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Chapter 14

Serafin stopped two kilometres out, sniffing the air it was thick with the scent of blood the coppery smell permeated the air.

‘Somethings wrong’ Serafin said, ‘the blood, it's familiar.’

‘What blood?’ I asked.

‘The blood I can smell’ Serafin replied, she crouched down bringing her hands up to her shoulders, ‘off you hop.’

Mark, Petrov and Zain in sink slid off Serafin’s shoulder into her hand and then to the ground no jokes or witty comments they were serious, they moved at a team Mark at point and Petrov and Zain on his flank weapons raised after a couple of seconds Mark took something out one his pocket then throw it into the air he checked the readout from a holo-pad on his forearm after a few more seconds, he relaxed his stance.

‘Clear’ he said.

‘You know, I could have told you that’ Serafin said.

Mark nodded, ‘I know but I just wanted to be sure.’

‘Right then’ Serafin said standing up, ‘I’m going on ahead you four stay here.’

‘Will do’ mark said, ‘Zain stay with Farren, me and Petrov will have a look around.’

‘It’s clear’ Serafin said starting to walk towards the scent of blood, ‘except for a herd of about twenty kangaroos three hundred meters north, northeast and Farren, stay in contact.’

‘Will do’ I say.

Serafin started to run towards the blood, she felt like she had punched in the gut as she saw the familiar form on the ground she rushed forward the thought that this was a trap did briefly cross her mind but she hadn't sensed anything else so Serafin hunkered down and tried to calm herself down to look at the situation with a critical eye.

Serafin stood she reached out to Farren, get on the coms and tell the base one that we have an injured friendly dragon, don’, tell them to stand down the only thing capable of doing something like this is another dragon, they need to alert the other bases two and three immediately.

Without waiting for a reply Serafin crouched down Runetide was out cold, still bleeding one hand clutched close to her chest holding Alex. Serafin didn't dear move him, Runetide was the immediate worry the puncture wound to close to her heart, Serafin closed her mind and concentrated she placed her hand over the wound she felt the blood. It was congealed the felt the torn flesh and the broken bone she willed to fix, to heal she felt the bones shards move into their proper places and the meat begin to knit itself together, then she moved to the massive gashes all she could do was congeal the blood to stop the bleeding, then there was Alex shallow wound to the back child’s play Serafin took her hand back she saw spots and shook her head.

She stood unsteady and almost fell over.

‘Are you ok?’ she heard Farren ask she shook her head and sat down still seeing spots.

‘Just gimme a sec I’ll be fine’ Serafin said.

She looked around realizing that there were a lot more than four people how long did that take? memories so many memories, she shook her head again I seem to be doing that a lot today she thought then she passed out.

‘That’s great’ Zain said, ‘what are we supposed to do with to two passed out dragons and the human the blue-skinned one’s hand.

I shrugged my shoulders, ‘we could just leave them to sleep it off, I would not go near Alex now and transporting them could be dangerous.’

‘So we're just going to leave them here?’ The man standing behind me was major lock, he was a tall man with silvering hair he had a nice grey suit with medals on it, I was conflicted about him he was a nice guy but he a had mistrust of dragons, given that thee months ago they were to be killed on sight and now he was working with them.

‘Well seeing as we now know there are dragons running around and the invasion could now happen at any time there's no point in wasting assets trying to have them moved.’ I say

‘indeed,’ he said ‘you and I both know that these dragons are our best hope of surviving, they have given us invaluable intel on the dragons nagas and what types of weaponry we can expect the other humans to use, we will be keeping a close eye on these two.’

Major lock turned to the assembled men and women about half of the first division and most of the pathfinder core.

‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ he said, ‘you see these two dragons? these are our best hope of winning this war, so this is your new home for the however long it takes for their two to get their shit together.’

He turned to me, ‘I’m putting you in an advisory position make sure they stay alive.’

I was temporarily shocked, ‘Sir I could just-’

Major lock looked at me, ‘we need to keep these dragons safe, I believe in your abilities we are going to be setting up an outpost or even a forward operating base here, I think would be more secure.’

I couldn't argue with that.

‘Ok I will’ I said.

‘Marcus’ major lock called over, ‘you will be taking overall command of this camp.’

Marcus jogged over he introduced himself to me ‘Marcours first eviction leader.’

We shook hands.

‘Sir what should we do about the seismic actively?’ Marcus asked Major Lock.

‘I’ll get someone on it’ Major Lock said, ‘for now just get this camp up and running this is now our forward operating base after a path has been cleared trucks carrying supplies will be dispatched.’

Needless to say, there were not exactly cheers, this meant work, setting up a camp and clearing trees and moving materials and men seven kilometres from base one to this new area. And getting it done quickly given that there was an impending invasion, but they got on with it equipment was airdropped within the hour and they began clearing a path and an area for a camp, it took almost all of the next day including night shifts I was very tired having to say up advising people on things it mostly boiled down to;

‘don’t touch the dragon’s, don’t go near the dragons.’

And for some reason I was also in an advisory position when it came to where buildings were put, barracks, mess hall, storage, vehicle bays and I had to fill in and hourly report on how the dragons and Alex were going, which was basically, ‘they're still asleep stop asking.’

After almost twelve hours without sleep I basically collapsed on the ground near Serafin I reached out she was there just not there drifting just asleep she would wake up, but I couldn't say how soon I signed with frustration and stopped trying.

I groaned to myself everyone was busy doing things, moving things, setting things, getting power online, setting up water, trunks laden with supplies were arriving regularly and being unloaded in by technicians wearing a heavy lift exoskeletons. The dragons where at the bottom of the camp with everything arranged in a semi cereal, barracks in the centre vehicle bays on the left and the path that lead to base one on the right with an unloading area were everything was unloaded and sorted with the mess hall and the storage bunker were at opposite ends of the semi-circle.

‘You ok?’ Marcus asked.

I looked up at him, ‘man’ I said you ‘look like shit.’

He smiled, ‘so do you.’

He sat down next to me I struggled into a sitting position; the sun was at its highest point beating its heat down on everyone.

‘You’re not supposed to be near the dragons.’

Marcus produced two syringes.

‘Combat stims’ I said, ‘how did you’ I was a little shocked.

‘Being a division leader gives you’ he paused, ‘certain privileges.’

I can see that I said taking one of the syringes and injecting myself feeling the synthesized adrenaline surge threw my body, my eyes widened I shot to my feet.

‘Feeling better?’ Marcius asked.

‘Yep’ I said, I could feel a buzzing sensation.

‘Good’ he said standing up patting me on the back, ‘duty calls this should keep us standing for the next couple of hours.’

The duty it turns out was standing in a tent and occasionally making comments on defences, I was the most informed on the enemy after the dragons and Alex, I was needed, though I did not feel like it, all I did recommend having more sensor nodes.

There were five people in the tent including a comms officer, Marcius the division's leader/commander Mark the commander of pathfinder core and his squad Serafin’s angels, Major Lock in holographic form and myself.

‘Given the speed that dragons and nagas can move, we don’t want to be caught off guard.’

‘Well,’ Marcus said, ‘I sure as hell don’t want to wake up one night with one of those four-armed freaks right on top of me.’

‘Me neither’ Mark said.

‘I wouldn’t mind’ the comms officer said.

‘Major lock?’ Marcius asked, ignoring the comms officer.

‘I would say do as Farren says’ he replied in a slightly robotic voice.

‘I will get my men on it sir’ Mark said.

‘No’ Major Lock said, ‘we will need you on standby.’

I shot Mark a look evidently, he was as confused as I was.

‘Sir wouldn’t it be-‘

‘no Mark we need all pathfinders on standby if we hear of any disturbances I want the pathfinder core ready’ major lock turned to Marcius, ‘get combat squads one and three on it I want those beacons placed by nightfall.’

‘On it, sir’ Marcius said saluting.

‘Mark rtb with your squad now.’

‘Yes sir’ Mark snapped off a salute and walked out

‘Farren’ lock said.

‘Yes.’

Lock didn’t say anything.

‘Sir’ I amended.

‘Go get some sleep, you look like you’re about to fall over.’

‘Thank you, sir,’ I said.

‘And you to’ he said to Marcius ‘please don’t take from the combat stims again there will be disciplinary action.’

‘Yes sir’ Marcus said, snapping off a second salute.

‘Very good’ Major Lock said, suddenly he looked so tired we all were.

I walked out of the tent sagging I rubbed my face feeling something beyond tired. I basically staggered my way to the centre of the camp and fell against Serafin’s head gently rubbing her snout I closed my eyes.

