The Flower Among the Flames

Chapter 27

It was at this point and time where Soo-Won was flung off the dragon and was sent rolling across the marble floor when a question popped up in his head. What hurt more? Getting his ship rammed by a whale that sent him face first into the main mast or being thrown off a magic zombie dragon? It was struggle he had to admit, but despite the present situation, he went for the latter. Nothing was scarier than an angry whale. Nothing.

Soo-Won grunted with unyielding enthusiasm and was finally able to stop himself from sliding across the floor with the help of his trusty trident. The triple blades pierced through the tile and held firm. If he didn't adjust his body, he would have been thrown off completely. My trident, the whaler thought with a grin. There was never a moment where he regret bringing it along. He stared back up towards the dragon, its eyeless face looking directly at him. Its maw opened wide, liquid streaming down its chin. Gods knew what that liquid was, but it sure as hell wasn't saliva.

"Hungry for mo'?" Soo-Won challenged, springing onto his feet with one swift motion. "'Cause I've plenty o' time to play!"

The dragon let out a bloodcurdling screech and without hesitation, rushed on all fours to pummel the whaler. Choi, who was underneath the beast, quickly dodged out of the way to avoid being crushed by its powerful feet. Looking behind her as the dragon failed to swipe Soo-Won with its left arm, she scoffed. The man was certainly effective in taunting the enemy. She honestly wondered how the man managed to stay alive as long as he has, but quickly, her attention was drawn elsewhere.

Guan Liang swooped down beside the assassin, his face dripping with sweat and wearing a serious expression. Immediately, Choi realized that the man had taken some hits. His pauldrons were missing from his shoulders and his chestplate rent in multiple areas. Guan Liang nodded. "Took a shallow hit from that dragon. Shallow...should say lucky. They are useless now. As for my chestplate, I am surprised it's still on my body."

Choi looked down at the man's ax and had to blink multiple times to comprehend what she saw. It was hardly an ax anymore; the blade was reduced to shards which were the only things left attached to the wooden haft. The haft itself looked as though as single touch could reduce the once proud intimidating weapon to splinters.

"Yeah." Guan Liang gave a knowing sigh, his eyes drooping almost. "It's a mess. Useless now too. Damn it, I loved this ax..."

Hóng Léi rumbled softly beneath him, shifting its head slightly to look Guan Liang in the eye. The man gave a soft smile, rubbing his mount's scaly back. A few moments of silence –with exception to the violence ensuing before them– passed before the rider asked, "What about you? Your weapons don't look like they've taken any damage at all."

She looked down at her fans and inspected the blades for any nicks, scratches, or bends. They were drenched in liquid from tip to the handle, the slimy substance coating her forearms as well. Choi shivered. This was nothing like blood. Were it blood, the assassin would have thought less of the mess on her arms, but this slime was a reminder that their foe has been dead for a very long time, decaying and decomposing into mush. I want a bath after all this is over. She said to herself.

The ground shook violently in response to the dragon flailing about. Soo-Won once again found his way on top of its reptilian head. The whaler let out a triumphant roar, repeatedly gouging his weapon into its head. The undead creature shrieked with its body making ever violent spasms. He twisted the points deeper and deeper into the skull, vicious growls escaping his mouth.

"Inur, glad he is on our side," Guan Liang muttered quietly. It was coming to an end.

Or at least, that was what Choi thought. The spasms and erratic movements continued, but, only this time, the dragon was on the move. The creature started smashing its large body against the walls of the keep, causing almost anyone left standing to fall prone to the floor. Choi was able to keep herself from tripping, but was reduced to a kneeling pose. Her eyes widened behind her white mask. Oh no!