Chapter Text
“Sorry, Gorgug, trust me, please!” Fig yelled over the music and loud chatter of students. One hand grasped onto Gorgug’s sweater as the other slung her guitar from her back. A shrieking riff that stung their ears sounded off, and in a bright flash of blue, the two people were gone.
Adaine’s gaze locked with another flash of magic all the way on the other side of the gym, at the stage. Fig was already on her new skateboard, dashing away from the stage while Gorgug’s raging scream sounded out.
The crown held above Penelope’s head was a mere inch or so away from her head. The orcish band was awaiting to start the music with the banner “A Knight to Remember” displayed with the balloon arch behind the stage.
Gorgug snatched it. Only then did the two foes realize the six teens' presence at last. Dayne tried to say something, if only Gorgug hadn’t pulled a damn bomb out of his jacket pocket and pulled the pin within seconds.
The explosion rang out through the gym, blowing part of the stage to bits as Dayne and Penelope took the blast head-on. Gorgug winced as he pulled away in time not to take the full effect.
“God! When will you teens fucking learn to stop getting in the way!” Penelope shrieked, the rage already boiling inside her. “Give me back my crown!” Penelope’s words were harsh, the Command spell easily recognizable even from such a distance Adaine was in.
“Stop trying to take over the world then!” Gorgug screamed back, music blasting in his ears with the combined factor of his rage making Penelope’s spell useless.
Dayne charged towards Gorgug, a red easily flushing to his face with anger. Gorgug and Dayne wrestled for the crown in his hands. Gorgug stomped on Dayne’s foot, causing the fighter to howl in pain before letting go as Gorgug pulled away from the two.
“Adaine, do you still have the fly spell?” Kristen exclaimed, a flashing red starting in her palms. “I need to get closer to Penelope—”
“Yes, just give me a moment!” Adaine felt the arcane and flicker with magic. Boggy gave a supporting ribbit while she prepared the spell.
Riz jumped on the back of the Hangman, hiding behind Fabian’s figure, gun in hand, with a bullet at the ready. Fabian wasted no time, the engine roaring with flames as the motorcycle pushed through the sea of students, towards the front stage.
The new sword in Fabian’s hand glistened, heaving the weapon above his head. Fabian reached out to cut Dayne. Missing with the first thrust, yet the second found purchase as it sliced through fabric and flesh onto Dayne’s arm.
“You?! God stay out of the fucking way, dude—”
“No, fuck you!” Fabian exclaimed. Leaning to the side, revealing Riz already aiming at Dayne.
A bullet ran out, and a shrilling scream in its wake. Dayne’s crown was slipping with the burn marks from Gorgug’s explosive, Fabian’s attack, and a bullet wound dead center in his chest. Surrounded on all sides by the three boys.
A swirl of blue light, sparkling in the dimly lit gymnasium with bright lights. Adaine threw the spell towards Kristen with ease, yet the numbness in her wrists as she flicked her wrist with her wand reminded her of her current condition. Air materializing underneath Kristen’s feet. Within seconds, Kristen vanished from the ground floor into the air.
Flying above everyone’s head, Kristen started a small chant underneath her breath before a harsh, almost blinding red light circled in her hand. Banishment, Adaine could recognize the spell.
Penelope, even in the chaos of what was happening on stage, reacted to raised her hand. Counterspell flew through the air, sizzling its fight against Kristen’s spell, yet it equaled nothing. The blinding spell shot through the air towards Penelope, down below her. There was a small moment where Penelope almost flickered in and out of the Material Plane. Yet she pushed through, fighting the spell and remaining on the stage.
Adaine’s gaze caught onto Kalvaxus striding through the wave of students to the other side of the gym. Gorgug could only react in time to dodge the incoming cricket bat, not fast enough to tighten his grip on the crown before Kalvaxus snatched it from his hand.
Golden material almost shone like a star while it flew in the air. Tossing the jewelry towards Penelope’s direction.
The stunned, surprised crowd suddenly regained its movement. A small silence was all that was needed to cause more chaos; people pushed past Adaine, no longer caring to view the fight but more focused on leaving.
Screams, shouts of people trying to figure out the current situation echoed in her sensitive ears. People running about made it even harder to spot her friends from the other side of the gymnasium.
Though she didn’t need to have a clear view of sight to remember the sound of Fig’s guitar.
A reverberating, almost thunderous chord sounded out through the clamor of chaos.
At the other side of the gym, Fig is playing a newer chord. Recklessly shredding on the guitar with a Dissonant Whispers aimed towards Dayne.
Blood poured from Dayne’s nose, the screech of music hurting him enough for blood. Fear ran through his veins even while surrounded by the three boys. Dayne still tried to run.
Fabian struck first, nailing the Sword of Seacasters into his foot, breaking the wood of the gym floors. Gorgug heaved his axe over his head and brought it down onto Dayne, slicing into his stomach, intestines threatening to spill out of his open wound.
Staggering backwards, Dayne couldn’t turn his head to find the goblin standing directly behind him with a readied gun. A new hole formed between Dayne’s eyes from the back of his head, caused by Riz’s bullet.
A loud thud sounded through the gym. Dayne’s dead body is suddenly lying on the floor, blood pooling out of his wounds.
“No!” Ragh’s voice sounded unstable, threatening to crack. Gorgug’s axe clattered against the ground while his body was suddenly pushed to the floor by Ragh’s. The older orc’s face had a black eye that Adaine barely saw from a distance.
Gorgug grunted, trying to push the other boy off. “Ragh! Dayne was bad! He sucked, okay?!”
Yet his words didn’t push through just yet. Ragh pinned Gorgug with one hand, pushing into his shoulder, the other reaching to his back and grabbing the halberd on his back and raising it above Gorgug’s grappled body.
Slashes and spews of blood tore out of the barbarian’s body. In such a rage, the damage wasn’t as bad as it should’ve been, yet it still brought Gorgug’s health down. “Dayne was a cool dude! The coolest–”
“He sucked!” Gorgug screamed, a hand reaching for his axe. A single chop into Ragh’s ribs made another howling scream sound out. Two more into his from behind while they were both still stuck in a grapple.
