Nonlethal Force
First Post
Ausaphaborishan called out from behind Llywessiar. “For-citus, elicitus! Use magic if you’ve got it!” An invisible shield of force sprang into existence in front of him. He could hear each of his dragon allies call upon the same spell and bring up what little magical protection they could.
Grixanthrosilithiss stared on, trying to understand the tactics of the dragon squad approaching him. He wasn’t yet close enough to hear what Ausaphaborishan had said, but he could interpret the magical sign easily enough. “If you are going to use magic, then so shall I!” The red wyrm roared loud enough so that all of the rest of the dragons would be sure to hear him. “For-citus, elicitus”
Each of the green dragons heard the red wyrm’s challenge and was reminded to raise their own magical defenses. Kalliaxis spoke to the other two in her flight. “If nothing else, our magic can level the battlefield. For-citus, elicitus!” She heard the two green dragons behind her utter the same magical words to invoke their own magical defense.
Llywessiar’s eyelids narrowed as he focused on the red wyrm barreling through the air down at him. “Sappurapolician and Ausaphaborishan, listen well. You two turn and fight the greens. Ausaphaborishan, the red’s fiery breath would be devastating to your hide and I don’t want to risk that at the beginning since we are now outnumbered. He and I are immune to each other’s breath and I am sure I can take him alone until you both finish off those greens. And watch out for one another, you’re outnumbered!”
Ausaphaborishan laughed at the gold dragon’s closing comment. Without a sound, Sappurapolician pulled backwards away from the mountain and spun himself into an inside loop until he was flying down the mountain slope toward the greens. The silver dragon saw that his bronze ally was trying to dive below the trio of green dragons. It was a tactical maneuver that would keep them fighting in the air. The silver dragon turned more gracefully than his bronze ally and took a higher approach toward the three green dragons.
Since Sappurapolician had the advantage of both greater speed and gravity working in his favor, the bronze dragon dove below the level of the green wyrms. He suddenly unfurled his wings to the greatest width possible and his body jerked upward. His wings beat hard in order to not lose the moment that he had gained from his descent now that he was climbing and working against gravity. Sappurapolician’s plan worked, however. He approached the center of the flight of green dragons and his maneuver had caught them off-guard. As the bronze dragon flashed between all three dragons he exhaled his mighty electric breath.
Electricity sprang forward from his mouth, but not in the straight line that the flight of greens had expected. The electrical breath erupted in a circle around Sappurapolician’s head, catching all three of the green dragons in the electrical shock. The trio of green dragons was obviously surprised by this tactical maneuver.
The youngest of the three green dragons lashed out with the first volley in reply to Sappurapolician’s electrical assault. Its own acidic breath poured out of the dragon’s mouth and sprayed all over the bronze dragon’s scales. Sappurapolician felt the attack upon him and began to maneuver away, but it was already too late to avoid the effects of this dragon. Aurigraphillienne followed to pursue Sappurapolician.
Starigonnilann also fired a volley of its own acidic breath towards Sappurapolician. This dragon was not as accurate since Sappurapolician had already begun the process of taking defense maneuvers from the prior strike. The acidic breath still hit the bronze dragon; but the effect was not near as intense as from the younger green dragon. Starigonnilann followed Aurigraphillienne as she pushed forward to pursue the bronze wyrm.
Kalliaxis prepared to complement the breath attacks with one of her own. Before the largest green dragon was prepared to launch her attack she was blindsided by a blast of cold air. Quick and nimble reflexes allowed the green dragon to quickly duck out of the spray of the breath, but the damage had been done. Worse, the green dragon’s momentum had been lost. There was no way that it would be able to catch the bronze any more. Instead, she would have to focus on Ausaphaborishan, the silver dragon that had just blasted it with a spray of freezing breath.
Ausaphaborishan spoke after he blasted the eldest green dragon with icy breath. “I think two against one is more than fair odds for the younger members of your flight, Kalliaxis. Why don’t you try me on for size?”
Kalliaxis replied, “Well, if you insist! I’ll let you feel the brunt of my acidic breath!” The green dragon returned breath weapon for breath weapon and hit the larger silver dragon with a solid attack.
Ausaphaborishan’s scales were covered in the corrosive acid, but the silver dragon was only mildly phased by the attack. Ausaphaborishan knew that now all the dragon breath had been expelled for a short amount of time and the battle would grow much tighter. The dragons would have to either run until their breath would be ready to use again or they would fight tooth, claw, and tail. The silver decided that since it had the upper hand in size that running should not be an option. The silver dragon turned in flight once more and flew straight towards the largest of the green dragons.
Kalliaxis took Ausaphaborishan up on the physical challenge. It noticed that the silver was planning on charging at her so she flew in fast and hard in return against his challenge. The dragons collided solidly in mid-flight, each dragon biting hard into the body of the other. The taste of acidic blood flowed into Ausaphaborishan’s mouth. Kalliaxis’ mouth turned bone chillingly cold as her own strike hit home and she tasted the blood of Ausaphaborishan. As both dragons began to plummet towards the earth they released their bites and separated, taking a bit of time to regain speed and come back for an attack.
While Kalliaxis and Ausaphaborishan struggled against each other, Sappurapolician struggled hard against the two smaller green dragons. Although he had avoided much of the effects of the breath of Starigonnilann, the acid continued to burn at his scales much longer than the breath of Aurigraphillienne. Sappurapolician fought through the pain of the clinging acid and performed an in-flight loop. He sailed skyward for just an instant before catching sight of the youngest green dragon behind him. Sappurapolician continued the loop so that he was now diving down straight toward the back of Aurigraphillienne.
Much like the older and larger pair before them, Aurigraphillienne and Sappurapolician locked tight in a bite upon each other. Electricity shot down Aurigraphillienne’s back as her teeth sank into Sappurapolician. While the two were locked together, Starigonnilann saw an opportunity to strike the otherwise engaged Sappurapolician. As the unengaged green dragon sailed past both of the other dragons he struck out with his front two feet and their razor sharp claws. One clawed foot managed to find Sappurapolician’s flesh and sink in deep. Sappurapolician roared out loud at the surprise attack and the three battling dragons once more separated.
Before leaving too far, Sappurapolician thought he could get in a quick strike from his tail. The tail slashed through the air, but it missed its mark. Aurigraphillienne and Starigonnilann knew enough to take advantage of the bronze wyrm’s miss. Each of them turned in midair so that they could line up a successful strike with their fangs against Sappurapolician’s rear flank. Their teeth sunk in hard and the bronze dragon howled in pain.
After the biting strike, the dragons truly separated to regain speed. Aurigraphillienne saw Sappurapolician’s approach for another strike. “Stay back,” she warned Starigonnilann, “I’m going to blast him again with my acidic breath.” Sappurapolician overheard the warning and was able to avoid the effects of her breath to a large extent. The bronze dragon turned and twisted in the air to allow him to maintain his momentum towards her yet still avoid the majority of her acidic breath.
Once Aurigraphillienne’s devastating breath had worn out, Sappurapolician went in for the close strike. His scaled jaw snapped open and his razor-like fangs bit deeply into Aurigraphillienne’s hide. He could feel several scales snap under the intensity of the strike. He also felt his own flesh come under attack as Starigonnilann launched a simultaneous counter attack. The three dragons were again in the air together; but this time it was only for a split second before each veered off and separated from the others in order to regain speed and momentum.
The silver and the largest green once more came together. Ausaphaborishan had enough time to bring his breath weapon into effect. As the dragons charged through the air toward one another, Ausaphaborishan quickly unleashed another blast of cold breath from his mouth. Kalliaxis took this blast head first, completely surprised at how quickly Ausaphaborishan’s breath had returned to him. In spite of taking the attack head-on, Kalliaxis decided that she would sail through the cold attack and bite him as they passed one another. Her teeth sunk in deeply into Ausaphaborishan and once again her mouth felt as though it would go completely numb from the coolness of Ausaphaborishan’s blood.
