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Nurse Gailheart was in the hospital wing of The Pearl Tower, helping all the wounded. There were so many that she ordered a storage room and cleared out the size of a small house. She hated this war but understood why it was necessary. However, all the death and injuries are never easy to handle, and all she wanted to do was be next to Hector. She asked herself and the heavens above why this war was happening, but she never answered. She assumed that it was for the protection of Dragos and her race, but as the war continued, Gailheart couldn't help but wonder.

Gailheart was helping Nurse Ivy stitch up another Dragon, and it seemed that Ivy was taking this far better. At least on the surface, anyway. However, Gailwind sort of wondered what kind of mind it takes to see all this destruction and not cringe. Razial, Mazial, their friends, and most of the guards seem to be able to. Even her husband was able to do this. She figured males always try to hide their emotions, even if poorly.

This revealed that Gailheart was still upset with Hector for almost getting himself killed. When he told her what had happened, she slapped him across the face and began to cry. It was a long while before he could calm her down and explain that he had to fight. She knew he was right and an able fighter, but that fact still didn't help ebb her mood. All she knew was the sooner this war was over, the sooner she and her husband could get back to living a life in peace.

After finishing the stitching, she went to the wash station and cleaned herself off. Suddenly, Blaze burst into the room, looking anxious, and quickly rushed over to Gailheart. He whispered to her as her expression changed to shock. "Nurse Ivy! I need you to take over for me! Nurse River?!" Gailheart said as Nurse Ivy nodded and Nurse River came over.

"Yes, Nurse Gailheart?" Nurse River said and saw the worried look on Gailheart's and Blaze's faces.

"I need you to come with me and Mister Kindle," Gailheart said as River nodded, and they all left the room.

On the way up, thoughts raced through Gailheart's mind, and it didn't seem right. But Blaze wouldn't lie about something like this. She never knew of him ever telling a willful lie, and now he was telling her something that seemed impossible. However, how he said spoke the truth and was on the verge of despair.

When they finally reached the Throne Room, she gasped as she saw both Razial's and Mazial's battered bodies. She quickly rushed to them with Nurse River and knelt between them. She put a hand on each of their foreheads and opened their eyes one at a time.

"What happened?" Nurse River asked as she began to help Nurse Gailheart.

"We found them like this. I don't know if they are...dead...or not. I... couldn't detect a hint of breath." Blaze said as Amber was just as much in distress, as well.

Gailheart looked closer and put her hand up Razial's mouth. She waited for the longest moment and felt the slightest breath upon her hand. She did this with Mazial, as well, and felt the same. "Well, they're not dead.

I just felt the tiniest breath escape from them. However, they are in bad shape. They need more energy. Having wasted all but very little, it would seem they are blessed to be alive."

Amber and Blaze both sighed in relief for the moment. They knew that barely alive was better than totally dead. But, now, the problem became how to begin to heal them. Nurse Gailheart, apparently, already had the answer as she was digging into her bag for supplies.

Gailheart looked up at Nurse River and said, "Mix up a healing and energy potion. We need to treat their wounds first, and then we will deal with the energy. Hopefully, the healing potion will slowly give them the energy they need to be ready for the actual energy potion."

Gailheart started mixing up herbs for the healing potion and thought, "I do hope this works."

Buckner floated in blue space for what seemed like an eternity. He wasn't sure what was real and what was not or had any clue who was around him. The trident had taken most of his energy to create, let alone use, but what choice did he have? He had to stop Pestilence somehow, and he did, but at what cost? Nevertheless, that was behind him now as he felt a hand brush against his brow.

Buckner looked up through delusional eyes and thought he'd died. There before him, in his thought, was an angel who was smiling down at him. She kissed him on his forehead and faded back into unconsciousness. She draws back while he wanders in and out of a dream.

"Over here! I've found him!" Iris River said as several guards from the Water and Supreme Regions gathered around. Most being Water, but some flyers, too. "Hold on, Buckner. Hold on, my love."

"What are your orders, mam?" Asked a guard next to her.

"The Supreme Tower is closest, and he needs immediate medical treatment. We'll take him there." Iris said as the guards put hands over their hearts, and they all departed.

Iris River was made Lieutenant after her exemplary performance in the first battle. She had proved herself a capable leader and fighter, but she felt uneasy about how things had happened thus far. They did have a victory underneath their belt, but the force that came through the barrier seemed relatively minor. Iris figured that if she tried to take over another world, she would hit them with everything she had. She felt something else was coming, and it would cost them everything.

Iris looked behind as if she felt someone was watching her before swimming after the guards. She felt something would happen, and the more she thought about it, the more it made sense. However, she had mind enough not to let this feeling overrule her judgment. She shook the thoughts loose from her mind and continued. Right now, Buckner was her only concern, and she would make sure that he was treated.

