FROM DEAD TO DARK

Flying leisurely through the sky, five figures all appeared dejected as they sighed in unison. With their mission in North turning into a complete failure, Hylana, Stork, Sorth, Ruela and Grath were given a new one: go and either capture of kill True Dragon of Darkness. Ever since being deployed from the Divine Realm, they hadn’t had a day of rest, causing their moods to plummet.

Now, as the Dragon’s awakening slowly approached, they were more exhausted than ever, especially after having heard that there’ll most-likely be a large-scale battle happening at the same time, which they have to participate in in addition to capturing or killing the Dragon.

“I wanna sleep.” Hylana said with a deadpan expression; even as someone who is generally indifferent to everything, she was beginning to lose her cool. “My mind can’t even sum properly.”

“It will be fine!” Ruela exclaimed; more a mountain that a woman, who she was truly contradicted what she looked like. She forced a smile onto her tired face and patted Hylana gently. “Just this, and we’ll be done!”

“Cheer up! We’ll be fighting a freaking Dragon!! How can you guys not get excited?!!” tall, tanned and bald, Stork was the driving force of the small group, acting the battlecrazed role perfectly. He grabbed onto his plain-looking greatsword tightly and swung it as he laughed.

“… you’re really nuts.” Sorth said, his short, plump body trembling. “How are we supposed to fight a Dragon?! It’s a Dragon!!”

“I’ll support you Sorth!!” Ruela said, smiling. “Don’t worry about it!”

“You really need to stop spoiling him,” Hylana said, sighing. “That’s why he never stopped being a coward…”

“She’s right!! Proper men should just shut up and throw themselves into the heart of a battle!!” Stork said, still laughing as he madly swung his sword around.

“… I-I hate you guys!!” Sorth exclaimed as his eyes grew watery.

“If you can talk so much, it looks like you have enough energy to spare.” Grath finally spoke. Although he looked the most inconspicuous of the bunch, there’s a reason why he was the leader of the small group. “We’ll rest here for now,” he said as he headed toward a nearby mountaintop. “And plan a strategy on how to deal with the Dragon.”

“Aye, Boss!” the other four said as they followed him. The mountaintop was quickly flattened by a single sword swipe of Stork’s, creating a perfect landscape for rest. The five landed into a circle and quickly sat down, exhaling deeply.

“First,” Grath said without giving them a moment’s rest. “What’s the latest update on the battle itself?”

“Small skirmishes, didn’t blow up yet.” Hylana said as she flung her long hair over her slender shoulders.

“Hm,” Grath nodded. “That will most-likely remain the case until the very last day. I suspect that Ancient Clans don’t really care too much for the Dragon itself and just want to foil our plans. In that case, they will ignore the beast and just let us scramble with it.”

“W-we could turn that around.” Sorth said meekly.

“What do you have in mind?” Grath asked. Even if Sorth was generally just a coward, if he had an idea, Grath was always the first one to jump on it.

“Tu-turn the battle itself into chaos.” Sorth replied. “Force them to mix with us. That way they’ll get dragged into the conflict regardless.”

“It will be hard to control the flow of the battle,” Hylana said after a few moments of silence where everyone pondered on it. “Especially because I don’t think they’ll want to engage directly for too long.”

“True,” Grath agreed, his voice as stoic as ever. “Besides, our leak has informed us that that boy will be participating as well. If he’s participating, there’s a high chance that Lady Y’se will as well. If their plan is to just poke us, she can make it happen.”

“Why don’t we just jump right in--”

“Shut up, Stork.” Hylana quickly interrupted him after which she continued. “What do you guys think about rumors concerning him? Is he really as strong as they claim?”

“I doubt it,” Grath said, stroking his beard. “But, we can’t just ignore him. Especially if his Bloodline is awakened. Anyway, orders from above are to just kill him if the opportunity arises, but other than that, one of us can just restrict him if he proves troublesome. If Y’se joins, there’s a high chance one of our High Fathers will also join, so we don’t have to worry about that. You’ve been awfully quiet Ruela. Something on your mind?” Grath asked as he turned toward the tall woman who appeared to be in deep thought.

“It’s just my wild guess,” Ruela said. “But, according to rumors, that boy, Lynne, turned what was supposed to be just some minor skirmish into an outright war, causing the demise of Hyorn’s Clan. Maybe he’s planning something similar?”

“… I found that odd as well,” Hylana said. “How can a boy, who’s barely stepped into Grand Realm, cause a High Father to launch an open attack, and what’s more suffer defeat? Something feels off.”

“It w-was just one instance,” Sorth said lowly. “We can just chalk it up to luck.”

“Indeed.” Grath said. “Moving on from the battle itself, what about the Dragon? Speak your ideas.”