Serafin woke up she rose slowly out of sleep she heard screams clashing metal and smelt gunpowder, she looked up and then the smell hit her fresh blood Serafin was wide awake, looked towards where the scream had come from an unarmed woman wearing the uniform of a technician, she was caught between a large stack of pipes and a naga. Two and a half meters tall its cobra hood raised its tail was shaking perhaps it was savouring the moment each of its four arms was holding a bladed weapon, its strange human-like torso was wearing primitive leather armour it hissed its strange face an amalgamation of human and a snake the cobra hood stretching from the head down to the upper back.

Serafin crushed it using her fist splattering blood and gore all over the hapless technician, Serafin scooped her up looking around the outpost was not ready for an attack, it was mostly tents, with half-complete structures, there was gunfire everywhere Serafin looked at the technician.

‘What happened?’ Serafin asked, keenly aware that people were dying as they spoke.

‘T-they took us by surprise teams one and three where lost then they came out of know where.’

‘what about base one?’

‘We don’t know.’

‘Right then’ Serafin said, ‘search and rescue time.’

She had a sinking feeling she looked around, no Alex, Farren and Runetide were still out cold she started to worry were where they Serafin stood a naga shock assault now but why? It didn’t matter.

‘grab onto my hair’ Serafin said to the technician.

‘There are other survivors’ the technician said.

Serafin cracked her knuckles then she smelt something, Farren she reached out he was unconscious Serafin turned and ran into the forest.

‘Where are we going’ the technician asked Serafin she didn't answer.

It was too easy for them one minute the camp was fine the next nagas were everywhere, most of the division where cut down in the opening minutes of the engagement Marcus had seen some things, not much could prepare you for seeing someone being ripped in half Marcius looked down his sights, two depleted uranium shots from his designated marksman rifle blew out a nagas torso it flopped to the ground he wasn't going to last long, not alone hunkered down behind the temporary barracks he had been sleeping less than five minutes ago.

Alex had woken up with the sun as it rose so did he, strangely there was a lot of noise he slid out of Runetide’s grip then he saw Serafin also unmoving, he momentarily had a panic attack, he drew his sword out of mid-air he called Farren’s name almost out of desperation.

‘Who’s there?’ someone replied.

That settled it Alex leapt up onto Serafin’s shoulder and was confused, they appeared to have set up a camp near Runetide and Serafin then it hit him Aborwrath.

Alex's train of thought was cut off.

‘Hold it right there’ the same person said drawing his sidearm flicking off the safety, ‘what's your name, how did you get in here?’ he had a deep accent.

‘Hay, hay it’s ok’ Alex said raising his arms making the sword disappear ‘I’m Alex’ you know he said gesturing at Runetide.’

‘Hold your fire’ Farren said waving his arms ‘that one's a friend.’

‘But he just he’ he stammered.

‘I know I know’ Farren said, ‘that’s his whole thing you know with the mind meld and the-’ Farren stopped mid-sentence the technician was looking very confused Farren sighed, ‘he helps train the everyone with Runetide.’

‘Don’t worry’ Alex said, jumping down almost ten meters and landing without so much as staggering.

The person wearing a standard uniform holstered his pistol, ‘sorry about that should have recognised you’ he said.

‘It's fine’ Alex said, then turning to Farren, Alex asked ‘now where can I get some food?’

‘In the mess hall located next to the barracks actually’ Farren said turning to the person that Alex assumed was a soldier, ‘would you mind taking Alex here to the mess hall?’

‘Not at all I’m off duty right now.’

‘Thanks, I won’t tell anyone about your dangerous proximity to the dragons and everyone is happy.’

‘You busy?’ Alex asked.

‘I am’ Farren said, ‘I have to do I quick check on Serafin once Marcius is awake and teams one and three are back you can join us for the debriefing.’

‘Sounds fun’ Alex said waving as the soldier led him to the mess hall, the technician was tall taller than Alex by a head and his broad shoulders showed through his uniform, he had light brown skin and close-cropped dark hair and piercing blue eyes.

‘So, what’s up with this base outpost thing?’

‘This outpost was made after you and Runetide appeared severely injured, Serafin saved you but she passed out so we built a base, the mess hall was one of the only buildings accepting the barracks and weapon and ammunition storage which had been temporarily constructed out of wood, the soldier said, ‘everything else is just tents at the centre of which lay the two dragons with a ten-meter no go zone which no one except Farren is allowed in, and now you.’

‘Thanks for the debrief’ Alex almost felt bad leaving Runetide behind.

‘You ok there?’ soldier asked.

‘Fine’ Alex said, ‘this may sound dumb but are you a soldier?’

‘Technically yes but I don’t see much in the way of combat, I’m actually a technician in charge of maintaining and making sure everything works and right now setting up electricity running water and the like, it’s funny though don’t know why the military is still hiring humans when robots can do it but better.’

‘Huh,’ Alex said, ‘interesting.’

‘It certainly is’ the technician said laughing.

he stood a full head higher then Alex he looked at him, ‘what’s your name?’

‘Calsifer’ he replied.

‘You know’ Alex said, ‘I have heard some strange names in my time but that that takes the cake.’

Calsifer raised his eyebrows, ‘thanks for the compliment.’

‘No problem’ Alex said then he stopped, _Calsifer that name I haven’t _

Alex stopped his hunger forgotten, ‘Calsifer is that you form year six?’ he had the same piercing blue eyes and light brown skin but now he was well built with broad shoulders.

Calsifer looked Alex up and down there was a gleam of recognition, ‘holy shit Alex is that you?’

‘Dam Calsifer’ Alex said, ‘I never thought I would see you again’

There was no mistaking the look of excitement on his face ‘look my shift starts soon I will grab something to go but like seriously, and how do you like do the sword stuff?’

Alex was ecstatic, Calsifer had been one of Alex ’s best friends in primary school.

‘Yes, dude we need to when do you get off again?’

‘0700’ Calsifer said as they arrived at the mess hall, ‘and there you are’ he said, opening the door and stepping in.

‘Thank you’ Alex said He was about to walk in then he herds it the creaking of branches he looked around strange he thought there's no wind so why then are the branches-.

They leapt from the trees falling upon the clueless humans ripping and tearing with blades claws and teeth, no one was prepared somewhere armed but nagas are fast much, much faster than humans there where a few stray shots then screams all of this within a few seconds. Alex’s sword was in his had without thinking some things where just instinctual, he ducked back behind the wall of the mess hall not that it offered much protection, he ducked back into the mess hall being as quiet as possible, there were still people in there they all had sidearms.

But there were two in the back, clad in a black body glove and sleek black interlocking plates of armour and a helmet with a full face polarized visor standing at the back of the group, holding rifles and they were pointing at Alex, so where seven other pistols ‘hold it’ someone said.

Calsifer lowered his weapon ‘he is with us’ he said, ‘he was with Runetide.’

there was a second’s delay then they lowered their weapons, I nodded towards Calsifer he nodded back, Alex planned his sword into the ground looking around no windows witch was good but the nagas would start checking buildings soon unless.

‘Are there any areas of resistance?’

‘Local coms are still online I'm getting nothing form the main base’ one of the black armour-clad soldiers said in a slightly robotic voice, ‘and I’m getting chatter their people held up in the storage bunker.’

‘Makes sense’ one of the other soldiers in uniform said, ‘it’s the only solid complete building and its mostly underground.’

‘Then we go there’ Alex said.

‘That’s the issue’ Calsifer said, ‘it’s on the other side of the camp’ that about a sixty-meter run.’

Alex looked at the group and he realized not everyone's going to make it, he was used to watching one back and he hadn't even been able to do that.

Evidently, Alex wasn't the only one to realize, they all knew what nagas were capable of they would most definitely beat them, and given their speed, there was no guarantee that anyone would be able to hit anything, Alex didn’t know about those armour-clad soldiers though he had never seen them before he didn’t know what they could do.

‘Where just going to have to leg it’ Alex said, ‘there’s no other way if we stay here where dead.’

‘And if we go out there, we all die’ one of the people in uniform said.

‘At least if we go out there, we stand a chance’ Alex said, raising his voice there was a thump on the roof then the wall exploded.

Three nagas burst into the hall Alex leapt forward pulling his sword out of the ground and he jumped up and he swung up, decapitating the first naga. Before its head hit the floor, he sliced down disembowelling the second. He saw the look of surprise as he used the body of the still upright naga to boost himself up grabbing one of the nagas own knives to slice its throat, Alex hit the ground covered in naga blood.

‘Step one’ Alex said panting, ‘take them by surprise.’

‘Wow,’ one of the black armoured soldiers said.