The crown flying through the air landed in Penelope’s grasp, a wicked smile drawn across her face. A small moment of silence crossed over the crowd and the fighting teens as Penelope strode towards the front of the stage. Lifting a hand, aimed towards the flying cleric.
Roaring fire was becoming a worrying, familiar sound in Adaine’s ears. Fireball soared through the air toward Kristen. Who couldn’t dodge or take any measures to protect herself from the fire. Flame and burning temperature scorched through the fabric of her clothing, badly burning her body.
“You! All of you are ruining this!” Penelope screeched, her face burning red with boiling anger. “I did everything right! I but my own best friend, in a fucking crystal!”
“You’re insane, is what you are!” Kristen yelled back, wincing from the burn marks covering her.
“No one is taking this away from me!” Penelope yelled back, “I am the fucking prom queen, you are not taking my moment away! Fuck you!” A blast of red energy, fiery like Fig’s warlock spells, surrounded Penelope.
“Necklace! The necklace is a ruby!” Riz readied another bullet, pointing straight at Penelope’s neck with one hand. A perfectly cut ruby sits on her neck. “Gorthalax, she has Fig’s dad!”
An engine roared once more. Fabian, astride the Hangman, rushed to the front of the stage. The Hangman came to a skidding stop while Fabian leaped off. Straight for Penelope.
Magical energy radiated off of the girl, a crazed look in her eyes. “This is my moment—”
Fabian slammed against Penelope, pushing the girl against the ground. Two bodies writhing on the front stage before Fabian managed to pin Penelope easily with one arm. Penelope is no joke, and evil is real. But a powerful sorceress versus the strength of a fighter, isn’t the best combo.
Even Kalvaxus winced at the sight of Penelope being tackled. Fabian didn’t care; however, with his other hand free, he sliced into Penelope’s arm with his new found sword, blood staining her pink dress.
“You fucking psycho!” Penelope yelped in pain.
“This kind of looks bad, but Penelope’s evil, so this doesn't count!” Riz tried to take his shot with Penelope. Even restrained, she managed to raise a free hand, an arcane shield covering her enough for Riz’s bullet to ping off the ward.
Boggy ribbited on Adaine’s shoulder. A small reminder to keep calm, taking in a deep breath before she ran, the pain echoing in her ankles. A constant throbbing that seemed almost rhythmic from the nerve damage caused by the silver burns. Coming to a painstaking stop right in the middle of the baseline of the basketball court. Seems like running is essentially out of the question with her condition. Just enough for Kalvaxus to be in range, Adaine saved the final charges in her arcane wand, burning through her regular spell slot instead.
Lightning Bolt raced across the gym, threatening to hit students before it landed at her target. Kalvaxus dodges to the side, only getting half of the full force as it clips the side of his face. Ragh, unfortunately, was in the direct line of the spell, taking full force on his back.
Adaine wasn’t concerned about Ragh; what truly sent a shiver down her spine was Kalvaxus' expression. There was no facial reaction; the pain seemed like a walk in the park for the man.
Kristen soared above, landing on the walkway above the gym near the roof. Covered from the rest of the fight. Landing on solid ground, the cleric pressed a hand against her chest, the horrible burns scorched across her body healing with a golden light. A string of the divine energy of whatever god Kristen was following reached out to Gorgug, healing him as well.
Kalvaxus disengaged from the fight between Gorgug and Ragh. Running to the free-throw circle of the basketball court, his hand grasping a crystal clicker as if to activate something.
Adaine felt a growing sense of fear. Dread? As the dragonborn stared down the other side of the court, right past Adaine through the open doors of the gymnasium. Something screamed at her, or more so, a howling scream. She couldn’t find the reason exactly because Adaine was too busy focusing on the things outside her body.
“I have waited so very long for this!” Kalvaxus screamed through the chaotic gym. His clawed hand clicked the crystal in his hands, still looking through the doors.
Adaine turned around, having the clearest view of what he was trying to see. Down across the yard over through the Bloodrush field. The KVX Bank.
The ground underneath people’s feet shook, tremors threatening everyone’s balance. For a split second, Adaine tore her gaze from the bank to reconfigure her balance before turning back to the building.
Suddenly, the top of the bank was exploding. Walls crumbled down with ease, with dust barely having the chance to kick up before another image appeared.
The largest, almost mountains of gold, poured from the building. Falling with the crumbling building as it piled up easily. Adaine’s memory flashed in her head while Kalvaxus howled in victory. Eleminthindriel’s prophecy right after Arthur Aguefort bound Kalvaxus to the school.
“When Kalvaxus once again beholds his glittering treasure,” The KVX Bank exploded so he could see it once more.
“Seven maidens once more are chained at the mouth of his lair,” The Seven Maidens, god, that’s where they were transported, to his damn lair.
“When war befalls the realm,” Solace and Fallinel.
“And a king and queen are crowned anew in Solace,” Oh, mother fucker.
“Finally! I’m free!” Fire exploded from Kalvaxus’s nostrils, streams of smoke pouring from his opened mouth. Laughter filled his voice, before his voice was no longer just admitting laughter but a high-pitched screech.
Adaine winced, having to cover her ears while she kept her gaze locked on the transformation in front of her. Seams of clothing ripped under the pressure, his claws extending along with the rest of his body. Pupils constricted into slits as Kalvaxus grew into his true, unshackled form.
Stunned silence filled the room, with everyone looking up at the growing, looming figure above them. The final part of the transformation finished with a celebratory breath of fire threatening to burn through the ceiling of the gym.
Immediately heating the room to a higher temperature and his giant clawed feet stomping two students underneath him. “Yes! The Emperor of The Red Waste has returned!” Kalaxvus screamed, his voice still unchanged even in the new form.
His clothes were torn apart, leaving only the tie and the front of his suit intact. Barely fitting inside the gym, his wings stretched after finally being free, horns scraping the roof. “The time is now for the new age of conquest! Of Fire! And of gold, oh how I missed it all! I’m rich once more!”
Screams echoed through the gym, people filled with fear scattering all around. Prom was completely ruined as decorations above the ceiling went flying from the flap of his wings.
Penelope had the widest grin on her face, a manic laughter escaping her lips as arcane energy flickered around her. Adaine barely stood her ground from being shoved by the countless students running out.
