Rue had been watching the camp of goblins for a day and was now waiting for the cover of night before she struck. She had seen a lot of goblins going in and out of the cave during the day, but no sign of anything bigger. The scent had remained but Rue had decided to go ahead with her plan despite the unknown factor.

Her plan was simple and built upon the experience that she had gathered over her many fights. Go in jaws flaming and roast everything in her path. Then use her strength and speed to slice and tear anything that survived her inferno. The cave’s mouth would be her first target, to make sure nothing could run out to the aid of her campfire targets. Then she would blast flames into the cave until everything was dead.

A nice, simple and hopefully effective plan.

Rue climbed onto the rocks above the cave entrance and activated her fire gland. She took a deep breath and popped her flexible neck down over the cave’s mouth, pointing it towards the entrance to the cave. Her mouth glowed as she charged her fire with magic. When she released the pent up pressure and ignited her breath it released a huge torrent of fire, akin to an explosion that pored towards the cave. The liquid fire and hot gases seem to spread unnaturally, filling the opening and burning with magical intensity.

The goblins outside the cave seemed to pause and then all hell broke loose. They snatched up their weapons and trained them on her. The bright fire was illuminating her bright red scales with sinister light. Her 3.6-meter long scaled body was perched atop the rocks of their home with more fire burning in her maw. Less than a second later a huge blast of flame poured towards the goblins around the campfire. This fire burned with less intensity but seemed to spread out far more. It bathed the whole group in fire, assimilating the campfire with its sheer volume.

The screams of the goblins didn’t last long, burning quickly into charred piles. The meat they had been cooking on the fire was turned to ash. The only retaliation that they had managed to muster before being baptised in flame, was a single hastily loosed arrow that grazed Rue’s leg. Her scales prevented any damage or even bruising from forming. It skittered off into the forest.

Rue hopped down into her own flames, now ebbing as the mana that was used to fuel them was consumed. They were now merely mundane fires burning around the clearing.

The fire Rue had used to seal the cave’s entrance had been more potent and had more mana supplied. It had to cover a much smaller area and was still burning although the magic was starting to fade from it.

Rue prepared another blast of flame that she aimed to fly straight into the cave. It would splash down beyond her firewall and into whatever alcove the cave was hiding. As she released the flame and it disappeared into the cave a blast of heat was sent out along with the screaming cries of the goblins inside, as well as a loud howling yelp.

In a mad rush seven flaming figures barrelled through the fire trying to escape the burning inferno that had become the cave. A goblin wearing lots of bone jewellery was riding atop a smoking wolf. He had a glowing blue barrier that was preventing the flames from reaching him. Every second or so a ball of water would slosh into existence and splash over the huge wolf he was riding.

The rest of the goblins, not benefiting from a shield or water dowsing were burning alive as they desperately rolled on the still burning ground choking from the smoke while trying to put out the fire. They stopped struggling after a few seconds.

The goblin with magic had been slowly putting out the fires around the wolf, creating a small safe zone amidst the charred clearing.

Rue would have bathed him in more fire, but her reserves were finite and she had used a lot. Only about 30% of her fire fluid remained with about 25% of her mana. This would allow her a pair of weak blasts or a reasonably strong attack. For now, she would let the smoke and heat work its presence on the pair, let it weaken and cook them.

[Hob Goblin {Shaman} Lv24]

[Dire Wolf Lv31]

These were two strong foes, despite the chaff of the goblins being wiped clean the most powerful fighters remained. At least she didn’t have to worry about being encircled.

Rue prepared to launch a small, but magically empowered blast of superheated flame at the goblin. Realising that more time might give him the initiative.

The goblin shaman was looking at her and raised his staff. She felt the effects of mana being pushed towards her, it had a calming effect. She reconsidered her actions, the fire and magic returning to her body, the glow in her maw fading.

………………….

Rugthaklrack looked at the dragon before him. Despite the beast burning his entire Warband, he could still make the best of this situation. They were mere grunts he was given to control this position, they were replaceable.

[Red Dragon Lv16]

Red dragons were notoriously powerful, their flames and physical strength made them fearsome foes to face in combat. But they had one glaring weakness. Stupidity.

The reason red dragons were so rare was there tendency to challenge foes they could not face. Rugthaklrack believed he was one such foe. He had successfully controlled a beast over level 30, his prized Dire Wolf. This dragon was young and probably had an abysmal intelligence stat.

He maintained his barrier against the creatures powerful flames and finished dousing the area. His passive skills were already making the beast pause. Preventing it from roasting him immediately it seemed to consider the best course of action.

He watched as flames and magic gathered In the dragon’s maw, he couldn’t let it do that.

[Bestial Influence], he used a skill and sent the concept of caution, of safety. He was no threat, her limited fire would not be needed.

[Bestial Influence] Intelligence Check… Successful [62%]

Surprise and concern flashed on the shamans face.

What, how was the success so low, it barely passed. The dragon must have posessed well above its natural intelligence. Rugthaklrack became unsure, his skills had completely dominated most beasts before. The skill was only having a moderate influencing effect on the dragon.

He looked in fear towards the shining red dragon, its scales glinted like fresh blood in the firelight. The dragon had ceased using its flame, his skill having convinced it that it was not necessary, but it still looked like it wanted to eat him.

[Bestial Empathy] He used another skill hoping it would have more success.

[Bestial Empathy] Intelligence Check… Successful [62%]

He suddenly felt a wave of hunger, anger, curiosity and most dreadful, excitement. The beast could not be reasoned with, some deep-seated hatred meant it would take more than 62% skill effect to save him.

Rugthaklrack began to tremble, his bone ornaments rattling.