Knowing that his own destructive breath had been spent for a time, Ausaphaborishan decided that it was now time to come to the aid of his bronze companion. So far Sappurapolician had done a decent job fending the two smaller green dragons off, but it was clear that their combined strength would eventually bring him down without someone to take off the heat. Ausaphaborishan roared as his sailed downward to strike at the youngest of the green dragons. “Try taking on my bite for a while, Aurigraphillienne!”
The silver wyrm broadsided the young green dragon in midair and bit her hard. She spun several times mid-flight before shooting her wings out to stabilize herself and catch a current of air. Kalliaxis caught up to Ausaphaborishan after he had bit into the younger green dragon and returned the silver’s bite for one of her own. Once more Ausaphaborishan felt the acidic bite from the largest of the green dragons.
By this point Sappurapolician had grown tired of being bitten by the two young upstart green dragons. He decided that it was time to demonstrate what power he truly had within his mouth. He watched as Ausaphaborishan bit the youngest of the greens and sent her spiraling in the direction of the ground. As she shot out her wings to balance herself she unintentionally flew too close to her kin, Starigonnilann. Sappurapolician smiled as the shot was lined up for him. He swooped down and extended his neck to its fullest size. His jaws opened and a solid blue bolt of electricity sprang forward out of his mouth, electrifying the air between him and the two younger green wyrms. The air smelled of burned flesh as both dragons took the full force of the bronze dragon’s breath.
Starigonnilann was in decent position to counterattack against the bronze dragon; however, Aurigraphillienne was in a much weaker position. She was closer to Sappurapolician and it was more difficult for her to turn and attack. Aurigraphillienne was unable to complete the turn in an appropriate amount of space and as a result her bite attack sailed wide. Starigonnilann’s assault was better timed than the attack from the youngest of the green dragons. He swooped under the belly of Aurigraphillienne as she turned and used her body to disguise his approach. At the last minute he surged up and once more bit deeply into Sappurapolician’s flesh.
Sappurapolician had begun to show great signs of being wounded and his flight had begun to slow down. Ausaphaborishan felt slightly guilty for not immediately casting one of his healing spells upon his ally. However, with both the smaller dragons coming in for a closer assault upon the bronze dragon Ausaphaborishan knew that they would be in a prime position to attack them with his devastating cold breath. Ausaphaborishan waited just long enough for the bronze dragon to clear the area of effect before blasting the two younger green dragons. Aurigraphillienne looked seriously wounded by the attack and begun to uncontrollably spiral towards the earth.
Ausaphaborishan was not the only dragon to have a breath assault prepared. Immediately after releasing his devastating cold breath upon the green dragons, Ausaphaborishan felt acidic breath course over his own silver scales. He had lost track of the eldest of the green dragons and Kalliaxis was making him pay for his tactical blindness. What was worse than losing Kalliaxis was the fact that Ausaphaborishan had allowed himself to stray close enough to his bronze wyrm ally as to allow Kalliaxis to navigate such that he was included in the assault. The bronze dragon winced heavily as the acidic spray also reached his scales.
Sappurapolician watched the youngest of the green dragons plummet to the earth and wanted to chase her and finish the fight. However, he thought better of the assault and decided to let her go. Instead, the bronze dragon continued to fly away from the battle so that he could heal some of his wounds. His draconic voice erupted in a loud roar as he proclaimed his healing to the battlefield. “Bondras-tol Shintar. Be careful green dragons, I come for you!” Some of the dragon’s wounds were sealed, but he was far from being completely healed.
Starigonnilann also thought about chasing after his badly damaged kin as she plummeted to the ground, but he knew that to do so would leave the eldest of the trio of dragons up in the sky alone with a very powerful silver wyrm and a bronze wyrm who was now invigorated. He faked as though he were diving to help his kin but was secretly watching as the bronze returned to the battle. At the last moment Starigonnilann readjusted his course so that he could capture both the silver wyrm and the bronze wyrm within the effects of his own acidic breath. His attack was a success.
Sappurapolician cursed at the fact that his pride had led him into this trap. He yelled to Ausaphaborishan to be careful. “That one has a powerful breath. The effects linger more than the others!”
Ausaphaborishan returned the yell with a spell of his own. “ Bondras-tol Fundar! Be healed and keep coming! The battle is ours if we seize it!” Ausaphaborishan spotted the fact that the youngest of the green dragons had managed to catch herself mid-flight before slamming into the ground. He smiled as he noted that she still moved away to sulk in the forest. “We’ve chased one foul beast from the sky, it is time to chase two more!”
Immediately after his proclamation, the Kalliaxis bit hard into Ausaphaborishan’s neck. This attack drew even more of the freezing blood from his veins, but the silver dragon would not be denied. His wings beat heavily to keep himself flying and his claws pushed hard against the body of Kalliaxis. At just the right time Ausaphaborishan jerked his neck away and pushed hard with all four of his clawed feet. The eldest of the green dragons fell away, releasing its hold on Ausaphaborishan’s neck. Kalliaxis had all she could do to keep from colliding with Starigonnilann.
Sappurapolician felt his excitement grow as he noticed that the two green dragons were going to be so close together. With a quick tuck of his wings, Sappurapolician dipped down into the proper angle and waited for the timing to be right. Both of the green dragons were immediately so concerned with avoiding a midair collision that each of them lost sight of the bronze dragon. Sappurapolician opened his mouth once more and unleashed a charge of electricity. Much to the delight of Sappurapolician and Ausaphaborishan, the smell of nitrogen was quickly followed by the smell of burned flesh as both remaining green dragons were struck by Sappurapolician’s well timed strike.
Starigonnilann could feel his inner strength failing, but he knew that the strength of the bronze and silver dragons had to be weakening as well. He spotted the silver wyrm making a wide turn to come in for a big strike. Starigonnilann turned to the elder green dragon and started to plan an attack. “Follow me in. We’ll handle that silver!” Kalliaxis nodded at the plan, grateful to have anyone besides her taking the beating from the silver dragon.
Starigonnilann approached the silver wyrm and noticed that Ausaphaborishan seemed to be smiling at the challenge. In fact, the dragon seemed to be baiting him in. Kalliaxis noticed this as well and decided to slow her approach behind Starigonnilann. Starigonnilann drew close enough to the silver wyrm to lash out with a bite to the neck and the green dragon didn’t pass up the opportunity. Ausaphaborishan accepted the blow and latched onto the green dragon in midair. Even after the green dragon released Ausaphaborishan’s neck the silver dragon wouldn’t let go.
The two dragons twisted and turned as they wrestled in the air. After several seconds the stronger silver began to win and slowed the spin to a controllable rotation. His claws lifted Starigonnilann’s head in front of his own and he smiled for a lone second. Starigonnilann looked on in horror, knowing that he was at the mercy of the silver now. Ausaphaborishan waited one more slow revolution and opened his jaws wide. The cold breath sprayed into the air, catching Starigonnilann point blank in the effect. Yet Starigonnilann was not the only one affected. The maneuver had nearly hypnotized Kalliaxis as the eldest green anticipated the devastating blow. Kalliaxis did not realize that she had drifted into the range of the silver dragon’s breath as well. Both green dragons felt the force of Ausaphaborishan’s icy breath.
The silver wyrm’s claws released the green dragon. Starigonnilann and Kalliaxis realized what Aurigraphillienne already knew. The silver and the bronze wyrms would not be defeated on this day. The battle would be left to the red. Together, the two remaining green dragons soared down to the treetops and entered the forest. They would need time to heal their wounds and their pride.
Ausaphaborishan and Sappurapolician let them go. There was no need to pursue that hunt. There was a more powerful red to tackle and Llywessiar would appreciate their help. They surged upward into the sky, determined to climb the altitude necessary to engage with Grixanthrosilithiss.
As they climbed in altitude, Ausaphaborishan heard Sappurapolician casting a spell on himself. “Bondras-tol Shintar” The wounds on the bronze dragon appeared to heal some more, although nowhere near complete.
Ausaphaborishan smiled as his own wings continued to beat hard. “Here, let me give you some help with those. Bondras-tol Fundar.” The wounds on the bronze dragon healed even more, although it was still not near enough to completely heal the bronze dragon. The silver was showing plenty of his own wounds as he added, “Now, let’s go tackle that red dragon.”