Her eyes locked onto the others on the opposite side of the gym. Something gripped her in absolute terror. Adaine’s heart was hammering in her chest, her palms were suddenly sweating, and instinctively she took a step back. Everything in her was screaming to move. Whether it was the fear gripping her or the adrenaline to fight, Adaine couldn't tell.
It was a fight between the horrible fear coursing through her veins like blood, and every rational bit left in her brain to stay and fight with her friends. Adaine could faintly hear Boggy on her shoulder, the frog nuzzling into the side of her neck. Another voice screamed, a faint howl, her hands flexed, a familiar sensation running underneath her skin all over her body.
Adaine tried to breathe, the air in her lungs suddenly shallow. Another step back, Boggy croaked as–
“Father, stop this!”
What the fuck? Adaine snapped her head towards the far left side of the gym. Gorgug, looking above him to the looming adult dragon with a gaze of insight that Adaine is so familiar with.
Gorgug’s voice rang out, causing Kalvaxus to turn his mighty head. Tall horns threatening to tear through the roof. “What?” His forked tongue flicked as he spoke.
Even being so far away from everyone, Adaine could hear the multiple groans coming from her friends. A confused gaze from Penelope and Ragh, who looked between Gorgug and Kalvaxus.
“Quit it, Dad!” Gorgug shouted again.
“Gorgug’s he’s not your dad!” Fig tried to sound stern, but the crack in her voice gave away her growing amusement. Boggy ribbited in support as Adaine tried to regain her composure from the sudden interruption.
Kalvaxus snorted, steam emitting from his nostrils. “What?! What in god's name are you speaking about!”
Gorgug stammered, the words “Dad” and “Found you” coming through his steadily growing, shaking voice. Yet not enough for Kalvaxus to make out.
A puff of fire escaped the dragon’s mouth, clear frustration and anger bubbling on the surface. “By the damned gods!” Kalvaxus’s voice echoed through the gym. “The last time I reigned, I was taken down by the Queen of Solace herself and the greatest heroes at her disposal! Now I get a group of teens who can’t for the love of life, get their own lives together!”
Kalvaxus turned his head to the walkway, his fiery gaze landing on Kristen, still scorched with fire. “I get a kid who’s only special because some god decided randomly! Who’s confused, clumsy, and too dumb to know what’s going on!”
Kristen mumbled an insult under her breath, gripping the staff tighter with a wince. Burn marks still line her skin and clothes.
Red, giant wings ruffled behind him. His piercing gaze landed on the opposite side of the gym from Adaine. “I get a pathetic excuse and a stain on the legacy for the Elven Oracle! Who needs a stupid frog to keep her from breaking down? You’re not smart enough to steal a fucking book without being caught, let alone brave enough for the world!”
Boggy gave the best glare a perfectly spherical small frog could do. Adaine gripped her wand, a snarl coming to the corners of her lips, and a howl echoed in her mind. Yet the growing fear ran through her spine.
“And you!” Kalvaxus screamed towards Fabian. “Your own father is more a man than you’ll ever be, his name written on the world, and yet you’ll be nothing but a disgrace to his legacy–”
“Then it’s you,” He snarled to Fig. The tiefling glared back, her own red eyes boring into the dragon looming above her. “So damn, unlovable, that your father would go to hell rather than stay with a devil like you–”
“Stop flirting with me, asshole!” Fig screamed just enough for the entire gym to hear.
“You damn child—”
“Full offense to you, my heart is taken by someone else—”
Kalvaxus roared a breath of fire, scorching the ceiling of the gym. “This kid is so damn desperate he thinks I’m his dad!” He aims his spiel at Gorgug, still grappling with Ragh.
“Well, are you or not!” Gorgug yelled back, dodging a fist to the face from Ragh.
“You’re a freak! Idiot! And a loser!” Kalvaxus huffed, a plume of fire emitting from his mouth once more. This time, as he turned to Riz, a grin appeared on his face. Rows of dangerous teeth, each tusk bigger than a person’s hand. “And a ball–”
“It’s The Ball, bitch!” Riz screamed back, craning his neck to stare above. A hiss and a small lash from his tail showed little fear with his constricted pupils.
Kalvaxus only smiled wider; that strange fear tripled in Adaine. Her gut twisted into knots while the familiar unsteady breathing rhythm started in her chest. “As you all know, in the binding, I was forbidden from harming Solisian citizens,” Kalvaxus dipped his head, looking directly at the goblin below.
“Your father had to renounce his citizenship when he entered the service. And devouring him was single-handedly the greatest joy I’ve known in these last three hundred years—”
“Then it’s gonna feel fucking amazing when I kill you with his own goddamn gun!” Riz shouted at the top of his lungs. That same look of crazed anger and hatred, the one he looked at Biz with, instead the look was tenfold towards Kalvaxus.
Adaine shakes her head, the curse of lycanthropy running through her veins and nerves. It pushes through her skin, trying to break free while the dragon on the other side looms ahead.
Her heart still hammers in her chest, the shiver down her spine unrelenting. Two inner parts of Adaine scream, a feverish one filled with fear and despair. Yelling that she can’t fight this, that no amount of her arcane prowess or brute force by her sharpened canines can go against Kalvaxus. Proof of her weakness burned into her wrists and ankles, the numbness and throbbing pain. The need and want to run is reverberating through every muscle and fiber of her being.
Another part of her screams, or, more so, an animalistic sound. A beast that craves the ending of this fight yells louder than the fear. Boggy’s croak supports Adaine, for a split second, as everyone finally takes in their stances.
Adaine isn’t afraid.
Adaine has claws, and she’d rather make her nails dig into the gym floorboards to ground herself rather than allow the fear to make her run away once more. The claws she once hated months ago, shifting her hands.
Boggy’s croak snapping her back into reality is all Adaine needs to push away the Dragon Fear caused by Kalvaxus.
A snarl comes to her mouth, and before Adaine is even fully realizing it, her body is shifting. To her surprise, Adaine isn’t landing on all fours and is still on her two feet as a humanoid. Her clothes stretch, the seams barely holding on by each stitch.
Ears sit atop her head rather than on the sides. Everything is even more heightened, every odor, every little noise, down to a small sigh from across the gymnasium. Adaine can feel her limbs stretch, her legs suddenly having a growth spurt within seconds.
