Chapter 20- three days later

Havoc one sighed heavily he should have known, should have insisted on back up but he didn't and now him and less than half of his already depleted and exhausted team were dead since that firefight with Alex had fought and destroyed three camps. With losses and replacements but always with assistance from at least a gunship or in one case actually useful tanks, but this time things had gotten out of and very quickly got out of hand out of nowhere a lot of guys had appeared with support in the form of tanks and armoured support it was just lucky that they were in the northern part of the city when the skyscraper collapsed chunks of debris had been blown all over the city the dust cloud had been bad but the sound of the explosion had been a deep boom that seemed to vibrate through havoc one sending him to his knees after he had recovered he had taken cover.

Three shots impacted havoc one's cover he instinctively ducked despite being covered by the chunk of rubble he was hiding behind he tried team comms again.

'Do we have eyes on four or five? we need something to deal with those tanks'

The city itself was a concrete jungle with a central biaduct that ran from the shore to the outer city it was full of high-rise and skyscrapers and in the centre was the pride a joy of Archericon a tall elegant building it had to take many years to build and was a major tourist attraction and now it was gone as were the buildings around it.

Havoc one sighed as after a few seconds he got a replie.

'we're both here' four said 'were just below the bioduct, and a side note we got reinforcements inbound coz I'm seeing a lot of tanks and a lot of bad guys and we do not have the firepower to take them out there marching along the biaduct blasting anything that stands in there way and we have civilians everywhere there not exactly taking prisoners.'

'Havoc team were pulling out' havoc one readied up 'there's too many of them take as many civilians as you can meet and rally point gamma, I'm radioed for pick up now.'

'Won't they see the bigass VTOL was calling in?' havoc six asked.

'It won't be here for another hour they will have moved on by then' havoc one said, 'saying that set traps as you go.'

'Yes sir' there where only thee replies.

Havoc one shook his head 'too many losses' he peeked around the rubble he was using for cover the three soldiers had found something more interesting.

Havoc one slowly and carefully made his way through the rubble picking up the odd civilian as he made his way to the outskirts of the destroyed buildings he tried to ignore the remans her saw dead people who had choked on the dust or partly crushed by debris and into the almost undamaged parts of the city everything was normal apart from the dust it had settled everywhere and the people there were so many there were all running screaming he picked up the pace trying to get some of the civilians to follow him as he pushed through the crowds he reached the evac zone one of the two parks in the city it was a nice place havoc one was not the first to arrive havoc four and seven were already there they combined had around a hundred and twenty civilians with more coming as they realized that there were soldiers they all waited for the troop carrier VTOL in that time the last member havoc team appeared they had over three hundred civilians gathered in the park and that's when it when wrong they heard a roar.

It wasn't Runetide and if it was Serafin that was good but there was no firing.

'Form a circle' havoc one should 'protect the civilians' he almost. laughed three people trying to protect three hundred-ish shit scared civilians 'don't move' he said to the civilians some of them did they ran joining the throng streaming out of the city.

Havoc one made a silent prayer that the VTOL would arrive before the dragon did and a few seconds later it did he herd the tell-tale wine if the engines and it descended from the sky the massive sleek transports ramp lowered and then it hit the ground the engine kicking up dust and it was very noisy lucky there was no need to tell anyone to get on everyone ran straight for the transport havoc one turned and ran for the transport then he felt the shadow slide over them multiple shadows.  

He turned to see dragons many of them all with their scales glinting in the sun they were all smiling standing just at the edge of the park there was no way they were going to make he ran all the same.   

Runetide Alex and Uriel had been helping take a small island off the coast to Archericon Serafin and Farren had been up in northern Archericon helping to clear another large camp they were all too late to prevent this and too late to prevent them claiming the city for themselves this was to be there main base people were streaming out of the city and there were already gunships and troop carriers inbound offloading cargo and soldiers then evacuating the civilians after an hour the people stopped coming out they were not sending anyone in it was too dangerous anyone inside the city where food, target practice or maybe forced labour. 

