Cass looked around at the crowd before them, noticing how they looked in the distance following her beloved. She took a deep breath, and addressed the inner circle.

“Listen up people, the battle may be over, but we need to clear this area, bury our dead, and help those in need. Frank, Jacob, get the mages together and start healing, out here first and then in the city. We may have to make some temp shelters for this. Also, have some earth mages make some holes so we can throw the dead invaders in, then we’ll burn them.

“Yes, ma’am.” They replied and left as they barked some orders to their colleagues.

Cass looked at the amazons and advised them, “Pri, Acace, take your squads and get them to start dragging the dark ones into the holes that the mages are making.”

“Yes, ma’am!” They answered and shouted orders in their language. Amazons started forming ranks and got to work.

The ground started shaking as the group recognized a couple of giants coming their way. Grom and Crag stopped before them and crouched down.

“Where is Max?" Grom questioned as he looked around the area. "I wanted to check with him to see if things were okay.”

“Hello Grom, Max is indisposed at the moment. He won’t be able for conversation for at least a few days,” Cass responded to the giant.

“Is he hurt?" Crag asked. "Did it have anything to do with that golden drake?”

“No Crag, but he is… we are just trying to wrap our heads around it also, but Max is the drake,” she answered with reluctance.

“What!? He’s a dragonborn?” Grom asked in astonishment.

“No sir, this was his first transformation… he is… very special,” Cass indicated to the Giants.

The giants grunted and Grom spoke, “I’ll say. Will it be okay for us to stay in the forest to wait for him? We have some things to discuss.”

Cass smiled and replied, “It will be fine. We’re about to set up camp, so you can stay around us if you prefer.”

“Thank you kindly.” They bowed their heads and walked away.

“Shit, what the fuck happened down there?” Sean asked. “How the hell are you on a first name basis with giants?”

“Don’t forget the dragons, hellhounds, and vamps!” Marie hissed.

The others smiled at them, Soph answered in a calm voice, “Yes, and so much more. We have lots to discuss with everyone.”

“Yes, we do, but we need to set up camp. Sean, Marie, get on that, please,” Cass commanded the betas.

“Yes ma’am!” They took off and started getting camp together as dusk was almost upon them.

The camp was set up in no time, fires lit, meat on the spit, and conversations about the battle they were just in. The amazon leaders went into the city to discuss what has happened in the past few weeks. Everyone at the main fire was silent, thinking about what transpired today.

After some time Sean spoke out, “Okay, now can you tell us what happened down there?” He looked around at the faces staring back at him, noticing the new people that had joined them in the past week.

Cass answered him, “Well, we have a little bit before the meal, so we can start at when we headed towards Brinegulch. That day ….” The group recounted the journey they went through until they reached the battle.

Sean and Marie shook their heads, but it was Sean that spoke, “Wow, Alpha has been busy. He certainly knows how to make himself known.” Everyone laughed at his statement and nodded their agreements.

“How long are we going to stay?” Marie asked.

“We will stay until Alpha comes back, so we will ask the queen if we can stay in her forest,” Cass firmly advised the group. “We will help where it’s needed, and hopefully by the time he comes back, we can leave.”

“Gurak, how was things back at home?” Tia asked with curiosity.

“From what little time we had, I saw it was well taken care of,” he replied. “Gordon and I conversed for a few minutes. The city is coming along nicely, more shops are going up every couple of days. Duke Ackley was there too, checking on his family, and I believe in talks about trade.”

“That’s good to hear, with all the new recruits he’ll need to think about expanding. Hell, if Max, doesn’t stop he’ll have a kingdom before long,” Jacob commented and the others cackled at his remark.

“Can you imagine what his reaction would be like if you suggested that?” Frank questioned the group with a smile on his face.

“No, I don’t want to go down that road, he’d kick my ass,” Jacob replied quickly.

“Smart answer, but your observation may be correct in a way,” Cass smiled as she commented on his statement. “We started out with the five of us, now look at the outcome that one action did.”

“Yeah, things have definitely been crazy, but I don’t see that it will slow down anytime soon,” Val commented. “Every time we turn around, someone is trying to challenge our Alpha, or the damn dark ones attack someone.”

