Rise of the Guardians Book 2 ch 9

                                         Rise of the Guardians

                                               Book 2: Ultimatum
   
                                      Chapter IX: On the offensive



                 A few hours after the most pathetic attack to be pulled by the Vangaul army, Spyro and Dailus decided to join forces in order to recapture the besieged Kreltarian city. Dailus sent a small unit to escort the Kreltarian civilians to his city while Spyro and Cynder planned their next engagement. Flame, Ember, Brygeon and Drekhol were just minutes away from entering the Hyameran city. The soldiers leading them had plans for Drek however, they refused to see the fact that he had defected to the Kreltarian armed forces as well as being responsible for Ulfheres's death. With the warning that Dailus gave them about Ulfheres, Drekhol absolutely could not be trusted.
                 As they walked, Flame noticed that the soldiers kept whispering to one another and glancing back at them.
                 He stated, "You say something up there?"
                 "Excuse me?" one soldier asked.
                 "You two have been quiet for a really long time. Plus you've been mumbling to each other and constantly looking over your shoulders." Ember answered.
                 "Yeah, what gives?" Flame agreed.
                 The officer stated, "We've just met you and…no offense but we kinda don't trust you all that much, especially 'Him'."
                 "I trust that dragon with my life. His actions made that perfectly clear when he took Ulfheres's life." Flame replied.
                 "How do you know he didn't kill his master only to gain his power?" the officer insinuated, "When we get to the city its most likely that he will, and I quote, WILL be executed as a potential traitor and a threat to our people."
                 Just then they had reached the city gates. The buildings themselves almost resembled the ones back at the Kreltarian city, only a little taller. The Hyameran city seemed a little more advanced than that of any other city they have encountered. The soldier ordered the doors to be opened with a hand signal. The doors opened to reveal a security detail along with a group of civilians to greet the new comers. However when they saw the silver dragon enter, they immediately turned hostile.
                 One citizen shouted as she threw an old vegetable at him, "Traitor!"
                 Others began tossing rotten food at Drekhol. Drek shielded himself from the nasty projectiles with his wings. The soldiers broke the crowd up to keep an angry mob from forming. Once the civilians cleared the area, the soldiers turned their sights on the hated dragon. They lifted their rifles at Drek as Flame and Ember stepped between the Hyameran troops and their target.
                 "What do you think you are doing?" Flame asked in defense of his ally.
                 "Your friend here is going to be placed under arrest for future crimes of treason. He is a threat and a waste of life." The officer informed, "He does not deserve to live."
                 Brygeon walked up and went eye level with the officer, "That's my brother you're talking about," he growled, "He would only kill someone in defense."
                 Drek stepped up between Flame and Ember, "Listen, I am not going to be the reason you guys are going to be put in a prison cell. I will try to speak to the city's main leader and get this mess straightened out."
                 "Unlikely," replied the officer as he stepped forward to confront Drek, "You are to be taken to the iron gallows and hung from the neck until you are dead." Then an order to his subordinates, "Take him into custody."
                 Two crystal dragons approached Drek from both sides and locked a steel collar around his neck. They took the chain links and escorted him to the execution center.
About an hour later, there was a large crowd screaming out to see Drekhol die. Drek was a little irritated rather than scared to die. These people were too blind to see that he no longer served as a Vangaul Elite Dragon. The announcer stood up to confirm the crimes he did not commit. These charges were filed for a dragon that was killed several years ago.  Floor of the area was covered in sand to absorb blood from the dying criminals. There were various barricaded windows for the crowds and a tall iron gallows used to hang defiant dragons. Unfortunately Drekhol was not that dragon but the Hyamerans' were determined to kill him.
                 "You stand before the Hyameran Republic for crimes of murder and treason. As the descendant of Lord Marshall Ulfheres D. Kreyos you will be punished in his place." The announcer spoke.