[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]
Ausaphaborishan called out from behind Llywessiar. “For-citus, elicitus! Use magic if you’ve got it!” An invisible shield of force sprang into existence in front of him. He could hear each of his dragon allies call upon the same spell and bring up what little magical protection they could.
Grixanthrosilithiss stared on, trying to understand the tactics of the dragon squad approaching him. He wasn’t yet close enough to hear what Ausaphaborishan had said, but he could interpret the magical sign easily enough. “If you are going to use magic, then so shall I!” The red wyrm roared loud enough so that all of the rest of the dragons would be sure to hear him. “For-citus, elicitus”
Each of the green dragons heard the red wyrm’s challenge and was reminded to raise their own magical defenses. Kalliaxis spoke to the other two in her flight. “If nothing else, our magic can level the battlefield. For-citus, elicitus!” She heard the two green dragons behind her utter the same magical words to invoke their own magical defense.
Llywessiar’s eyelids narrowed as he focused on the red wyrm barreling through the air down at him. “Sappurapolician and Ausaphaborishan, listen well. You two turn and fight the greens. Ausaphaborishan, the red’s fiery breath would be devastating to your hide and I don’t want to risk that at the beginning since we are now outnumbered. He and I are immune to each other’s breath and I am sure I can take him alone until you both finish off those greens. And watch out for one another, you’re outnumbered!”
Ausaphaborishan laughed at the gold dragon’s closing comment. Without a sound, Sappurapolician pulled backwards away from the mountain and spun himself into an inside loop until he was flying down the mountain slope toward the greens. The silver dragon saw that his bronze ally was trying to dive below the trio of green dragons. It was a tactical maneuver that would keep them fighting in the air. The silver dragon turned more gracefully than his bronze ally and took a higher approach toward the three green dragons.
Since Sappurapolician had the advantage of both greater speed and gravity working in his favor, the bronze dragon dove below the level of the green wyrms. He suddenly unfurled his wings to the greatest width possible and his body jerked upward. His wings beat hard in order to not lose the moment that he had gained from his descent now that he was climbing and working against gravity. Sappurapolician’s plan worked, however. He approached the center of the flight of green dragons and his maneuver had caught them off-guard. As the bronze dragon flashed between all three dragons he exhaled his mighty electric breath.
Electricity sprang forward from his mouth, but not in the straight line that the flight of greens had expected. The electrical breath erupted in a circle around Sappurapolician’s head, catching all three of the green dragons in the electrical shock. The trio of green dragons was obviously surprised by this tactical maneuver.
The youngest of the three green dragons lashed out with the first volley in reply to Sappurapolician’s electrical assault. Its own acidic breath poured out of the dragon’s mouth and sprayed all over the bronze dragon’s scales. Sappurapolician felt the attack upon him and began to maneuver away, but it was already too late to avoid the effects of this dragon. Aurigraphillienne followed to pursue Sappurapolician.
Starigonnilann also fired a volley of its own acidic breath towards Sappurapolician. This dragon was not as accurate since Sappurapolician had already begun the process of taking defense maneuvers from the prior strike. The acidic breath still hit the bronze dragon; but the effect was not near as intense as from the younger green dragon. Starigonnilann followed Aurigraphillienne as she pushed forward to pursue the bronze wyrm.
Kalliaxis prepared to complement the breath attacks with one of her own. Before the largest green dragon was prepared to launch her attack she was blindsided by a blast of cold air. Quick and nimble reflexes allowed the green dragon to quickly duck out of the spray of the breath, but the damage had been done. Worse, the green dragon’s momentum had been lost. There was no way that it would be able to catch the bronze any more. Instead, she would have to focus on Ausaphaborishan, the silver dragon that had just blasted it with a spray of freezing breath.
Ausaphaborishan spoke after he blasted the eldest green dragon with icy breath. “I think two against one is more than fair odds for the younger members of your flight, Kalliaxis. Why don’t you try me on for size?”
Kalliaxis replied, “Well, if you insist! I’ll let you feel the brunt of my acidic breath!” The green dragon returned breath weapon for breath weapon and hit the larger silver dragon with a solid attack.
Ausaphaborishan’s scales were covered in the corrosive acid, but the silver dragon was only mildly phased by the attack. Ausaphaborishan knew that now all the dragon breath had been expelled for a short amount of time and the battle would grow much tighter. The dragons would have to either run until their breath would be ready to use again or they would fight tooth, claw, and tail. The silver decided that since it had the upper hand in size that running should not be an option. The silver dragon turned in flight once more and flew straight towards the largest of the green dragons.
Kalliaxis took Ausaphaborishan up on the physical challenge. It noticed that the silver was planning on charging at her so she flew in fast and hard in return against his challenge. The dragons collided solidly in mid-flight, each dragon biting hard into the body of the other. The taste of acidic blood flowed into Ausaphaborishan’s mouth. Kalliaxis’ mouth turned bone chillingly cold as her own strike hit home and she tasted the blood of Ausaphaborishan. As both dragons began to plummet towards the earth they released their bites and separated, taking a bit of time to regain speed and come back for an attack.
While Kalliaxis and Ausaphaborishan struggled against each other, Sappurapolician struggled hard against the two smaller green dragons. Although he had avoided much of the effects of the breath of Starigonnilann, the acid continued to burn at his scales much longer than the breath of Aurigraphillienne. Sappurapolician fought through the pain of the clinging acid and performed an in-flight loop. He sailed skyward for just an instant before catching sight of the youngest green dragon behind him. Sappurapolician continued the loop so that he was now diving down straight toward the back of Aurigraphillienne.
Much like the older and larger pair before them, Aurigraphillienne and Sappurapolician locked tight in a bite upon each other. Electricity shot down Aurigraphillienne’s back as her teeth sank into Sappurapolician. While the two were locked together, Starigonnilann saw an opportunity to strike the otherwise engaged Sappurapolician. As the unengaged green dragon sailed past both of the other dragons he struck out with his front two feet and their razor sharp claws. One clawed foot managed to find Sappurapolician’s flesh and sink in deep. Sappurapolician roared out loud at the surprise attack and the three battling dragons once more separated.
Before leaving too far, Sappurapolician thought he could get in a quick strike from his tail. The tail slashed through the air, but it missed its mark. Aurigraphillienne and Starigonnilann knew enough to take advantage of the bronze wyrm’s miss. Each of them turned in midair so that they could line up a successful strike with their fangs against Sappurapolician’s rear flank. Their teeth sunk in hard and the bronze dragon howled in pain.
After the biting strike, the dragons truly separated to regain speed. Aurigraphillienne saw Sappurapolician’s approach for another strike. “Stay back,” she warned Starigonnilann, “I’m going to blast him again with my acidic breath.” Sappurapolician overheard the warning and was able to avoid the effects of her breath to a large extent. The bronze dragon turned and twisted in the air to allow him to maintain his momentum towards her yet still avoid the majority of her acidic breath.
Once Aurigraphillienne’s devastating breath had worn out, Sappurapolician went in for the close strike. His scaled jaw snapped open and his razor-like fangs bit deeply into Aurigraphillienne’s hide. He could feel several scales snap under the intensity of the strike. He also felt his own flesh come under attack as Starigonnilann launched a simultaneous counter attack. The three dragons were again in the air together; but this time it was only for a split second before each veered off and separated from the others in order to regain speed and momentum.
The silver and the largest green once more came together. Ausaphaborishan had enough time to bring his breath weapon into effect. As the dragons charged through the air toward one another, Ausaphaborishan quickly unleashed another blast of cold breath from his mouth. Kalliaxis took this blast head first, completely surprised at how quickly Ausaphaborishan’s breath had returned to him. In spite of taking the attack head-on, Kalliaxis decided that she would sail through the cold attack and bite him as they passed one another. Her teeth sunk in deeply into Ausaphaborishan and once again her mouth felt as though it would go completely numb from the coolness of Ausaphaborishan’s blood.
