บท 203: Pyramid of Light (IV)
Blood was dripping from Zero's mouth, and his health was getting closer and closer to red. At this rate, he knew that he couldn't survive, and sooner or later, both of them would be killed in seconds.
Out stepped a hideous-looking human-sized elf wearing gold armor. Agnis cringed when she saw such an unsightly sight, and even Zero felt his stomach churn at the hideous creature before him.
"Hero Elron!" The soldiers moved back, letting him through.
"What's taking so long? The Queen had decreed to capture all the dragons."
"We are, sir, but this dragon had been going around and freeing our captives. We have already lost two hundred soldiers and are rapidly climbing." A soldier walked up to him, breaking down everything he knew.
"That's a problem." Elron glanced towards Zero and Agnis, who were fighting side-by-side. Zero let out a furious roar causing a temporary status ailment. Even Elron felt the stunning power of the dragon's roar, but lucky for him, he was not stunned for too long. "Who's the elf?"
"We believe it's the dragon's companion. There have been cases where the dragon has protected its companion's life and vice versa. We noticed that dealing with the dragons is much easier if one of them is captured, then the other complies much more easily."
"Really? Then how come you haven't caught one of them yet?"
"Well, that's the thing. Out of all the young dragons we have encountered, these two are formidable foes. I have never seen such mental fortitude and synchronicity between two beings."
"This must be him," Elron spoke slowly.
"Him? You don't mean the leader."
"Step back and let me handle this. Get the nets ready."
"Yes, sir." The soldier stepped back. He motioned the others to do the same.
Elron pulled out a heavy sword that slammed into the ground. He did not use the same bows and light swords as an elf. Instead, he was the type to go with a heavy sword that forced him to use both hands.
"Well, now, dragon." Elron stepped forward.
Zero turned his gaze towards him and snarled. "What do you want, monster." He seethed. "Have you come to turn us into slaves?" His tongue flickered outwards like a snake, and his tail thumped to the side. With a snap, the tail darted toward Efron's body. In seconds, Elron raised his heavy sword and blocked Zero's attack.
"You are Zero, correct?"
"What does it matter if you know my name?" Black Flames dangerously licked his lips, making
him look demonic.
"Everything. We could go two ways with this."
"That is?" Zero carefully slinked around him, ready to attack. Agnis covered his side, facing away from him and towards the outside.
"Come with me with no resistance, and your people will not be hunted down anymore."
"What if I don't comply?
All your people will be hunted down and brought before the Queen."
"I don't have any choice either way. I do not quite believe that you will let my people go."
"That is true. You are a dragon as well. How do I know if you will keep your word and not attack me?"
"It seems we both see eye-to-eye on this subject."
"I'm guessing the elven maiden next to you is your so-called companion we heard about?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"I heard that the dragons had a companion that they hold dearly. So you don't want your other half to be hurt, either?
Zero was silent and watched Elrond's movement. He got the feeling that Elron was going somewhere with this.
"We won't harm your companions. Just come with us to meet the Elven Queen. Then, by my knight's honor, I will personally stop the attack on all the dragon companions."
"Zero, we should think about this. There must be something going on. I get the feeling that these guys have something more to say." Agnis spoke towards Zero. "We can't fight against the City'sCity's army even though it seems overrun by monsters. You know that's over ten thousand
soldiers out there; we'll be killed in a few minutes."
Zero thought it over. It was true; he could tell that the soldiers that were behind Elron were a whole different class than the one that they had been fighting. By their gold armor and weapon, he could tell that they were all-powerful. Unfortunately, his health was in the red zone, making it impossible to fight the rest without possibly dying. "Fine. I'll come with you."
"Wonderful. I'm glad that I did not have to resort to bloodshed." Elron picked up the heavy sword and put it away on his back. "Though you must understand, we need a safety measure." Then, with a snap of his fingers, the metallic net fell from above.
"What is the meaning of this? I said I'll come with you." Zero thrashed around the net in anger.
"Yes, but you see. You're a dragon. We don't want to fight you or feel your wrath." Elron walked
up towards him.
Zero angrily spat out a torrent of black flames at Elrond's body, but in the moment of impact, the fire split from the barrier that protected him. Not a single flame burned him.
"Dark energy. That's why the flames did not go out." Elron nodded. "I should've known that dragons are elemental creatures. Makes sense that you can use dark energy." He motioned the others to come forward. In their hands, they had giant metal braces.
Elron jumped towards Agnis and stopped her from attacking. Instead, he punched her in the stomach and twisted her arms, making her unable to escape or attack. "I suggest you calm down."