Serafin, Farren, Runetide, Alex and Uriel were gathered on a hill about three kilometres outside the city the two dragons sitting a little distant from each other Runetide had made earth golems for Alex to prates on wile Uriel did a weapon check from there last engagement Farren was sitting next to Serafin an assault would be suicide now they had dragons now and Serafin couldn't tell but it smelt like there were four for five they all sat there awaiting the arrival of the bulk of their forces it was unlikely that they would try and push out of the city for now.

She stepped through the portal she felt a rush of adrenalin she and her den mates they would be first, well the first of thirteen to step through but they would be the first to fight for Aborwrath to take this city in her name they stepped out from the rubble her and her team together roared then they cleared a sizeable space around the portal people were running and screaming she smiled and flexed her yellow scaled hands she turned to her den mates. 

'The others will be here soon let's have so fun hay'

She walked calmly through the city running her hand across the shiny reflective surfers of the buildings watching as people ran on the street they ran all of them some of them got out of the way others did not the feeling of their weak fleshy body's braking beneath her feet cars didn't do much better she bent down and picked up one and inspected it the people inside screamed a lot she held it between her thumb and forefinger she inspected it she put pressure on it experimentally the people inside started screaming begging for their lives. 

'Please just let us go don't want to die.'

'Sure' she said dropping the car. 

Then she saw the strange aircraft descending she crushed the car beneath her foot feeling the metal protest for just a second and headed towards the where the ship had landed she smashed her fist into a building on the way grabbing two very unfortunate humans she ate them on the way they stopped screaming when she chewed.                      

Tom sat on a bench inside the train station I was peak hour and the station was packed people everywhere he was about to head up content home for the school holidays he took the train almost every weekend he know exactly how long it takes to get from one side of the platform to the other and how long the escalator took he happened to have some free time one time when he arrived at the station early but it was always worth it the trains were good but the enjoyed her parents' house to in the middle of know were nestled in the middle of a gully with panoramic windows looking out on the lush forest and the smell the fresh air he could smell it now

then tom felt the earth tremor he looked up expecting to see the train but then her saw other people look up then the blast wave hit the windows shattered tom was thrown back in his chair his ears rang his vison was distorted he could here dull screams and tearing metal Tom looked around his vision clearing slightly as he staggered to his feet people were running people near the windows when they shattered their skin the blood some of them here crawling on the ground the squeal of protesting metal dulled by toms damaged ears he saw the massive claws as they tore through the roof of the station tom looked around one of the trains tried to leave pulling out of the station and speeding via the byduckt and second dragon grabbed the lead carriage and threw the train into a building people were running screaming the dragons trampled them and picked up people and ate them whole the crushed cars and smashed buildings one of them plated its foot on a bus crushed it slowly they all had grins of pure delight on their faces and blood smeared feet they lay waste to the area around the collapsed skyscraper but they all saw the ship as it landed they all know what it meant.

Serafin slammed her fist into the ground 'dam it' it wasn't just the dragons she could smell sometimes she thought that Farren was blessed with his far inferior sense of smell she let some of the sent filter into Farren his reaction was instantaneous he recoiled.

'Oh god' he turned to Serafin 'that's what burning human smells like.'

Serafin stopped the sent she nodded 'that's what burning human smells like'

Farren clenched his fist 'why are they doing this?'

'Because it's fun for them' Serafin said 'all of these dragons swore fealty to Aborwrath they do what she says, and they get the burn things and eat whatever they want no more rules or regulations.'

Serafin watched as the city burned the sky had turned grey there was no blue sky to be seen a storm was gathering the wind was already starting to stir the grey clouds tinged with red from the smoke and fire Serafin knew who had set the fires and anyone who charged was either dead or dying where they trying to make a statement? Or did they just not care Serafin didn't know a storm was gathering and one thing was certain Aborwrath was coming, coming for all of them. 

'Your brooding' I said 

Serafin shook her head 'sorry about that it's just so many lives lost and I don't know why.' 

I clenched my fist harder.

'Now, now' Serafin said 'I already thought I lost you once let's not go through that again' she smiled down at me

I smiled back 'I wouldn't dream of it.' 

'Now there's a good human.' 

'I am best human yes? you should pet me yes, yes.' 

Serafin snorted and gently patted me on the head 'now will humans do a funny trick?'

I jumped up and landed on top of her snout and patted it 'good trick?'

