D&D Way to Sword Coast

Chapter 25: Prey

"No...it can't be!" Turning the mound of crumbled masonry was swelling and shifting. Grey rock and brown wood fell away revealing green scales. Terror swelled within him as he shoved Yulia and Lesmythe behind him. Olkith had put all his might into that hit, even some energy he didn't realize was there. But even with a building collapsing on him, it still wasn't enough to stop Venomfang.

Yulia was crying into his leg as the Green Dragon rose from its improvised grave. This wasn't good. What was he supposed to do? What could he do? Both of Alidorim's weapons were gone and his right arm was a mess. One eye was awash with crimson while he had trouble focusing with other. One, possibly even two of his ribs were broken, making it hard to breathe.

Venomfang extricated himself from the building and was glaring hatefully at the trio. Rage rolled off the Dragon in thick waves. It nearly sent Alidorim to his knees again, but he managed to stay upright.

"You know," hissed Venomfang, flexing his tattered wings, "at first I was content with just killing and eating you." His claws dug into the ground cracking the cobblestones. "But now," his flanks quivered with each growling syllable, "What I'm about to do to you...I'm going to savor it!"

Alidorim had been slowly backing toward the edge of the plaza. His wounds would make his own escape impossible, but at the very least he could buy Yulia and Lesmythe time to flee into the forest. The half-elf was bound by her crest to take care of the girl. But...Alidorim was injured and exhausted. The dragon was sure to make quick work of him and then go after the girls.

"I have no other choice," Alidorim thought, shoving the pair further behind him. "I have to hold him as long as I can." Drawing his knife, he prepared himself. "No one will ever take from me again." He'd come so far and fought so hard to get to Neverwinter. Now, in the middle of a ruined village, all he wanted to do was use the last ounce of his strength to protect a broken slave and a scared child.

"Stay back," he growled feeling his grip tighten. "When it's time, run as fast as you can."

Yulia was whimpering and he could feel her tiny hands gripping at his back. "You're-you're attacking him again," Lesmythe said incredulously. Alidorim only grunted by way of response. "Master, you can't!" she cried, tears in her voice.

"Father, no!" Yulia said, but the Dragonborn gently but firmly pushed the girl into the woman's arms.

"It's going to be okay," he said, but the words tasted like ash in his mouth. With an almighty roar that shook the ground, Venomfang lunged. "Go now!" Alidorim braced himself but realized he wasn't the target.

The claws stretched out reaching for Yulia and Lesmythe. Their screams intermixed with the green monster's maniacal laughter. Suddenly Alidorim was there catching the outstretched hands. Each of Venomfang's claws engulfed his, but he refused to give an inch. Grunting and growling he strained to keep the digits from getting any closer to the girls.

Though he'd missed his intended target, the dragon seemed content with Alidorim's suffering. "What's wrong Strixiki?" Venomfang taunted, unimpressed by the Dragonborn's defiance. Alidorim barred his teeth, but the dragon was well aware of his waning strength. "You seem tired," he purred, "Don't tell me you've reached your limit?"

"F-f-father?" he heard Yulia whimper behind him.

He couldn't bring himself to look at her. To see her fear, would break his heart. "...fine...its fine...!" The anguish in every tone betrayed the lie, but he couldn't give up, even as the dragon bore down on him. "I won't let him get past me!" he shouted, feeling the tendons rupture in both arms. Where the claws touched, blood poured. "So...run!" He sensed Lesmythe attempting to drag the girl away, but Yulia refused, trying desperately to stay with her father. "Go now!" he barked, over the sound of cartilage cracking.

"Yes run!" mocked the dragon, not even bothering to look down at the Dragonborn, "Make a bit a sport for me!"

Rage flared within the warrior's chest, but it was a paltry flame compared to the beast before him. "Shut up!" Alidorim shouted even as his arms and legs began to buckle. His heart pounded against his breast as sweat mixed with crimson ran down his rent flesh.

He could hear Lesmythe begging through tears, and Yulia was screaming. The words were muffled by distance. "They're escaping," a voice praised, offering a small bit of relief.

"Show me your blood, Strixiki!" Venomfang crowed bearing down even more. Alidorim tasted copper in his clenched jaws. Pain lanced up his legs as he went to one knee. Venomfang was laughing again. "A true Strixiki knows to kneel before their gods!" The dragon flexed his muscles and Alidorim was slammed to the ground. On his back, his arms bore the full weight of the dragon. The great Green One's maniacal laughter filled the air, rolling like thunder, echoing within his skull. "Now die slave!" Venomfang roared delivering the final crushing blow. Bone and muscle snapped as the claws came down.

"Yulia..." he gasped. Somewhere far away he could hear the girl's voice, calling out to him. Alidorim could almost see her smile and feel her tiny hand on his. "Yulia...I'm sorry." Her crimson hair flying about as she played amongst the trees. Alidorim tried to keep up with her but the girl was too quick. "...I...I couldn't keep my promise..." Dark eyes that had known too much pain in this world, sparkled with laughter. "I...I'm sorry..." His throat clenched and he felt the tears run down his face.

"Oizmyr!" A voice rang out. White light filled his vision, and suddenly the weight was lifted off his body. Three lances of white-hot energy arced through the air and struck Venomfang in the side of his head. The dragon roared in pain as what remained of the eye cauterized in its skull. Yulia was standing over him, hand raised. Tears soaked her face as otherworldly energies curled around her tiny body. She was shaking and looked completely drained, but her voice was strong and clear. "Stay away from him!"

"Yu...lia..." Alidorim could only groan. He could hardly believe his eyes. When they'd first met, she'd been too scared to meet his eye. Now she was standing up to dragons. Who was this brave girl?

Venomfang stared hatefully at the Tiefling. The magic had hurt him, but the dragon was not done. "You'll pay for that demon!" he roared, "But you'll have to wait your turn!" Venomfang's gaping maw descended towards the helpless warrior. Alidorim's vision was filled with teeth and an endless abyss.

A heat swelled within his chest. "No!" his mind rebelled.

His arms suddenly shot up and caught the jaws. Venomfang's one remaining eye widened in surprise. He tried to press forward but the Dragonborn held fast.

"As if..." he growled locking gazes with the beast. His claws dug into the scaly flesh. "I'd let you hurt her!" Yulia needed a father to raise her and teach her right from wrong. She needed someone to protect her when she was scared. Her father needed to be there when she needed him most!

Yulia needed him!

Those three little words, the promise Alidorim made, swelled within him. The heat exploded like lightning within his chest. The wrath and fury of the storm coursed through his bones. One leg rose and he was sitting up. The other flexed and he was on his knees. Howling with the determination that put the thunder to shame, the Dragonborn staggered upward.

Alidorim's roar shook the very air as he stood tall still gripping Venomfang by his open jaws. "I won't let you lay a hand on my daughter!"

The storm within him broke and from his mouth exploded a torrent of electrical energy. Venomfang screamed in horror as the Lightning flew from Alidorim and into the beast's gaping mouth. Even as the arcs of blue energy coursed the length of his body, he clawed at the ground desperately trying to pull away. His roars devolved into shrieks of animalistic pain as the lightning burst from his flesh. The warrior held fast pouring everything thing he had into the attack, his sadness, joy, and anger...and his love.