Adaine can barely take in her new form, looking down at her semi-normal hands covered in blonde fur rather than the padded paws she’s gotten used to in her changes. Her face feels different; everything is warm, as if she’s covered no longer in skin but fur. Minus where her scars lie, the blonde fur unable to hide the silver damage caused by the chains.
The arcane wand in her hand was suddenly so small in her larger hand. Adaine looks behind her when she feels something, a tail covered in the same colored blonde fur.
Her new vision darts across the gym, the entire scene of the fight playing across from her. Kalvaxus’s fire leaves a scent of charcoal in its wake that she can smell even from so far away. Fig is using her skateboard to dart away from the fight?
Adaine narrows her eyes; she can recognize the emotion on Fig’s face easily. Fear fills the tiefling’s entire body as her hands shake. She uses her skateboard to dash away from the fight. Rough wheels screech against the polished floors as Fig comes to a slowed pace right beside Adaine.
Adaine wants to reach out, but Fig beats her to it. That fear suddenly reigned in and pushed out of her. Fig shakes her head, a scowl on her face, while she snaps her head back to the dragon ahead. “Hey! Fuck you, and your stupid fear!”
That same confident smile (that makes Adaine's heart skip a beat without realizing) comes back to Fig. She looks back to Adaine before looking away, her red eyes widening before doing a double take back at Adaine. Having to look a bit further up to meet the wizard’s gaze.
“Holy shit!” Fig’s surprise makes the new ears atop Adaine’s head pin back. “I-I don’t mean holy shit as in a bad thing! Adaine, you look fucking amazing!”
“Thank you?” Adaine’s voice is rougher, yet it’s still her voice responding and not a growl. “It’s new but—we’ll talk about it later?!”
Adaine’s heightened hearing picks up on the pained groans of Gorgug in front. Ragh takes slash after slash on the still pinned barbarian. Blood splattered across the floor, the red liquid sinking into the fabric of both of their clothing.
“Gorgug!” Kristen yells from atop the walkway. “I think you can get through to Ragh, just say something about Dayne?! He’s clearly in love with him and might be gay?!”
“You think everyone’s gay, Kristen!” Fabian shouts from the grapple he shares with Penelope.
Gorgug manages to avoid a swing to the head barely. His hands grasp onto Ragh, stopping the other boy’s frantic and desperate moves. “I’m sorry we killed Dayne! But, he was a real jerk, not just to us but to you as well! Where’d you get the black eye, Ragh—”
“No dude!” Ragh tried to protest. “Dayne was the best! I went a-and talked to him just like Jawbone said to. I told him about my feelings, but then he punched me and said he wouldn’t tell anybody! That I could still stay on the Owlbears!” Ragh pushed Gorgug further into the ground.
“But he still punched you? Look behind me, Ragh—”
“Kiss!” Kristen’s voice echoing from above cut into the conversation.
Ragh’s gaze suddenly landed on the dragon above them. His frantic eyes shifted between Gorgug and Kalvaxus. “I-I loved Dayne–”
“Told you!” Kristen once more interrupted. A small celebratory cheer came from her, “Called it!”
“Not the time, Kristen!” Fabian exclaimed.
“Stop outing students, Kristen!” Adaine yelled from afar.
Gorgug continued his attempt to persuade Ragh. “There are other Daynes—or even people who will be better than Dayne, Ragh, out there for you–”
“He said I’m an idiot and ugly–” Ragh tried to continue, his voice barely audible. “No one’s ever gonna like me–” Gorgug chose to wait no longer. He very hurriedly grabbed Ragh by the collar of his jacket before pulling the other barbarian close to plant a tender kiss.
The two pulled away just as Adaine tried to look away, giving them some level of privacy. “I got kissed at prom,” Ragh sniffles, a smile on his face now rather than the look of grief.
“Now help us kill our vice principal?” Gorgug added in.
“Fuck yeah!” Ragh shouted, getting off of Gorgug and breaking free from the grapple, helping him stand up as he readied to fight with his weapon. “Hoot growl mother fuckers! I’m gay!”
Gorgug scrambled to run forward. His greataxe cuts the air towards Kalvaxus while he takes a stance by the dragon’s side. Yet, the red scales, almost as tough as diamonds throughout the years of war in the centuries past, Gorgug couldn’t land a single hit.
Fabian continued the struggle with Penelope. Yet the sorceress still managed to free one of her hands. A simple wave in the air teleported her with some transportation spell. Adaine could guess Misty Step, away from the fighter. Penelope directed the spell to land her right on top of the balloon arch.
Riz’s dress shoes squeaked against the floor as he ran to the right side of the stage. His father’s gun was pointing at the dragon after all these years, once more. A bullet rang out through the gym as ammo buried itself into scales and flesh.
Riz tried to hide away from Kalvaxus’s vengeful gaze. His small frame was interrupted by the sudden lash of the red dragon’s tail. Nearly sending Riz flying to the gym wall, but he stood his ground, taking the damage with the air being knocked out of his lungs.
Fabian ran past the ongoing fight with the dragon. Keeping his aim on Penelope, this time taking more drastic measures in trying to take the sorceress down. Jumping to the stage, the new sneakers stolen from the arcade squeaking as he ran. Then, vaulting off the drums from the orcish band, he almost broke the piece while his hands reached out.
Desperately grabbing onto the sign attached to the balloon arch. Pulling down the entire structure to the ground with his combined weight. Penelope scrambled to escape, barely leaping off the balloons in time to jump to the staircase that connected to the walkway of the gym.
Fabian didn’t stop there.
Hand crossbow, the same one that killed Johnny, aimed towards her. A hand raised by her deflected the arrow by casting Shield. Yet, the second arrow passed by the arcane ward, right into her shoulder.
A pained scream is emitted from her vocals. Blood sinking into the pink cloth of the dress. The fire flew from the engine of the Hangman as he rushed over, the wheels roiling with fire and smoke, and slammed into Kalvaxus’s feet. A small amount of damage to the contribution.
Kalvaxus huffed a plume of smoke, his red tail longer than a school bus, and slammed into Gorgug. Air forced out of Gorgug’s lungs, an awkward heave for air from him as well when he tried to recover. From the amount of hits taken, Gorgug was dangerously close to passing out.