Agnis coughed from the sudden attack. She glared at him. "You went against your words."
"I didn't. I said I won't kill you; you're my insurance."
A sound of metal cuffs tied her from the back. He pushed her closer toward Zero, where his large face lay on the ground.
"I wouldn't blow any more fire if I were you. You will harm your companion if you do."
"Why, you bastard!" Agnis screeched. She tried to kick him but failed.
Zero knew what Elron said was true. If he were not careful, Agnis would be caught up in his attack, and that was something that he did not want to happen. So instead, he bared his teeth in frustration. This one was a little different from all the other metal nets out there. It sapped his strength, making it difficult to move, especially because his health was in the red, making every move that much more difficult.
The soldiers came over and clasped his snout, neck, arms, tail, and even his legs. Zero felt infuriated as a dog leashed to a collar and with a muzzle. He had never been treated in such a way, and even worse was that he was weak and couldn't stop them. In his mind, he committed that he would grow stronger to never resort to such an embarrassing position.
The net rattled off his back, allowing him to stand up. He was never going to forget this—this
shame and frustration.
"I'm sorry. This was the best way to get things done. Our Queen wants you now. Not tomorrow or later." Elron sighed. "I don't like doing this. Honestly, it makes me feel like a villain."
"Then let us go." Zero was having difficulty forming words because his mouth was clasped.
"I cannot. The City is in peril, and you guys are the cause."
"We have not even done anything but protect ourselves."
"You are. All the players got a city-wide Quest to capture you guys. I meaIfyone got it, why do you think it's not your guy's fault? The moment got closer to this City triggered an unexpected Quest. Haven't you wondered why you guys were fighting hideous-looking monsters? We're all citizens of the City of Elements."
Zero was shocked. He knew that something was up, but he did not know what. When Elron spoke of the circumstances, everything made perfect sense. This was not the cause of Russ, but something else entirely.
"The Queen will explain the rest. Well then, let's go." Elron motioned the soldiers to follow. He hopped up onto the horse, and they pulled on the metal chain.
Zero and Agnis followed. The soldiers surrounded them, ensuring they wouldn't bolt or resist. As
they continued towards the City, more and more Drezo Regalia, shackled and bound, appeared out from the forest. He could see over four hundred dragons and their partners being directed toward the city gates.
When the other dragons saw that Zero and Agnis were shackled, the hope in their eyes diminished, and their head drooped in defeat. Then, looking over his shoulder, he could see the flying island hovering over the forest.
They passed through the gates, and players and residents stepped out of the buildings watching the army and the dragons parading down the streets. Zero noticed that the residents of the City were all strange. They were all grotesque-looking monsters. However, he was sure that this City was known for its beautiful people.
"Mommy, look. A black and gold dragon!" The kids exclaimed in delight as they watched Zero pass by.
Zero towered over a two-story building, and he was still growing. People stare with awe and wonder. Some reeled back in fright while the others got closer, hoping to see better. Even the smaller dragons behind him were being ogled with interest.
"A green dragon? There such a color?"
"Yea. Look, there is even blue, copper, silver, red, white, black, and gold."
"I don't know about having this many dragons in the city safe."
"Do you think the cause of our predicament is because of the dragons?"
"Yea, think about it. The Queen decreed it for them to be captured. I mean, why wouldn't you
think so?"
"I don't know; it sounds far-fetched if you ask me."
"Then do you want to stay this hideous forever?"
"No."
The voices of the people were divided into two.
"Wait, why aren't those people next to the dragon affected? Since visitors had come here, they were all affected by the curse."
"I heard they are the companions of the dragons."
"Companions? Ah, I see. I heard about them before."
The army and the dragons continued their path deeper into the city walls and finally ended up inside the enchanting castle. In the middle of the castle was a large oak tree that sprouted upwards into the sky. It was as if the castle was part of the tree.
Zero stopped in front of the tree where a beautiful throne was, but on the throne was the most hideous-looking monster. He couldn't help but have mixed feelings that made him want to blot out the existence of such an ugly being on a sacred throne. His instinct was calling out for him to destroy such beings.
One side of her face was deformed to the point where one would think someone had hit her repeatedly multiple times. Even the white hair on her head was only a few strands. Overflowing fat bulged out on her clothes, making her look grotesque, and the pale gray skin did not make it any better. The crown on her head was the only thing that recognized her as the Queen.
"Your Majesty, Queen Jennie." An ugly elf called out.
The soldiers that entered the garden-like room bowed in front of her.
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