Maria was resting on the ground right next to Kyle, lying motionless for some time. The doctors worked frantically on him for what seemed like a lifetime. This was how it felt to Maria, who was still crying over the loss of Coda and blamed herself for not doing something sooner. The wound she received had missed vital organs, and she was going to make a full recovery. Physical, anyway. Her mental state was another issue.

This war was already weighing heavily on Maria's heart, but seeing the destruction up close was even worse. She hated this feeling of helplessness, which was reinforced when she tried to help Coda. She only managed to get hurt, but she also thought she might've been able to distract War a little longer until Kyle was able to show up. But now, she would never know, and she would have to live with that thought for the rest of her life--that and now, with Kyle giving everything to protect them all.

She now realized that life was way too short not to let her feelings show. She truly loved Kyle and prayed to the heavens above to give Kyle's life back. She wanted to be there for Kyle for the rest of her life and tried to support him in his endeavors. But...would he feel the same way? This was the scariest question she had to ask, and find the answer.

Maria was brought out of her thoughts by one of the doctors. His face looked grim, and her heart sank. She tried to speak, but the doctor just shook his head as he walked on past her. She crawled over to Kyle with new tears in her eyes and looked down into that emotionless face. It seemed like some trickery because his face appeared as if it was merely sleeping.

Maria took his hand in hers as the feelings of grief came bubbling up to the surface. "Kyle, I'm sorry. I wasn't able to protect this city, Coda, or you. Please don't leave me. I will give up my own life so that yours can live, and you are far more important than I." Maria said as she slowly kissed him and went to get up, but felt her hand was stuck within his hand. She quickly looked down at their hands and back up at his face.

Kyle looked at her with a slight smile and said, "I love you, too, Maria. I...always...have...and always...will."

Maria's heart felt like it was going to explode as she looked up and yelled, "Hey! Get over here, now! He's still alive!"

She looked down at Kyle and smiled as she said, "Shhh! Rest easy, my love. Save your energy."

The doctors soon rushed over and gave him a healing potion and an energy potion. Kyle looked at Maria and said, "Maria, Coda wanted me to thank you for trying to help him. He had hoped that you would find it in your heart to forgive him."

Maria almost burst into tears repeatedly as she felt relief with the feeling of regret mixed within her. Her guilty feelings were suddenly lifted a little as she accepted the message.

"There's nothing to forgive. I just wish he was here." Maria said as Kyle nodded.

"So do I, but if we do things to honor his memory, he will never truly be lost. For now, it seems that wedding bells are in our future after this war is over." Kyle said as he and Maria hugged. They carried Kyle off on a stretcher, with Maria walking right beside him.

Rocky couldn't estimate how long he'd been out or where he was. The last thing Rocky remembered was falling into nothingness or was it the ground? Yes, the land was coming up fast, and he knew the height he fell from would be lethal. But, he still felt alive and didn't understand why. At first, he thought that this was the afterlife, but if that was true, then why was it so dark? This was his primary source of confusion, but soon he heard voices around him talking and some shouting.

Rocky slowly opened his eyes to find himself staring up at the ceiling of a hunter-green tent and saw the golden light from the morning suns filtering in. He heard someone move off to his right and looked over to see Ian crushing up roots in a pot. While Ian was doing this, Rocky took the opportunity to look around the tent. He found that others were injured lying in the same cut as his, with several Nurses moving about. Most were helping doctors.

A nurse came over and noticed Rocky looking around and smiled at him. At that moment, time seemed to freeze, and the only two souls left in the room were theirs. Her brown hair dazzled in the sunlight as it accented her light-lime green scales. She had long sensual curves that made her thin frame even more beautiful to behold and made every male look not only once or twice but three times to ensure their vision wasn't impaired. The horns on her head were relatively small but elegantly curved back as her deep blue eyes sat at the base of a rather cute snout. Her outfit consisted of a white uniform with a long-sleeved button-down shirt and a long skirt--both adorning emerald green trim.

Rocky was brought out of his reverie by her adjusting the sling on his arm. Rocky yelped in pain and soon realized that his arm was broken. She smiled apologetically and said, "Nice to see you awake, Mister Earthbound."

Ian, who heard the yelp, came over with the pot of crushed roots that looked more like paste. She was gingerly applying it to Rocky's arm, and he felt the pain relax away.

"What is your name?" Rocky asked as she blushed a little.

"I am Rosemary Cider. I was in Tactics Training with you and part of team Gamma. Remember?" Rosemary said as Rocky racked his brain for a moment, and then it dawned on him.

"Oh, I do remember you. You're the beautiful one." Rocky said as she blushed even deeper.

"Now, now, mister Earthbound. Flattery will get you everywhere." Rosemary said as they stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity.

"Please, call me Rocky. Now, I have a question. How did I survive the fall?" Rocky said as Ian cracked a sheepish smile.