Serafin didn't move for a few seconds then she flicked her head up and suddenly I was half of me was in her jaws.

'Ow bout diss' Serafin asked it was a little hard to talk with a human halfway in your jaws 'goog tick.'

'No' I said, 'I am not enjoying this.' 

Serafin gave an exaggerated sigh and dropped me into her hand 'you would have made a good snack.' 

'The scary thing is a can't tell if your joking or not' I say Serafin's eyes cricked in that way they did when she was happy. 

I looked over at Alex he was training with Runetide Uriel was sitting on the ground next to Runetide shouting encouragement. 

'Alex' I called over to him 'when can we expect back up?' 

Alex stopped fighting 'what?' he called back his momentary loss of focus meant that a golem's earthen sword smacked him across the head he span around and decapitated it Runetide and Uriel snorted with laughter and the golems melted into the ground.

'What was that?' Alex asked he was sweating.

'When can we expect the attack force to be ready, I asked?'

Alex keyed his commlink he nodded.

'Two troop carrier VTOLs are inbound with light amour behind that is an Archasian carrier with metals for buildings and such and workers.'

'Archasia is sending relief why?"

'There insertions haven't stopped but there lot less frequent and without help, the insurgency is collapsing now they have freed up forces to help us out troops including lycanthropes and armour and our pathfinders are getting free rides home as well.'

'So, what we blockade them in and just what attack them when we are ready?'

'which according to major lock' Alex listened 'well an argument broke out he is arguing with Archasian military Major Lock is saying that they have found there staging ground and we need to strike now he is saying that we need more of Archaiser's forces they are only sending twenty per cent of there already depleted forces.'

'how many is that?' I ask.  

'Not much Alex said well the assault force will be here and ready in just under two days the forward operating base that we will make our assault from is under construction right now.' 

Serafin stood she was looking at something 'there using civilians for forced labour she said there making fortifications.'

'well then' Alex said, 'we best get ready.'

gunships and dropships from all over Archericon and indeed the world were making a beeline for the city by the dawn of the next day there were tents and temporary buildings for communication and coordination of troops there were gunships and troop carrier VTOLs landed and thousands to troops, tanks and Lycanthropes stood ready with more on the way.

Alex walked into the communication temporary structure it was hard to miss there was a massive satellite dish on top of it, it was a rather large room the camp had been made three kilometres from the city out of range of the plasma artillery temporary landing fields had been cleared you Serafin and Runetide for the VTOLs and areas for maintenance and storage of tanks and APCs and it would be a full day before everyone was here Alex was actually in awe of that had been done on such short notes there were thousands of people here they all spoke different languages and were born in different places and here they were united ready to fight and die to defend their earth, Alex's earth.

'Alex just in time we have satellite images and topographic maps' 

Alex examined the map 'so this is where the building collapsed it looks like they cleared a space and it looks like they are fortifying the area around it.'

'Yes, they are' Major Lock said, 'and yes there are dragons present and yes there are strange readings but the strangest thing is they don't have any sought of filed command but there are a lot of signals something from that portal.'

'In short' Alex said, 'our worst fears this is where there making the portal big enough for dragons to come through just twelve dragons coming through caused this imagine that a few hundred could do.'

Just then a video call came in from the commander and chief military forces in Archasia his head appeared on one of the screens.

He didn't greet anyone he just started talking 'in regards to our previous conversation and with some time to reconsider you will have access to out ICBM systems and there will be sanding additional heavy infantry forces sent to your position' the line went dead.

Alex frowned 'that was interesting.'

major lock agreed 'yes that was but access to their missiles will, I think prove very beneficial the Archericon government has not granted access for the use of missile strikes yet though there will be a two-minute delay between the ordering of the strike and them hitting this will still be a valuable asset.'

'So, we're almost ready?'

'We're just waiting on the rest of the united earth defence force to arrive.'

'Cool name you have given your self's.'

Major Lock smiled 'It wasn't my idea now do tell your dragons to prep at 0 400 tomorrow we begin our assault we need them ready to shut that portal down.'

'Will do' Alex  said 'Runetide estimates we have another two or so days until the portal ready speed is essential this needs to be a shock and awe attack we need to hit hard and fast and go straight for the centre of that city.'

