Storm Call

Midnight Discussion

Late in the night, conversation had picked up again between the two brothers, this time about Azazel. "So, why was he your go-to? Especially since you made him fake his own death?" Brandon asked, his words slurring due to sleep deprivation. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I'd probably do the same thing to someone else, but you know how Ender is. What if he kills him? What happens to the rest of the squad?" He yawned as he waited for Navomi's answer, then noticed that he had begun snoring. Before long, it had grown so loud that it awakened him.

Navomi threw a few flames at the nearby candles before replying. "If... that were to happen, Gana could probably take care of him. That's if he was alone, anyway, but seeing how he showed up with his brother and the other two, I doubt they'd let him be after yesterday." A low growl snuck out as he yawned. Continuing with his answer, he added, "With his little group, I think if all three of them attacked together, it could... maybe take out most of them. Maybe even all of them, if they're lucky, but since they're crossing that black cat's path, it's pretty much impossible." He stood to stretch, and another low growl came. Brandon noticed this one and decided to comment.

"Aww, you're growling! Do you miss him already?" He ducked as Navomi's tail came towards his face before swinging his own, only to have it be caught. "Gah! I'll take back what I said, just don't break my damn tail again!" Navomi hesitated - as to why, he was unsure. Abruptly, his claws dug deep into it, breaking most of the scales in the way before quickly retracting.

"Oh, dear, I wonder... dry claws after digging that deep? Is there something you aren't telling me, brother?" Before he could reply, a raven flew into the room before shortly transforming. "What is it, Roni? This better not be one of your tricks again," he grumbled, deciding to continue the conversation later.

Quickly, she answered, "Well, I was doing a recon sweep over the surrounding area and...". She was soon interrupted by another bird flying behind her, this one zipping around the three.

"Well? Go on, finish."

She jumped, surprised that he wanted to listen. "Well, it would seem that most of a mountain range just... disappeared. Not even any signs of debris, just completely gone." She expected a chop soon after she finished, but no such thing came. Instead, he began preening her feathers. The shock alone of someone else touching them almost made her slap his face, but seeing who it was, she hesitated.

"You harpies are so unique. Always loyal, always keeping your distance from others. I'm off topic, but I've always admired your kind." Navomi whispered these things into her ear as he began to form a new request. "Roni, I need you to do something for me. Check on your sister, and make sure those brats are gone. I don't want any more problems than I have now, so do be quick about it," he told her. With a nod, she waited until his claws were no longer on her arms before turning around and leaving. Brandon had began walking away before he was called. "You never answered. Having a ghost of a tail is so low of a dragon. Grow it back before it's too late."

"Who said it wasn't back already? Or are you assuming again?" Brandon shouted, arms covered in flames. "It'd be wise to save your energy. If they don't come back tomorrow, then there's no way in hell that your army can hold them for more than a few hours."

"Are you questioning my leadership, bitch? Need I remind you who broke that damn curse and kept your sorry ass alive?" Navomi shot back, his scales slowly rising. His brother didn't back down. Before he realized what he was doing, Navomi pinned him against the wall, having broken several tables and chairs in the way. "If you don't have anything useful to tell me, I suggest you either get out or shut up. Don't test me, I will tear your throat out!" he screamed, tail positioned to strike at any moment.

Still, Brandon stood his ground, until Navomi locked eyes with him. Struggling, he spat back, "You must've not taken into account that Enzefer is still alive. That's who spent most of the time with your choice, and that alone means that if he does stop Ender from killing him, that elf has a better chance of changing their minds and turning them on us!" A wave of fire swept over the room as his brother threw him to the floor, melting the nearby furniture. "Are you even listening to me?! If you kill me, you lose the best chance of staying alive long enough to finish your 'plan'! Keep me around and you just might survive long enough to fight them yourself." As he stood, Navomi's tail shot towards him, and, to his surprise, Brandon caught it. "Dad always did say you never knew when to quit fighting and listen. I wonder what it'll take for you to give up," he shot coldly.

"Enough!" Navomi screeched, pouncing and pinning his brother to the floor. "I've had just about enough of you, Brandon!" Slowly, his head became one of a dragon, and blue flames began to swell within his throat. As the smoke escaped his mouth, Brandon managed to kick himself free, narrowly escaping the fireball.

"Taking your anger out on me isn't something you should be doing, now is it?!" he screamed, dodging another volley. "Why don't you save your energy for them, you dumbass?" He awaited the next set of flames - none came. Instead, his brother, now back to normal, began to slowly walk towards him.

An unnerving grin crept across Navomi's face. "You're right, I should conserve my energy. Thank you for reminding me," he whispered, grabbing Brandon's shoulder as he tried to back away.

"Thank you... for reminding me how much of a pest you are."