongside him. "So, what do you think, Bahamut? Is King James as good as he is showing?"

"Of course, Master, you should not look down on your ability to see through people." As he crossed his arms, he could notice the large birds with lamps on their special saddle, acting as aerial beacons and the Dragon Tower seemingly having no break time as even at night, it was still actively receiving and sending cargo and passengers. "Thanks, but you should know a lot about us Humans now. We've been together for years now."

"I do know, but I believe it will never be enough, Master. You seem to always surprise me at every junction we pass." It made him chuckle as the small Dragon on his shoulder rubbed her body on his neck. "I've only ever seen Mankind as a tool to forward the Dragon's Duty to conquer and become stronger but since then, I understood bit by bit why Albion in his last moments gave Man the right to become equals with us." Privately, Bahamut knew full well deep inside that it was the right thing to do, she couldn't push herself to fully admit it still.

She suddenly got grabbed by Jackson, the Dragon not even flinching as he buried his face on her belly and took one long hard sniff. "Oh, you smell like scented oils again." Pushing her away, he stared at her as he held Bahamut up with one hand. Her voice soothed him but the healing properties of a Dragon's body was something he couldn't pass up. "We also need to find out how far we can push your Godly powers before the Divines of this world take notice."

Able to look at her back, the Dragon's head turns its face around to stare down at the massive Capital city. "It wouldn't take much, Master." She could see even the farthest of houses clearly and every person living in those rooms, from those about to sleep as they tucked their children in for the night, to those reading by the candlelight and others who were busy homing their skills at the first floors of their shops. "Then, we'll go by our usual ways then. We'll use equal strength to those we fight. We won't go all out instantly unless it's really required."

Her nose then smelled something, making her turn to the halls of the castle. "After this, we'll take home their leftovers. I know you want sugar as much as a Sugar Bird."

Bahamut didn't say anything to him. "Hm? What? Is there anything wrong?" as he noticed her odd behaviour, he looked to his right and the halls were empty of people, with only the both of them in the vicinity.

Making a mental note of this, Jackson continued strolling about the grand hallways of the floor meant for the Royals. Every wall lamp is adorned with angelic wings and every large picture frame didn't disappoint as it held in place the ancient paintings of past rulers and notable people.

Reaching his destination, he sees a figure of a woman looking over the balcony. The tall woman's white dress instantly caught his eyes. Bahamut though had a more reserved reaction, as if she's ready to act if needed, her wings ready to unfurl fully yet Jackson's eyes spoke of total capture as he began to walk forward.