"That would be my doing. I saw you start to fall, so I Worked the ground to level out your descent slowly. You did get a little banged up, though. Sorry about that." Ian said.

"Don't be. You saved my life, and I owe you big time."

"Nah, you don't. I figured you saved us from that nasty Horseman, so I did what I could to help." Ian said as they both smiled at each other.

"All right, anyway, how long before I can travel? I have to go inform the War Council of what happened here." Rocky said as Rosemary looked a little grim.

"Well, you are still on the mend, and you shouldn't move too much right now. But, I believe Ian already sent someone to the Supreme Region this morning." Rosemary said as Ian nodded in confirmation.

Rocky relaxed a little as he sat in bed and was handed a food tray. Rosemary began to help him eat as Ian smiled and said, "I must go see how things are going. I'll be back later."

Ian made for the tent door when Rocky spoke, "Ian?" Ian stopped and looked back as Rocky continued, "Thank you for everything you've done and are doing."

Ian inclined his head and walked out of the tent.

Gailheart and River finished mixing the potions and gave them to the Drakken Twins. Their breathing became noticeable and steady as soon as they were given the healing potion. However, when they took the energy potion, both slowly opened their eyes and looked around the room at everyone.

Raz still felt as if he'd been run over by a runaway cart loaded with stones. He groaned while raising himself to a sitting position and said, "Thank you, everyone. My brother and I would not be here if it weren't for your efforts. Someone, please help my brother and me to our seats."

Four guards came over and helped them to their proper seats at the long table. Once seated, Raz spoke again, "Nurse Gailheart, can you mix up another energy potion for my brother and me?"

Nurse Gailheart hesitated and said, "My lord, I mean no defiance, but in your current state, another energy potion could put you back under. The healing potion hasn't finished healing you yet."

"I am aware of the risks, Nurse Gailheart, and I thank you for your wisdom. However, my brother and I are needed here at this moment. We will not take it all at once if it makes you feel better. Does that seem acceptable?" Raz said as Nurse Gailheart still looked doubtful but simply nodded. She made them both another energy potion.

Suddenly, a nurse came running into the room looking anxious and whispered to Nurse Gailheart after bowing to the king. "If you will excuse me, sire, there are fresh wounded I must attend to." Nurse Gailheart said as she bowed and quickly left the room.

Raz turned to the rest of the council, who had been watching on with trepidation at the scene. They all saw the look on Raz's face and quickly assembled around the table. "All right, I need a progress report. How did we do?" Raz said as everyone was reluctant to answer.

Finally, General Rockwall said, "My king, we have won the first battle engagement but suffered heavy losses."

"How many did we lose?" Raz asked.

"We started out with over 12000, my lord, and when last I counted...we...." General Rockwall hesitated and took a deep breath before he continued. "We have less than...2000," Rockwall said as there was a long moment of silence.

Raz felt as if he was going to be sick to his stomach. So many lives were lost already, and that was the first battle. However, he knew this was part of the risk, and they still came out the victors for the moment. "That's quite a lot. What information, if any, were you able to gain from the battle?" Raz said.

"We know fire seems to work well against these creatures, but other elements work, too. We learned that if we combined water and salt during the battle, it killed just as fast as the fire did. Another aspect the dark creatures didn't like was harmonious music. Hector found this out while battling General Discord." Rockwall said.

"Then it might be to our own advantage to draw up battle plans around the information gathered. We cannot sustain another loss like the previous one." Mazial said as everyone nodded.

"I agree. General Rockwall, please have some of your brightest tacticians draw up effective battle plans. I think it is time to bring our best to this war." Raz said as Rockwall nodded while putting a hand over his heart and walked out.

"My lord, I think it might be best if you let your soldiers do your fighting. We almost lost you today." Aira Whirlwind said as Razial stared out the eastern bay window at the sunrise.

Raz couldn't help but feel Aira was right on one point. He almost left Dragos without a king, which didn't sit well with him at all, but he had the power to protect his people. An authority given to him by Dragos herself and took an oath to defend her to his dying breath. What else could he do? He understood how Aira felt, but he had to be on the front lines with his soldiers.

Moreover, there was the prophecy hanging over Maz and his heads. The one thing he understood clearly from the poem was that he and his brother were the keys to stopping the evil force. As to how they were going to accomplish this, Raz didn't know. All he knew was this war hinged on him and his brother, developing some kind of power that no one else had. That in itself seemed overwhelming.

"I agree with you, for the most part, Aira, but my brother and I must be a part of the battle. Though, I admit that going without backup was not one of my wisest decisions. I think I will take a company with my brother and me from now on." Raz said as Aira nodded.

"Well, at least that's better than going alone. What happened to you two, anyway? Someone reported that the five of you were fighting the Four Horsemen." Aira said as Raz smiled a sheepish grin.

