Amelia fell down where Argoss'' head dropped, creating a puff of dry dust around her.


    The karambit knife in her hand vanished into particles, while she looked at the sky for Monolavir.


    *Thump*


    The air inside her lungs left her body as a sharp pain ripped her body apart.


    It wasn''t far from the reality, as a shockwave erupted from her core.


    A gigantic vortex of wind formed next to her, while a green essence left her mouth, before flowing toward the vortex.


    Her features returned to normal, as her wings, tail, and horns disappeared.


    From the violent winds, wings spread from its center, and stretched wildly as though they were freed.


    The wind settled and became kinder, peaceful. As it caressed Amelia''s tired body, Ruminona appeared next to her.


    "Ha... Haha. Thank you."


    With a strained and exhausted expression, Amelia began to fall backward. Ruminona''s neck moved behind Amelia, catching her fall in the process.


    "Rest, Amelia. You earned it."


    Her calm voice eased her.


    With her eyes drawn to the clear blue sky, she smiled, drifting toward the world of dreams.


    Monolavir dropped in front of Amelia, and looked at her from above, entering her vision.


    "Thank you for saving my brother."


    Before falling unconscious, she lifted her hand, and made a thumb''s up sign.


    Her eyes closed, and Amelia fell asleep.


    ...


    "Rumi..."


    Monolavir stared at his partner, full of questions.


    "I know. I''ll explain in her stead."


    The two dragons laid on the ground, and began to go over what happened.


    "It is very much what it looked like. The moment I joined Amelia into the storm, I felt a strange force pull me in."


    Ruminona closed her eyes, and relaxed.


    "The scales we gave her as proof of our friendship, they kept a part of our soul in them."


    "Right. We did this to help Amelia in her journey with Orion. They were only supposed to nurture her magic, to further develop what she already had."


    The scales were a way to improve the magic inside Amelia, and create a link between the dragons and her. Through her, they supported her via a one-way summon.


    "That force changed my body the moment I got closer to Amelia. My being merged with her for a brief moment, with the scale acting as a link between us."


    Surprised, Monolavir lifted his neck upward.


    "Who would have expected a dragon would fuse with a human..."


    Ruminona frowned.


    "No. Now I understand after this experience. Amelia isn''t human, as much as Orion isn''t either. She''s a Remnant through and through."


    "A Remnant..."


    They both turned to the sleeping woman, breathing peacefully.


    "This is difficult to believe, but the strength behind her magic is enough to fell a dragon. Argoss was from the first generation, and broke the rules by eating humans. There is also the problem of Miasma''s meddling in all that."


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Argoss was even stronger than me. Without Amelia, you and I would''ve died for sure, alongside the others."


    Monolavir wasn''t fooled by this. While he possessed the pride of the dragon engraved in his soul, he still understood that his brother was flying straight for Ormrdivin, the Dragon''s Nest.


    It spelled doom for every dragon unlucky enough to try to defend their territory. Which, in fact, meant that all dragons would perish due to their arrogance and ego.


    "Mono, we aren''t weak. No one can have a fair fight against us, and you know it. That''s the reason Diramoi imposed us that rule."


    "..."


    The two looked at each other, before Monolavir snorted.


    "Never meddle with the other factions. Picking a side will bring chaos to us."


    He said while reminiscing. Ruminona lowered her head, and appeared to be smirking.


    "Though, we did pick a side this time."


    "The Agathions. Orion''s faction."


    A silence fell between them, leaving only the cracking of ice finally melting around them filling the blanks.


    Ruminona looked at her partner, and continued.


    "I was conscious while Amelia fought Argoss. I couldn''t do much, but I was able to make her learn the dragon''s tongue right away."


    "I noticed. Amelia looked like a different being when she looked at me. Seeing the dragon features on her made me anxious."


    "You thought she had killed me?"


    Monolavir closed his eyes and remained silent.


    "Did you doubt Amelia?"


    "No. I immediately discarded the thought after watching her back. It was as if your silhouette were behind her."


    He opened his eyes, and longingly looked at her, glad that she made it out.


    They were both in the process of birthing a new generation of dragons, so losing the other would be devastating.