Major Lock nodded 'were drawing up plans now in fact if you could send in Serafin?'

'Yes sir' Alex said.

He walked from the command tent through the churned-up earth lucky that Runetide had had the foresight to protect the ford operating base the tanks treads and human boots had churned up the ground quite a lot Alex could see Serafin and Farren they were behind the VTOL landing field Serafin was on her side and Farren was sitting against her arm they were talking he couldn't make out what they were saying.

'Serafin' Alex called.

Serafin looked up apparently her hearing was as good as ever she looked back down at Farren they kissed briefly then she stood and walked over to Alex.

'Yes,' she said.

'Lock want's you' Alex said.

She nodded and stepped over towards the communications tent her footprints where clearly visible the indentations made by her three front toes and singular rear toe there at least ten centimetres deep Alex keyed on his commlink.

'Where are you?' he nodded 'be there in ten just going to see Runetide' 

He keyed off his commlink Alex took the trek down to the ocean but the time he got there the sun had started to actually rise Runetide was sitting her legs in the ocean she was resting with her back against one of the cliffs her and Uriel were kissing each other eyes closed sometimes gently moaning Runetide ran her thumb across the top of Uriel's head and down her back drawing a long moan from her Alex stood on the sandy dune above her head he cleared his throat.

Uriel and Runetide didn't stop immediately then they opened their eyes Uriel's bright gold and Runetide's sea-green they broke apart slowly Runetide looked up 'there you are I take it you have news?' 

Alex nodded jumping off the cliff and landing on Runetide's head 'we are attacking tomorrow at 0 400.'

'Night fighting?'

'Yep,' Alex said.

'Alright,' Runetide said 'we will be ready she said gently she reached up picked Alex up off her head 'so then will I be seeing you at any point or will you be otherwise engaged?'

Alex blushed he gestured at Uriel 'it looks like you are otherwise engaged.'

Runetide grinned she stood still holding Alex and Uriel 'just come back and see me before we go ok?'

'Ok,' Alex said, 'I will.'

'Now I must deliver you to the man eagerly awaiting you.'

Alex blushed again 'so this is what it feels like,' he said.

Then Runetide put Uriel down on the beach next to her armour 'be back soon ok.'

'Just don't take too long' Uriel said sitting down. 

'Down boy' Runetide laughed 'I'll be back ok then I can kiss you all you want and if you want to-'

'Ok no,' Alex said, 'you guys can sexy talk all you want just not in front of me ok?'

Runetide just grinned wider and a few seconds later they arrived at the staging ground Runetide placed Alex on the ground and gently nudged him with a finger.

'Go get em' tiger' she said then she stood and walked over to where Serafin and Farren where sitting casting a massive shadow in the early dawn light Alex didn't miss the stairs he sometimes forgot that people had not seen a dragon before not only was he getting looks but people would just stop and stare at the two dragons and sometimes the two Lycanthropes there paw prints intermingled with the human footprints they had set up outside the main base next to the airfield there were a couple hundred of them clustered there getting ready some of them looked at him they looked like they were studying him he might smell like Uriel.

Alex ignored the stairs as he headed for vehicle maintenance he hadn't seen Calsifer in two days so when he spotted his working on an APC he ran over and wrapped him up in a hung from behind he squeezed Calsifer so tight that he actually exhaled struggling to breathe in.

'Missed you to I would hug you back but you're going to have to let me go first.'

Alex did not comply he held on for a few moments more before letting Calsifer go.

'You ok there?' Calsifer asked embracing him back without collapsing Alex 's lungs Alex hanged him back resting his head on Calsifer's chest.

'I'm glad you're alive' Alex said.

'Did you expect me to die? you know the only times I have been under fire is when I'm around you'

Alex pulled back 'what really I'm the one who's been putting you in danger?'

Calsifer put on a dramatic thinking face 'yep.'

Alex gently punched Calsifer's shoulder 'Thanks for making me feel better.' he jibed

Calsifer smiled 'you know my shift ends in five minutes if you want to meet me.'

Alex was blushing madly avoiding eye contact.

'What's wrong Alex?' Calsifer asked.