Adaine clutched the arcane wand, the wood teetering on the edge of breaking from her strength change in the new form. New-found speed going against her slowed one from her nerve damage. Her new boots rush forward. A new recharged Misty Step from the gifted footwear sent her further, near the center of the gym.
Wand raised, the rising temperature dropped around her as Adaine cast Ice Knife. The chill of the freezing spell launched towards Kalvaxus. Striking true as it landed straight into his chest, the ice chilling through the fabric of his torn clothing and hard as nails red scales.
Boggy croaked in her ear; the soft nuzzling from the frog gave a stronger sense of comfort. Adaine grinned, canine teeth on display as the dragon howled in pain, his aim now towards her. A new, profound confidence from the winning battle against fear.
Kristen ran further down the walkway, right to the top of the stairs Penelope was on. Staff glowing with the golden light again, healing spread back towards Gorgug and Riz across the gym. Tendrils of flesh and muscle connecting on Gorgug and Riz’s torn and scorched flesh.
Another swipe of the giant tail bludgeoned against Gorgug. The ongoing rage from the half-orc made the damage not as dangerous, but still, Gorgug couldn’t hold off an entire dragon forever.
Kalvaxus turned his head, aimed towards the left corner of the gym, right where Kristen and Ragh remained. Adaine couldn’t see from her angle yet, but by the puff of his wings and the growing steam, she just knew the next tragedy was coming.
An ear-piercing scream almost blew Adaine’s eardrums, as a roiling breath of fire spewed out of his mouth. The previous fires that he did out of show could never be comparable to this one.
The smell made Adaine’s nose burn, and the temperature, even for being far away, made the new fur feel like sitting in a fire. Adaine could hear screaming. More importantly, Kristen and Ragh. Kalvaxus aimed the fire just enough to avoid Penelope near the stairs.
Two loud thuds echoing through the fight were the start of the end. Adaine looked up to the walkaway, Kristen’s body nearly falling off as she collapsed to the ground. Smoke rising from her now still body.
Ragh’s screams of victory, his new self cut off by the a sudden silence. The Letterman jacket burned to almost ash on his bloody and burned body. Webs of flesh burned together with fabric, making a horrible match. As the metal weapon clanged against the polished floors.
Kalvaxus laughed; he laughed. As one—well, two since Ragh was now okay with them, as two of Adaine’s friends lay barely clinging onto life on the floor. Kristen, someone she found a new home with, now, her body lie limp on a walkway.
Leftover smoke escaped from his mouth as he laughed. Pupils constricted with the hunger for chaos while his gaze scanned the rest of the building.
“Hey!” Fig’s voice broke the tension between the two dying bodies. Skateboard wheels that screech to a halt right next to Adaine. “Fuck you, goddammit!” A screech of music that tore through the air, and a spell that Adaine didn’t recognize was thrown through the space.
Eldritch Blast, the form of the energy takes on as shaking electric music notes. A line of red racing to Kalvaxus as it sliced the scales. Before another comment could be made, Fig placed her hand on Adaine’s shoulder. “Stay safe?” An almost pleading tone with a wink from Fig aimed at her.
If the fight weren’t so distracting, and would decide the fate of the world if they succeeded or not. Adaine would have been more focused on the way her heart raced. This one time, it was not from her adrenaline.
Kalvaxus sneered at them from the corner of his eye, the tail raising once more before crashing down on Riz’s area again. Riz managed to run just fast enough away to dodge having to take the full hit. Taking another lash from a tail but halving what the injury should have caused.
Gorgug ran past the dragon, blood pooling onto the floor with each step. Kalvaxus managed to dig his claws just as he passed by. Yet Gorgug kept on pushing, choked breathing from how his injuries lined his chest, possibly cutting into his lungs.
Stumbling up the stage, he staggered towards the drums. His hand slips to his back pockets, grabbing his drumsticks between his fingers. Nearly fell off the chair as he rounded to the seat.
The music blaring through his headphones provided a beat for Gorgug to follow. A rhythm that shook the stage floor banged on the drums, and just like the way Fig played the drums back at the Durinson Mithril Factory, the gem-storing Gorthalax started shaking. The Archdevil is trying to free itself with the aid of Gorgug’s playing. Yet, the hardcore beat wasn’t enough just yet.
Another swipe of the tail sent Riz’s chest, making him cough up blood. Red spewed onto green. The gun was nearly falling out of his hands while he tried to remain steady on his two feet. Kalvaxus snorted towards Gorgug, yet his sharp gaze flickered between his hands.
“Find out why he’s playing!” Kalvaxus yelled at Penelope. The sorceress, with a wave of her hand, cast Detect Thoughts on herself.
“As for you—” Kalvaxus didn’t bother to finish his sentence. His tail raised again, high above a trembling Riz, before slamming down straight on his chest once more. Adaine heard with heightened hearing the horrifying crunch of Riz’s ribs collapsing in on themselves. The flesh of his body was compacted together with the sheer force as his body fell to the fell.
Adaine wanted to scream, yet the sound died in her new vocal cords.
Fabian ran up the stairs that Penelope remained on. Light footing took him right next to her, and a hand reached out to her neck. The string of the red ruby now snapped as Fabian snatched the jewelry away.
“God! You assholes always ruin everything!” Penelope screamed, fury written all over her face.
“Fuck off!” Fabian shouted back. Using the handrails of the stairs, he vaulted backward, a few minor stumbles in his trick, while he landed behind the stage. A measure of cover away from the rest of the battlefield. A Second Wind ran through his wounds while he took a moment of rest from fighting.
Adaine breathed in through her new snout, out through the new, sharpened teeth of her mouth. Wand raised back to Kalvaxus, another ice spell running through the arcane focus as she—
The snarling reached her ears before she could give her spell full focus. Adaine twisted her head, two familiar smells reaching her nose.
Not stuck in a palimpsest like the other teachers, Jawbone, and tailing after him, Tracker. Jawbone was in his cardigan, brown fur being brushed from the pure speed he was running at, while Tracker came in a few seconds after.
“Kiddos!” Jawbone screamed over the losing fight. Eyes scanning through the room while he sniffed the air, the scorched scent reaching his nose. Ears suddenly perked at the sight of Adaine. “Adaine?”