Knowing that his own destructive breath had been spent for a time, Ausaphaborishan decided that it was now time to come to the aid of his bronze companion. So far Sappurapolician had done a decent job fending the two smaller green dragons off, but it was clear that their combined strength would eventually bring him down without someone to take off the heat. Ausaphaborishan roared as his sailed downward to strike at the youngest of the green dragons. “Try taking on my bite for a while, Aurigraphillienne!”
The silver wyrm broadsided the young green dragon in midair and bit her hard. She spun several times mid-flight before shooting her wings out to stabilize herself and catch a current of air. Kalliaxis caught up to Ausaphaborishan after he had bit into the younger green dragon and returned the silver’s bite for one of her own. Once more Ausaphaborishan felt the acidic bite from the largest of the green dragons.
By this point Sappurapolician had grown tired of being bitten by the two young upstart green dragons. He decided that it was time to demonstrate what power he truly had within his mouth. He watched as Ausaphaborishan bit the youngest of the greens and sent her spiraling in the direction of the ground. As she shot out her wings to balance herself she unintentionally flew too close to her kin, Starigonnilann. Sappurapolician smiled as the shot was lined up for him. He swooped down and extended his neck to its fullest size. His jaws opened and a solid blue bolt of electricity sprang forward out of his mouth, electrifying the air between him and the two younger green wyrms. The air smelled of burned flesh as both dragons took the full force of the bronze dragon’s breath.
Starigonnilann was in decent position to counterattack against the bronze dragon; however, Aurigraphillienne was in a much weaker position. She was closer to Sappurapolician and it was more difficult for her to turn and attack. Aurigraphillienne was unable to complete the turn in an appropriate amount of space and as a result her bite attack sailed wide. Starigonnilann’s assault was better timed than the attack from the youngest of the green dragons. He swooped under the belly of Aurigraphillienne as she turned and used her body to disguise his approach. At the last minute he surged up and once more bit deeply into Sappurapolician’s flesh.
Sappurapolician had begun to show great signs of being wounded and his flight had begun to slow down. Ausaphaborishan felt slightly guilty for not immediately casting one of his healing spells upon his ally. However, with both the smaller dragons coming in for a closer assault upon the bronze dragon Ausaphaborishan knew that they would be in a prime position to attack them with his devastating cold breath. Ausaphaborishan waited just long enough for the bronze dragon to clear the area of effect before blasting the two younger green dragons. Aurigraphillienne looked seriously wounded by the attack and begun to uncontrollably spiral towards the earth.
Ausaphaborishan was not the only dragon to have a breath assault prepared. Immediately after releasing his devastating cold breath upon the green dragons, Ausaphaborishan felt acidic breath course over his own silver scales. He had lost track of the eldest of the green dragons and Kalliaxis was making him pay for his tactical blindness. What was worse than losing Kalliaxis was the fact that Ausaphaborishan had allowed himself to stray close enough to his bronze wyrm ally as to allow Kalliaxis to navigate such that he was included in the assault. The bronze dragon winced heavily as the acidic spray also reached his scales.
Sappurapolician watched the youngest of the green dragons plummet to the earth and wanted to chase her and finish the fight. However, he thought better of the assault and decided to let her go. Instead, the bronze dragon continued to fly away from the battle so that he could heal some of his wounds. His draconic voice erupted in a loud roar as he proclaimed his healing to the battlefield. “Bondras-tol Shintar. Be careful green dragons, I come for you!” Some of the dragon’s wounds were sealed, but he was far from being completely healed.
Starigonnilann also thought about chasing after his badly damaged kin as she plummeted to the ground, but he knew that to do so would leave the eldest of the trio of dragons up in the sky alone with a very powerful silver wyrm and a bronze wyrm who was now invigorated. He faked as though he were diving to help his kin but was secretly watching as the bronze returned to the battle. At the last moment Starigonnilann readjusted his course so that he could capture both the silver wyrm and the bronze wyrm within the effects of his own acidic breath. His attack was a success.
Sappurapolician cursed at the fact that his pride had led him into this trap. He yelled to Ausaphaborishan to be careful. “That one has a powerful breath. The effects linger more than the others!”
Ausaphaborishan returned the yell with a spell of his own. “ Bondras-tol Fundar! Be healed and keep coming! The battle is ours if we seize it!” Ausaphaborishan spotted the fact that the youngest of the green dragons had managed to catch herself mid-flight before slamming into the ground. He smiled as he noted that she still moved away to sulk in the forest. “We’ve chased one foul beast from the sky, it is time to chase two more!”
Immediately after his proclamation, the Kalliaxis bit hard into Ausaphaborishan’s neck. This attack drew even more of the freezing blood from his veins, but the silver dragon would not be denied. His wings beat heavily to keep himself flying and his claws pushed hard against the body of Kalliaxis. At just the right time Ausaphaborishan jerked his neck away and pushed hard with all four of his clawed feet. The eldest of the green dragons fell away, releasing its hold on Ausaphaborishan’s neck. Kalliaxis had all she could do to keep from colliding with Starigonnilann.
Sappurapolician felt his excitement grow as he noticed that the two green dragons were going to be so close together. With a quick tuck of his wings, Sappurapolician dipped down into the proper angle and waited for the timing to be right. Both of the green dragons were immediately so concerned with avoiding a midair collision that each of them lost sight of the bronze dragon. Sappurapolician opened his mouth once more and unleashed a charge of electricity. Much to the delight of Sappurapolician and Ausaphaborishan, the smell of nitrogen was quickly followed by the smell of burned flesh as both remaining green dragons were struck by Sappurapolician’s well timed strike.
Starigonnilann could feel his inner strength failing, but he knew that the strength of the bronze and silver dragons had to be weakening as well. He spotted the silver wyrm making a wide turn to come in for a big strike. Starigonnilann turned to the elder green dragon and started to plan an attack. “Follow me in. We’ll handle that silver!” Kalliaxis nodded at the plan, grateful to have anyone besides her taking the beating from the silver dragon.
Starigonnilann approached the silver wyrm and noticed that Ausaphaborishan seemed to be smiling at the challenge. In fact, the dragon seemed to be baiting him in. Kalliaxis noticed this as well and decided to slow her approach behind Starigonnilann. Starigonnilann drew close enough to the silver wyrm to lash out with a bite to the neck and the green dragon didn’t pass up the opportunity. Ausaphaborishan accepted the blow and latched onto the green dragon in midair. Even after the green dragon released Ausaphaborishan’s neck the silver dragon wouldn’t let go.
The two dragons twisted and turned as they wrestled in the air. After several seconds the stronger silver began to win and slowed the spin to a controllable rotation. His claws lifted Starigonnilann’s head in front of his own and he smiled for a lone second. Starigonnilann looked on in horror, knowing that he was at the mercy of the silver now. Ausaphaborishan waited one more slow revolution and opened his jaws wide. The cold breath sprayed into the air, catching Starigonnilann point blank in the effect. Yet Starigonnilann was not the only one affected. The maneuver had nearly hypnotized Kalliaxis as the eldest green anticipated the devastating blow. Kalliaxis did not realize that she had drifted into the range of the silver dragon’s breath as well. Both green dragons felt the force of Ausaphaborishan’s icy breath.
The silver wyrm’s claws released the green dragon. Starigonnilann and Kalliaxis realized what Aurigraphillienne already knew. The silver and the bronze wyrms would not be defeated on this day. The battle would be left to the red. Together, the two remaining green dragons soared down to the treetops and entered the forest. They would need time to heal their wounds and their pride.
Ausaphaborishan and Sappurapolician let them go. There was no need to pursue that hunt. There was a more powerful red to tackle and Llywessiar would appreciate their help. They surged upward into the sky, determined to climb the altitude necessary to engage with Grixanthrosilithiss.
As they climbed in altitude, Ausaphaborishan heard Sappurapolician casting a spell on himself. “Bondras-tol Shintar” The wounds on the bronze dragon appeared to heal some more, although nowhere near complete.
Ausaphaborishan smiled as his own wings continued to beat hard. “Here, let me give you some help with those. Bondras-tol Fundar.” The wounds on the bronze dragon healed even more, although it was still not near enough to completely heal the bronze dragon. The silver was showing plenty of his own wounds as he added, “Now, let’s go tackle that red dragon.”