Footsteps were heard behind them, they turned to see the dragon mistress and her wing walking towards them.

“Detha, how are you and your wing?" Tia questioned with concern. "It didn’t look too good from our point of view.”

She smiled, “We’re healing thanks to our mages and the natural healing we have. It was a close battle, those damn wyverns are ruthless. ... Except when they went up against our drake, mmmm…. that was magnificent to behold.”

“It damn sure was, his scales were beautiful, and he was enormous. Both of my hearts skipped beats and I’m still turned on. Woah….,” Viki mock fanned herself, trying to cool herself down.

The dragons started giggling then the other women laughed too until some commotion was heard in the front of camp, then loud footsteps came their way. A squad of amazon guards had marched from the city and stopped before them. Pri came out from the middle of the formation.

“My friends, I bring news from the queen,” she stated.

“Yeah? How is your mother doing?” Sean asked casually. His group all gasped except Marie, staring at her for an explanation. Pri blushed and looked uncomfortable.

“Pri, is that true?” Cass questioned and was about to be upset.

“Umm…yes, I am the princess of our kingdom,” she replied.

“What would the queen have done if something happened to you?” Soph demanded.

“…I am not sure. She would have been furious, I suppose,” Pri answered in a low voice.

“We understand why you may not have told us, but how can you continue with what we discussed?” Cass commented in a calm voice. “The queen will more than likely disallow that.”

“I am my own person. I know what I am, but that doesn’t define nor hinder me,” Pri argued with a defiant tone. “I will have a long discussion with my mother and we will go from there, but don’t count me out just yet.”

“We’ll see, but what of the news?” Tia asked, shaking her head in dismay.

“Queen Lura would like to meet and dine with the women who influence Max’s life,” Pri replied in her stoic manner.

The ladies around the fire glanced around to each other, nodded, and got up to grab their things. The amazon guards watched his mates, dragons, hellhounds, and vamp walk towards them. They fell in line, following the squad through the forest and into the city. People stared at the entourage heading toward the palace, curious to why they would be going there. The squad led the ladies into the grand hall where the queen and her guards were waiting.

“Wow, you all are close to the hero?” Lura asked with a smile.

“We’re his guards,” Rach replied.

“His confidants,” Tia commented.

“His voice,” Val stated.

“And his women,” Soph insisted.

“It is an honor to meet you, Queen Lura,” Cass said and they all curtsied.

The queen scanned the ladies in her hall and wondered how a male could get loyalty like this. In her dalliances with males, it was always awkward or had terrible experiences, but seeing the looks on the faces of these ladies, it would seem they are happy. These women also seem to be well trained, and certainly not to be trifled with.

“The honor is mine. Please sit, and let us dine together,” Lura pointed towards the table filled with all kinds of food. Everyone took a seat and started eating, chatting about life in SafeHaven. When dinner was done, and the ladies had their fill of food, the queen spoke.

“Ladies, I summoned you here to thank you for your assistance with the evil ones. We wouldn’t have survived if it wasn’t for you, and your people,”

Since Tia was versed in politics it was decided that she would talk with the queen, about anything regarding those aspects. “Your Majesty, we were delighted to assist in helping your kingdom. Facing those despicable beings by yourself would have been difficult, so we came as soon as we could.”

“It was definitely a close one, your timing was impeccable. I have to ask, how did you convince dragons and giants to help? They usually don’t play nice with other races. Not to mention, giants haven’t been seen in a long time,” the queen commented casually, trying to figure out who negotiated that alliance.

The ladies glanced to each other nodding their agreement in telling the truth, “We didn’t, it was our Alpha. He is the one that talked them into helping,” Cass replied to her question.

“Hmm… yes, tell me, how is Max?” The ladies didn’t want to let it be known that they don’t know, so they chose to evade the question.

“He is not here at the moment, so we couldn’t say,” Val stated calmly.

“When can I see him?" Queen Lura demanded. "I would very much like to have a conversation with the one who went into Brinegulch and came out alive.”