Adaine tried to smile back, perhaps showing too much of the dangerous teeth. “It’s new! I’m working on it!”
“Tracker! Get Kristen and Ragh!” Fig shouted, a smile of triumph from the newly added allies drawn on her face. Tracker nodded, a look of anger aimed at the red dragon while she looked to the walkway on the left. No doubt, already sensing the fate of what happened to Kristen.
Adaine snapped her head back to Kalvaxus, who was very clearly annoyed by the new additions. While Boggy nuzzled the fur instead of skin, Adaine pocketed the wand in her jacket pocket. Rushing forward, the clawed hand outstretched to the dragon. Both inspired by Fig, combined with adrenaline, Adaine’s claw dug into Kalvaxus’s skin. A yelp emitted from him as she dug into his heel.
“God! Aren’t you supposed to be afraid!” Kalvaxus puffed smoke from his fiery mouth.
“Just because I have panic attacks doesn’t mean I have to be afraid of someone as horrible as you!” Adaine screamed back, holding up a middle finger even if the dragon couldn’t notice from their height difference.
Adaine could notice Kristen’s still body on the walkway, twitching. Perhaps a sign of life, possibly her body slowly dying. She strained her ears atop her head, trying to listen for any signs of life.
Kalvaxus walked towards them with thundering footsteps. Raising his claws, as they shredded into Fig’s body and through the leather of her jacket. Maneuvering himself to Adaine before biting into her fur, lowering his head to bite into her shoulder.
Adaine momentarily howled in pain, and the roar of an engine pulled her out of her reaction. Fig hops onto the Hangman, rushing towards the right side of the stage. Rubber wheels screeched, leaving marks as she jumped off seconds later, jumping on stage.
A soft tune that Adaine loved echoed as Riz’s chest rose with a sharp breath, Healing Word forcing him back into consciousness.
Gorgug huffed, raising the drumsticks in the air once more. Beats reverberating through the floors and walls once more, Gorgug slamming the sticks on the drums, this time the ruby glowing in Fabian’s hand brighter than ever. Drums coming apart with the sheer force Gorgug used.
Fabian yelped from a sizzle starting in his hand while tossing the ruby to the stage. Thousands of minuscule cracks formed in the gem before a bright light shone in the gymnasium.
Gorthalax, in all of his devilish glory, breaking free from a prison once more. His unnatural body heat matched the fire of the towering dragon. A growl that dueled against Kalvaxus’s shouting through the building.
BLING! BLING!
Gorthalax momentarily reached into his back pocket. A small crystal that contrasted against his giant hand glowed, glancing over at Fig. “Sweetie? Oh—kiddo, sorry I missed some of your texts!”
Fig looked both relieved and on the verge of tears at the sight of her dad once more. “Yeah, I-I didn’t know where you were and I thought you were fucking mom—But you were in a ruby!”
“Oh, we fucked.”
Adaine swore Riz’s trembling body was also shaking from holding back laughter. Fabian also barely holding in a snicker.
Gorthalax tilted his head, finally taking in the scene around him. Fabian has cover from the rest of the gym behind the stage. Riz was barely standing, blood still marking his ruined clothing. Adaine, in her new glory and form, Jawbone and Tracker on the other side of the gym. Before taking a second to finally look up at the looming dragon.
“Hey! Kalvaxus! You’re here!” Gorthalax exclaimed.
The dragon stammered, obviously confused and trying to take in the previous conversation. “Gorthalax?!”
The Archdevil took a moment. Almost pondering as he started piecing everything together, every injury, every burn, every splatter of blood. “Goldenhoard…Kalvaxus…Oh! Nuts, man!”
“Um,” Riz cut in. Coughing a few splatters of blood onto the floor, “He’s been attacking us!
“He used to come onto me all the time!” Fig shouted, an obvious grin as the sight of her father taking in every piece of information.
Kalvaxus whipped his head to Fig, turning his body to the Archdevil. To a point Adaine narrowly had to dodge a tail nearly slamming into her head as his back faced her. “What?!—No!—”
Gorthalax's war cry cut through the gym. An upside down pentagon glowing of flame now appearing on his forehead. An axe of fire, a guitar that shrieked a high tune note. “Oh! I’m sending you straight to Hell!”
Gorgug stumbled out of the drum seat. His unsteady footsteps taking him up the stairs, ending just a few feet away from Penelope. Still out of reach, Gorgug withdrew one of the gifted fire bombs, chucking the device to Penelope.
The fire exploding on her face, burning parts of her hair, fabric of her dress turned into ash. Penelope faltered, having to use the railing for support. On the verge of death, just like the fate the seven maidens she put through.
A manic glare aimed at Gorgug. “My fucking dress! You’ve ruined it! My plan to become prom queen! I sacrificed my best friend for this shit! And all you’ve done is ruin everything!”
“Me?! I ruin everything?!” Gorgug screamed back, motioning to the dragon near them.
Penelope scowled, a hand raising high in the air with a crackle of fire. A tremendous Fireball plummeting towards Gorgug, Fabian, and Fig. Riz still being hidden by the stage.
Gorgug stammered backwards, almost losing his footing. The fire burning through his clothes and making webs of sensitive flesh revealed as the first layer of skin burned away with his clothes.
Penelope ran, past Kristen’s limp body. Onto the walkway near the gym ceiling. Never once losing her balance on top of the high path. As much to Adaine’s dismay, the urge to see that girl dead was on the same level as seeing Kalvaxus dead.
Riz scrambled off of his feet, panting with the broken ribs and possibly punctured lungs to the back of the stage. Coming to a screeching halt with a squeak of his dress shoes. Raising the gun with shaking hands, a bullet ringing out as it pinged off of the gym wall. Barely missing Penelope.
“Hey asshole!” Jawbone yelled from the other side of the gym. “Thanks for the job! Now it’s time for you to lose your job—god I haven’t been mean in so long,” Jawbone glanced to Tracker. “I used to do scary shit—Ah, whatever!”
A loud howl released from his mouth, before taking into a dead sprint. His claws digging into red scales as Jawbone leaped onto the thrashing tail. Beginning to clamber up Kalvaxus’s back, a sharp smile aimed at Adaine.
“You’re doing great kiddo! Love the new look too!” Jawbone yelled as he avoided the spikes trailing the dragon’s spine in his climb.
