Star Eater

Chapter 59:

Arthur's Point of View

Lestranian Border Settlement

"Do you truly think you will survive this battle?" My very large and in charge companion inquired.

"I don't see why not. Demons aren't the issue for me. It's always protecting the people with me when I run into them that creates problems for me." Was my bored reply. "Things would be so much easier if I could just go out and kill as many as I wanted without concern of people getting upset or getting jumped by a stronger Demon."

She spoke as a bubble shield encased a part of the settlement behind us, looking down at me. "Ghouls don't bother you? Nor the Skelds?"

Waving the question away, I answered in an amused tone. "Do you run away from a rabbit?" My question stumped her, and I gestured out to the Demons. "It's the same thing. If it wasn't for the hostages, I would've likely killed all the Demons present. A few Ghouls here and there only make things slightly tougher."

It was true too. After training the Royal Family and a few experiments with Aydan, my powers were growing, as was my control over them. Things were still complicated, and I didn't understand everything, but we were making progress. That's what was important. Ghouls didn't give me nearly as much trouble as they did in the future.

Eventually, the flapping of wings could be heard as the Skelds approached. "Well, no time like the present." I said and looked to my partner, who was paying more attention to me than the approaching Demons. "Do I need to watch out for you, or are you okay to just rampage without fear of injuries?" Poking the scales on her leg, I continued. "I don't know how thick these thi-"

Before I could continue, the ground seemed to shake as deafening roars filled the area with such volume, I had to cover my ears from the suddenness of it. The Dragon whipped her head straight up, and I followed her gaze to see dozens of Dragons, all different sizes, dive-bombing towards the Demons. Naturally, the Skelds flew up to meet them but quickly caught ablaze courtesy of Dragon fire.

Almost like an ocean of fire fell from the sky and down on the Demons below, the horde that was coming back to meet us was engulfed in flames. Shrieks of horror and death could be heard as the Dragons landed and cleared the area. Some fire even made its way to the settlement and me, but the female Dragon who I freed moved in front of the flames and blocked them.

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However, considering how far away the Demons were, it was astonishing that the flames made their way over to us. "Are you injured?" My large companion asked.

I didn't move in the slightest, which surprised her, but I nodded. "I am. Thank you for the help." She moved out of the way soon after so I could see, and it was quite the sight to behold. "Well, guess that solves that problem. A total lie ended up coming true. Am I good or what!?" My companion didn't seem impressed as she kept her eyes on the others of her kind.

As if all of them heard me, and with the Demons being taken care of so quickly, they all turned to me at the same time. "Mind your tongue if you wish to live." The female Dragon warned me.

"I'll keep that in mind." Was my bored response.

Seconds later, the ground shook as another large Dragon landed hard in front of us, and the others took up spots behind it. Now stood before me a large variety of Dragons, all rather large and some even the size of the blue one next to me. Each looked to her for a moment before their heads all tilted down towards me.

Raising a hand, I waved at them. "Sup!"

The Dragon at the front was a mix of purples and black. I assumed it was a she from her sleeker form compared to some of the bulkier Dragons present, but I wasn't too familiar with Dragon anatomy. Her scales were a deep purple while light purples decorated her underbelly and accented her spines. Two large black horns shot from the side of her head, with two smaller ones jutted from the side of it.

"Who is this, and why does he dare presume to speak to me?" Once again, we were interrupted when Aydan teleported over to me.

"Are you okay?!" The Sage asked me urgently.

"Fine. You?" I asked back with a shrug.

"Aydan Farro in the flesh. The Great Sage himself." The lead purple Dragon spoke.

Giving a small nod, I noticed Aydan's hands were still glowing with magic. "At your service." My Elven companion replied, almost mockingly.

Big purple turned her attention to the blue Dragon beside us. "What has led you to the company of this horrid Elf and this Ghoul?"

"I-" The blue Dragon started, but I interrupted her.

Holding up my hands to gain their attention. "While I understand your wariness in this situation, I must inform you that I am not a Ghoul. Despite what I may be dressed as, and your deserved caution, I would like to thank you for the aid you have shown us."

Lowering her head to the ground as she stared at me, she growled in a low rumble at me. "Mind your tongue." The blue Dragon warned me.

Looking at her, I gave a confused gesture. "What'd I say?"

"This is the speaker of Dragons, Aurora. You would be wise to-"

"So, she's like your Queen?" I asked back as I interrupted her.

