XL: Dragons

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Third POV

The air was thick with the acrid stench of smoke from the canons and the rustic smell of blood as Rowan fought his way through the chaos that had engulfed his town. The clash of steel echoed around him, the screams of terrified citizens filling the streets. Enemy soldiers poured in, their faces twisted with malice as they slashed and pillaged.

Rowan's sword met the blade of an enemy soldier, the shock reverberating through his arms. He pushed forward, his heart racing as he fought not just for survival but for the safety of his people. Each blow felt heavier, each fallen comrade a weight on his conscience.

Just as he felt the tide of despair creeping in, a familiar voice cut through the chaos. Emerging from smoke in a cloud of dark feathers was Garrick "Rowan! We need to talk!" He said. He looked awful and weak hardly able to stand as he held his abdomen. He appeared to be in pain.

The world seemed to disappear around them. Rowan's stomach twisted as he held out his sword, "Don't take one more step!" Betrayal was a bitter taste, and he could hardly look at the man who had turned his back on him.

"Rowan you need to listen to me. Your army needs to back off! You need to trust me." Garrick shouted, urgency lacing his tone. "Now!"

Rowan hesitated, his instincts screaming to fight since he owed this man no more trust. Yet, he saw the desperation in Garrick's eyes, remnants of their bond buried beneath layers of betrayal. For a fleeting moment, he remembered their shared moments, all the lies.

Still, he believed him and he felt stupid for it. "Fall back!" he shouted to his men, uncertainty gnawing at him.

Cassius moved in beside him, confusion etched across his face. "What! We can't do that. It's accepting defeat. You can't trust him anymore."

"Just do it, Cassius!" Rowan barked, frustration flaring. He knew it was risky, but Garrick's urgency felt like a lifeline.

With a reluctant nod, Cassius turned to the men, his voice booming as he relayed the command. Rowan could see the doubt in his friend's eyes, but there was no choice now. The decision had been made.

As the soldiers began to retreat, confusion surged through the ranks. Rowan could feel the tension in the air shifting, and before he could process it, a thunderous roar shook the ground. And when he looked to the skies, he almost passed out from shock.

Three massive dragons descended from the darkening sky, their scales shimmering in hues of emerald, sapphire, and crimson. A gasp rippled through the remaining soldiers, both friend and foe, as the mythical beasts swooped down, wings casting long shadows over the battlefield.

On the back of the largest dragon, a woman of dark skin sat poised and powerful, her expression fierce and resolute. She raised her arm, and flames erupted from the dragons' mouths,making the air warmer than it already was. The fire engulfed the enemy soldiers, scalding their skin and boiling them through the metal armor, sending them into a panicked retreat, their shouts swallowed by the roar of the flames.

Rowan stood transfixed, disbelief warring with awe. Dragons had been mere whispers in the taverns, tales told to frighten children, yet here they were, roaring to life in the midst of chaos. He could see some enemy soldiers falling to the ground, consumed by the fire, while others fled in terror.

Garrick stepped beside him, eyes wide but filled with relief. "I almost thought she'd be late." Rowan shook his head, still mesmerized by the great beasts.

As the final echoes of battle faded, the sky darkened with the shadows of massive wings. The dragons descended, their forms majestic and awe-inspiring. Each creature landed with a thunderous grace, shaking the earth beneath them. Their scales glinted like gemstones, reflecting the sun's last rays against the backdrop of dusk.

The air crackled with energy as the crowd, wide-eyed and hesitant, drew back, unsure of these magnificent beasts. Yet, there was a beauty in their presence, a raw power that commanded respect. The dragons settled, curling their long necks and unfurling their wings, releasing a soft plume of smoke that curled into the air.

Among them, the beautiful black woman moved with purpose, her calm demeanor contrasting sharply with the awe and fear around her. She approached the nearest dragon, her hands outstretched as she murmured soothing words. "Calm down Jinx. It's okay. It's okay." The creature, towering and fierce, leaned into her touch, a deep rumble of contentment echoing from its throat.

Rowan watched, captivated by the sight, but his heart was heavy with the sting of betrayal. As he turned his gaze to Garrick, a rush of anger surged through him.

Author's note: There was no way I could drag along the war for too long. I'm really bad at writing battle scenes. Hope you enjoyed my efforts though. Don't forget to vote. Please

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