Adaine looked back, Tracker’s eyes darting across the room and to the walkway where Kristen’s burned body remained. “Tracker! I get can you up there! Just, wait up for me! You don’t mind flying do you!”
“Uh, I never have so I wouldn’t know?!” Tracker yelled back, a look of confusion mixed with slight concern. “But, I wouldn’t mind!”
Fabian surged forward from behind the stage. Dashing up the stairs, past Gorgug’s shaking body, before another surge of energy rushed through his veins. Vaulting onto the handrails, trying to get an advantage on Penelope yet, losing his balance. Barely grabbing onto the rails before slipping and dangling off the side of the stairs.
Instead of trying to get back up, Fabian reached for his hand crossbow. Aiming straight at Penelope, a frustrated look in his eyes as he adjusted his body.
An arrow whizzed through the air, piercing through Penelope’s chest. Directly into her left lung, blood already oozing out of the wound. “All I wanted was to be queen—”
“We know! You’ve said that like five times!” Fabian yelled, still dangling from the stair railing.
Penelope stumbled, her balanced steps on the walkway failing her as she fell to the side. A mess of scorched fabric and arrows sticking out of her body falling to the ground below.
“Yes!” Fabian screamed, his exhausted state replaced with a victorious grin. “God! Fuck you man!”
The Hangman roared with fire just as it came to a stop right below Fabian’s hanging body. Ready to catch the dangling fighter at a moments notice.
Adaine turned on her heel, ignoring how it sent a full body shiver from the throbbing pain. Perhaps with a wince and holding back a groan. Narrowly dodging the claw the tried swiping at her as she ran. Boggy barely holding onto her with her new speed, coming to a skidding halt just a few feet away from Tracker.
With a simple wave of the arcane focus, the Fly spell redirected to Tracker. “Thanks Adaine!”
“Don’t try to fall!” Adaine warned, just as Tracker unsteadily shot up twenty feet in the air with a yelp. Nearly toppling over face-first to the ground within the first few seconds. Tracker’s limbs flailed around for another second before steadying herself.
Flying over to the walkway, using all of her energy trying to reach Kristen on the other side. Not managing to reach the middle of the walkway yet.
Gorthalax finally took his move. Hitting more notes on the blazing guitar, strands of demonic music playing through the gym. A bolt of pure unholy energy shooting through the air, screams of the damned playing with the chords.
Kalvaxus, winced away, trying to fight against the spell of an Archdevil. Adaine looked with another sense of dread as the burst of energy seemed to do nothing. With pure draconic force, Kalvaxus resisted the spell, a plume of smoke of the demonic energy was the only thing left in its wake.
Kalvaxus turned his head, stomping over to the stage. Taking in another deep breath, the burning glow of fire starting inside his throat while he took aim. A cone of fire, the blast hitting Fig and Riz directly. Fear frozen on their faces, screams halted before they even began.
Two bodies hit the ground. Adaine’s friends, people who have been with her from the start of the hellish school year. Their scorched bodies twitching, either signs of life or just muscle memory. Adaine prayed, no, begged, it to be the former.
Adaine strained her ears, her new sense of hearing finally coming into play. Trying to listen for a gasp of air, the thundering beat of a heart coming from Fig or Riz. Boggy croaked, a strong reminder to keep her head in the fight.
Fig’s hand twitched around the guitar, maybe a sign of life, Adaine could only hope however.
Gorgug ran with adrenaline filled speed, tears pricking at the corners of his crow feet eyes.A scream of rage burned at his vocal cords, rushing to be behind Kalvaxus. Taking swings to the heel, and tail of the red dragon. A wild swing missed, but Gorgug just brought his axe down even harder on the next one.
“Stop cutting my leg, you little freak!” Kalvaxus screamed.
“You’re doing great kiddo!” Jawbone shouted from above, a claw holding onto one of the spine spikes.
Kalvaxus raised his tail, sweeping the floor with Gorgug. For another second, Adaine thought another one of her friends would join in the balance between life and death. Gorgug’s blood pooled out of his ears, coughing copious amounts through his mouth.
A relentless endurance pushed Gorgug to stay on his feet. Shaking hands still gripping onto his axe like a lifeline.
Jawbone continued to scale Kalvaxus’s back. His claws scratching at the red scales as he made his journey. Right to the dragon’s mouth, crawling into the still steaming mouth from the previous fires.
“What! No! Get—Stop this!” Kalvaxus screamed, shaking his head rapidly trying to get rid of Jawbone. Another attempt as he tried bitting down on Jawbone, yet with no silver, not a single scratch lined the fur yet.
“Should’ve gotten some silver fillings bitch!” Jawbone’s voice echoed from the mouth. “Kids! I’m gonna try to get in deeper to plug the fire up!”
“What?!” Tracker screamed from the walkway. “Don’t—you’re not immune to fire Jawbone—you do know that, right?!”
“Please don’t die!” Adaine shouted, Boggy giving her an affirmative croak while perched on her shoulder.
Fabian scrambled onto the stairs. Heavy breaths as he ran past Kristen, onto the catwalk. Coming to another stop while he scanned Kalvaxus, Fabian only took a few steps back before running at full speed. Onto the wing of the moving dragon, nearly sliding down before regaining his balance.
Dashing further up the dragon just like Jawbone’s previous choices. Running onto the spine, up to Kalvaxus’s head.
Adaine aimed her wand at Kalvaxus, fury running through her veins like the lycanthropy. The dragon that loomed ahead of her, is mercilessly putting her friends on the brink of death. At any cost, she’ll have this dragon dead before the sun rises.
Lightning Bolt raced through the gym, up through the air and narrowly avoiding Fabian. Crackles of energy rushing through the cracks of the scales onto dragon flesh. Striking Kalvaxus on the back of his head.
Tracker raced forward, Fly providing a faster speed to reach Kristen’s withering body. The metal of the walkway shaking with each one of her footsteps. Tracker not close enough to Kristen’s body yet.
Gorthalax rushed over to Fig’s body. Fire that she would have been resistant to, pushing her towards death. Dropping his flaming weapons as he tried to stabilize the unconscious Fig. Clawed hands fumbling with the open bleeding wounds, no sign of life in sight as Gorthalax failed in trying to help Fig.
