'Rebirthing' - Ch.36

Chapter 36

The massive herd of dragons continued their stampede until nightfall. When the sun decided to fall behind the horizon for the night, Delbin decided it was time to rest. He halted the herd and had Burnwing help him spread the word that everyone was to rest for the night. It was a good call, for almost everyone was panting loudly from running all day with hardly any rest. Even Delbin was exhausted. There was no denying that.

But there was another downside besides everyone's exhaustion. There was no game. Delbin's chosen path took them practically through the land's center, too far away to make an easy, unnoticeable trip to the Eastern Forest and they were no longer near the Dragon Jaw Mountains to hunt the hidden game there either. He felt his heart sink at the poor planning. He was so caught up with everything that he did not think about that.

A very familiar and welcoming scent caught his attention and calmed his nerves. Neora approached her mate and lay down beside him, bodies touching and tails entwined lovingly. She sensed his uneasiness and made to nuzzle him to calm him. "What's wrong?"

"I'm just worried I didn't plan everything out correctly. I'm especially worried about the elderly and the hatchlings." It was true. The hatchlings also came along. To keep up with the adults, they were carried by their parents.

"Do not worry. Nrueel's herd checked to make sure that everyone was all right. The hatchlings are taken care by their parents and the elderly all have a few younger friends to make sure they are well. But even the elderly have just as much vigor as the younger ones. It truly takes a lot to make an elderly dragon slow." She giggled slightly, attempting to make her mate smile. "Don't worry. I, too, went through. So I confirmed Nrueel's findings."

"You're cousin is a fine leader. You were right to choose him."

"I guess you're right. To be honest, I was a little worried, but it looks like being leader boosted his confidence and made him all the wiser. He is doing a better job than I could ever do." She could not help but feel a little bit prideful for her cousin's success. "But nevermind him. You need to rest just as much as everyone else." She used her wing to gently coax his head down. He obeyed and rested his head near her chest. She rested her own head beside his and the mated pair fell asleep.

Delbin led the massive herd in a running onslaught for another two days. By the evening of the third day they had officially reached the south. The sun was much warmer than the north, even in the evening. The northern species were especially affected since most of them were covered with fur or thick down hair to help cope with the winter weather. Once this rebellion was over they were sure to return to their usual climate and Delbin could not blame them.

Delbin could tell everyone's nerves finally kicked in, for the air was thick with nervous tension and anxiety. Many were having second thoughts about rebelling against the Tyrants. After all, they possessed incredible and terrifying powers. Other elemental dragons could not stand up to them.  Delbin turned to address them, aided by Burnwing and Nrueel to make sure everyone heard. "This is it. We're finally here. I understand nerves are now running high. That's understandable."

"Delbin. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we are not sure anymore how we can do this." The injured dragon from before spoke. "Do not get me wrong. We trust you and will follow you, but even with our massive numbers how can we hope to fight them? Even the strange one, Zeealla, is terrifying. She somehow controls the wind. No one can do that."

"I know. But I have something that can stand up to them." Actually I have two things. The power my family gave me, and my blood. "They will not be expecting me. In fact, they believe I am dead. So my appearance alone will give us a small head start. As for Zeealla, she fears me because of something I possess." Everyone simply stared, understandably confused. "But do not worry about what I have. But rather gather your strength because tomorrow is the day of our redemption. If you wish to stay behind that is all right. Some need to stay behind to care for those unfit for battle." He eyed young Sengoru, who straightened with pride as Delbin indirectly addressed him. "Now, we rest. Tomorrow, freedom!" He reared and released flame to the sky to declare his resolve. All the others joined in and released their own chorus of roar and flame. With this, Delbin was eased.

Delbin was violently shaken awake before dawn the following morning. Taken by surprise he nearly snapped at his visitor. Sengoru continued to violently shake Delbin awake, clearly desperate. "Sengoru. What's going on? Why are you waking me up this early?"

"They're gone! My baby twin sisters! They're gone!"

"Calm down. What do you mean they're gone?" The commotion woke up Neora as well and she too was concerned.

"I had a hard time sleeping last night, so I never completely fell asleep. I heard my sisters get up not too long ago so I decided to keep an eye on them. They were fine..until Zeealla showed up!"

"What?!"

"Zeealla must have snuck through and she kidnapped my sisters! She saw me but she didn't do anything to me for some reason. She just grabbed my sisters and fled before they could wake everyone else up! I didn't know what else to do but to wake you up. Hey, wait! Where are you going?"

Delbin had already leaped to his feet and ran off before Sengoru finished his story. Neora tried to follow him but he called back to her. "Stay here! Keep everyone together! Don't do anything until I get back!"

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The twin hatchlings huddled close together and trembled loudly as the four Tyrants stood over them, laughing softly. Whenever one Tyrant would come close to taunt them, the twins would huddle even closer until it appeared they were one being. One cried out for help but Firerage laughed in mockery.