'Well' Alex said he could feel his face burning, 'it's just well I haven't actually had a boyfriend before I haven't really done the whole you know.'

'What' Calsifer said clearly enjoying himself.

'Kissing thing' Alex murmured.

'Alex' Calsifer said 'look at me' Alex looked up at Calsifer their eyes met it felt like time froze Alex could feel Calsifer he could feel his own heart beating its felt like it was going to burst out of his chest Alex was warm cold frightened and excited all at the same time he reached up and he kissed Calsifer on the lips it wasn't a long kiss but they broke apart at the same time.

'Wow,' Alex said, 'that was a new experience.'

Calsifer smiled and booped Alex on the nose, 'meet me outside my room in ten k?'

Alex just nodded.

'Good' Calsifer said, 'now off you go I can't work if just starting to you.'

Alex laughed 'ok I'll see you later' then he turned and walked over to the engineer's quarters and waited.

What seemed like an eternity until Calsifer apart from around the corner me smiled when he saw Alex the sun had properly risen now Calsifer strode up the door and opened it the engineers had the closest things to rooms that's to say they had a wall on each side of their beds where they could hang there tools most of the engineers had installed curtains the front of their beds Calsifer led Alex to his bed it was in the middle he pushed aside the curtains and ushered Alex in closing the curtains behind him.

Alex sat on the bed and Calsifer sat next to him 'we might die tomorrow' Alex said.

'Wow,' Calsifer said 'you're in a great mood.'

'No, I'm just thinking out loud.'

'You're a depressing little thing' Calsifer said patting Alex on the shoulder Alex looked up at Calsifer 'just don't die tomorrow ok.'

'I'll do my best' Calsifer smiled embracing Alex and patting him gently.

'Sorry' Alex said into Calsifer chest 'I'm not usually this emotional.'

'Yes, well I don't usually date Calsifer said but here we are.'

'Indeed, we are it was destiny' Alex said looking up 'I'm going to take you out on a proper date after this I promise.'

'It's a deal' Calsifer said.

Alex reached up and kissed Calsifer gently on the lips Calsifer put one arm around Alex's waist and lifted him up Alex squealed in surprise as he landed on of Calsifer.

'I did not know you could to that' Calsifer said smiling.

The storm had dispersed and as the sun rose to its peek I sat down feeling dizzy Serafin had just been running me through some mental exercises throwing energy creating walls hands blades and such but still no avatar.

'Well I mean that was better' she said, 'but remember it not the size of the rock it's how badly you want to throw it.'

I smiled 'you always know exactly what to say.'

Serafin smiled 'what can I say.'

'Quite a lot I say in fact one might say you don't stop.'

Serafin laughed and held out her hand 'up you get'

I jumped up gathering electricity below me and propelling myself up onto Serafin's hand.

Ok, Serafin said 'now try lifting that rock, she indicated a rock about the size of Serafin s fist I concentrated and a hand of energy lifted up the rock until it was level with Serafin's head then Serafin roared I fell over in surprise and Serafin curled her fingers up so I didn't fall and the caught the rock that had wavered in the air.

'And that's the problem' Serafin said 'you get distracted to easily loud noise and there isn't really a solution for that it just takes practise I would just not put you in the line of fire but a dumb as it sounds you will be safer with me then you will back here.'

'Are you sure it's not just my amazing looks' I said.

'No' Serafin said 'that's not the reason you know that's not the reason.' 

I didn't need to ask if she was blushing, but I let it drop I knew how she felt I remembered. 

Serafin didn't say anything for a few seconds and she sat down 'you go and find something to do me and Runetide are going to have an adult conversation' she waved Runetide over. 

I nodded 'ok.'

Serafin nuzzled me and gently placed me on the ground. 

I headed off towards the camp as Serafin stood and headed to the shore with Runetide I had no idea what I was going to do the sun was waning and I could sense the energy around the camp there was still elven hours until the attack but because most people were being granted at least seven hours of sleep everyone was busy getting there gear ready or trying to sleep I just wandered around for a bit watching people do people things then I spotted them coming out of the mess hall Mark, Petrov and Zain. 