[/Sblock]
Grixanthrosilithiss stared on, trying to understand the tactics of the dragon squad approaching him. He wasn’t yet close enough to hear what Ausaphaborishan had said, but he could interpret the magical sign easily enough. “If you are going to use magic, then so shall I!” The red wyrm roared loud enough so that all of the rest of the dragons would be sure to hear him. “For-citus, elicitus”
Each of the green dragons heard the red wyrm’s challenge and was reminded to raise their own magical defenses. Kalliaxis spoke to the other two in her flight. “If nothing else, our magic can level the battlefield. For-citus, elicitus!” She heard the two green dragons behind her utter the same magical words to invoke their own magical defense.
Llywessiar’s eyelids narrowed as he focused on the red wyrm barreling through the air down at him. “Sappurapolician and Ausaphaborishan, listen well. You two turn and fight the greens. Ausaphaborishan, the red’s fiery breath would be devastating to your hide and I don’t want to risk that at the beginning since we are now outnumbered. He and I are immune to each other’s breath and I am sure I can take him alone until you both finish off those greens. And watch out for one another, you’re outnumbered!”
Ausaphaborishan laughed at the gold dragon’s closing comment. Without a sound, Sappurapolician pulled backwards away from the mountain and spun himself into an inside loop until he was flying down the mountain slope toward the greens. The silver dragon saw that his bronze ally was trying to dive below the trio of green dragons. It was a tactical maneuver that would keep them fighting in the air. The silver dragon turned more gracefully than his bronze ally and took a higher approach toward the three green dragons.
Since Sappurapolician had the advantage of both greater speed and gravity working in his favor, the bronze dragon dove below the level of the green wyrms. He suddenly unfurled his wings to the greatest width possible and his body jerked upward. His wings beat hard in order to not lose the moment that he had gained from his descent now that he was climbing and working against gravity. Sappurapolician’s plan worked, however. He approached the center of the flight of green dragons and his maneuver had caught them off-guard. As the bronze dragon flashed between all three dragons he exhaled his mighty electric breath.
Electricity sprang forward from his mouth, but not in the straight line that the flight of greens had expected. The electrical breath erupted in a circle around Sappurapolician’s head, catching all three of the green dragons in the electrical shock. The trio of green dragons was obviously surprised by this tactical maneuver.
The youngest of the three green dragons lashed out with the first volley in reply to Sappurapolician’s electrical assault. Its own acidic breath poured out of the dragon’s mouth and sprayed all over the bronze dragon’s scales. Sappurapolician felt the attack upon him and began to maneuver away, but it was already too late to avoid the effects of this dragon. Aurigraphillienne followed to pursue Sappurapolician.
Starigonnilann also fired a volley of its own acidic breath towards Sappurapolician. This dragon was not as accurate since Sappurapolician had already begun the process of taking defense maneuvers from the prior strike. The acidic breath still hit the bronze dragon; but the effect was not near as intense as from the younger green dragon. Starigonnilann followed Aurigraphillienne as she pushed forward to pursue the bronze wyrm.
Kalliaxis prepared to complement the breath attacks with one of her own. Before the largest green dragon was prepared to launch her attack she was blindsided by a blast of cold air. Quick and nimble reflexes allowed the green dragon to quickly duck out of the spray of the breath, but the damage had been done. Worse, the green dragon’s momentum had been lost. There was no way that it would be able to catch the bronze any more. Instead, she would have to focus on Ausaphaborishan, the silver dragon that had just blasted it with a spray of freezing breath.
Ausaphaborishan spoke after he blasted the eldest green dragon with icy breath. “I think two against one is more than fair odds for the younger members of your flight, Kalliaxis. Why don’t you try me on for size?”
Kalliaxis replied, “Well, if you insist! I’ll let you feel the brunt of my acidic breath!” The green dragon returned breath weapon for breath weapon and hit the larger silver dragon with a solid attack.
Ausaphaborishan’s scales were covered in the corrosive acid, but the silver dragon was only mildly phased by the attack. Ausaphaborishan knew that now all the dragon breath had been expelled for a short amount of time and the battle would grow much tighter. The dragons would have to either run until their breath would be ready to use again or they would fight tooth, claw, and tail. The silver decided that since it had the upper hand in size that running should not be an option. The silver dragon turned in flight once more and flew straight towards the largest of the green dragons.
Kalliaxis took Ausaphaborishan up on the physical challenge. It noticed that the silver was planning on charging at her so she flew in fast and hard in return against his challenge. The dragons collided solidly in mid-flight, each dragon biting hard into the body of the other. The taste of acidic blood flowed into Ausaphaborishan’s mouth. Kalliaxis’ mouth turned bone chillingly cold as her own strike hit home and she tasted the blood of Ausaphaborishan. As both dragons began to plummet towards the earth they released their bites and separated, taking a bit of time to regain speed and come back for an attack.
While Kalliaxis and Ausaphaborishan struggled against each other, Sappurapolician struggled hard against the two smaller green dragons. Although he had avoided much of the effects of the breath of Starigonnilann, the acid continued to burn at his scales much longer than the breath of Aurigraphillienne. Sappurapolician fought through the pain of the clinging acid and performed an in-flight loop. He sailed skyward for just an instant before catching sight of the youngest green dragon behind him. Sappurapolician continued the loop so that he was now diving down straight toward the back of Aurigraphillienne.
Much like the older and larger pair before them, Aurigraphillienne and Sappurapolician locked tight in a bite upon each other. Electricity shot down Aurigraphillienne’s back as her teeth sank into Sappurapolician. While the two were locked together, Starigonnilann saw an opportunity to strike the otherwise engaged Sappurapolician. As the unengaged green dragon sailed past both of the other dragons he struck out with his front two feet and their razor sharp claws. One clawed foot managed to find Sappurapolician’s flesh and sink in deep. Sappurapolician roared out loud at the surprise attack and the three battling dragons once more separated.
Before leaving too far, Sappurapolician thought he could get in a quick strike from his tail. The tail slashed through the air, but it missed its mark. Aurigraphillienne and Starigonnilann knew enough to take advantage of the bronze wyrm’s miss. Each of them turned in midair so that they could line up a successful strike with their fangs against Sappurapolician’s rear flank. Their teeth sunk in hard and the bronze dragon howled in pain.
After the biting strike, the dragons truly separated to regain speed. Aurigraphillienne saw Sappurapolician’s approach for another strike. “Stay back,” she warned Starigonnilann, “I’m going to blast him again with my acidic breath.” Sappurapolician overheard the warning and was able to avoid the effects of her breath to a large extent. The bronze dragon turned and twisted in the air to allow him to maintain his momentum towards her yet still avoid the majority of her acidic breath.
Once Aurigraphillienne’s devastating breath had worn out, Sappurapolician went in for the close strike. His scaled jaw snapped open and his razor-like fangs bit deeply into Aurigraphillienne’s hide. He could feel several scales snap under the intensity of the strike. He also felt his own flesh come under attack as Starigonnilann launched a simultaneous counter attack. The three dragons were again in the air together; but this time it was only for a split second before each veered off and separated from the others in order to regain speed and momentum.
The silver and the largest green once more came together. Ausaphaborishan had enough time to bring his breath weapon into effect. As the dragons charged through the air toward one another, Ausaphaborishan quickly unleashed another blast of cold breath from his mouth. Kalliaxis took this blast head first, completely surprised at how quickly Ausaphaborishan’s breath had returned to him. In spite of taking the attack head-on, Kalliaxis decided that she would sail through the cold attack and bite him as they passed one another. Her teeth sunk in deeply into Ausaphaborishan and once again her mouth felt as though it would go completely numb from the coolness of Ausaphaborishan’s blood.
Knowing that his own destructive breath had been spent for a time, Ausaphaborishan decided that it was now time to come to the aid of his bronze companion. So far Sappurapolician had done a decent job fending the two smaller green dragons off, but it was clear that their combined strength would eventually bring him down without someone to take off the heat. Ausaphaborishan roared as his sailed downward to strike at the youngest of the green dragons. “Try taking on my bite for a while, Aurigraphillienne!”