"That's fairly accurate. Mazial and I were fighting the Horseman of Death."

"It sounds like you were lucky to escape with your life, sire." Said Reed Earthbond with a grin.

"Yes, I do consider my brother and I blessed to have come out of that alive. However, I have a feeling something bigger is on its way. This seems like the eye in the storm before being hit with the worst of it." Raz said as everyone nodded in agreement.

Then as if the universe had been listening at that exact moment, there was a sudden explosion that rocked the Tower. Raz fell out of his seat and a couple of governors and quickly exchanged looks with his brother. BOOM! Another blast hit the Tower, and he struggled to his feet. He grabbed the energy potion on the table and hesitated for a moment, remembering what Nurse Gailwind said. However, he needed strength and drank all of it down.

Raz didn't wait for the effect as he ran over to the western balcony and saw the columns of smoke rising up into the air. This made it difficult to see what or who was attacking the Tower. He suddenly heard his brother shout from behind him, "Raz! Look out!"

Raz turned just in time to see Mazial dive, knocking both of them off the balcony just as a blast of energy blew it up. Now they were falling as Raz looked over Maz's shoulder to see the balcony was falling with them. Not only falling but gaining on them.

"Uh! Maz! I think we better move! NOW!" Razial shouted as Maz looked over his shoulder, and his eyes grew to the size of saucer plates.

They both straightened out their bodies and shot forward, narrowly missing the balcony by mere inches. Notwithstanding, they still had to avoid the other falling debris and broke apart to maneuver through. Raz hadn't expected to be in battle this soon, and his body was letting him know. He felt a bit sluggish as he and his brother finally escaped the falling rubble. He looked up to see a figure firing random blasts of energy and shouted to Maz, "Do you see that?!"

"Yes! What or who is that?!" Maz said as Raz thought about it. That was an excellent question and one he didn't really have an answer to.

"It doesn't matter. We need to stop it before it destroys anyone or anything else."

"I couldn't agree with you more, your majesty," Rockwall said as he went sailing by on a floating boulder.

"Rockwall, what are you doing? Get back here. You are no match for him." Mazial said as Rockwall cracked a smile.

"Begging your pardon, but you nor his royal highness are a match in your current states. If nothing else, I can delay him. If this is the end, then know that I enjoyed being your Head General." Rockwall said as Raz and Maz knew he was correct. However, that didn't stop them from trying to tell him not to throw away his life.

"Your highness, you know that I am highly trained, and I was once your teacher. Please trust my judgment in this." Rockwall said as Raz fell silent and understood what he meant. Maz was about to make another objection when Raz held up his hand. There was a moment when they communicated beyond words, and Maz soon understood what Raz did. General Montgomery Rockwall was the next logical choice to fight, and that he stood the best chance of success. However slight that chance may be, they had to take it at the moment.

"Give him everything you got, Rockwall. Show him what a Terrain Dragon can do." Raz cheered as Rockwall winked and continued on.

"Get him, Rockwall!" Maz shouted as Rockwall finally drew up level with this creature.

"I will be your opponent today. I am Montgomery Rockwall, Head General of Dragos." Rockwall said as the creature just smiled.

"Nice to meet you, your dragonship. I am General Savage Bloodlust that I am, and I smell so much fresh blood here that it's intoxicating. I shall drain every last drop of blood from your veins, that I will. And then go after the rest, that will be." Said General Bloodlust in his silky-creepy voice. This sent chills down Rockwall's spine, and that surprised him because he'd already seen a lot in his lifetime.

"You're welcome to try, but I shall make one request before we fight," Rockwall said as Bloodlust inclined his head and grinned an unnaturally wide smile. "We fight somewhere else."

"Of course, your dragonship. I shall be finished with you soon enough, that is true. So I will grant your request, this will be. Please lead the way, would you please." Bloodlust said as he and Rockwall took off towards the Terrain Region.

Rockwall hoped that the Abandoned Lands on the other end of the planet would be suited for this battle. The Abandoned Lands were once home to an ancient race of Dragons that had been long wiped out or had migrated to some other plane of existence. Rockwall wasn't too sure about the history. Like many other legends that surround Dragos, there were many rumors without many facts to back them up. However, the Abandoned Lands at least held some evidence in the form of ruins that littered the area.

They finally arrived in the Abandoned Lands that consisted of a lot of sand and rocky ridges. They flew down to the ground and landed as the wind blew up some dust. The intensity between them seemed to grow the longer exponentially as they stood there.

"It looks like we are ready to begin, that it does." Bloodlust said and pulled a black scimitar from his back, and his aura intensified ten-fold in a matter of seconds. Rockwall was taken by surprise at this increase in power, but he had power of his own. Green aura started to radiate off him as he plunged his hands into the ground and drew out his two black-diamond swords. Both stood at the ready as the suns were barely rising up over the ridgeline.