‘Yep’ Alex said, ‘well they know where here now there’s no way we can make a stand here’

‘But you just-’

Alex stood wiping blood from his face, ‘I took them by surprise in a proper fight where they outnumber us’ he shook his head, ‘we need to move now this space to open.’

‘Ok,’ the second black armoured soldier said, ‘you take point me and Maderson will take flanking positions you seven in the middle now, Alex we move on your mark.’

Alex breathed in ‘ok everyone remember your training, we run on my mark, three. two. one.’

He ran out a second later the seven soldiers in uniform and the black armour-clad soldiers on either side and they ran straight for the storage bunker, gunshots rang out almost immediately controlled bursts, Alex saw nagas heading straight for them aboding what they were doing around the dragons and heading towards them he gritted his teeth holding his sword up they didn't even make it halfway.

He was facing seven nagas he looked to the sides as he ran the black-clad soldiers ejecting magazines and slapping new ones in and resumed firing. Too many nagas not enough bullets as three fell another five took their places, Alex turned and they were Alex closed his eyes and put his arms out, and each of the nagas in front of Alex impaled on a spike of earth most of them through the abdomen just above there the human torso met the snake tail, must of them had dropped their weapons and were trying to pull themselves off the spikes then the dropped the spikes, he had brought them a few seconds.

Alex whipped around as the two black armoured soldiers slammed into the nagas advancing on them, Alex didn't hesitate he leapt into the fray going for spines and necks, they were taller than Alex but that didn't matter if you didn’t have ahead.

The black armoured soldiers who name was Maderson was doing surprisingly well, Alex watched as she collapsed one nagas ribcage with one hand, then an elbow collapsed the skull another, she spun kicking out, ducking under other nagas knifes she grabbed its wrist and pulled it in head butting it, but there were too many one of them got under her guard. She broke its neck with a well-placed blow, but not before two of its four knives slid into her chest armour she cried out. Alex tried to save her but he was struggling to hold his own ground as it was he was parrying blocking and lashing out, but it was two late Alex stabbed through one nagas throat and leapt back as a naga armed with four knives came at him. He dodged the first two knives but was too slow to avoid the second pair, then in the seething mass on nagas Alex saw Calsifer as he fired three shots point-blank into a naga, and the last remaining black armour-clad soldier grabbed a naga that was about to stab Calsifer from behind, and slammed it into the ground and took a knife to the side, he lashed out and the naga's neck snapped then Alex had to doge the naga as it struck out at him then one of the knives sliced his leg and he fell.

Then there was a roar it came from the forest and the nagas as one turned and slithered away.

The soldiers who seconds ago had thought they were going to die didn’t hesitate to shoot, putting bullets into the heads of the nagas as they retreated. Alex watched with almost a fascinated horror as the bullets impacted the back of their heads and they flopped to the ground, Alex stood he was sweating and his arms ached he struggled to stand, Calsifer somehow un-injured helped Alex to his feet then he saw why the nagas where retreating.

Serafin her jaws covered in gore and blood her hands and feet stained red she stood there and roared to the heavens in bitter fury, an ear-splitting roar Alex covered his ears but he could still hear it, reverberated through him sending him and Calsifer to their knees, a second later it stopped Alex looked up his ears ringing. It looked like Serafin had gone to town on the nagas beside him Alex heard Calsifer gasp.

‘Hey Serafin’ Alex called waving.

‘Where is he?’ Serafin said almost whispering.

‘Who?’ Alex asked Serafin was holding something she closed her fist around it.

‘Farren’ she roared.

‘Do we know where he is?’ Alex asked the injured but still alive armoured solder the other survivors clustered around him.

He shook his head ‘we don’t know where he is.’

Serafin sunk to her knees.

‘Serafin?’ Alex asked, ‘did you?’ he stopped, trying to find words ‘find him?’

Serafin shook her head she opened her hand Alex was exhausted but he forced his legs to move Calsifer helped Alex walk over to Serafin, when Alex was close enough Serafin unfurled her hand Alex braced himself for a body but all he saw was a jacket, Farren’s jacket covered in he had to assume that it was his blood.

Serafin’s tail was moving erratically, ‘FUCK’ she roared.

Alex jumped so did Calsifer then Serafin slammed her fist into the ground, almost crushing both Alex and Calsifer.

‘Damit’ she shouted, ‘I should have been there.’

‘What do you mean?’ Alex Asked.

‘I was not there for him,’ she shouted smashing her fist into the ground with every syllable the ground shaking with every impact, dried blood cracking and flaking off, she stopped her rage turning to sorrow she raised her hands to her face ‘the one time the one time he needed me and I wasn't there why?’

‘What the fuck’ Alex said slightly annoyed ‘what? Serafin, you found his jacket, not his body come on come on’ he said dragging it out.

‘Alex’ Calsifer said warningly, seeing the look on Serafin’s face

‘What?’ Serafin said, anger biting into her words.

‘They have taken him to exhibit a response this response’ he said gesturing at Serafin, ‘there not going to kill him, they're holding him hostage and you know what?’ Alex said angry now, ‘what exactly is sitting here moping going to do for Farren? or anyone else, Serafin get your shit together ok because the invasions stated this was only the beginning you got that.’

Serafin almost looked shocked, then she snorted smiling and shook her head standing up, ‘you say that you and I both know who did this and yes I think I do, I’m sorry I’ve been an idiot throwing a tantrum is not going to get anyone anywhere, I’m going to go clean up’ then she smiled sardonically ‘but talk to me like that again and I will fucking bury you,’ she shook her head again as if trying to clear it and with that Serafin left.

‘That’s one fine draconic ass’ Alex herd one of the surviving soldiers say.

Alex turned ignoring the comment and lucky so did Serafin, she was a nice dragon but now was not the time to be fucking around with her, Alex wasn’t even sure if she was joking or not ‘How many survived?’ he asked.

‘Four’ Calsifer said lowering Alex to the ground ‘Me matt he’s the one who wearing combat armour Rodney and Rosa one of our other technicians Serafin left her in a tree.’

Alex's stomach dropped ‘that’s bad.’

‘That’s basically the entire divisions wiped out, plus all the support staff in total over three hundred and seventy deaths still no contact with base one.’

‘well let's go’ the one called Rodney said.

‘You go’ Alex said, ‘I need to stay with Runetide.’

Matt nodded taking out a patch from one of the hard cases in his armour and put it over were the nagas knife slid in between the plates his armour, which was dinted and scratched and he was bleeding from more injuries, but that was the most immediate.

The others made their way to base one leaving the dismembered and bloody remains of everyone behind, Alex sat next to Runetide’s head summoned and planted his sword in the ground and closed his eyes, blocking out the stench of blood and gunpowder then reaching out to Runetide, her mind was still distant he was worried it was going to start soon, very soon, they had taken Farren Alex had to admit he was the fighting type but after what happened last time, they would all have to tread carefully.

Calsifer had left him a comlink they would signal him with the current situation, he was expecting a reply within the hour, Alex gave up trying to contact Runetide, she was lost the world, for now, Alex saw Serafin re-emerge from the forest.

Alex waved her over.

She gave a small wave in reply she was thirty meters tall and yet she seemed diminished, she sat cross-legged on the ground next to Alex she looked upset and as if there was a massive weight on her back.

‘First things first’ Serafin said putting her hand flat on the ground there was a slight tremor all the dismembered corpses sank into the ground so did the dried blood, ‘their bodies shall nourish this earth and thus the cycle continues’ Serafin said eyes closed.

‘How did they get away from you?’ Alex asked.

‘There fast’ Serafin said, she seemed almost dejected.

‘We both know you're faster.’

‘I don’t know Serafin said, ‘one moment they were there the next they went they just dropped off my radar, all that was left was his jacket with his blood on it then they then tried to ambush me.’

‘The ambush didn’t succeed then?’ Alex asked, already knowing the answer.

‘I won’t need dinner.’

Alex raised an eyebrow, ‘so how are you going?’

‘Shit.’

Alex looked at her appraisingly.

Serafin sighed deeply, ‘I don’t know I feel’ she paused, ‘conflicted.’

‘Well, out with it’ Alex said, ‘you’re not going to get anywhere by not telling anyone.’

Serafin sighed deeply ‘ok here goes, I feel responsible for what’s happening to Farren, I got him into this and after all that I’m not there when he needs me the most, the one time he needs me and I’m not there, and then I’m too late to save him’ Serafin clenched her hand into a fist, ‘and because of what happened last time’ she looked down at Alex with her piercing purple eyes ‘I can’t go through that again Alex .’