Kalvaxus sneered at Gorthalax. Almost disappointed at him trying to save Fig rather than fighting. Turning towards Gorgug, a pit of fear roiled in Adaine’s stomach and chills down her spine. A grin that showed too much teeth for comfort, as Kalvaxus raised his tail, the enormous weight plummeting down.
Bone, fibers of muscle, shattered into pieces inside Gorgug’s crushed body. Axe clattering to the ground with a haunting echo. Blood slowly starting to seep into his ruined gray hoodie as Gorgug lay on the ground, teetering on the edge of death with the other three friends.
Boggy’s loud croak of panic in her ears snapped Adaine into focus. Barely running to the side, dodging the same tail starting to drip a blood red, from smashing into her.
Adaine could hear Jawbone rustling around in Kalvaxus’s mouth, the dragon still trying to shake the werewolf out. Another swipe of the tail made Adaine slide to the other side, the pain in her ankles getting worse to ignore. Yet, she was not quick enough as the limb smashed into her ribs.
The unsettling sound of her bones breaking made tears prick the corners of her eyes. Cracked bone matter threatening to puncture her lungs sensitive flesh.
Fabian scrambled to the very top of Kalvaxus’s head. Unsheathing his rapier, aiming the blade at the giant eye, slashing into the soft matter twice. A screech sounding out as his eyesight was now ruined.
Adaine raised her wand once more, Ice Knife cutting through the air as the freezing temperature burned through Kalvaxus once more. Cold fighting off the burning fire of the dragon.
Tracker came to a skidding stop in front of Kristen’s body. The constant dashing with Fly’s enhanced speed starting to wear on her. A healing spell gathered at the palms of her hands, ready to bring Kristen up within the minute.
Gorthalax gently laid Fig’s limp body back onto the burned stage. Before charging forward, flaming axe in hand towards Kalvaxus. The demonic blade starting to lay into the red dragon, cuts, and open flesh starting to reveal. Draconic blood splattering onto Gorthalax himself.
Kalvaxus groaned, already tired with the fight. Seeing as there was barely any one left, Adaine was slowly being worn down herself as well. Kalvaxus leaned his head forward, Fabian barely holding on with his rapier digging into the eye. Before thrashing his head to the side with a sudden jerk that sent Fabian flying.
His body meeting with the brick wall. The back of his skull cracking with the sheer force. Quickly sliding down to the floor with fumbling steps.
Adaine strained her ears, trying to desperately hear for her friends. For them to get back on their feet, to gasp for air as they scrambled to fight. Something, anything! Riz’s pulse was fading, Fig was still remaining stable but not enough to stray far from death. Gorgug’s heart was faint but there, Kristen, gods, she couldn’t even hear Kristen’s.
Kalvaxus whipped his tail to Fabian’s trembling body. The force breaking more bones, blood pouring from the corners of his mouth.
“Adaine!” Fabian screamed from his collapsing lungs. “Grab the Hangman—run—something!” Desperation filling his voice more than ever, something Adaine could have never recognized from Fabian.
“Are you fucking insane?!” Adaine shouted back. Not like she could run far or fast anyway, her legs are trembling just from standing plus the added running earlier. Boggy giving both of them a “I don’t know about this,” face, as he stared up at the bleeding teens and dragon.
Fabian didn’t bother trying to argue. Only rushing forward with reckless abandon, the new sword glistening with the lights of the now ruined prom. Wild slashes cutting deep into the heels of Kalvaxus, red liquid matching the scales.
Adaine stared up, fear returning to her mind. Countless possibilities running through her mind. What if they died? What if they lived with the others remaining dead? Lived, but Kalvaxus still winning in the end? What if her injuries get the better of her mid-fight? What if—
“Countless futures, yet, I can only see one happening in this thread of fate. Do not fret, let time speak for itself,” Adaine heard Elementhindrel’s voice echo in her head,
Doubt already seeping into her bones. However, who was she to judge fate? She could not change it, that fateful full moon was a constant reminder of that. like a rushing river. Adaine can only withstand it, not fight against it.
Lightning Bolt raced from the tip of her arcane focus. The surge of energy missing as Kalvaxus twisted his head fast enough to make the spell scorch the ceiling instead. A sense of unease already boiling inside her mind, this? This was the fate she was supposed to trust?
A bright, almost blinding light coming from the walkway where Kristen’s body remained said otherwise.
Holy light, a spirit from the heavens itself returning to it’s original body. Adaine’s mouth was agape, so was Fabian's he blinked away the pain.
Kristen floated back onto her feet, the smell of her corn magic gone. Replaced with something, new. As well as clutching something in her hand. The light swirled around her and next to her, reconstructing a new figure.
Arthur Aguefort landed on his feet. The purple suit being a contrast to the red painted on everyone and on the surface of the gym.
“The watch Kristen!” Arthur yelled, hearing the voice of a dead man sent a wave of unease to Adaine. “Use the watch—ah! Kalvaxus! You fool!” Arthur pointed at the stunned dragon with his closed umbrella.
Another spirit conjured, right behind Arthur. Mr. Gibbons, a spectral body that Adaine could clearly see through. “Powerful feelings,” Gibbons only mumbled before jumping into Arthur’s throat.
“Mr. Gibbons see reason!” Arthur yelled just as his own fist connected with is face.
Kristen fumbled with the watch in her hands. Confusion written all over her face as she tried to figure out the device. Kalvaxus screamed, a war cry as he charged towards Kristen.
Adaine started to run, her hand outstretched. No, no, she couldn’t let this damned dragon kill her friend again. Fabian seemed to be on the same page as he ran, blood staining his white locks with each unstable step.
Adaine ran towards the still dragon—wait, still dragon?
Looking up, Adaine did not see the burning ember of fire growing in Kalvaxus’s throat. His one good eye staying on Kristen, frozen. Not in fear like Adaine has been in countless scenarios. Just, frozen.
Adaine stepped back, now looking at the frozen dragon. Shooting her eyes to Kristen and the frozen in motion Arthur Aguefort, mid punch to the gut.
“Arthur was right! Chronomancy fucking rules!” Kristen shouted from the top of her lungs. Fabian and Adaine sharing both utterly confused and victorious looks. “Also, you guys looked fucked!”