Powers of last resort, as they were draining and dangerous, but what choice did they have?
Dred launched into the sky with a roar of their own, though it was drowned out by the overwhelming noise of the dragon.
This could only be Kinborough, the final sister.Ethelfleda was the deadliest, Amphelise the cruelest, and Kinborough…Kinborough was the most reckless, willing to do anything and everything asked of her.Like succumb to a spell that turned her into a terrifying dragon of impossible size and might, tearing the sky apart with lightning and thunder.
The lightning, free of the clouds that had shielded it while the rest of the battle carried on to thin the herd, didn't just break and burn everything it touched—it destroyed it completely, leaving only ash.In the sky, Dred dodged and spun.On the ground, Lancelot countered with water and dexterity, taking every chance to rip at any head stupid enough to dip in just close enough.
But it was a losing battle.There were too many heads, and all of them too large, for even an enormous fire gryphon and a great serpent of the depths to take.
The point wasn't to win, though.The point was to buy time, to give Arthur a chance to escape, or for one of the others to break free long enough to get Arthur themselves.
He screamed in agony as he misjudged a movement and red lightning tore through him, leaving a long wound curving from his side to his stomach.Thankfully, the lightning also cauterized the wound, and Lancelot went right back to the fight.
Injured now, he was slow, and it wasn't long before he was struck again.And again.
A cry of pain filled the air, and then Dred landed heavily next to him, twitching but otherwise not moving.
This was it then.Hopefully Caliburn and Arondight would go to new wielders, keep the triad of great swords intact.It wasn't the only triad that would break with their deaths, but it was by far one of the most powerful.
The dragon landed with world shaking force, and if not for the storm it would cast shadows greater than the tallest buildings.Lancelot lifted himself up as best he could, because he would be damned if he met his death lying down.
Two of the heads came flying, mouths open—
—and reared back screaming as the air was filled with blinding, golden light.
As some of his pain faded, Lancelot managed to rear up properly, coiling around himself and lifting his head to look around, heart racing with hope.
Nearby, Dred picked themself up, wings snapping out, the left one no longer broken as Lancelot was sure it had been.
As the gold light faded, it coalesced into a brilliant, gold-scaled dragon as large as Lancelot and Dred.
The silver serpent.The black gryphon.The gold dragon.
Roaring, the dragon shot out more beams of searing golden light, like rays of the sun harnessed to his will.
Kinborough screamed as the radiance shredded her before she vanished with a rush of magic and a cracking boom, leaving the three of them alone in a barren, war-torn field.
Light spilled from the dragon like water poured from a cup, and Lancelot fell into it gladly, letting the magic overtake him, shrinking back down and into himself, this time free of the agonizing pain.
As the light faded again, it revealed the three of them, back in their clothes and armor, black and gold and silver.
This time, though, Arthur looked like himself, swarthy skin and springy gold curls, sharp, close-shaved beard, and a smirk that had made more than one person want to punch him."Took you long enough."
Too Close
"Shut up, you spoiled asshole," Dred said cheerfully."Fucking typical of our high and mighty king to show up after most of the work has been done, and as dramatically as possible."
Arthur all but threw himself at Dred to hug them tightly."Stupid bastard."
"Get off me, oaf," Dred replied, hugging him back.
Pulling back with a grin, Arthur turned to Lancelot, face softening."Lance, it's so good to see you."
"Oh, he gets treated nicely," Dred groused while smiling.
Lancelot hugged Arthur tightly, comforted by the warmth and strength of him.Arthur could be incredibly aggravating, but those same qualities could also make him a mountain in a hurricane and a warm fire after a hard day."I'm glad you're back, Your Majesty."
"Enough of that," Arthur said, pulling back."Where is everyone else?"