It was Alex 's turn to sigh ‘I can’t make any promises but Serafin, if Farren, if he’ Alex struggled with himself ‘if he doesn’t make it, don’t let it happen not again.’

‘Alex ’ Serafin said ‘that’s the problem I don’t think I will be able to control’ she stopped a lump in her throat, ‘be able to control it, I will just need to keep him close to me, keep him safe.’

‘Serafin’ Alex said ‘does Farren know any of this at all? Have you told him about the blood rage?’

Serafin stiffened ‘um no, I haven’t told him anything’

‘Serafin’ Alex said, sounding almost disappointed ‘why didn't you tell him what if he hears it from someone else?’

‘I just didn’t want him to think of me like that I didn’t want him to think less of because of what happened.’

‘Why would he Farren of all people think any less of you? because of well-’

‘Massacring millions of humans’ Serafin finished

‘Well no,’ Alex said ‘that’s not what happened and Farren would understand, that wasn't you, you didn’t do that-’

‘Yes, I did’ Serafin cut Alex off.

‘But is some premeditated thing’ Alex said, ‘you didn't just decide to do that and Farren would understand that he’d accept you for who you are, not what you may have done.’

‘But I did, Because I wasn't strong enough to resist it I just let go and-’ Serafin stopped, shaking her head ‘I’m ashamed but I just felt so good just to let it go, let the rage flow through me, I let it drive me after that all I remember is destruction and death and waking up, I was in the middle of what had once been a city all that remained was rubble and corpses it was then that I realized Aborwrath had won again but it wasn't her that had done it I had done it for her.’

Alex didn’t know what to say he only knew the basic gist of what happened, but hearing it said like that ‘wow’ he said.

‘Yep,’ Serafin said, ‘man I feel so much better telling someone.’

‘Why me and not Farren’ Alex said something like frustrated, ‘just tell him.’

Serafin sighed deeply, ‘I just thought he might hate me or turn against me’ she smiled sardonically, ‘I used to imagine his reactions after the battle at the portal I considered it, but I didn’t want to ruin the moment I had so many opportunities over the six months’ she sounded frustrated now, ‘six months but every time, every fucking time I just thought about his reaction, the fear then the dawning hated, I just couldn't bring myself to do it and now.’

‘Now’ Alex finished, ‘he might hear the story from someone else.’

Serafin paled ‘oh no, no, no, no’ she bought her hands to her face, ‘I just should have told him.’

‘Serafin’ Alex said slowly, ‘I know what your first instinct is but you can’t just abandon everything to try and get Farren, we know that the invasion is going to start soon we need you here and now.’

Serafin stood, ‘just give me one day, then I promise I will be there’ she said.

Alex paused, ‘ok he said call me if you need me.’

Serafin nodded, ‘ok’ she stood and left walking into the forest.

Alex turned his attention back to Runetide she was still drifting something akin Alex assumed to hibernation, he wondered why Serafin had healed her and that had knocked her out for two days and yet Runetide was still unresponsive, effectively dead to the world Alex sat there pondering thinking about a lot of things he closed his eyes until the commlink beeped.

‘What's going on?’ Alex asked worriedly.

‘Nothing much’ Calsifer said, ‘well actually nothing there was no attack on base one it was just us.’

‘What’ Alex said the bottom dropping out of his stomach, ‘just us no one else, not our base no other bases in other locations?’

‘Nope,’ Calsifer said.

‘Is everyone on high alert?’

‘They most certainly are’ Calsifer said, ‘so what exactly was the point of that attack then?’

Alex considered for a second ‘to grab Farren to take him hostage.’

‘To antagonize Serafin into actions that may put others at risk.’

‘All in one’ Alex said, ‘but how did you know?’

‘I’ve seen the way they look at each other, it may be a big base but it’s hard to miss Serafin, also’ Calsifer said ‘I would like to thank you, on behalf of everyone for saving our asses back there including Marcus who we just ran into.’

‘Just trying to do my bit.’

Calsifer grinned at that, but Alex couldn't see.

Alex herd muffled laughter through the commlink.

‘Right then’ Calsifer said, ‘your orders from command are to stay where you are where going to airlift Runetide back to base one given that this area was the first sight of an emergence, and the wiping of our first division, we have been granted additional reinforcements and a career gunship.’

‘Gonna be honest’ Alex said, ‘I have always wanted to ride in one of those things.’

‘Huh’ Calsifer replied, ‘well just sit tight we will be there to pick you up within the hour, where dispatching three APCs to your location there going to be getting Runetide ready for transport.’

‘alright see you then’ Alex said.

‘will do’ Calsifer said the line went dead.

Alex sat down once again alone with his thoughts he smiled Calsifer was a nice name he laid down next to Runetide then something happened.

Interlude 3

Arious and Quinn were laying down in there clearing it had taken a while and a lot of magic channelled into the earth, but the forest had been regrown Arious’s mum had run away after he had asked her why she had tried to kill him, he didn't know where she was that gnawed at him when he awake trying to sleep, Aya was being detained and his dad was still at war with the other humans and dragons, but when Arious was with Quinn somehow it was all so much easier to deal with. They were both eighteen their birthdays separated by only seven hours they usually had a split birthday, and now Quinn and her mother lived is Arious’s house now it was much cheaper to live there.

It was twilight in the forest, Arious was in his dragon form but much smaller at just under two meters, Quinn was resting on his shoulder it was a warm night Quinn was wearing a crop top, singlet and shorts Arious was wearing a tee-shirt, and shorts they broke apart from there kiss, Arious gently slid his hand down from Quinn’s waist to her thigh she gave a small gasp, as his hand slid over her ass. Arious smiled down at her she gently stroked he bent his head down to kiss her he felt her hand snake under his shirt and gently caress his chest. He returned the favour with his other hand as they kissed then, suddenly Arious spread his wings wrapping his folding them around them both and he lifted Quinn up she was giggling.

‘What are you-’.

They landed gently Arious’s wings providing a soft warm layer between them and the ground, Arious kissed Quinn now laying on top of her he took off his shirt and pressed his chest to hers, they kissed again then Arious raised himself up slightly up Quinn took her shirt off and they embraced each other.

I banged my knee on a rock ‘fuck’ I exclaimed.

‘You ok Farren?” Alex asked and ‘where the fuck, are we?’

‘Fine’ I waved Alex away and put my hand to my knee, the throbbing slowly faded, ‘got no idea.’

Just shake it off Runetide said from beside me whatever happened had jumpstarted Runetide she was very much awake and standing observing our surroundings we were on a flat plane of rock, she held out her hands and both me and Alex jumped on she lifted us up to her shoulders, then out of no were four armed and armoured werewolves appeared.

Aborwrath looked out upon her domain the area she ruled which was almost everything it was a dark space full of stars and planets everything was going to plan until Serafin. Her choices and actions had undesirable effect Aborwrath’s plans

Aborwrath grunted, ‘now to deal with these meddlers.’

She pulled some strings and made some adjustments dragons, humans, lycanthropes even the dead danced to Aborwrath’s music moved like marionettes under her fingers.

interlude 3 cont.

Quinn was putting her shirt on and Arious was sitting up, it had turned from twilight tonight the moon was high in the night sky it was humid but with a cool breeze.

‘So, should we head home?’ Arious asked.

‘I would say so’ Quinn sat up ‘would you carry me? I’m so tired.’

Arious sighed, ‘but it would be so much effort.’

Quinn lay down again she didn't move she looked at him stubbornly.

Arious chuckled ‘alright them,’ he slid off his necklace grew to his full size and scooped Quinn up.

‘That wasn't so hard was it?’ she smiled.

Arious shook his head, ‘Quinn if were not so dam cute, I would have eaten you by now.’

‘Oh, so that's why you keep me around, not because I’m an amazing person or because I'm one of only three humans who knows you a dragon, no you keep me around because I’m cute.’

‘Bout sums it up.’

Quinn punched Arious’s palm, ‘I love you two, you gigantic idiot.’

Then they were standing on a plateau overlooking a lake they went the only ones there were four lycanthropes warring armour that Arious recognised, but there was another dragon, this one was strange and small for a dragon with its short rounded muzzle and strange skin, and there were two humans both with the strange skinned dragon, the lycanthropes were surrounding the blue grey-skinned dragon they were all growling, not that he could see the lycanthropes their armour was composed of a full-body glove and plates or armour and a helmet that covered their entire, head muzzle and all with only glowing orange lenses and they all had guns the size of small cars.

Suddenly two of the lycanthropes charged at the dragon they were roaring.