“Your Majesty, we’re not sure when he will be back. A few days, maybe more, but we would be able to relay our experiences if you wish,” Tia responded, hoping this would satisfy her curiosity.

“That will work, but I want to know how one man can achieve the unthinkable. Within a year, he has brought together an army not seen in centuries and races working together as one. Not only that, he has found giants and dragons that will work with him, and to top that, a fortress that came out of nowhere. Please, someone explain this to me,” Lura insisted.

The others didn’t know what to say to the queen, but Cass tried to explain as best she could. “Your Majesty… Max… is special. He may be young, but something about him appeals to people. He… I’m just going to tell you the story of Maximus Drago, and the reason we follow him. It all started…”

She told Her Majesty the adventures they had with the help of everyone in Max’s crew. After a few hours of reliving the last few months, Cass and the others finished telling their story. The main emotion that the queen showed was shock and disbelief, she couldn’t speak for a few minutes. When she was able to talk, the first thing that came out was to reiterate what was said about a certain young man.

“You… You’re saying that he is a chosen one, that a Guardian follows and guides him, and he can shift into different beings, the most recent a dragon?” Lura asked, searching the people around to see if anyone was joking.

“Yes Your Majesty, all the above. He is a unique individual,” Tia replied. The others around nodded and smiled at the Queen of the Amazons.

“Okay, I still want to talk with him, but for now, what are your plans from here on out?” Lura asked with a hint of apprehension.

The ladies glanced at each other and Cass spoke out. “Your Majesty, we ask that you would allow us to stay in your forest until Max comes back. We can help with anything you need till he returns.”

The queen smiled broadly, “I was hoping you would stay for a little while. Our kingdom is in your debt and will probably never be able to repay that back. For now though, I would like for you ladies to join us at the palace. I would also like to hear about how my daughter and my people are so captivated by your man.” Pri, Nisa, Acace, and Rionata blushed hard. Giggles were heard throughout the room, and after a few stories they were shown to their rooms for the night.

I flew south towards uncharted territory for me, away from my ladies and friends. I chuckled thinking about my life being so different than a year ago, how I didn’t have a care in the world, and never thought I would be involved in something like this.

For the next hour of so I just saw the world from above, it was beautiful, and awe inspiring. I was just drifting along when a voice called out to me.

‘Hello chosen.’

‘WOAH!’ I jerked to the side and yelled, ‘Dammit Nicas, give me a little warning before you do that.’

He laughed, ‘I’m sorry boss, but I couldn’t resist.’

‘HA HA, now why are you here?’

‘I’m here because your mates are worried about you, so I assured them I would look after you. We also need to discuss our bond and how it works.'

'Yeah, it definitely took me by surprise.'

'My magic will be able to help you in any situation, and since you're new to this, I can guide you or even take over if need be. Just like I did against the wyverns.'

Nicas actually took over and fought against them for me after killing the first one. I was having issues with my magic flow.

I grumbled a few moments but saw the benefits from it. ‘Okay, but I’m going to have to find somewhere to hide for a couple of days at least. I'm fuckin tired. If you can help me find a cave or something for my big ass, I would be grateful.’

‘No problem, but I need to advise you, the gods have bestowed upon you something extraordinary. You will need to accept this gift and realize the ramifications that will come with it.’

‘I know, but at the moment I’m just trying to wrap my head around the whole dragon thing. It is definitely bad ass, but it takes a tremendous amount of stamina and mind strength to handle this form in battle. I will definitely need some rest, before I dabble in this shit.’

He didn't respond, so I thought the conversation was over for now, but after a minute or so he spoke.

‘I would agree to that statement, but you may not have time at the moment. If you didn't know, we're in Draconia and I've picked up some distress waves coming from the direction you’re going.’

‘What? What the hell are distress waves?’

‘They’re signals that are sent out when beings are in dire situations. Now, we Guardians aren’t able to interfere with such things, but maybe you should check it out. It might benefit you in the long run.’ He chuckled at his last statement.

What the hell does that mean? ‘Okaaayyyy.’