I ran over 'oh my god you're alive' I somehow managed to get all of them in one hug. 

'Where ok' mark said.

'Hey, where's your girlfriend?' Zain asked they all heard the roar that came from the shore. 

I smiled 'I think Serafin wants a word with you.' 

'Lucky I'm here' Petrov said being the team's medic. 

'Blatant denial is still denial.' 

'What do you mean?' I asked 

Mark put a hand on Zain's shoulder 'we had best be off he said we have a lot of sleep to catch up on we will see you out there.' 

'Will do' I said after that encounter I just meandered around watching people as the number of people not asleep dwindled until the sun was setting then I heard Serafin in my head. 

Where are you? 

I'm just outside the combat armour barracks. 

Sit tight I'll pick you up. 

And she did after a minute she picked me up and took me to the field that we had claimed and she lay down and put me on her stomach I put my hands on her stomach as it rose and fell there was a warmth that emanated from them I lay down and together in silence we watched the sunset that didn't mean we when talking to each other we both had doubts but eventually Serafin said 'alright you need to get some shut-eye it's not gonna be easy.' 

'Ok' I said I lay down and Serafin picked me up and placed me on her chest the bone like armour changing and softening one I got into a comfortable position she gently placed a hand over me and I heard her singing in my head it wasn't it a language I recognised but it was calming and it seemed to mean something slowly I drifted off with Serafin's song in my head and her heart beating a slow rhythm little later Runetide came over cradling Uriel and sat next to Serafin, Serafin stayed laying down she put a finger to the front of her Muzzle. 

'Shhh, he's' sleeping. 

Runetide chuckled 'so when are you going to tell him.'

'Tell him?' Serafin was confused. 

She smiled' we just had a conversation about it you threw rocks at me.'

'And me' Uriel interjected.

'You just happen to be close to Runetide' Serafin said smiling 'I would never throw rocks at you your just too cute.'  

'Watch it' Runetide said gently tapping Serafin's nose 'she's mine.' 

'Hey' Uriel said, 'I'm no one's.' 

Runetide wrapped both hands around Uriel 'now your mine' she said holding Uriel close to her chest

'let go of me you overgrown iguana' Uriel giggled.

Serafin laughed then her smile faded 'I'm just not sure he feels the same way and after the revelation about me.'

Runetide burst out laughing letting Uriel go. 

'Shh' Serafin said 'Farren is trying to sleep.'  

'I'm surprised he still is' Uriel muttered sitting down on Runetide's stomach 

'Sorry, sorry' Runetide said 'but like you're actually an idiot Serafin like c'mon you're linked you do you know how he feels I've seen the way he looks at you the way you both act.' 

Serafin raised her hand slightly Farren was still sound asleep he looked peaceful. 

'You need to tell him' Runetide urged 'you both like each other but you haven't said it.' 

Serafin lowered her hand 'I will but after this when this is finally over I will tell him'  

Runetide nodded she lay down next to Serafin 'I suppose I should get some sleep too.' Uriel got up and nuzzled Runetide for a second before settling down on her chest Runetide put both her arms around Uriel.

Alex woke up and for a second he couldn't remember where he was he rolled over under the covers and then he saw Calsifer and he remembered Alex smiled he kissed Calsifer lightly on the forehead then slowly got up trying not to disturb him he failed. 

Calsifer stirred then mumbled 'where are you off to.' 

Alex checked his watch 'there's three hours until the attach begins, I imagine you'll be up soon but need to go and talk to Runetide and practices one more time.' 

Calsifer made a muffed grunt that may have been laughter 'practices with Runetide you say? sounds fun.' 

'I would punch you' Alex yarned 'but you're still in bed' Alex put on his long black coat. 

Calsifer with a groan got out of his bed and stood stretching 'I'm out of bed gonna punch me now?' 

Alex took two steps forward and embraced Calsifer, Calsifer lowered his arms and hugged Alex back' just come back alive won't you' Calsifer said. 

'I will' Alex said, 'and after this I promise I will take you on a proper date ok.' 

'It's a deal.' 

Alex and Calsifer kissed once more before, Alex handed off the field where the dragons were sleeping when he reached the field, he woke up Runetide and Serafin who in turn woke up Farren.