……………

Rue could suddenly sense the goblin's fear, one second she had been considering how to approach and kill him the next, she had seen him being to tremble. When she took a step, a rush of dread, fear and … something else washed over her.

It was exhilarating, every step she took gave a visible indication of what her prey was feeling. Her hunger increased as she sensed his weakness. More fear flooded from his mind and she relished it. Finally, one of the stupidly shaped creatures was feeling fear, it could sense her anger. It looked human enough to elicit her rage.

The great Dire Wolf that the goblin rode on was standing in a trance, one of its legs twitching. Whatever control the shaman had over the beast was being affected by how he felt.

Rue crept closer, but the shaman was rooted to the spot, she walked right up to his shield, reaching out a paw and scraped the magic barrier. Her claws depressed the surface and left tiny flakes of mana to float off the shield. The shaman was practically in hysterics now and finally did something other than cower.

She felt the link to her mind severed and the emotions that were flowing across it stopped. The weird serene feeling she had as she had crept closer faded. At the same time, the wolf that the goblin was riding lunged forward and bit down on her wing. Stunned at the sudden and unexpected attack Rue couldn’t dodge and the beast got a mouthful of her wing.

Pain lanced through her wing and the wolf ripped at the strong leathery skin. Despite its monstrous strength, Rue moved her wing to minimise the damage, while she bit forward with her head. Her jaws sunk deep into the dire wolfs neck and it froze, sensing how much control she had over it. A low whine came from its mouth as it released her wing. Small drops of red blood were falling from the torn toothmarks on her wing.

Rue bit down hard and twisted, the wolf was forced onto its side and the goblin was thrown off. She took the opportunity to rip and tear the prone wolf’s neck. Its legs had been struggling feebly but she had pinned down its head and now ripped out its throat.

It struggled for a few more seconds before it died, lying still.

Rue, raised her gaze and looked that the goblin. Its influence had fled with the attack and the thing sat there stupidly as Rue charged up a blast of flame, she empowered it with most of her remaining mana leaving just a tad of mana and enough flame for one regular blast after this.

The fire leapt towards the goblin, incinerating its shield and burning away all of his enhancements. The fire, mostly magical in nature had been created with the intent to strip the goblin of defences. It burned and seared his skin but, he survived.

With the magical barrier no longer between them, rue used the last of her fire and mana, with the intent of pure destruction. Bright scarlet flames leapt from her maw in a tightly controlled blast that incinerated the goblin. The concentrated flames left nothing in their path, the only remains were a set of charred stumps that were once probably legs.

Rue raised herself and roared to the surrounding forest. Flocks of birds and small animals fleeing from the declaration of victory and the death and destruction that it promised.

Ding! For Slaying [Hob Goblin Lv13] x3 In Combat +363xp

Ding! For Slaying [Hob Goblin Lv14] x2 In Combat +281xp

Ding! For Slaying [Hob Goblin Lv15] x6 In Combat +973xp

Ding! For Slaying [Hob Goblin Lv16] x9 In Combat +1670xp

Ding! For Slaying [Hob Goblin Lv17] x6 In Combat +1264xp

Ding! For Slaying [Hob Goblin Lv18] x3 In Combat +713xp

Ding! For Slaying [Hob Goblin Shaman Lv24] x1 In Combat +410xp

Ding! For Slaying a Foe [8] Levels Above Your Own [+8%] xp +33xp

Ding! Total Xp +442xp

Ding! For Slaying [Dire Wolf Lv31] x1 In Combat +679xp

Ding! For Slaying a Foe [15] Levels Above Your Own [+15%] xp +102xp

Ding! Total Xp +781xp

Ding! Total Xp Earned From Combat Encounters +6487xp

Ding! Level Up x4…

Ding! Core Level Up x8… + [Core Points] x8

Ding! [Core Points Menu] Unlocked…

Ding! Ability Evolution : Dragon Breath [2] => Dragon Breath [3]

Dragon Breath [3]

Racial ability, allows expulsions of biologically created [Ethanol] from glands near the stomach. This can be ignited via [Fire Magic]. Expending Mana the fire can be enhanced to have [Specific] Magical properties. You gain [Immunity] to your [Personal] magical flames.

Rue Summoned her new status.

Race

Level

XP/Growth

Stat Points

Dragon [Red Dragon: Amber]

16 > 20

449/450 [+10 /pd]

10

Strength

Vitality

Dexterity

Intelligence

92 > 116

78 > 98

62 > 70

49 > 53

Core Level

Core XP

Core Points

10

191/1300

10

Ability

Effects

Roar [1]

You have learned to let out a mighty roar from your throat, you will find it easier to intimidate opponents and prey. Increased effectiveness against opponents below your level. When combined with fire increases trauma.

Identify [1]

Tells you the basic [Species] and [Level] of targets. Can appraise targets up to [30] Levels higher than you.

Dragon Breath [3]

Racial ability, allows expulsions of biologically created [Ethanol] from glands near the stomach. This can be ignited via [Fire Magic]. Expending Mana the fire can be enhanced to have [Specific] Magical properties. You gain [Immunity] to your [Personal] magical flames.

Den Sense [1]

You have an instinctual sense for the direction of your primary [Den] and [Territory]

Scaly Skin [2]

Your scales have reached the point where it can turn even the most fearsome natural weapons. The higher your [Vitality] the tougher your scales. Your scales become highly resistant to [Fire].

Regeneration [1]

Through combat and your naturally high healing, your [Body] and [Mana] have learned how to speed up your natural [Recovery]. Your wounds will heal faster and cleaner, you are more resistant to [Infection] and [Disease]. Natural [Recovery] is increased by [Vitality].