The silver wyrm broadsided the young green dragon in midair and bit her hard. She spun several times mid-flight before shooting her wings out to stabilize herself and catch a current of air. Kalliaxis caught up to Ausaphaborishan after he had bit into the younger green dragon and returned the silver’s bite for one of her own. Once more Ausaphaborishan felt the acidic bite from the largest of the green dragons.
By this point Sappurapolician had grown tired of being bitten by the two young upstart green dragons. He decided that it was time to demonstrate what power he truly had within his mouth. He watched as Ausaphaborishan bit the youngest of the greens and sent her spiraling in the direction of the ground. As she shot out her wings to balance herself she unintentionally flew too close to her kin, Starigonnilann. Sappurapolician smiled as the shot was lined up for him. He swooped down and extended his neck to its fullest size. His jaws opened and a solid blue bolt of electricity sprang forward out of his mouth, electrifying the air between him and the two younger green wyrms. The air smelled of burned flesh as both dragons took the full force of the bronze dragon’s breath.
Starigonnilann was in decent position to counterattack against the bronze dragon; however, Aurigraphillienne was in a much weaker position. She was closer to Sappurapolician and it was more difficult for her to turn and attack. Aurigraphillienne was unable to complete the turn in an appropriate amount of space and as a result her bite attack sailed wide. Starigonnilann’s assault was better timed than the attack from the youngest of the green dragons. He swooped under the belly of Aurigraphillienne as she turned and used her body to disguise his approach. At the last minute he surged up and once more bit deeply into Sappurapolician’s flesh.
Sappurapolician had begun to show great signs of being wounded and his flight had begun to slow down. Ausaphaborishan felt slightly guilty for not immediately casting one of his healing spells upon his ally. However, with both the smaller dragons coming in for a closer assault upon the bronze dragon Ausaphaborishan knew that they would be in a prime position to attack them with his devastating cold breath. Ausaphaborishan waited just long enough for the bronze dragon to clear the area of effect before blasting the two younger green dragons. Aurigraphillienne looked seriously wounded by the attack and begun to uncontrollably spiral towards the earth.
Ausaphaborishan was not the only dragon to have a breath assault prepared. Immediately after releasing his devastating cold breath upon the green dragons, Ausaphaborishan felt acidic breath course over his own silver scales. He had lost track of the eldest of the green dragons and Kalliaxis was making him pay for his tactical blindness. What was worse than losing Kalliaxis was the fact that Ausaphaborishan had allowed himself to stray close enough to his bronze wyrm ally as to allow Kalliaxis to navigate such that he was included in the assault. The bronze dragon winced heavily as the acidic spray also reached his scales.
Sappurapolician watched the youngest of the green dragons plummet to the earth and wanted to chase her and finish the fight. However, he thought better of the assault and decided to let her go. Instead, the bronze dragon continued to fly away from the battle so that he could heal some of his wounds. His draconic voice erupted in a loud roar as he proclaimed his healing to the battlefield. “Bondras-tol Shintar. Be careful green dragons, I come for you!” Some of the dragon’s wounds were sealed, but he was far from being completely healed.
Starigonnilann also thought about chasing after his badly damaged kin as she plummeted to the ground, but he knew that to do so would leave the eldest of the trio of dragons up in the sky alone with a very powerful silver wyrm and a bronze wyrm who was now invigorated. He faked as though he were diving to help his kin but was secretly watching as the bronze returned to the battle. At the last moment Starigonnilann readjusted his course so that he could capture both the silver wyrm and the bronze wyrm within the effects of his own acidic breath. His attack was a success.
Sappurapolician cursed at the fact that his pride had led him into this trap. He yelled to Ausaphaborishan to be careful. “That one has a powerful breath. The effects linger more than the others!”
Ausaphaborishan returned the yell with a spell of his own. “ Bondras-tol Fundar! Be healed and keep coming! The battle is ours if we seize it!” Ausaphaborishan spotted the fact that the youngest of the green dragons had managed to catch herself mid-flight before slamming into the ground. He smiled as he noted that she still moved away to sulk in the forest. “We’ve chased one foul beast from the sky, it is time to chase two more!”
Immediately after his proclamation, the Kalliaxis bit hard into Ausaphaborishan’s neck. This attack drew even more of the freezing blood from his veins, but the silver dragon would not be denied. His wings beat heavily to keep himself flying and his claws pushed hard against the body of Kalliaxis. At just the right time Ausaphaborishan jerked his neck away and pushed hard with all four of his clawed feet. The eldest of the green dragons fell away, releasing its hold on Ausaphaborishan’s neck. Kalliaxis had all she could do to keep from colliding with Starigonnilann.
Sappurapolician felt his excitement grow as he noticed that the two green dragons were going to be so close together. With a quick tuck of his wings, Sappurapolician dipped down into the proper angle and waited for the timing to be right. Both of the green dragons were immediately so concerned with avoiding a midair collision that each of them lost sight of the bronze dragon. Sappurapolician opened his mouth once more and unleashed a charge of electricity. Much to the delight of Sappurapolician and Ausaphaborishan, the smell of nitrogen was quickly followed by the smell of burned flesh as both remaining green dragons were struck by Sappurapolician’s well timed strike.
Starigonnilann could feel his inner strength failing, but he knew that the strength of the bronze and silver dragons had to be weakening as well. He spotted the silver wyrm making a wide turn to come in for a big strike. Starigonnilann turned to the elder green dragon and started to plan an attack. “Follow me in. We’ll handle that silver!” Kalliaxis nodded at the plan, grateful to have anyone besides her taking the beating from the silver dragon.
Starigonnilann approached the silver wyrm and noticed that Ausaphaborishan seemed to be smiling at the challenge. In fact, the dragon seemed to be baiting him in. Kalliaxis noticed this as well and decided to slow her approach behind Starigonnilann. Starigonnilann drew close enough to the silver wyrm to lash out with a bite to the neck and the green dragon didn’t pass up the opportunity. Ausaphaborishan accepted the blow and latched onto the green dragon in midair. Even after the green dragon released Ausaphaborishan’s neck the silver dragon wouldn’t let go.
The two dragons twisted and turned as they wrestled in the air. After several seconds the stronger silver began to win and slowed the spin to a controllable rotation. His claws lifted Starigonnilann’s head in front of his own and he smiled for a lone second. Starigonnilann looked on in horror, knowing that he was at the mercy of the silver now. Ausaphaborishan waited one more slow revolution and opened his jaws wide. The cold breath sprayed into the air, catching Starigonnilann point blank in the effect. Yet Starigonnilann was not the only one affected. The maneuver had nearly hypnotized Kalliaxis as the eldest green anticipated the devastating blow. Kalliaxis did not realize that she had drifted into the range of the silver dragon’s breath as well. Both green dragons felt the force of Ausaphaborishan’s icy breath.
The silver wyrm’s claws released the green dragon. Starigonnilann and Kalliaxis realized what Aurigraphillienne already knew. The silver and the bronze wyrms would not be defeated on this day. The battle would be left to the red. Together, the two remaining green dragons soared down to the treetops and entered the forest. They would need time to heal their wounds and their pride.
Ausaphaborishan and Sappurapolician let them go. There was no need to pursue that hunt. There was a more powerful red to tackle and Llywessiar would appreciate their help. They surged upward into the sky, determined to climb the altitude necessary to engage with Grixanthrosilithiss.
As they climbed in altitude, Ausaphaborishan heard Sappurapolician casting a spell on himself. “Bondras-tol Shintar” The wounds on the bronze dragon appeared to heal some more, although nowhere near complete.
Ausaphaborishan smiled as his own wings continued to beat hard. “Here, let me give you some help with those. Bondras-tol Fundar.” The wounds on the bronze dragon healed even more, although it was still not near enough to completely heal the bronze dragon. The silver was showing plenty of his own wounds as he added, “Now, let’s go tackle that red dragon.”
