The evacuation of the city and the surrounding area was in full effect. The reason for this was that the Dwarves who had accompanied the MSGs into the city felt a disturbance in the earth, and it was huge. The Elves, who had finally purified the surrounding lands of the hazardous radiation just an hour earlier also raised an alarm as the Spirits had begun to scream out as though some massively dangerous force was about to rip its way out from under the wrecked city of Sunhallow.

The transports were not fast enough to get every organic out of the area in the little time the Elves and Dwarves believed that they had to not only clear the area but also to escape any falling debris that would follow the emergence of whatever was breaking through. Due to this, Arkhan’s MSGs were ‘princess carrying’ everyone that was unable to get to a transport and ferried them to the fleet that had previously hung over the city like steel clouds of death but now was moving away from it as fast as possible.

The evacuation was completed not a moment too soon, as the ground both in and around Sunhallow began to crack and deform. As the land bulged upwards it began to heat up due to the force of a massively powerful spell. The rising earth superheated into molten lava and with the force of volcanic eruption the bubble of liquid rock and debris exploded into a shower of dazzling light and burning rain.

From the brilliant fireworks that were there for all to see came a shockwave that emanated from deep within the fireball. It was the primal roar of a massive monster the likes of which had not seen the light of day for ages. A gargantuan body with a long, serpentine tail, wings that would blot out the sun and five heads on long, snake-like necks could be seen in the intermittent times that the fire and light were dimmest.

The eyes in each of it’s five, different colored necks and heads glowed bright with the sheer magnitude of mana that must have burned within it and the very air around it crackled, due not only to the eruption that signaled its emergence but also the various aftereffects that came from have such an ungodly amount of mana.

As Arkhan’s flagship was quickly blocked from any potential attacks by the massive, five-headed dragon by every other ship and MSG available, the monster merely gazed in Arkhan’s general direction for a time with seemingly no intent to attack. The massive monster closed its ten eyes and was covered in a magical light that enclosed the whole of its form, making it look like a star had been draped over its body.

The now glowing yellow frame of the dragon began to contort and shrink until it was only the size and shape of a seven-foot-tall, voluptuous woman with horns, wings, claws and a tail. As the magical light finally faded from the now shrunken body of the monster, it revealed a woman of unspeakable beauty whose gorgeous body was covered in fine silks and glittering gold fittings. Her limbs were scaled and bore reptilian claws for both her hands and feet, while her tail was just like the one her giant form had, just scaled down for a humanoid size.

The horns that crawled from her head looked like a majestic and regal headdress that drew all views towards her face which was more attractive than even the most beautiful of supermodels. The form of the draconic woman hung in the air like she was suspended by wires with a look that seemed to say, “You really don’t want to try fighting me.”

As Arkhan looked at the woman floating so far away, he was assaulted with a headache that seemed to try and cause his head to explode. The headache quickly passed and the voice of who he assumed to be the floating draconic woman echoed in his mind.

“Greeting, Human. My name is Asharia Ophedein Draconis and I would like to parlay with you. Might I come aboard your star-ship and discuss the possibility of coexistence with you?”

Stunned that this absurdly powerful monster wanted to talk, rather than fight, Arkhan was a bit taken aback by Asharia’s desire to settle things peacefully.

“I am no mere monster, child, I am the first sentient being to ever dwell upon this planet. I am older than the younger races by far and know the truth about the organization known as the Church of Lugus and their true, twisted masters. I am not nearly as mighty as I was in ages past; if I were to attempt to stand against the remainder of the forces of the ‘Angels’ on this world I would only be able to destroy them, but not resist their masters. As such, I seek cooperation and coexistence. You are… different… from the other humans who dwell on this world. You may be what allows life on this world to stand against the forces that seek to destroy it.”

Arkhan was concerned that his every errant thought was being read like a book by this dragon-woman, but he did understand that fighting her was a waste of time and resources.

“Come aboard my ship and we will talk. Know that I have no intention of bowing to you or anyone else; if you try to take control, there will be consequences.”

In his mind he could see the dragoness’s face now had a sultry smile gracing it.

“Of course, boy. I have no intent on taking what is yours or controlling you and your allies through any means. Instead, you might say I am more than willing to join your little Alliance of Light and finally defeat my age-old foe. In fact, once we meet face to face, I have a proposal that might intrigue you…”

“And what would that….?”

Arkhan felt the connection between him and Asharia sever.

“Fine then,… Keep your secrets.”

Arkhan realized one thing; with the appearance of this dragoness, the world he lived in couldn’t possibly get any more bizarre.