                 He signaled the executioner to drop him. The gear unlocked releasing the chain as Drek fell from the platform. The force from the sudden jerk nearly broke his neck as Drek's air supply was cut off. He swayed left and right, trying to keep himself alive long enough for someone to save him.
                 Inside the halls around the execution stage, Spyro, Cynder and Dailus were on their way to greet the four dragons who had just arrived.
                 "You are sure they're here now?" Cynder asked.
                 "I'm certain; one of my advisors informed me on their arrival an hour ago." Dailus answered, "They should be…" then he heard the roar from the crowd, "What in devil's name is going on out there?"
                 He turned to the exiting hallway towards the execution center. Spyro and Cynder looked to each other, wondering what had got his attention. They followed Dailus into the hallway. When they exited outside they saw Drekhol choking to death from the metal chain tied around his neck.
                 "That's Drekhol!" Cynder spoke in shock from the event taking place.
                 Spyro looked to Dailus and said "Why are you hanging him? He's with us."
                 "I never authorized an execution." Dailus spoke, "But then again he is Ulfheres's descendant."
                 "He is also Ulfheres's killer. Drekhol redeemed himself by defeating Tyrants top general." Cynder stated.
                 Suddenly, the warning trumpets were heard blasting from the watch towers outside of the city. They were so loud that the blast silenced the roaring crowd in the execution stadium. Dailus knew the rhythm of the blast and turned to Spyro and Cynder.
                 "You say he's not a traitor. I want him to prove it." Dailus spoke, "If he does not deliver, I will have him killed."
                 Dailus jumped from the balcony to cut Drek down. He used his tail blade as a super heated ax and cut the chain in two. Drek impacted the ground coughing his head off. He looked around to see the redness in his vision fade away. His head was pulsing from the continuous blood flow that was cut off from his brain. Spyro and Cynder took off from the balcony to free Drekhol from his restraints. Drek fought his way to his feet wondering what kind of sick joke this was.
                 "If that was a joke then why am i not laughing." Drek angrily asked.
                 "Come on and get moving the city's leader wants you to prove your allegiance to us. If you don't he will kill you personally." Spyro warned.
                 Not wanting to die Drek agreed to fight as he flew off with his fellow Guardians of Light. Outside of the city a massive battle took place as rifles, cannons and blades flew. With the technology the Vangaul's possessed the Hyamerans would have a little trouble fighting the Vangaul's. However the Hyamerans did have one advantage, their dragon warriors could easily overpower the artillery brought in by the enemy. Blast clouds bellowed up from the war zone, explosions roared, weapons fired and soldiers growled. Dailus and his team of city guardians came flying in from the last line of soldiers. Two serpent dragons flew further ahead of the European one carrying iron bombs loaded with gun powder. Once the first line of enemy troops had been reached, the bombs were dropped and a massive cloud of fire enveloped the Vangaul troops. Rats, pigs and black bears were seen burning to death and blown to pieces from the bombs. As soon as Dailus and his fellow warriors touched down, the four Guardians of Light landed with them and started to rip the rest of the first line apart. Drek was literally in a rage, but it was not about the battle more so the way he was greeted by Dailus's people. Ulfheres had ruined his reputation as a hero and no one would trust him because of it. It was almost insulting to be blamed for crimes committed by another soul. Shredding every enemy that came his way, Drekhol's elemental fury was building more and more with each kill. His spirit energy was combining all ten of his powers into one full blown wrath. His eyes began to shine a cool white color as he slayed his enemies. The other Guardians of Light, Dailus and the rest of the Dragon warriors began to feel the fury energy building up in Drek. Knowing the power he was about to release they decided to vacate the area.
                 "Fall Back! All warriors fall back!" Dailus yelled.