“Seeing as it’s True Dragon of Darkness,” Hylana said. “It’d probably be best if Ruela and Stork acted as vanguard. You and I can act as rear support or flankers if the situation calls for it, while Sorth can be in reserves, either joining us or restricting the boy if it proves necessary.”

“He won’t be at full strength after he awakens,” Ruela said. “But it’s still a Dragon. We best proceed with caution.”

“Sorth?” Grath turned toward the short, plump, fidgety man.

“W-we can think o-of it as just a larger version of someone who follows Law of Darkness,” Sorth said. “They’re generally nimble and hard-hitting, but their defensive prowess is usually lacking. Direct confrontation is usually best with them, but we’ll first have to lock him into fixed space.”

“I’ll take care of that,” Grath said, nodding. “But I’ll need some time.”

“We’ll buy it, don’t worry!!” Stork chimed in, laughing.

“This guy really doesn’t fear death.” Hylana said, sighing. “Is battle the only thing on your mind? What if I stripped? Would you just say ‘but Dragon’s more interesting!!’? Ah, I bet you would…”

“Why would you strip?” Stork asked, tilting his head in confusion. “Are you hot? Ah, maybe I should have made some form of a shelter?”

“Yup, this guy is hopeless…” Hylana said.

“Now, now, don’t tease him, Hylana.” Ruela said, smiling. “If you’re lonely, I’ll comfort you.”

“… I used to be a top disciple,” Hylana said, sorrow apparent in her eyes. “How the hell did I end up with the weirdest people ever? Grath, say something!”

“It’s fine, no?” Grath said, suddenly showing one of his rare smiles. “It’s pretty fun.”

“…”

“He smiled.” Ruela said.

“Ha ha Boss, you look great when you smile!!” Stork exclaimed.

“G-good job!” Sorth said in an unusually loud tone.

“What’s wrong Hylana?” Grath asked.

“You look way too creepy when you smile. Don’t do it.” Hylana said indifferently.

“Ah, that was rude…” Grath mumbled. “More importantly, you guys should rest properly. After we set out, we’ll be heading directly into the battle. As we’ve discussed, Stork and Ruela will be taking the vanguard position. For the first phase of the battle, you two just need to draw the Dragon’s attention and buy me enough time to set up the Spacial Lock. Meanwhile, Hylana, you should take note of the battle itself and support if need be, at least until I’m ready to engage. Then, you’ll join me as a support. Sorth, you just observe at the start, both the Dragon and the battle, and inform us of any variables. Act with discretion and with what you think is the best course of action. It won’t be easy, but we can do it. As always.”

“Ha ha, don’t worry Boss, leave it to me!!” Stork exclaimed, laughing. “I’ll be beheading that beast before you can even complete Spite Duck or whatever, ha ha!!”

“… aah, why is this guy so strong?” Hylana said, sighing. “The world is really unfair.”

“Aren’t you stronger, though?” Grath asked, confused.

“None of you guys have ever developed ‘common sense’, have you?” Hylana said. “Sorth, say something. Even if you piss your pants at the notice of danger, at least you were a commoner at one point, right?”

“Y-yes. And I o-only pissed them once!!” Sorth exclaimed, flushing red.

“Now, now, let’s be nice to each other!” Ruela said, smiling widely as her motherly aura escaped her.

“Ugh, your aura is blinding!!” Hylana exclaimed, backing away. “Make it stop! It’s too warm for my cold heart!”

“He he.” Ruela chuckled as the others laughed lightly.

“Anyway, everyone get some rest. Hylana, come with me for a moment.” Grath said; a moment later, Stork, Ruela and Sorth scattered as he and Hylana walked some distance away before stopping.

“What’s up?” she asked coolly.

“Although I acted indifferently in front of others, I’d still like to assign you a special task.” he said.

“The boy?” Hylana guessed.

“Yes. At least at the start, until you confirm whether the rumors are right or wrong.” Grath said. “Considering the rumors, and the fact that he’s a King, he’ll most-likely be extremely proud and haughty. You’re good at breaking through people like that.”

“Heh, are you asking me to seduce him?” Hylana said, smirking lightly.

“If possible, hm.” Grath nodded. “If not, just shake his pride and confidence. It should be enough to tip the odds in our favor if he’s truly as the rumors say.”

“No problem,” Hylana said confidently. “I’ll break him in no time. You just focus on setting up the Spacial Lock. Or Spite Duck. I’m not sure anymore.”

“Ha ha,” Grath laughed lightly, nodding. “Will do. Well then, go get some rest.”

“Aye, aye. You too Boss. Don’t go playing a hero all on your own.” Hylana said as she waved and departed.

“I won’t, don’t worry.” Grath said.

With plans regarding everything seeming foolproof, Grath felt gratified. Whether it’s the Dragon, or the battle or even the boy, he was ready for everything and had a plan ready to deal with it.