Selim crouched by a tree, with Sylvia in hand, staring at the dragon. The dragon stood 9 feet tall and 7 feet long, muscular with each wing being 4 feet long and 2 feet wide. It's scales emitted heat as though a volcano had erupted. Its very presence sent all the predators and preys alike in the forest into hiding. The towering creature looked down at Selim who was staring directly at it and roared intensely. Its roar echoed, shaking the trees and chasing off birds and other lifeforms in the area.
Selim blurted, "Just my luck."
The dragon brought his head down, coming face to face with Selim. It exhaled and the hot air pushed Selim against the tree. Then it spoke, its voice like grinding boulders, "Are you with them?"
"No" Selim answered almost immediately.
"Really?"
The dragon moved away and in an instant, it was covered in a bright light, sharp and blinding. As the light faded away, it shrank and revealed a muscular dark skinned man, with two pulsing magma lines beneath each eye. He stood towering at 6.8 feet, gold eyes with a black slit for pupils. His ancient gaze fell on Selim.
"I'll ask again, are you with them?"
"No" Selim replied again, unblinking.
The man threw his head back and burst into laughter, his voice like a sonic boom each time.
"You've got guts kid. What are you called?" The man asked.
"Selim... Selim Leoch," Selim answered.
"Leoch?" The man said in remembrance. His expression darkened, "So you are the descendant of that brat Kyle."
He pointed a finger at Selim and at the tip of his nail, a magma orb formed and shot it Selim. Selim evaded, moving places to another tree. He turned and another orb was already in front of him. His body moved instinctively, evading but the orb grazed his cheek. The grazed part sizzled with white hot pain.
"If you want to survive, The man said dismissively, eyes dropping to the unconscious Sylvia. "I'd advise you toss away that luggage."
Selim glared at him as he healed his wound. He released his killing intent and the man quaked alittle but he quickly regained his composure.
"Such potent killing intent. You must have trained very hard. It seems Kyle's blood really runs through you," the man said with a half smile. "Lets see you handle this."
A swarm of magma orbs appeared behind the man. He waved his hand casually and the orbs flew at Selim at sonic speed. Selim immediately cast {Shield} and reenforced it with mana to withstand the onslaught. The concussive blast rocked the forest floor and sent vibrations through the forest. When the smoke settled they survived but the shield was destroyed, totally.
"Wow, you are really strong. You use spells a lot for a Leoch. Maybe it's because you don't have a weapon."
He pulled out a sword from his palm and tossed it to Selim. Selim's eyes darted, scanning the forest, his brain analyzing their escape. But every possible outcome ended with their deaths, except for the one where he abandoned Sylvia. The man noticed and said, "If you're thinking of escaping, you can't. I've set up a barrier. Nothing enters or leaves unless I allow it."
"Is that so?" Selim said, a devious glint in his eyes. "No witnesses" he thought.
He carefully propped Sylvia against a tree trunk. Methodically, he layered protections over her: "{Shield}." A dome of light enveloped her. "{Earth Cover}." The soil rose, forming a protective berm. "{Shield}." A second, stronger dome solidified over everything. He stood up and picked the sword, his eyes more alert than it has ever been. His aura flared as he stared down and the man who was excited.
"Prepare yourself, dragon man, payback is coming,"
"The name's Teraak," the man said.
They both lunged at each other from their stances.
Meanwhile in the Barony there was chaos.The dragon's roar had shaken the very stones of the palace. Baron Maxim was already in the courtyard, his voice cutting through the panic as he organized his soldiers for a raid.
"Rodrik! Commander Bech! Take the aerial units! I want wyvern riders in the sky now!"
As knights scrambled to their posts, Elaine came running, her face pale with terror. She stumbled on the cobblestones, but Maxim caught her, steadying her.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" He asked.
"Selim..." she choked out, tears welling in her eyes. "Selim is in the forest!"
"What? Is Sylvia with him?"
"I think so. I saw them both entering the forest. Oh, my baby...." Elaine sobbed, burying her head in her husband's chest.
"Don't worry, they'll be fine. Selim has always evaded danger, no doubt he'll find a way to stay alive. And Sylvia is a smart girl, a very good mage and the daughter of one of the strongest swordsmen in the continent, surely they'll find a way to come out of this alive," Maxim said, stroking her back comfortingly.
He gently released her, his expression hardening into that of a commander. He mounted his warhorse, gave his wife a final, resolute nod, and rode out through the gates, a thousand men following at his back.
Back in the forest, Selim and Teraak clashed. Selim swung down with a terrifying speed but Teraak sidestepped and lands a bone crushing punch on his side that sent him flying into a tree. Selim cast {Shield} behind him to minimize the impact. Seeing Selim still standing, Teraak smiled. He casually started walking towards Selim. Selim cast three enhancements on his body: {Haste}, {Strength} and {Processor}. He burst from his standing spot towards Teraak, faster than before. He swung for Teraak's neck but Teraak blocked with his arm. Selim grunts as he struggled pushing against Teraak's arm. Teraak sent him flying with a push and dashed after him. Selim had barely seconds when he landed before he was face to face with Teraak's fist. {Processor} kicked in and it felt like electricity ran through his spine. He twisted, striking as he dodged. Sparks flew as Selim's sword grinds against Teraak's face. Both fighters backed away and Teraak spoke, "This is the most fun I have had in years."
The air immediately became heavy, Teraak released steam from his skin and lock his reptilian eyes on Selim.
" I'll give you a warning young Leoch: If you don't want to die, come at me with everything you've got 'cause starting now, I'll be using 10% of my powers."
"So you noticed?," Selim said, healing his body. "10%? What the hell have I been fighting, 2%? How much more effort do I need to go toe to toe with 10%?" He thought.
"Holding back a dragon," Teraak chuckled. "You are one gutsy kid"
Selim's eyes darted around the terrain they had created. Teraak smiled and said,"Thinking of running? Just so you know, your brat of an ancestor was the only human capable of fighting me at 70% of my powers. Does that motivate you to fight?"
"Not really," Selim answered, pointing his sword at him. "You are going down this time."
They lunged at each other, their exchange was as fast as lighting. Selim lessen the grip on his sword, "Lazy sword, 3rd form: winding river."
His sword moved in a winding motion, the force getting stronger with each wind. It hit and actually cut Teraak's should. Magma oozed out from the wound as it healed almost immediately.