                 As the troops pulled back Drek held his ground and fought. He halted for a moment, eyes shining white and his scales gleaming silver. His body was engulfed in a bright light as he stood up on his back legs. Bending his arms up under his chest, Drek mustered all the energy, his wings curved inward and his mind at peace. In the blink of an eye the silver dragon released all of his fury energy and a bright light enveloped everything in sight. Even the Hyamerans were consumed by the light but were uninjured by it. The Vangaul's however, they weren't so lucky. Every last rat, pig and bear was turned to vapor. Most of which have never seen such power since Ulfheres was alive. After the light faded, the battlefield was clear of all enemies, leaving only their armor, weapons and equipment. Dailus hadn't seen the Fury of the Ancestors since his battle with Malefor and Ulfheres at Traitors Fortress. Drek regained his momentum and walked back to his allies.
                 Dailus glanced over at Spyro and his team and said, "I know I can't do that anymore. Most of my powers died out centuries ago."
                 Drek came up to Dailus and stated, "You're welcome."
                 Brygeon stepped in and said, "I think you owe my brother an apology."
                 Spyro, Cynder, Flame and Ember all looked at Dailus, hoping that he would keep to his word.
                 Dailus glanced left, then right and then at Drek as he said, "I do apologize for your treatment upon your arrival to my city. Clearly you fight not for blood and land but for honor and the greater good. Traits Ulfheres lacked I am sure."
                 Flame interjected, "You know, I am sick and tired of being on the defensive side of the war. What say you Spy?"
                 Spyro gave a stern look to the forward facing horizon and replied, "I think it's time we take the fight to the Vangaul's. This war is going to end one way or another."
                 Dailus offered, "My troops will fight and die under your leadership. It's the least I could do in return for your actions."
                 "Thanks, we'll need all the help we can get." Spyro replied.
                 Meanwhile hours later, Greytolven was chewing out his subordinate officers for their failure to invade the Hyameran City and to kill the rest of the Kreltarian people. He and Barritan both were fed up with their inability to defeat the enemy.
                 "YOU ARE FAILURES!!! How in the hell can you get your tails handed to you by two dragons!?" Grey yelled.
                 The Demon Colonel replied, "Tyrant sent us to recon the area. No one ever told me that Spyro and Cynder were there."
                 Barritan asked the demon, "Wait, you know them?"
                 "They killed General Drakiyos 23 years ago. They are more of a threat than anything else." The demon answered, "Drakiyos almost killed Cynder but Spyro…I have never seen a mortal use the Dark Rage ability like that."
                 Barritan had an idea. He thought that if he brought Drakiyos back to life, he could seek him out on the two Guardians of Light and kill them.
                 "Is there any way to bring him back to life?" Barritan asked.
                 "Yes but all of the Resurrection books are back at the Staging Area. Plus I am too low of blood rank to even look at them." The colonel answered.
                 "Damn…" Barritan said as he rethought his plan, "Hmmm…Has the bridge been destroyed yet?"
                 Grey answered, "That thing is long gone. I did however discover a new element in the stones. It seems to glow in the moon light. I've never seen anything like it."
                 Barritan knew a certain dragoness who possessed that kind of power. He realized that Null could restore the bridge in mere seconds with her powers whereas it would take months for everyone else.
                 "We need to keep the Kreltarians from crossing that gorge. Greytolven, I am ordering you to kill Null, she is a bright blue female dragon and she does have the ability to manipulate the energies in that bridge. Make sure none of her friends are around."  Barritan ordered.
                 Grey asked, "What if Brygeon and Drekhol are nearby? I must avenge the death of my master."
                 "Try and hold back from killing them. Their time will come." Barritan suggested.
                 Greytolven nodded as he walked off. Spyro and his guardian leaders assembled what troops they could gather and headed into the battlefields ahead. Dailus went back to the fields to escort the Kreltarian citizens to a safe place. Tyrant wanted them stopped before they reached the bridge. If they crossed the gorge, there would be nothing to stop them from winning the war. Thanks to Devora giving Brygeon a strategic map, the Guardians of Light will be able to destroy any threat that comes their way…