Dante didn't like this, one second they were facing a dragon and the next they were facing down a dragon and her human pets but they were somewhere different, he almost considered pulling out his gun but they were to close the dragon would be on them in a matter of seconds. He barked a command and his team spread out then something strange happened then humans lept of the dragon's shoulders and landed one was shorter and had fierce blues eyes and a strange glowing light around him, and the second taller human wearing all black and a three-quarter coat was holding a sword, he hesitated for a second then they all attacked Luna and Sol would take on the humans Dante and Uriel would handle the dragon.

I charged straight at the five-meter tall armoured werewolf, its armour was thinner than the rest and was less protective but it was dam fast, I gathered lighting and leapt up slamming into the werewolf's chest it was thrown back parts of its armour smoking and some of it melted, one of the lenses was cracked the werewolf growled, it was not happy I gathered electricity and shot it at the werewolf, it dodged then it leapt forward With a knife bigger then me is its right hand, I raised a shield and the werewolf slammed into it, it was too much of a drain I dropped the shield and the five-meter tall wolf almost fell on me but I jumped back its armoured paw connected it was almost as big as me I spun and hit the ground.

Dante went straight for the dragon’s legs he leapt up timing it with Uriel the dragon dropped low her tail hit Uriel and her elbow hit Dante, but he managed to pull out his combat knife and stab it into the dragons strange skin Uriel slashed at the dragon’s calf.

Alex sword was having trouble with the thick armour of the lycanthrope he was fighting, most lycanthropes were around five meters tall six in armour this one in its heavy armour was almost eight although it was less manoeuvrable then the others it was still remarkably fast too fast for Alex on his own his sword was knocked out of his hand and a massive armoured fist slammed into him it should have killed him the fist was half the height of his body and at least twice as but it didn't. He was sent flying he landed next to Farren they both stood the werewolves came at them, Alex leapt up throwing his arms out, daggers appeared out of nowhere forcing the two werewolves the stop as the daggers hit there armour, then Alex jumped up and turned mid-air Runetide caught him he watched Farren duck as Runetide wiped her tail around catching three of the werewolves as she slammed the arm with the fourth one onto the ground he just managed to drop and roll but then Runetide’s foot kicked him than before the werewolf could recover her came down pinning it by its chest she pushed down, the three other werewolves charged Farren and Alex charged to meet them.

I slammed my fists into the ground waves of energy arched up hitting two of the werewolves and throwing them back Alex was about to engage the third.

‘STOP’ another dragon roared, it had a deep and powerful voice.

I turned and saw it well him for the first time the massive grey scaled dragon, a male even taller than Serafin, but he was clutching something to his chest, so he had not come alone either everyone stopped.

‘There's no need to fight’ the dragon grey said, ‘everyone just calm down’ he looked at the other dragon with the Lycanthrope pinned under its foot and the other two humans squaring off agensed three Lycanthropes.

‘Let’s not fight’ Arious said spreading his arms out but no one relaxed he breathed in deep ok then let's start with you he indicated the other dragon.

‘Runetide’ she answered.

‘Good’ Arious nodded ‘I’m Arious, now why don’t you let that Lycanthrope go?’

Runetide did so after a seconds hesitation, lifting her foot and letting the Lycanthrope go he rolled and came up standing he looked up at Runetide for a second he looked like he willing to go a second round, Runetide was a lot smaller then most dragons then he walked over to the other three Lycanthropes slowly making sure to make no sudden movements as he walked past the humans.

Arious sat down nodding at the Lycanthropes, ‘why don't you introduce yourselves.’

The one Runetide released took his helmet off now that Alex was not fighting them he could see that the other three were females as they took their helmets off.

‘I’m Dante’ the grey one said he was the tallest ‘that golden one with the sword markings is Sol’ she looked intently at Alex ‘that white one that golden boy hit-’

‘I’m Farren’ I interject.

‘-That Farren hit is Luna’ Dante corrected himself Luna looked at me, red eyes reminded me of the black dragon thought she was a lot shorter then he had been and then and then some she looked short for a Lycanthrope.

‘And the deep brown with the crumpled chest plate is Uriel.’

‘Sorry about your legs’ the one called Uriel said.

‘Sorry about your chest plate’ Runetide replied.

Luna growled at Uriel, ‘don’t fraternize with the enemy.’

‘She’s not’ Dante, Runetide, Arious and I all said at the same time, we looked at each other.

‘No’ Uriel agreed, ‘I’m not the way I see it someone mysterious has pulled us all here for a reason, the last thing we should be doing is fighting ourselves I’m sorry if we were a bit pre-emptive but well where we come from dragons are not very friendly.’

Runetide nodded ‘I’m sorry for damaging your armour and I also do have a working theory as to why we are all here and by the way I come for Archasia as well.’

‘Then don’t tell us until you have worked it out’ Luna growled; Dante put a hand on her shoulder.

‘Calm down’ he whispered, ‘there's no need for this I don't think their enemies remember we attacked first.’

Luna looked defiant for a second she met Dante's eyes then she looked away, Sol and Uriel had already sat down near Arious and were talking the kid Farren, and the other boy had joined them Runetide, was seeing to her wounds her hand glowing a subtle golden.

Arious lowered Quinn down on the ground so she could join in the conversation.

‘So, we're all here by the same means?’ He asked the group at large.

‘A strange feeling and they boom were all just here?’ I asked a question in return.

Yep everyone said except Luna she hadn't put her helmet back on, but she still wouldn't meet anyone's eye she didn't seem to trust anyone except the other werewolves.

‘So, then the question is why’ Uriel said matter of factly.

‘I do have a working theory on that’ Runetide interjected.

‘Ok’ Dante said, ‘hit me.’

‘Well’ Runetide said ‘the stars are the same, so we are still on the same planet.’

‘So, someone is pulling the strings then’ Sol wondered out loud, ‘so who is it then?’ she asked the group at large.

Everyone shook their heads except Runetide.

Aborwrath? I asked Runetide.

Maybe, she is one to pull something manipulative like this we should be on our guard something is inhibiting my magic I can’t move us.

ok, Alex said.

‘Huh,’ Uriel said, ‘guess we all better become friends real quick then.’

‘I suppose so’ Alex said, ‘I'm Alex by the way.’

‘Good to know’ Arious said, ‘so seeing how the moon is on high should we all better some shut-eye.’

‘Yes’ Luna said curtly, ‘I’ll take first watch’ she reached behind her shoulder and grabbed her gun resting it on her lap as she sat in a warriors crouch ready to spring up at any time in the middle of the flat plain of rock.

I looked around for the first time since we arrived it was a large flat plane of rock surrounded on nearly all sides by sheer rock walls, even Arious would have trouble scaling that, but near the edge that would face the rising sun it sloped into a deep valley with high sides covered in lush forest and a lake in the middle, I turned everyone was sleeping apart from each other apart from Uriel and Runetide who were deep in conversation. Alex had made a bed near Runetide who was laying down next to the natural wall the wolves were all sleeping together almost opposed Runetide on the other side of the flat plane, then I watched as Arious and Quinn curled up together they lay closest to the edge suddenly there was a lump in my throat I stood there frozen I suddenly felt a cloud descend then I shook my head, waving away the sadness that threatened to grip me, but I could still feel the burning behind my eyes something brushed my shoulder I looked up into the red eyes on the white werewolf Luna.

‘You lose someone to?’

‘No’ I said, ‘I just miss her, seeing Quinn and Arious together, it reminded me of well me I would feel much better if she was here.’

‘Well then you had better find us a way home, crying about it won't to you or anyone else any good go get some sleep, we're all going to need it.’

Then she turned bushing my face with her tail I couldn’t tell if it was on purpose or not, I walked over to were Uriel and Runetide were talking Runetide was laying on her side and Uriel sat legs out in front of her, I listened in on their conversation, I stopped they were talking about time dilation, I left them to have their fun I walked over to where Alex was.

‘They like each other’ he said, ‘after fighting each other and then talking for like an hour.’

I nodded ‘Serafin almost ate me the first time we met but, how are you?’

‘Fine,’ He said Alex almost told Farren about Serafin, but he decided not to, he had no idea why they were here and the last thing any of them needed you Farren pining over Serafin.

‘How do you feel about Calsifer?’ Farren asked

‘Worried man I dunno how to feel on the one hand, yes he’s not here with us but on the other, I’m not with him, what if Aborwrath-’

‘Calm down man it’s going to be ok, it’s fine to be worried just don't overthink it.’

‘I suppose so, also what happened to you when the base was attacked’

I sighed first I heard was screaming then some nagas came at me I killed two then they grabbed me dam they are fast a few seconds later I heard Serafin roar and then here I was.