The Dragon, now identified as Aurora, spoke with her head still bent down low. "Ambassador is what you would call it. Then again, most would not be so foolish as to interrupt a Dragon while they speak."

My attention switched to Aydan quickly. "Why do people not interrupt Dragons?" I inquired. "Do they eat sentient races?"

A burst of steam exited Aurora's mouth as several of the other larger Dragons spread their wings behind her and raised their heads high as flickers of flames could be seen kissing at their tongues. Clearly, it was a threat, but one I wasn't amused by. Nor did I care for Dragon's breath. It wasn't as bad as you would imagine smell wise, but it still made me overly hot and sweaty.

"Name yourself stranger." Aurora ordered. "If you are not a Ghoul, what are you, and why dress as one?"

Putting my hands behind my back, I held my head high and waited for Aydan to introduce me. However, there was a silence that fell over the area, and I turned to The Sage to see him waiting as well. Smacking him in the stomach with the back of my hand, he flinched ever so slightly, and his eyes widened when I gestured to the Dragons with my head.

"This is Sir Mordred!" Aydan said, and I looked back to the Dragons, expecting more.

When he didn't say anything else, once again turned to him slowly. "Really?"

The Great Sage was so on edge he continued like nothing had happened. "He's the King of Lestrania!"

"Wha-" I began but quickly turned back to the Dragons to see Aurora much closer now. "I am not the King of Lestrania. Despite what he may say, I am merely a teacher of sorts who is currently acting as King since Rudnurth has locked himself away."

My explanation didn't satisfy Aurora. "Any man who hides under an enchanted cloak cannot be considered a king." She stated.

I nodded. "Agreed! Do not listen to the ramblings of an old Elf."

"King of Lestrania, are you?" Aurora questioned back.

Sighing, I put my hands on my hips. "Some call me that, but I don't think I am. Just merely helping them along."

"So, here we have the King of Lestrania, Sir Mordred..." She trailed off as she brought her head back up. "Accompanied by the Dragon slaying Elf, Aydan Farro."

"Wow!" I said, slightly impressed as I turned to Aydan. "That is quite the title you have among the Dragons." Shifting my attention to Aurora, I asked her a question. "How many of you did he kill to get that title?" All the Dragons glared at me, and Aurora didn't seem too impressed. "In hindsight, that may have been a little rude to ask."

"Kill this fool!" Aurora roared, and many of the Dragons opened their maws, but the blue Dragon stepped between us. "What do you think you are doing, Sapphire?"

The blue Dragon, now identified as Sapphire, replied. "They have my children in the village, and they saved my life. Please forgive his insolence, but I owe this man my life and my children's lives."

Every Dragon stopped and looked at her. "This man holds your children hostage, and you claim he saved your life..." Aurora spoke back in disbelief.

"Well, they're not hostages. They can leave any time they want." Gesturing to the barrier, I continued. "Aydan, let Sapphire's children out of the barrier if you can."

"I don't think that is a wise decision." Was his uneasy response.

"A few Dragons aren't a threat." I told him, and I swear I saw the scales of the Dragons shift as they gave me a look of indignation. "If something happens, I don't want the children involved anyway." Was my reply as I moved back in front of Sapphire.

"Antagonizing Dragons isn't the wisest thing to do." Aydan stated.

Waving a dismissive hand, I continued on cheerfully. "If they attack, as long as your barrier holds, the only thing that will be in danger is part of the settlement. Although, after killing all these Dragons so close to the border, we'd likely have to relocate them."

The blue Dragon gave me a pained looked. "What?" She asked in a strained tone.

"Not you though! You can leave with your kids whenever! As long as you don't join in with this group, I have no issues." I explained.

One of the larger Dragons in the back rivaling Sapphire's size opened his mouth, and it was almost as if you could hear the fire building up. However, as his chest glowed and that same glow traveled up his neck, several of the other Dragons went to lean out of the way. This gave me the perfect opportunity to put this situation to rest.

The Dragon's head slammed into the ground so fast it cracked the ground, and his tail flipped up into the air for a moment from the sheer force. All moved back from him and the suddenness of his movements. However, the Dragon was just fine, but clearly confused. Thus, he started to get angry when he found he was unable to get up or move his muzzle.

"Stay right there for a moment and think about the consequences of attacking someone you don't know." I stated plainly, and the Dragons all quickly looked at me. "Sorry about that, but I'm not a fan of being bathed in Dragon Fire." Looking at Aydan, who was now on high alert, I asked him a question. "That's not racist, is it?"