[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]
Ausaphaborishan called out from behind Llywessiar. “For-citus, elicitus! Use magic if you’ve got it!” An invisible shield of force sprang into existence in front of him. He could hear each of his dragon allies call upon the same spell and bring up what little magical protection they could.
Grixanthrosilithiss stared on, trying to understand the tactics of the dragon squad approaching him. He wasn’t yet close enough to hear what Ausaphaborishan had said, but he could interpret the magical sign easily enough. “If you are going to use magic, then so shall I!” The red wyrm roared loud enough so that all of the rest of the dragons would be sure to hear him. “For-citus, elicitus”
Each of the green dragons heard the red wyrm’s challenge and was reminded to raise their own magical defenses. Kalliaxis spoke to the other two in her flight. “If nothing else, our magic can level the battlefield. For-citus, elicitus!” She heard the two green dragons behind her utter the same magical words to invoke their own magical defense.
Llywessiar’s eyelids narrowed as he focused on the red wyrm barreling through the air down at him. “Sappurapolician and Ausaphaborishan, listen well. You two turn and fight the greens. Ausaphaborishan, the red’s fiery breath would be devastating to your hide and I don’t want to risk that at the beginning since we are now outnumbered. He and I are immune to each other’s breath and I am sure I can take him alone until you both finish off those greens. And watch out for one another, you’re outnumbered!”
Ausaphaborishan laughed at the gold dragon’s closing comment. Without a sound, Sappurapolician pulled backwards away from the mountain and spun himself into an inside loop until he was flying down the mountain slope toward the greens. The silver dragon saw that his bronze ally was trying to dive below the trio of green dragons. It was a tactical maneuver that would keep them fighting in the air. The silver dragon turned more gracefully than his bronze ally and took a higher approach toward the three green dragons.
Since Sappurapolician had the advantage of both greater speed and gravity working in his favor, the bronze dragon dove below the level of the green wyrms. He suddenly unfurled his wings to the greatest width possible and his body jerked upward. His wings beat hard in order to not lose the moment that he had gained from his descent now that he was climbing and working against gravity. Sappurapolician’s plan worked, however. He approached the center of the flight of green dragons and his maneuver had caught them off-guard. As the bronze dragon flashed between all three dragons he exhaled his mighty electric breath.
Electricity sprang forward from his mouth, but not in the straight line that the flight of greens had expected. The electrical breath erupted in a circle around Sappurapolician’s head, catching all three of the green dragons in the electrical shock. The trio of green dragons was obviously surprised by this tactical maneuver.
The youngest of the three green dragons lashed out with the first volley in reply to Sappurapolician’s electrical assault. Its own acidic breath poured out of the dragon’s mouth and sprayed all over the bronze dragon’s scales. Sappurapolician felt the attack upon him and began to maneuver away, but it was already too late to avoid the effects of this dragon. Aurigraphillienne followed to pursue Sappurapolician.
Starigonnilann also fired a volley of its own acidic breath towards Sappurapolician. This dragon was not as accurate since Sappurapolician had already begun the process of taking defense maneuvers from the prior strike. The acidic breath still hit the bronze dragon; but the effect was not near as intense as from the younger green dragon. Starigonnilann followed Aurigraphillienne as she pushed forward to pursue the bronze wyrm.
Kalliaxis prepared to complement the breath attacks with one of her own. Before the largest green dragon was prepared to launch her attack she was blindsided by a blast of cold air. Quick and nimble reflexes allowed the green dragon to quickly duck out of the spray of the breath, but the damage had been done. Worse, the green dragon’s momentum had been lost. There was no way that it would be able to catch the bronze any more. Instead, she would have to focus on Ausaphaborishan, the silver dragon that had just blasted it with a spray of freezing breath.
Ausaphaborishan spoke after he blasted the eldest green dragon with icy breath. “I think two against one is more than fair odds for the younger members of your flight, Kalliaxis. Why don’t you try me on for size?”
Kalliaxis replied, “Well, if you insist! I’ll let you feel the brunt of my acidic breath!” The green dragon returned breath weapon for breath weapon and hit the larger silver dragon with a solid attack.
Ausaphaborishan’s scales were covered in the corrosive acid, but the silver dragon was only mildly phased by the attack. Ausaphaborishan knew that now all the dragon breath had been expelled for a short amount of time and the battle would grow much tighter. The dragons would have to either run until their breath would be ready to use again or they would fight tooth, claw, and tail. The silver decided that since it had the upper hand in size that running should not be an option. The silver dragon turned in flight once more and flew straight towards the largest of the green dragons.
Kalliaxis took Ausaphaborishan up on the physical challenge. It noticed that the silver was planning on charging at her so she flew in fast and hard in return against his challenge. The dragons collided solidly in mid-flight, each dragon biting hard into the body of the other. The taste of acidic blood flowed into Ausaphaborishan’s mouth. Kalliaxis’ mouth turned bone chillingly cold as her own strike hit home and she tasted the blood of Ausaphaborishan. As both dragons began to plummet towards the earth they released their bites and separated, taking a bit of time to regain speed and come back for an attack.
While Kalliaxis and Ausaphaborishan struggled against each other, Sappurapolician struggled hard against the two smaller green dragons. Although he had avoided much of the effects of the breath of Starigonnilann, the acid continued to burn at his scales much longer than the breath of Aurigraphillienne. Sappurapolician fought through the pain of the clinging acid and performed an in-flight loop. He sailed skyward for just an instant before catching sight of the youngest green dragon behind him. Sappurapolician continued the loop so that he was now diving down straight toward the back of Aurigraphillienne.
Much like the older and larger pair before them, Aurigraphillienne and Sappurapolician locked tight in a bite upon each other. Electricity shot down Aurigraphillienne’s back as her teeth sank into Sappurapolician. While the two were locked together, Starigonnilann saw an opportunity to strike the otherwise engaged Sappurapolician. As the unengaged green dragon sailed past both of the other dragons he struck out with his front two feet and their razor sharp claws. One clawed foot managed to find Sappurapolician’s flesh and sink in deep. Sappurapolician roared out loud at the surprise attack and the three battling dragons once more separated.
Before leaving too far, Sappurapolician thought he could get in a quick strike from his tail. The tail slashed through the air, but it missed its mark. Aurigraphillienne and Starigonnilann knew enough to take advantage of the bronze wyrm’s miss. Each of them turned in midair so that they could line up a successful strike with their fangs against Sappurapolician’s rear flank. Their teeth sunk in hard and the bronze dragon howled in pain.
After the biting strike, the dragons truly separated to regain speed. Aurigraphillienne saw Sappurapolician’s approach for another strike. “Stay back,” she warned Starigonnilann, “I’m going to blast him again with my acidic breath.” Sappurapolician overheard the warning and was able to avoid the effects of her breath to a large extent. The bronze dragon turned and twisted in the air to allow him to maintain his momentum towards her yet still avoid the majority of her acidic breath.
Once Aurigraphillienne’s devastating breath had worn out, Sappurapolician went in for the close strike. His scaled jaw snapped open and his razor-like fangs bit deeply into Aurigraphillienne’s hide. He could feel several scales snap under the intensity of the strike. He also felt his own flesh come under attack as Starigonnilann launched a simultaneous counter attack. The three dragons were again in the air together; but this time it was only for a split second before each veered off and separated from the others in order to regain speed and momentum.
The silver and the largest green once more came together. Ausaphaborishan had enough time to bring his breath weapon into effect. As the dragons charged through the air toward one another, Ausaphaborishan quickly unleashed another blast of cold breath from his mouth. Kalliaxis took this blast head first, completely surprised at how quickly Ausaphaborishan’s breath had returned to him. In spite of taking the attack head-on, Kalliaxis decided that she would sail through the cold attack and bite him as they passed one another. Her teeth sunk in deeply into Ausaphaborishan and once again her mouth felt as though it would go completely numb from the coolness of Ausaphaborishan’s blood.
Knowing that his own destructive breath had been spent for a time, Ausaphaborishan decided that it was now time to come to the aid of his bronze companion. So far Sappurapolician had done a decent job fending the two smaller green dragons off, but it was clear that their combined strength would eventually bring him down without someone to take off the heat. Ausaphaborishan roared as his sailed downward to strike at the youngest of the green dragons. “Try taking on my bite for a while, Aurigraphillienne!”