    "I am glad you trusted her. Please, don''t hate her for killing Argoss."


    Their eyes returned to Amelia.


    "It hasn''t crossed my mind. This was supposed to be my duty the moment I heard of his disappearance. With her help, we managed to protect our home, and everyone inside it. How could I hate her after everything she''s done?"


    Inside his core, he admired this young lady. She was strong, devoted, and kind, qualities a dragon like him respected.


    Suddenly, they heard a loud noise from far away. Monolavir lifted his head higher to listen, while Ruminona looked at Amelia to avoid waking her up.


    "Screams. Sounds like... humans."


    A frown on his face confused Ruminona.


    "Mono, are you conflicted? Do you wish to... help them?"


    His eyes glanced at her, before looking far in the distance.


    "I don''t know. It''s..."


    He thought of Orion. The silhouette of a man who would protect everyone in this world overlapped the image of a crimson haired woman.


    "We''ve been impacted by their kindness. There is no way we will be able to return to our previous self."


    Ruminona said with a tint of guilt. They both knew that the dragons ignored the world''s problems until now, fearing the corruption.


    But the crisis had affected them deeply. The corruption had finally made a victim in their ranks, which removed the resistance they showed in involving themselves.


    The last straw was Amelia. They couldn''t accept disappointing her at this point. After helping them, if she were to learn about their hesitation to act...


    They frowned at the idea.


    "No, you''re right. I think it''s time we act. We won''t involve the others for now. If the situation is too much to handle for us, we''ll call everyone."


    Ruminona smiled at him, proud of the changes Monolavir displayed.


    He looked at Amelia, before a bubble formed around her. Monolavir lifted his right front leg, and grabbed the bubble delicately.


    Lifting Amelia from Ruminona''s neck, he looked in the direction of the faint screaming.


    "This continent, Triazils, is as much ours as it is theirs. It is long past the time for holding grudges."


    Flapping his massive wings, they lifted his enormous body off the ground. Moments later, Ruminona joined him in the air.


    "Let''s go."


    The two dragons moved toward one of the humans cities near the Talviera Mountain Range.


    The Apostle Dony''s city, Kristin.


    ~


    On another front, after Amelia fell on Argoss'' back.


    Elliott removed his sword from the giant''s flesh and fell to the ground.


    "You''re my opponent, giant."


    The clouds surrounding the being were cast away by Elliott the instant they made contact, revealing a titan covered in markings made with ink.


    "..."


    They glared at each other, before the giant opened his mouth while touching its long beard.


    "You... Elliott. Do I need to thank you for your actions? Or should I chastise you for it?"


    With a smirk, he bent toward the small man.


    "Right? Giant killer."


    Elliott ignored the blatant provocation, and looked away.


    "Kagalkan. I thought you were killed, but it was my mistake believing so. I''m personally glad to know you are well, but by looking at you, I can''t feel happy about it."


    The deep purple eyes of the giant glared at him.


    "What a sick joke. I still remember that day as clear as can be. The screams of my people, men, women, and children!"


    His voice boomed across the land.


    "It wasn''t my fault!"


    Elliott slammed Vanitas'' blade into the dirt and angrily raised his voice.


    "Do you have any idea of what I felt? Slaying these innocent people? My hands are soiled with their blood!"


    The giant looked at him with consternation.


    "You''re the one who killed them! Isn''t it too late to show remorse?"


    "The one who killed them was my father! As if I''d ever want to kill the giants!"


    Elliott swiped his left arm in front of it, before grabbing the hilt of Vanitas.


    "Killing you will etch another sin on my soul."


    Pure anger appeared on his face, as he stood in front of one of his oldest enemy.


    "Kagalkan, Father of the giants, and Remnant of Joy, Revelry, Peace, and Wealth. You should''ve died long ago, but managed to fall between my father''s hands."


    "I will finish what I started a long time ago, reluctantly. Do not hold anything, as I expect you to."


    For a minute, they stared at each other without showing signs of movement.


    Until Kagalkan lifted his giant club in the air.


    "Elliott! I will have your head for killing my children!"


    "Bring it on!"


    The massive club crashed on the ground, squashing Elliott without hesitation.


    As the earth shook violently, the battle to settle an old score began.