‘Strange’ Alex said ‘that does explain why Runetide and Uriel were talking about wibbly wobbly timey wimy stuff.’

‘Definitely’ I said the rocks below me tuned soft and spongy and after the light show earlier today, I fell into sleeps embrace easily.

The next day was sunny with a cool breeze, Arious was already gone when I woke up Alex had gone with him Luna was sitting cross-legged pouring something like dust onto her armour occasionally looking out into the forest her ears twitching, Uriel and Runetide were talking again Runetide was laying down still and Uriel was sitting and sometimes leaning on Runetide’s chest Quinn was talking to Sol and Dante who were both doing the same thing to their armour.

I walked over to Luna, ‘what are you doing there?

‘Fixing my armour’ she said shortly, which was an improvement over growling.

I winced ‘Sorry about that.’

Luna signed, ‘It’s fine’ she said, ‘we did attack first.’

I nodded and I walked over to Date and talked briefly to him and Sol, as the day progressed Luna begin for lack of a better term thaw, she began to give proper long sentence reptiles and actually looking at me when we conversed, we learned a lot about each other we had a lot of common interests she even drew sometimes she then showed me how she fixed her armour.

She removed one of the three sections of armour the protected her chest, it had a long scar on it the segment of armour was three-quarters of my height Luna placed in on the ground removed something from a hard case mounted on her waist and opened it.

‘Nanomachines’ she said I watched it was as if it was in slow motion the armour began to repair itself.

Wow, I breathed I've heard of tec like this, but nothing this advanced, ever.

‘Amazing isn't it?’ Luna said and for the first time she smiled, ‘we make is special in Archaisa

‘I feel like I’m missing out’ I said.

‘You know’ Luna said nudging me with her knee, ‘you're not so bad for a human.’

I was going to reply with a smart comment but then Arious and Alex came back with food.

Dante and Sol both enjoyed Quinn’s company she was a nice human.

‘So what do you do?’ she asked the two lycanthropes, she was also very comfortable around other beings but then Dante supposed it comes naturally with have a thirty-five meter all boyfriend.

‘We fight in the war’ Dante said matter of factly, ‘well maybe not a war but back in Archasia there are the insurgents’

‘Ok’ Quinn said seeming a little less enthusiastic, ‘last I heard there losing.’

‘That’s not exactly how it works, have you ever been in a war?’ Sol asked not unkindly, ‘ever fought someone?’

‘Not exactly’ Quinn replied looking up at the golden Lycanthrope, ‘is distracting a dragon long enough for Arious to take her by surprise count? not that it matters she’s now she’s in prison.’

‘So, you have fought, but never killed?’ Dante was taking off a wrist guard.

‘Yes,’ Quinn replied, ‘I throw a pot at her.’

Sol snorted but Dante seemed to be taking the matter more seriously.

‘I’m not saying you will, but you may have to kill someone or something before this is all over.’

‘Ok’ Quinn said.

‘Both me and Sol think it’s a good idea to teach you how to defend yourself so, me Sol and most likely Arious will share in training you, we don't know why we're here or who brought us but we are going to take advantage of this time Runetide Farren and Alex are unable to use their magic to get us out of here and we don’t know where we are it could be a long swim anywhere.’

‘Alright,’ Quinn said.

Uriel and Runetide talked about many things space-time anomalies the weight and protection of the alloy used in Uriel’s armour, and how protective it was versed other alloys theorizing on how to improve it, they even dipped their toes in magic theory given that magic worked differently for Arious and Runetide.

‘It’s all about will power’ Runetide said, ‘if I will it, I can make it happen but there’s something about this island.’

‘It’s strange even Arious’s enchanted items won’t work here so, something or someone is interfering with your magic letting you fight but not leave that means a mix of both types of magic, but that also means that the whole island would have to be enchanted, so I believe our chances of leaving are very small unless whoever is controlling all this lets us.’

‘You do know your stuff’ Runetide said, very impressed.

‘Thank you’ Uriel replied modestly, ‘I read a lot when I’m not on duty and I’m also the squad's technician/medic, so it’s my job to know how things work I just took it a little further.’

‘That you did’ Runetide said, ‘you are very intelligent.’

Uriel blushed ‘I like your skin’ then she blushed further and buried her muzzle in her hands embarrassed ‘I didn't mean to say that.’

Runetide laughed, ‘I like you.’

‘I, me, too’ Uriel stuttered embarrassed.

‘Naw that’s nice,’ Runetide said laying down placing her head next to Uriel, they sat there in a comfortable silence watching the others speak.

A short time later Arious and Alex came back with strange six-legged bovines, all heads turned ‘dinner is here’ Arious cried triumphantly as be dropped ten of the large creatures at his feet, Alex clicked his fingers and three appeared in front of him.

‘So, who knows how to skin and prepare meat?’ Arious asked ‘coz I have no idea.’

All four of the werewolves put their hands up as did Runetide

‘Your just full of surprises aren't you’ Runetide smiled at Uriel as she stood.

‘Stick around and you’ll see some more,’ Uriel grinned at the blush that spread across Runetide’s cheeks and the top of her snout.

Luna stood she patted me on the head ‘be back soon.’

All the lycanthropes plus Runetide set to work the Lycanthropes taking out there knifes and Runetide using her claws, gutting, skinning and decapitating the creatures then Runetide made several fires and began to roast the creatures Arious and Alex gathered everyone gathered around and watched as the sun began to sink below the horizon the lycanthropes had removed here armour before eating, they all wore army fatigues except Luna was also wearing a fine black silk scarf.

‘So, the body glove is contained in the chest plate and it just spreads out when you hold it in place and everything else attaches to the body glove?’ I asked.

‘That’s about right’ Luna said, ‘you're also surprisingly intelligent.’

I snorted but instead of giving a smart reply I put a hand on her knee she flinched back and I took my hand away.

‘Sorry’ I said.

Luna snorted and patted the top of my head.

‘You lot are very physical aren't you,’ this coming from a lycanthrope was very hypocritical, but Farren didn’t know any better.

Dante watched from the other side of the fire he sat next to Sol, Arious, Quinn and Sol there chatting, Uriel, Alex and Runetide sat together, and then there was Farren and Luna they all sat around the same fire and they would even talk to the other groups sometimes. Especially Alex, Farren and Runetide but the issue is they had all formed their own little groups and that was wasn't good enough, he was going to need them to work together he didn’t know why they were there or how but he knew they were going to need to work together. Just then Runetide decreed the food was ready, each lycanthrope got one of the creatures and the dragons took three each while the humans took small segments Quinn sat on Arious’s knee next to them sat Runetide with Uriel in her lap Farren and Alex kept close to the fire and then there was Luna who was sitting close to them but not to close Sol sat next to Dante after a few minutes of quiet eating Dante indicated his plan.

‘So,’ he piped up, ‘anyone have any theories on why we are here, or who or what may have done this?’

Everyone started to talk at once, Farren shouted them down with a megaphone which he had pulled from nowhere wile Runetide held him up.

‘One at a time guys k.’

‘Alright’ everyone agreed.

‘So,’ I said ‘let's start with the people who know what they’re talking about, Runetide and Uriel’

Their theory boiled down to someone with a lot of power wanted them here maybe to kill them, maybe to watch them fight others, there were not leaving any time soon and that there would be a sign soon or this was some hell of a freaky anomaly. Order soon broke down with everyone just talking theorising or just joking with each other even Luna joined in, she sometimes had trouble mixing with new people and it pleased Dante to see her joining in instead of isolating thought she mostly spoke with Farren there was just something about him he was just so genuine in everything he did it was little wonder she had taken to him.

After dinner and theorising and with the food stored safely, Runetide and Alex everyone else headed to bed but this time we all slept closer together, the dragons on the outside and everyone else clustered around the fire.

I, will a full belly fell gratefully into sleeps embrace but my dreams were unsettled and I was worried about Serafin.

Something grabbed me and threw me I hit the ground then, there was paw planted on my back.

‘To slow’ I heard Luna’s voice, the smile was evident.

Suddenly there was a crack of flesh on metal and the wait lifted then I saw Uriel tugging on Runetide’s arm ‘stop Runetide stop it’s ok she just playing.’

I got to my feet Runetide was on her knees, hackles were raised, as were Luna’s Uriel was still tugging on Runetide’s arm ‘Runetide it's ok she wasn't going to hurt him.’

‘Luna what are you doing?’ Dante barked from the opening to the valley.

‘I was just playing’ she sounded downcast now.

‘it‘s ok’ I said but Dante was not impressed.

‘Luna,’ he growled, ‘that’s an unarmoured human, do you know how much damage you could have just done?’

