Insignificant. Invisible. Threatened. If the company standing in the hall of Hellspost could name what they felt, a lot more things would go through their minds, yet when staring at the regal countenance of a dragon- who, to them, is what a human must seem like to an insect- no words came to mind.
People in Eboncross say that when threatened, you can have one of two possible reactions. Fight or Flight. The skilled rogue, who had previously been the threatening force, knew that there was a third option, a more deadly option. An option she swore she would never resort to. Freeze.
As broken rubble was thrown her way, she could do nothing but freeze and stare at the awe striking creature. She had never seen such a beast, and after telling tales of such a ferocious creature, she wondered if she would face the same fate as her heroic bargeman, or if she would fall, like the people of her heroic bargeman.
His scales were blood red, a colour of red that the rogue swore was brought about by all of the blood the dragon had spilled. He had a thick patch of armoured scales to cover his stomach, one's that he could move in order to cool the raging fire that burned in his stomach.
Yeonjun had studied about dragons before coming to Hellspost. It would've been foolish not to. He knew that the mass of a dragon was so great that in order to gain energy, they have an incredibly high body heat, which was why they could move the scales on their belly. He read that typically dragons stay to the North where it's cold because the weather regulates their body temperatures. That's why they breathed fire in warmer climates. He also knew that Dragons had a keen sense of smell. They were easily drawn to precious gems. Yeonjun knew that dragons had a dark greed that broiled within them, one that thirsted for materials that were considered rare and precious. That must've been why the dragon lay in wait in the castle.
Taehyun, however, knew the exact reason for the presence of the beast, though he knew not how the king of Hellspost enticed the creature to guard a hoard of gold protected by a spell that only the heir could undo.
The majesty of the beast was awe striking, as if they stood in the audience of a king, yet somehow more regal. His scales appeared as if they were rubies, precious gems acting as armour that attached to the beast. His eyes were golden and even as he stepped into the dim hall, they shone with the clarity of a hoard of gold placed in the sun. He stood tall, his fingers, measuring longer than any of the people before him, clutched at the broken hole in the wall. He took in long, deep breaths as he surveyed the area, his golden eyes scanning his surroundings.
"It has been a great long while," the dragon spoke, his hot breath reaching the company as they stood awestruck. His words were slow, evidence of his large countenance. He pulled himself through the hole in the wall, forcing the castle to crumble just a little more.
His arms were thin and bony compared to his muscular, round stomach. Attached to the back of his front arms, we're his wings, thin but armoured which made up for his scrawny arms. As he pulled himself through, he revealed his thick legs and big feet, with claws long and overgrown. They were long and curled downward slightly, evidence of the amount of time he had sat, lying in wait. It was clear that he had not moved for a good long while.
"You are no army," he breathed as he allowed himself to move closer to the company, skulking around on all fours as he observed them.
"Is that what you expected?" Taehyun asked, stepping forwards as the company stared at him with utter disbelief.
"When a King gifts you wealth to protect, you often assume that an army will try to steal it from you," he breathed out, his lips drawing back in a sneer to display his sharp fangs. "However, I have never enjoyed the taste of their metal armour. Leather is always more to my liking." He licked his chops, his horrid breath reaching the company.
"To think the king would employ a creature like you," Taehyun scoffed rolling his eyes.
"Do you wish to be killed?!" HueningKai asked, tugging on Taehyun's shoulders.
"Indignant rage is less concentrated and less calculated than superiority," he whispered back, shrugging off the bard's hand.
"You are bold for such a tiny creature," the dragon breathed out, his words long and drawn. He raised a claw, Gently poking Taehyun's stomach. Taehyun looked the beast in the eye, his determined stare never once faltering.
"A tiny creature who has strength beyond the comprehension of a lizard," he countered, shifting his weight to give the appearance of calmness.
"Answer me this. Does your friend have a death wish?" The dragon asked, his eyes shifting to the group that stood behind Taehyun, closed off and hearts stalled with fear.
"A death wish indeed, though it is not his own demise he seeks," the rogue answered, stepping beside her comrade, the one she had known the longest.
"Had you the intent to kill us, you would have already done it," Beomgyu spat smugly, stepping forward to join the two.
"What good is a dragon if his only strength is wits?" Yeonjun asked, joining his company.
The company could feel the heat radiating off the dragon, the scales on his stomach glowing orange with pure heat.
Soobin and HueningKai could not find the words to speak, but they both stepped forward to join their company, choking back their fear to face the wroth of the dragon.
"You've ruined my fun. I suppose I shall not toy with my meal any longer." No sooner than the words left his mouth, did he pounce forward, yet it seemed that the sorcerer was a step ahead, already having teleported the group to a different location within the castle. They could still feel the rumbling movements of the dragon but they were no longer within its sights.
"What are we to do?" HueningKai cried out, his fear finally escaping.
"That part is easy. We slay the dragon," Yeonjun answered, unsheathing his sword.
"And how are we to do that?" Soobin asked, raising his hand to grip the bow that was sling over his shoulder.
"That is the hard part," Beomgyu responded, gulping as he imagined what he may have to do. It churned his stomach.
They all feared what they may have to do. When faced with a dragon, one can no longer take into account the actions made by their companions. It all came down to staying alive, and should that be their fate, they would have to compromise morals to save their own life.
The rogue could remember plenty of times where survival became her first instinct. She was not the only person held hostage by the rich man. She was simply the one who garnered more skill and more will to survive. She had left people in the dust as she pushed forward, valuing nothing more than her own safety.
Beomgyu knew this as well. To save his own life, he had abandoned an entire kingdom of lives.
Somehow, though, it brought a sickness to their stomach as they looked upon their company, a company with which they had spent countless months. The thought occurred that should they be put in the position where it became their life against another members, both lives would be lost.
"Soobin, find a place up high. One that is difficult to detect. Provide support from up high. HueningKai, you can cast support spells, right? You stay behind walls and give us all the support you can. Taehyun, you cast as many offensive spells as you can. Beomgyu, toy with his mind. (Y/N), use your ability to remain hidden. Create fake illusions. Attack if you get the chance." Yeonjun gave the assignments as if he had been planning this fight since they left Eboncross. "I will focus on getting through the armour."
In a blur they all attempted to move before Yeonjun briefly stopped them with his words.
"And stay alive."
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Journey To Hellspost (TXT X READER)
Fanfiction(TXT X Reader) Legend has it that King Reykoris of Hellspost hid a treasure before his kingdom was destroyed. The treasure was sought by many, but none were as well equipped as a group of six, their ranks well equipped with a Knight/Paladin, a Druid...