The silver wyrm broadsided the young green dragon in midair and bit her hard. She spun several times mid-flight before shooting her wings out to stabilize herself and catch a current of air. Kalliaxis caught up to Ausaphaborishan after he had bit into the younger green dragon and returned the silver’s bite for one of her own. Once more Ausaphaborishan felt the acidic bite from the largest of the green dragons.
By this point Sappurapolician had grown tired of being bitten by the two young upstart green dragons. He decided that it was time to demonstrate what power he truly had within his mouth. He watched as Ausaphaborishan bit the youngest of the greens and sent her spiraling in the direction of the ground. As she shot out her wings to balance herself she unintentionally flew too close to her kin, Starigonnilann. Sappurapolician smiled as the shot was lined up for him. He swooped down and extended his neck to its fullest size. His jaws opened and a solid blue bolt of electricity sprang forward out of his mouth, electrifying the air between him and the two younger green wyrms. The air smelled of burned flesh as both dragons took the full force of the bronze dragon’s breath.
Starigonnilann was in decent position to counterattack against the bronze dragon; however, Aurigraphillienne was in a much weaker position. She was closer to Sappurapolician and it was more difficult for her to turn and attack. Aurigraphillienne was unable to complete the turn in an appropriate amount of space and as a result her bite attack sailed wide. Starigonnilann’s assault was better timed than the attack from the youngest of the green dragons. He swooped under the belly of Aurigraphillienne as she turned and used her body to disguise his approach. At the last minute he surged up and once more bit deeply into Sappurapolician’s flesh.
Sappurapolician had begun to show great signs of being wounded and his flight had begun to slow down. Ausaphaborishan felt slightly guilty for not immediately casting one of his healing spells upon his ally. However, with both the smaller dragons coming in for a closer assault upon the bronze dragon Ausaphaborishan knew that they would be in a prime position to attack them with his devastating cold breath. Ausaphaborishan waited just long enough for the bronze dragon to clear the area of effect before blasting the two younger green dragons. Aurigraphillienne looked seriously wounded by the attack and begun to uncontrollably spiral towards the earth.
Ausaphaborishan was not the only dragon to have a breath assault prepared. Immediately after releasing his devastating cold breath upon the green dragons, Ausaphaborishan felt acidic breath course over his own silver scales. He had lost track of the eldest of the green dragons and Kalliaxis was making him pay for his tactical blindness. What was worse than losing Kalliaxis was the fact that Ausaphaborishan had allowed himself to stray close enough to his bronze wyrm ally as to allow Kalliaxis to navigate such that he was included in the assault. The bronze dragon winced heavily as the acidic spray also reached his scales.
Sappurapolician watched the youngest of the green dragons plummet to the earth and wanted to chase her and finish the fight. However, he thought better of the assault and decided to let her go. Instead, the bronze dragon continued to fly away from the battle so that he could heal some of his wounds. His draconic voice erupted in a loud roar as he proclaimed his healing to the battlefield. “Bondras-tol Shintar. Be careful green dragons, I come for you!” Some of the dragon’s wounds were sealed, but he was far from being completely healed.
Starigonnilann also thought about chasing after his badly damaged kin as she plummeted to the ground, but he knew that to do so would leave the eldest of the trio of dragons up in the sky alone with a very powerful silver wyrm and a bronze wyrm who was now invigorated. He faked as though he were diving to help his kin but was secretly watching as the bronze returned to the battle. At the last moment Starigonnilann readjusted his course so that he could capture both the silver wyrm and the bronze wyrm within the effects of his own acidic breath. His attack was a success.
Sappurapolician cursed at the fact that his pride had led him into this trap. He yelled to Ausaphaborishan to be careful. “That one has a powerful breath. The effects linger more than the others!”
Ausaphaborishan returned the yell with a spell of his own. “ Bondras-tol Fundar! Be healed and keep coming! The battle is ours if we seize it!” Ausaphaborishan spotted the fact that the youngest of the green dragons had managed to catch herself mid-flight before slamming into the ground. He smiled as he noted that she still moved away to sulk in the forest. “We’ve chased one foul beast from the sky, it is time to chase two more!”
Immediately after his proclamation, the Kalliaxis bit hard into Ausaphaborishan’s neck. This attack drew even more of the freezing blood from his veins, but the silver dragon would not be denied. His wings beat heavily to keep himself flying and his claws pushed hard against the body of Kalliaxis. At just the right time Ausaphaborishan jerked his neck away and pushed hard with all four of his clawed feet. The eldest of the green dragons fell away, releasing its hold on Ausaphaborishan’s neck. Kalliaxis had all she could do to keep from colliding with Starigonnilann.
Sappurapolician felt his excitement grow as he noticed that the two green dragons were going to be so close together. With a quick tuck of his wings, Sappurapolician dipped down into the proper angle and waited for the timing to be right. Both of the green dragons were immediately so concerned with avoiding a midair collision that each of them lost sight of the bronze dragon. Sappurapolician opened his mouth once more and unleashed a charge of electricity. Much to the delight of Sappurapolician and Ausaphaborishan, the smell of nitrogen was quickly followed by the smell of burned flesh as both remaining green dragons were struck by Sappurapolician’s well timed strike.
Starigonnilann could feel his inner strength failing, but he knew that the strength of the bronze and silver dragons had to be weakening as well. He spotted the silver wyrm making a wide turn to come in for a big strike. Starigonnilann turned to the elder green dragon and started to plan an attack. “Follow me in. We’ll handle that silver!” Kalliaxis nodded at the plan, grateful to have anyone besides her taking the beating from the silver dragon.
Starigonnilann approached the silver wyrm and noticed that Ausaphaborishan seemed to be smiling at the challenge. In fact, the dragon seemed to be baiting him in. Kalliaxis noticed this as well and decided to slow her approach behind Starigonnilann. Starigonnilann drew close enough to the silver wyrm to lash out with a bite to the neck and the green dragon didn’t pass up the opportunity. Ausaphaborishan accepted the blow and latched onto the green dragon in midair. Even after the green dragon released Ausaphaborishan’s neck the silver dragon wouldn’t let go.
The two dragons twisted and turned as they wrestled in the air. After several seconds the stronger silver began to win and slowed the spin to a controllable rotation. His claws lifted Starigonnilann’s head in front of his own and he smiled for a lone second. Starigonnilann looked on in horror, knowing that he was at the mercy of the silver now. Ausaphaborishan waited one more slow revolution and opened his jaws wide. The cold breath sprayed into the air, catching Starigonnilann point blank in the effect. Yet Starigonnilann was not the only one affected. The maneuver had nearly hypnotized Kalliaxis as the eldest green anticipated the devastating blow. Kalliaxis did not realize that she had drifted into the range of the silver dragon’s breath as well. Both green dragons felt the force of Ausaphaborishan’s icy breath.
The silver wyrm’s claws released the green dragon. Starigonnilann and Kalliaxis realized what Aurigraphillienne already knew. The silver and the bronze wyrms would not be defeated on this day. The battle would be left to the red. Together, the two remaining green dragons soared down to the treetops and entered the forest. They would need time to heal their wounds and their pride.
Ausaphaborishan and Sappurapolician let them go. There was no need to pursue that hunt. There was a more powerful red to tackle and Llywessiar would appreciate their help. They surged upward into the sky, determined to climb the altitude necessary to engage with Grixanthrosilithiss.
As they climbed in altitude, Ausaphaborishan heard Sappurapolician casting a spell on himself. “Bondras-tol Shintar” The wounds on the bronze dragon appeared to heal some more, although nowhere near complete.
Ausaphaborishan smiled as his own wings continued to beat hard. “Here, let me give you some help with those. Bondras-tol Fundar.” The wounds on the bronze dragon healed even more, although it was still not near enough to completely heal the bronze dragon. The silver was showing plenty of his own wounds as he added, “Now, let’s go tackle that red dragon.”
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