New Power

Campaign: The Waterwyrm's Cradle

Chapter 2 / 6-2

New Power

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The Sapphire Battleground

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Into the Cauldron

Summary

Dismayed by Emile's atrocities and lies, the Waterwyrm decides to forge a new pact with Euden. When Harle tells them the emperor is trying to kill the Flamewyrm, the group sets off to her volcanic lair to help.

Dialogue

*huff* *puff* Enough, Mercury. Stop!

I don't want to fight you!

What?! How could my dragon lose to insignificant dregs like you?

Get up, you beast! You can still fight!

Nnngh... Enough, Emile! You're hurting her! Silence! Don't you dare mock me!

As if it weren't bad enough being lorded over by our other siblings, now I have to deal with YOU? I cannot abide it! None of you are stronger than me. NONE OF YOU! I've barely shown you a sliver of what I'm capable of. Now...GET...UUUUUUP! Aieee! How dare you loose an arrow at your prince! Whoever did that, show yourself! I will crush the life out of you with my own two hands!

Or—if you're smart—you'll stay where you are. Lay one more finger on that dragon, and I'll put an arrow through your eye. Y-you wouldn't! Why do you come to my defense, sylvan? I nearly killed you the last time you thought to challenge me. No, you didn't. I understand that now. You held back and spared me.

The least I can do is return the favor. And I don't regret challenging you, by the way. I'm proud of risking my life to save the people I love. As I'm sure Euden is. He can stand tall because he's willing to fight for this world's future even as it continues to try and crush him underfoot. Can you stand tall, dragon? Or will you continue to bow to this poor excuse of a master who pummels you like a common barnyard animal?

You would ask ME that question? Yes, I would! You're a DRAGON, for crying out loud—the most revered of all creatures! Fight for what YOU want! Ah, but I already do. I fight for a beautiful land of azure seas, which I treasure above all else in this world.

Emile promised to use his wealth and power to keep the ocean safe.

To hell with your ocean. Get up and KILL THEM NOW! ...To hell with it?

Did you just say "to hell with your ocean"? The very one you swore to protect?

Yes, I did. And so what?!

Let all the water in the world turn to swampland. It means naught to me. You are my slave now, dragon. THAT is what the pact signifies. Now heed my command and get...on... your...FEEEEEET!

You lied to me, and thus do you dishonor the sacred bond between dragons and your bloodline.

You two-faced fiend...

You see, Waterwyrm?

Emile isn't worthy of a pact with you. Your power isn't meant to be used on such petty ambitions.

But if not him...then who?

I left the azure seas undefended when I rose onto the continent. I must rely on someone to protect my home in my stead.

I understand how important a home is.

As do the sylvans. So let ME keep your home safe. You don't need Emile.

You would take his place? But... That's... N-no! You cannot! We have a pact!

You're not allowed to break a pact, you idiot dragon!

Waterwyrm, I swear this to you now: so long as I live, no harm will come to your ocean home. That light that surrounds you...

Could you be the true heir to dragonblood? There is only one way to know: I will disavow myself of my current pact. If the Dragon Parting does not kill me and reduce me to mana, then I will know it was never a true pact at all.

The Dragon Parting? No... No no no! You cannot do that! I forbid it! Ha! Nrrrrrr... HrrryaaaaaaAAA! She's actually DOING it. She's trying to sever our pact, even if it kills her. And I hope it does, you stupid lizard! *huff* *puff* I am still here... Is it done? Are you all right, Waterwyrm? We should be quick about this. Indeed we should.

But first, answer me this, Prince of dragonblood... For what reason do you fight? Why do you seek our power?

To defend all that I love.

I just lost someone dear to me because I lacked the strength to protect her. So please...give me your help.

I can see the resolve in your eyes, and I hear no artifice in your voice...

You shine like a true king... and you are worthy of my blessing.

I am Mercury, mistress of the tides and ruler of the waves. I shall be the ocean that carries you! A pactstone? B-b-but that cannot be!

How is it possible?

I was able to break my pact with you because your motives when forging it were untrue. You've betrayed me! I will never forgive you for this! A pact is a double-edged sword. You will come to know this in time.

And a small man cannot withstand it.

Haw haw haw! Poor Prince Emile! He's lost his dragon! Harle. Where were you?!

Kill these maggots and get my fool dragon back!

The real surprise is you, Euden.

Multiple dragonpacts? And both with Greatwyrms! What are you, Alberius the Founder? ...Still, a shame you're too late.

What do you mean? Emperor Aurelius has already disbanded your kingdom and is now putting the remaining dragons to death. He would never do that! ...At least, my father wouldn't. Huh? An earthquake? Smoke is rising from the mountain... That's Mount Adolla! It's erupting! But that's where the Flamewyrm lives... Has the emperor attacked her?! Correct! He and the Flamewyrm do battle even as we speak. But that is the gravest of sins! Dragons have long kept our world safe, and they are to be revered! I agree. To lay hand to them would be beyond the pale. Why does this impostor hate dragons?

What is he trying to do?

You'll have to seek those answers yourself at Mount Adolla.

Come, Prince Emile. We are leaving.

What? Wait! Slow down!

Before I go, Euden, let me leave you with this pretty picture... The emperor has our dear, sweet sister Zethia with him. In fact, she's probably being roasted alive at this very moment.

What? Emile, come back here! Damn it! C'mon, Euden! We need to get to that volcano before anything happens to Zethia!