The commotion woke up Sol, Arious and Quinn the latter was sleeping is Arious hand.

‘Yes, I know’ Luna said sighing ‘I was careful.’

‘All the same,’ Sol said ‘maybe don’t go throwing around humans after only knowing them for a day.’

Arious sat bolt upright Quinn almost fell out of his hand ‘what’ he said.

‘Its nothing’ Sol said ‘Luna just got a bit excited over her new friend.’

‘I’m fine’ I say for the second time.

‘Don’t do it again’ Runetide growled.

‘Oh my god’ Luna said gesturing at me ‘what makes this one so special.’

‘Runetide calm’ down Uriel said.

Luna roughly shoved me to the ground, ‘you don’t seem so special to me’ she said, a second later there was a snarl from Runetide and Arious was on his feet he in one smooth movement put Quinn on the ground and held Runetide back, Dante, Sol and Uriel all rounded on Luna wile Arious pined Runetide to the rock wall and Alex helped me to my feet.

Uriel looked shocked ‘what the hell Luna’ she said, Dante growled as he walked over to her as did Sol and Arious had managed to restrain Runetide by pinning her nonlethally to the rock wall.

Luna looked standoffish as Dante Sol and Uriel approached, Alex didn’t have his sword out, but he looked ready to fight.

But before Dante could even speak Luna growled at all of them and stormed off picking up her weapon and locking it onto her back as she walked to the edge, Dante put a hand on Sol’s shoulder indicating that they should not interfere, as Luna of the plateau jumping off the edge and sliding down into the forest everyone looked a little shocked Sol was the first to speak.

‘I’ll get her,’ she sounded worried.

‘Are you sure? we don’t know what’s out there’ Alex said Sol, ‘well apart from those cow things.’

Arious after a few muttered words let Runetide go, ‘I could come with’ he said as he crouched down to pick up Quinn and Runetide rolled her shoulders.

‘Alright,’ Sol said, ‘let’s go.’

‘Shouldn't we all go?’ I asked, ‘again we don’t know what’s out there or why we are here’

Dante nodded ‘alright we will all go on teams.’

‘And why exactly would we want to find her?’ Runetide growled.

Dante looked up and Runetide directly into her eyes he spoke quietly but angerly, ‘we are all here for a reason, we need everyone to work together. I will talk to Luna about her behaviour, but until then you’re just going to have to deal with it, ok? like it or not someone wants us here and I will be dammed if anyone here dies because of some stupid argument.’

Runetide looked back down at Dante, ‘alright’ she said.

‘Good’ Dante said, ‘then we spit into the following teams, I’ll go with Farren, Alex go with Arious Sol and Quinn, Runetide go with Uriel.’

‘Let’s find us a Luna’ I said.

interlude 3 cont.

Aborwrath smiled to herself, everything was going to plan divide them, kill them she sat back and watched.

she smiled, ‘get them, my children.’

I looked around, ‘keep up’ came Dante’s voice from up ahead.

Easer said than done I thought as I struggled to keep up with Dante’s pace mainly because a wanted to pace myself, he leapt over logs and ducked under branches his long strides coupled with his strong digitigrade legs gave him both speed and agility, he always managed to keep his footing this is where we belonged, this is his element. I, on the other hand, was managing to keep pace but not nearly as gracefully as I would have hoped, also Dante was three times my height we arrived at a fast-flowing river Dante removed his helmet and locked it to his belt.

‘I’ve picked up her sent, I’ll radio the other teams and tell them to fall back to the rally point.’

‘The what?’

‘The place we arrived.’

‘Right ok let’s go,’ I leapt up and over the river.

Dante looked impressed, ‘I thought was going to have to carry you.’

‘Nope’ I said, ‘so how are you going-’

Dante jumped into the river, showering me in water, he smiled down at me I dried myself off.

Then we heard Luna scream, we both took off at a run this time I didn't have trouble keeping up we both saw the streak of white as Luna hit a tree the thickness of Arious’s leg. the forest had changed as we made our way through it, the trees had become hulking behemoths massive old trees spaced generously spaced apart one of which Luna was pinned two by a dragon, a red dragon she turned I saw the purple eyes, I froze no Serafin I tried to reach out, how can she be here I would have known I was vaguely aware of Dante’s howl as he charged straight at Serafin.

Dante grabbed his gun from his back objective one get Luna free then fucking run the dragon lifted Luna up, squeezing her slightly she let out a pained whimper, Dante fired from the hip at the dragon's stomach a pained roar and a splatter of blood gave him satisfaction the dragon tried to grab him he flipped back stowing his gun and pulling out his combat knife the dragon dropped Luna and both its hands went to its stomach a strange glowing came from its hands as it stepped back swinging out its tail.

Luna's howl broke me out of my paralysis as the dragon's tail hit Danite as he tried to reach Luna, he hit a tree with a crack of armour on wood, golden lightning hit the dragon piercing the half-healed wounds made by Dates gun, I was fuelled by rage some dared try to hurt me or anyone else by using Serafin against me. Rage filled me, it fuelled me, dragons internal organs flash vaporised then a second later its chest exploded out showing everyone in dragon fragments and blood. The dragon fell back its chest destroyed I promptly fell to my knees there here spots dancing in my vision something picked me up I felt soft fur.

‘It’s alright cub I’ve got you, you really saved your asses back there.’

I looked up Luna wars Carrying me her exposed fingers were covered in soft white fur, the material of her gloves was rough but the body glove was smooth almost like Serafin’s scales, and her armour was hard but also smooth and cool to the touch.

I shook my head the spots clearing slightly, ‘I may have slightly overdone it back there.’

‘Just a little but I looked cool’ Dante said from up ahead, ‘were just heading back to the-’

Alex, Farren we are surrounded these things, they’re everywhere there are too many of them Runetide sounded panicked.

Fuck I’m seeing them to Alex said over the link, _and they have dragons. _

Fall back I said over the link _get back to the area we arrived in. _

‘They are split up and falling back’ Dante and I said at the same time.

‘Then what do we do?’ Luna asked.

‘Leave me here I'm not going to be any good in a fight’ I say, ‘fall back make sure everyone makes it back then come and get me.’

‘They will need our help’ Dante agreed, ‘as for leaving you behind.’

Luna tightened her grip on me, ‘nope you're coming with us.’

Both the werewolves bounded off into the forest Dante grabbing his gun from where it was mag locked to his back, they reached the river and jumped over it, soon they could see the slope that leads up to the plane of rock, they heard Arious’s roar, he came charging out of the trees he had cuts across his chest none of them to server, on his shoulder was Sol her armour had seen better days some of the plates were completely gone and her exposed golden fur was matted with blood, Arious was holding Quinn and they were being followed by two dragons, both hissing one green and the other white both females both had blood on their claws.

‘I won't fight you,’ he said.

A spike impaled the green dragon and two well-placed shots from Uriel blew its head apart the pure white dragon turned, Uriel reloaded her gun she was perched in Runetide’s shoulder Alex leapt out of the top of a tree, slicing at the back of the dragons leg as it turned Uriel Dante and Luna fired their guns the bullets penetrate the dragon's scales before exploding. The dragon staggered then Runetide jumped forward and ripped the dragon's head off, disputed the dragon was a full head taller than her. they must have linked I thought the three of them fighting acting as one.

Sol jumped off Arious shoulder to re-join her commander, Alex shouted a warning.

Then they came out of the forest the shambling humanoids they all around my height there redraw muscles showing, there skin peeling off trailing behind them, blood seemed to drip from them and the mouths they extended all the way to their stomachs which was a gaping hole filled with teeth, and their arms dragged along behind them with long serrated teeth bone claws. Luna still holding me fell back up the hill, Dante Sol and Uriel fired into the tide of red the mass reactive tank shells there assault rifles fired killing dozes at a time, Arious fell back Carrying Quinn and Runetide crushed them, the skinless humanoids but there were so many of them Luna was in a firing position crouched down next to where she had gently laid me on the ground, she firing down the hill each bullet penetrated and exploded killing the skinless ones by the score and yet still they came, Alex Fell back exhausted from the fighting Luna covered him, Runetide used her feet hands and magic to kill them by the dozen Uriel covering her with her gun, Sol And Dante fired selectively at the advancing horde slowly retreating while Runetide drew most of the attention. Slowly their numbers began to dwindle, Sol ran out of ammo and the horde surged forward sensing weakness and she was swarmed by Skinless ones, separated from Dante by a wall of them as she tried to fall back. She was three times their height, but that didn't matter when there were so many they grabbed her legs and started to climb up her body grabbing her arms as she flailed, she overbalanced screaming as Dante tried to force his way over to her gun in one hand combat knife in the other, Sol screamed as the skinless one found gaps in her armour and body glove. Runetide rampaged through the horde and tore them off Sol, she fell back while Runetide and Uriel covered her. Luna was next to run out of ammo then Dante, but he didn't fall back he dropped his gun using only his combat knife and sheer willpower he tore into the skinless ones, he cut them with his knife that was a big as them he tore them in half, he crushed them beneath his armoured paws, his limbs burned he didn’t care he just kept going, then they were all dead, they just stopped coming it was over as quickly as it had started, Dante stood knee height in dead dismembered and mutilated bodies.