"Nice try. No one's going to save you. This is what happens when you stray from mommy like that. Consider this your time out." He smiled evilly and laughed even more when they tried to cower away in fear. Firerage then growled in frustration and roared out his anger. "Dammit! This obviously isn't working. Can't we just kill them now?" Without waiting for an answer he opened his jaw wide and dove his head for the kill.

Out of nowhere a deep, sharp pain suddenly gripped his neck and Firerage was forcefully pushed back and toppled over. Looking around, he saw his attacker standing protectively over the twins, mouth covered with blood. Delbin's mouth was open in a snarl, and his eyes were once again seemingly glowing from the blood rush.

Firerage stood up as quickly as he could and rejoined the other three, Lightningstrike and Zeealla already poised for attack. Blizzardice simply stood behind them, eerily calm as usual but stunned. "Does this answer your question, Firerage?" Blizzardice asked the red, clearly in mockery. "I'm not sure how you survived, but it seems Zeealla was correct when she saw your army of half-starved dragons. Kill him." He ordered the other three and they made their advances.

Lightningstrike was the first to make his move. "He's mine. You won't survive me this time! I'll make sure you die the same way you're precious family did!" His entire body pulsed in a bright light of electricity and sent a focused bolt at Delbin. Delbin shoved the twins out of the way and dodged the attack. Lightningstrike continuously sent bolts and Delbin ran around them, easily avoiding them all while making his advances towards the yellow dragon. He moved too fast for the yellow to keep up with him and the next thing he knew Delbin lunged at his throat and made contact. Delbin's momentum caused Lightningstrike to fall backwards as he felt his fangs cleave his main artery. Blood spouted in every direction as the artery tore wide open. Lightningstrike crashed to the ground, losing more blood every second and Delbin stood over him as if he just took down game.

Firerage came at him next, followed by Zeealla. They tried to surround both his flanks but Delbin was too fast. He leaped out of the way into the sky, but Firerage read his move. He used his momentum to latch onto Delbin's shoulder with his fangs. Delbin unfurled his wings and sped through the air, mere feet above the ground. Firerage continued his assault by sending his entire body ablaze aiming to burn him to death. Delbin foresaw this happening and snarled ferociously. For a moment it startled Firerage, for that snarl sounded too wolf-like. He stared in Delbin's eyes to see if he was once again the blood-thirsty beast. What he saw were the eyes of a controlled dragon, determined to kill with a purpose. The next thing Firerage knew, they were skimming the surface of a pond. This must have been Delbin's plan the entire time, he thought.

Delbin plunged through the surface of the water and dove straight down. Firerage's body ceased blazing and Delbin's burns were cooled. He continued to dive down until he felt he was a good depth. He needed Firerage to think he was simply going to stay down until he was forced to let go due to lack of air. He did hope to save using his power until fighting Blizzardice, but he needed it now. He focused his energy and his eyes began glowing white. Firerage saw this and was frightened. Suddenly, the pair was surrounded by a tornado of water and Delbin was the center of it. Delbin instantly aimed for the surface, with the water cyclone surrounding his body and trailing behind him. He crashed through the surface and shot straight into the air. The water cyclone, too, crashed through the surface. The two dragons were still on the inside with Delbin being the one controlling it. Firerage still struggled to hold on, but Delbin redirected a portion of the wind he was controlling and caused the water to push Firerage out of the cyclone and downwards towards the ground. Delbin then dove straight down to finish off Firerage with the water cyclone he created. The force of the water that hit the red felt the same as a thousand dragons crashing on top of him, and Delbin was part of the assault. To top off his attack, he rammed the red's chest area with his horns, using the momentum he built up from the wind he controlled.

The last of the water rained heavily over the two dragons and Delbin stood victorious over Firerage's unconscious body. But he had no more time to rest before Zeealla caught him by surprise and impaled his neck with her fangs. Delbin broke free of her death grip and took to the sky, knowing full well that that was not enough to stop a wolf clone with the power to control the wind. Sure enough, Zeealla began sprinting upward on air. Using her wind as a form of momentum and foothold, she rapidly climbed to match Delbin's height and the two engaged in a wolf-like battle of fangs and claws. Delbin released flame, but she simply dodged the assault. The two rushed towards each other and all but crashed, causing both to recoil backwards and they both went into a freefall.

Zeealla snarled, readying for another attack when she froze. Delbin was staring back at her, eyes glowing orange from the effects of his blood and snarled, smiling like a beast. But Delbin was not insane. Though his jaw made him look insane, his eyes told her that he had complete control over his blood. Before she recollected herself, Delbin took the chance to lunge out at her throat, latched on and went to a vertical dive. It was a diversion. His manic expression was a diversion to catch her by surprise, and it worked. He aimed his dive correctly, for her back crashed against some boulders and Delbin could hear her spine snap in two. She let out a piercing cry and finally fell limp.

One more was left. Only one. And that one dragon was sprinting towards him, trying to close the gap between them and decrease the chances of retaliation. But Delbin was too quick. As Blizzardice's fangs opened to grasp any vital artery he could, Delbin twisted his body so that his tail took the hit.