I kept going straight just like I was told, and soon heard some roars and shrieks. I came upon a scene that involved twelve dragons. I noticed that none of them were as big as me as I watched four black drakes ganging up on two reds, and somehow I knew that they were males. The females were just watching and hissing away from the battle, and didn’t help to defend them.

‘What the hell is going on Nicas?’

‘Hmm… it looks like the blacks are trying to take over the reds wing. In the scheme of things, dragons want strength in their wings. The males will kill other males or make them submit for the females of their wing.’

‘That sounds fucked up, the females allow that shit?’

‘Yes, it is their way.’

Damn, I didn’t know what the hell I was supposed to do about this situation. ‘Umm…what is it you wanted me to do? Break it up or help the reds?’

‘I believe it is too late to help the reds, they will perish from their wounds. They have courage and are very brave to fight till the end though.’

I listened in on the fight as best I could.

‘Give up you weaklings, your strength is no match for us.'

‘Fuck you! We will die before we hand over our women.'

The blacks all laughed at that statement till one of them spoke out in a deep voice, ‘Soon, puny ones, your women will warm our beds. They will feel things that you could never give them. We will take them one after another, until they know who owns them.'

All the females hissed at that remark. ‘Finish this Jalbin, I’m bored of them. They aren’t worth our time,' a black drake insisted. Hmm... he must be the male lead.

“Very well, sir. Alright boys, lets end this,’ Jalbin bellowed. They moved quickly and pinned the reds down and started pummeling them. Blood was going everywhere, hisses and screams were the only thing heard. I decided to involve myself in this situation.

“Gentlemen, what seems to be the problem?” All the dragons looked my way and gasped. I suppose me showing up unannounced would do that.

“Who the fuck are you?” The leader of the blacks asked.

“Nobody important. I’m more interested in what you are doing.”

“None of your damn business, goldy. Now, take a hike bitch!” Jalbin snarled.

“Now, I wouldn’t interfere with people’s business unless someone was taking things that didn’t belong to them. You boys wouldn’t be doing that would you? Taking things without asking?”

The blacks all laughed and I glanced to the females to see their reactions. It seemed they were fearful and wary for some reason.

“WE TAKE WHAT WE FUCKIN WANT!" The leader yelled, fire coming out of its mouth. "Last warning, leave or die with these whelps.”

I took a couple of deep breaths, building up some fire and responded with, “I will take my chances. It seems like you want to fight, so bring it.”

“We warned you! Cikut, Brynog, take care of this fucker. Jalbin and I will handle the reds,” the leader ordered.

The two glanced to each other and reluctantly came over to me for a brawl. I wasn’t going to wait for that shit, so I let out a stream of fire hitting both of them before they even touched me. The two blacks shrieked and hissed, trying to put the flames out that were covering their bodies. I didn’t give them a chance to respond, I whipped my tail around smashing into one of the fucker’s skull, and he went limp immediately. I concentrated and made my talons longer and thicker on my claws, hopefully making them unbreakable. Moving to the other black, I swiped my right claw with the wicked long talons, and cut the fucker's head off. The head was still on fire as it rolled away on the ground. I then turned my attention to the other two blacks that were gawking at me.

“What the f-fuck are y-you? Your fire shouldn’t hurt us!” Jalbin screamed in fury.

I chuckled in a deep baritone sound, but didn’t respond. Glancing over to the reds, I noticed they weren’t moving anymore. Waiting for the dickwads to move, I took some breaths to calm the rage down, but couldn’t hold it off much longer.

“Jalbin, we can take him. Let’s do the move we did from the previous victories we had,” the leader suggested.

Jalbin smiled contemptuously, “Yes sir!”

When he finished speaking they both moved: one flew towards me, the other ran. I suppose they are doing a high, low maneuver. Damn amateurs, I’ll give them a move to remember in the afterlife.

'Boss, let me help. I will send you mana through our bond and will guide you through this. Those two fucks are evil and need to die. Like I told you before, I don't like to see my kin in pain, so we need to make them pay!'