Luna and I were the only ones not covered in blood and gore Dante and Runetide trudged up the hill Dante collapsed exhausted next to Sol who was taking her armour off and resealing the body glove, licking her wounds and the dried blood first and then cleaning the plates of armour.’

Runetide rounded on Arious ‘what were you thinking?’

‘What do you mean?’ despite the fact that he stood head and holders over her and was much larger his eyes were downcast.

‘Your hesitation almost got Sol Quinn and Alex killed, then you fell back you left them.’

‘I’m, I'm sorry he said I should not have done that, I basically left you to die I just-.’

‘Yes, I know’ Runetide agreed somewhat more sympathetic now, ‘you’re not used to combat are you?’

‘No’ Arious said, ‘I have been in one fight before and I only won that fight because of Quinn.’

‘Alright then well, there is nothing like experience, but I can try to train you something along the lines of what Luna did this morning but not now,’ Runetide collapsed to the ground almost crushing Uriel.

‘Watch it you overgrown lizard’ she said playfully.

Runetide smiled ‘I’m sorry.’

‘It’s fine, now get some sleep all of you’ Uriel said, ‘your magic seemed to take a tole so especially Runetide Alex and Farren get some sleep.’

‘Tomorrow we come up with a game plan’ Dante groaned, taking his helmet off and beginning to take plates of armour off.

I began to drift off almost immediately, ‘sleep tight little cub’ I heard Luna say but I was already far, far away.

Uriel sat there just removing her armour and getting the worst of the blood off, once she and arranged it all in neat rows she rolled up the sleeves of her uniform and sat alert, ready watching for signs of danger Luna was half awake by the entrance playing protector with Farren, Arious and Quinn were sound asleep on the other side of the entrance, Alex had wandered off further back to find a spot to sleep, something poked her from behind she whipped around tense but it was just Runetide.

‘This spot taken?’

‘No’ Uriel said looked back up at the sky, the stars were beautiful.

Runetide lay down behind Uriel she placed one arm protectively around Uriel, who gently stroked Runetide’s arm.

‘Go to sleep’ Uriel said in the tone of a concerned parent, ‘you’re going to need your strength for tomorrow.’

‘Ok mum’ Runetide said, but her weariness showed in her voice.

Soon enough Runetide fell asleep she was resting her head on the ground, sound asleep just like everyone else, Uriel stood and jumping neatly over Runetide’s arm nestled herself into the base of Runetide’s throat feeling the warmth that radiates from her skin, Uriel pulled her legs into her chest then wrapped her arms around her knees eventually Urile signalled Luna I was his turn to watch and then she closed her eyes.

She dreamed about many things not all of them things she would be willing to admit she dreamed about, then suddenly she dreamed that she was falling, and someone cried out Uriel hit the ground Runetide sitting up holding her throat the moon was just beginning to sink below the horizon.

Runetide looked down and saw Uriel, ‘oh sorry woke up with something on my throat, I’m sorry did I wake you?’

‘No, it’s ok I was awake’ Uriel lied.

‘That’s good’ Runetide yawned laying down again, Uriel sat down this time a little further away from Runetide.

‘Hey’ Runetide said indignantly, ‘did I say you could move, get back here I need snuggles.’

Uriel smiled and shuffled over to Runetide again and snuggled herself into the base of her throat pulling knees up to her chest, Runetide lay on her side and she curled up as well, gently placing a protective hand around Uriel they sat there enjoying the silence under the starry night sky, Uriel made a choice she sat there second-guessing herself she felt the adrenaline pumping through her body, she stood and gently stroked Runetide’s hair, Runetide rotated her head slightly Uriel’s deep brown eyes met Runetide’s bright green just for a second, then Uriel kissed Runetide on the cheek.

‘Sleep tight’ Uriel whispered.

‘I will’ Runetide murmured closing her eyes again and gently stroking the top of Uriel’s head gently with her thumb until they both fell asleep.

Aborwrath was upset at the current events, she had expected at least one of them to die the Lycanthropes should have created more drama and pushed them all apart, but she had done was push them together she now may need to take to the felid herself, she didn't want to, she risked her plans going astray or even losing control over the dragons. Or worst of all dying than were would everyone be? if dragons are to rule they need her if she died there will be chaos, but Aborwrath could not afford losses like that again dragons were not a dime a dozen and pulling them out had been dangerous the damage it could have caused nothing so dramatic as unfixable, and the losses to her little experiments were significant she would need to combine the rest, but still, it looked like she would need to take care of this personally, but how to do it? she just needed them dead well the last thing she should do was let them sleep, then again letting them sleep would mean they would lower there guard or would they? So many possibilities well she was going to have to pick one eventually.

It was a nice evening; even after all this fighting everyone's bellies were full Luna and I sat together she had partially removed her armour the Lycanthropes had to so they could sleep.

I watched her as she worked and decided that now was a good time.

‘Luna? I asked, ‘what was yesterday about?’

Luna stopped removing her armour she seemed to be thinking then slowly, ‘look, Farren, I don’t have parents, they both died a dragon killed them I was alone Dante raised me I was young.’

‘So, you don’t hate me’ I said, ‘you were just trying to get to Runetide.’

Luna didn't speak she just nodded.

‘Luna I’m not going to lie that a bit of a dick move, but I understand,’ I reached up and patted Luna’s knee.

‘Thanks’ she nodded, ‘I’m sorry I was such an asshole.’

‘It’s fine’ I say laying down on the rocks and letting sleep take me.

Luna was awake for a little longer, she watched Uriel and Runetide snuggle up, she looked down at the sleeping Farren when she had taken her armour off her curled up around Farren.

When Sol woke up the next morning all her muscles hurt after yesterday, so did the buts she had sustained but hone of them were bad, but there were many things that bothered her she sat up groaning, which woke Dante he sat up yawning he stood up and started doing stretches Sol’s fur seemed to almost glowing in the sunlight, Dante’s grey fur did not everyone else was still asleep except Luna but she looked content guarding Farren.

‘So, what happens now? ‘

Dante looked down at Sol then around at the sleeping dragons, humans and his own kin, ‘I don’t know I just don’t know why we are here? what those things were yesterday? I don’t know a lot of things?’ he sighed he was exactly frustrated just disappointed in himself, ‘but I suppose objective one is to work out what we are going to do having a map of this area would be nice, and how the fuck those things managed to sneak up on us, then we plan accordingly.’

Sol put a hand on Dante’s shoulder you don’t always have to have the answers

‘I know’ Dante sighed ‘but all these humans and dragons I just want to make sure they're all safe,’

‘Well that sounds like a plan also we need a source of water, we can’t just rely on one of the magic trio just summoning more all the time and my armour is covered in blood.’

‘Mine too’ Dante signed again looking at the gore and blood-stained plates the greaves and boots were the worst but nowhere had survived completely, ‘that's going to take some time to clean.’

Sol snorted looking over at her own armour which was not so much blood-stained as it was covered in dents, scratches, and in some cases missing, lucky the claws of those skinless things were not sharp enough to penetrate the armour it’s self the same could not be said for dragon’s claws, they had made a mess of her chest plate and the left leg segments, Luna and Uriel’s armour was relatively unscathed lucky for them.

‘Do we head for the like or that river then?’

‘River’ Dante confirmed, ‘it’s relatively close and its flowing so it will at least be fresh, and we can drink it and clean our gear.’

‘So that’s the plan?’ Sol picked up what remained of main peace of her large and bulky chest plate and held it up she felt the static and the cool sensation as the body glove covered her body, then she began to place the lest damaged pieces of armour on the body glove holding them there for a second until they bonded the moved in the next peace ‘let’s do it.’

She blinked then they were back in the woods they looked around.

FUCK she heard Dante and Luna exclaimed followed by a thunderous crash as one of the trees toppled over.

Then Dante said, ‘get back to the camp pack your things we are leaving ASAP.’

‘Yes,’ Sol said.

‘Luna work with Uriel, we need to track down Runetide, Farren and Arious.’