Not knowing what else to say, I let him do his thing. In moments, I felt my mana pool grow and grow, refilling my mana pool from today's battle. He sent me his thoughts on how he wanted to handle this situation and I went with it. I immediately connected with my mana and let it know what I wanted to do. This all happened within a few seconds and my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts until my chosen form was at the forefront. By this time, the assholes were almost upon me, so I blinked and transformed myself into a shadow-dragon. The bastards flew through me and hit each other. They landed in a heap, cursing each other in their language, so I floated ten feet away from them. The females screamed and hissed at me when they looked upon my form.

I laughed at the two drakes and bellowed out, “Gentleman, no need to get up, just stay right there!” I made my way towards them, wanting to finish this.

“WAIT! Please, let us live," The leader pleaded. "We will serve you, just have mercy on us!”

“Did you let those reds live? Did you let others live when they begged for mercy? No, I won’t let you live because I know that you’re evil. So, take it like a male drake should, with honor.”

They whimpered like bitches and pleaded again. I smiled as an idea came to me. Taking a deep breath, I disappeared from sight, which brought another round of screaming from those around me. Moving swiftly, I didn’t want to draw out this shit anymore so I just swiped Jalbins head off. It rolled away from his body as I grabbed the leader by its neck. I reappeared holding him, he was gasping and trying to get away from my hold on him. He wasn’t strong enough for me, though.

“What is your name asswipe?” He just sat there and gasped, but wouldn’t give me his name.

A feminine voice spoke out for him, “His name is Ranass.”

I looked over to the blue female dragon that answered and nodded my thanks. Turning back to the bastard, I let my shadow form go and called upon my fire and lightning. Within moments the elements covered me, waiting for my signal. The command went out and lightning struck the black paralyzing the douche-tard, when I knew he couldn't move I let the fire flow out of me, covering the dragon with white fire. He whimpered and shrieked loudly. The motherfucker actually pissed and shit on himself. GROSS! It pissed me off even more so I ramped up the flow of fire. It engulfed him and before long, ash was all that was left of him. Figuring that I needed to end this shit storm, I gathered up the black fuckers in a pile and blew a stream of fire over the pile as I walked around it. The fire was hot and it consumed the pukes after only about five minutes, and a pile of ash was the only thing remaining. Gasps and whimpers sounded out all around me, I glanced around to the females watching the ordeal. I knew it freaked them out, but I wasn’t going to take it easy on the fuckers. I tried to calm their fears by speaking calmly to them.

“Ladies, please calm down. I mean no harm.” I walked over to the reds and found blood all around them. The fucks gutted them it looks like, I turned to the females of their wing, and bowed. “I’m sorry for your loss, ladies. Do you want me to burn them as well?"

They said yes, and so I did the same to the reds. When finished, I turned to the female drakes and said, "I hope your day gets better.” They nodded, but didn’t speak, so I turned and almost ran into a blue face.

“Stranger, may I know your name?”

“Max, and yours?”

“Sildri.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Sildri.” She didn’t move and I didn’t know if she wanted to say anymore, so I waited.

“Thank you for what you did for us today, those bastards were evil. The assholes took advantage of our wing, and made sure we couldn’t leave. They left another of their brethren back at our abode, but he will get a rude awakening when we get back.”

I smiled, almost feeling sorry for the bastard. No, just kidding, the bastard deserves what he gets. “Glad to hear it Sil, handle your business. I wish you luck in your endeavors.” She looked at me strangely, but I shrugged and strolled away from them and turned back. “It was awesome to meet you ladies.” I roared and took off, hoping to find a place to relax, and rest.

‘Boss, that was an awesome display of power. I am glad that you took them out, others may have been affected if you didn't.’

I grunted in agreement. ‘Nicas, I need to rest. Can you find something I can lie down in?”

‘I will find you something, give me a few minutes.’ I grunted and flew in a lazy manner, waiting for an update. It took about ten minutes before Nicas came back.

‘Max, I have found a cavern to the northeast. It is high in a mountain range, but big and deep enough where you can rest and hide from others.’

‘Awesome. Show me the way, my friend.’

I flew another few miles and saw where he was talking about. I landed and walked into the corridor. It was huge, so I looked around with my enhanced eyesight, but didn’t find any other beings inside. I went to the very back of the cavern where it was dark and plopped down, immediately falling asleep.