Double Dragoons

"People who do not believe in the existence of dragons are often eaten by dragons." ~ Ursula K. Le Guin

There weren't always dragons in the Valley of Ataúd. At least not until the ancient Dräägz⁠—Bel-Katran & Dorn-Atrax⁠—were stirred from their primeval slumber by archaeologists digging beneath the rocky surface of Draco Primus. On separate continents, the human twins Ereboz & Eroz each found a diadem that turned out to be Royal Gemstones belonging to Bel-Katran & Dorn-Atrax (respectively). As a result, both brothers were transformed into 'Dragoons'; whom blindly executed the will of those powerful dragon lords.

Bel-Katran hatched an army of blizzard breathing Drakes, which now surrounded the outlying town of Mythoz. Whereas Dorn-Atrax had raised legions of lizard-men that currently befell the remote town of Pathoz. Yet out of the nine districts that lay strewn far apart within the Valley of Ataúd, Teloz was the largest. Upon its Capitoline summit, top members of the High Council watched events unfold. Procurator Onyroz was the highest ranking official in the room. Flanking her, General Kaoz and Quæstor Doloz ranked second then third. Onyroz addressed the Proconsulate:

"Esteemed Consuls, a planet-wide state of emergency has been declared. We are witnessing an unprovoked attack against our two farthest flung colonies, committed by enemies we know nearly nothing about. Experts can only tell us that these so-called Dräägz⁠ are reptilian in nature. Yet anything regarding their abilities or numbers is unknown to us at present. We have no choice but to stand by and observe what happens to the towns of Mythoz and Pathoz."

Grumbles were heard among the assembly, but General Kaoz explained:

"Scrambling military forces in defence of the outer settlements would be ill-advised at the moment. We really have no idea what we are dealing with and besides, every town posesses some defensive capabilities for precisely this kind of circumstance. While it may seem cruel or unethical to sacrifice the inhabitants of Mythoz and Pathoz, remember that we are newcomers on this sphere and our collective survival is at stake. We must learn more about who these enemies are."

Procurator Onyroz redirected their attention to the Holon displays, which zoomed in from an aerial view of both Mythoz and Pathoz.

A hundred of Bel-Katran's Drakes encroached on the Northern outskirts of Mythoz. They were massive creatures, covered in crystalline scales. Automated turrets seated atop the city walls targeted the closest ones and fired flechettes that could pierce the toughest tank. Those Drakes that got hit flinched momentarily but then they continued to advance as if incensed. Hundreds of human Grenadiers and Laser Lancers opened fire from behind the ramparts, dislodging a few of the attackers as they climbed. These toppled onto several other Dräägz⁠ and they crashed together, impaled by diamond tipped spikes planted below!

However, when the second wave saw this, they took to the air with outspread wings that darkened the midday sky. After gaining the height advantage, each Drake exhaled its freezing cold breath, chilling many defenders to their very bones. The Dräägz⁠ proceeded to land directly onto the battlements, where they devoured their frozen prey. This led to a mass panic inside the walls as civilians rushed to escape Mythoz. But it was already too late. A third wave of Drakes descended on the incredulous crowds and utterly decimated the town's populace!

Meanwhile, a regiment of smaller yet stealthier reptilians was converging on the Southern limits of Pathoz. These lizard-men bore metallic shields and spears forged in the underground foundries of Dorn-Atrax. At first the local troops laid down suppressing fire that repelled these raiders. However, they too could spread wings, which allowed them to deke around erratically enough to avoid most projectiles. Those Dräägz⁠ rose high overhead to lob lances and spew caustic chemicals that thinned the ranks struggling beneath them.

Once the human combatants had been effectively eliminated, the reptiles swooped into Pathoz and ran riot through its streets. Many citizens resisted valiantly, but the invading force was overwhelming to say the least. Large lizards latched their tails to anything not bolted nor chained—dragging everything from signs to small cars behind them to cause maximum damage to the surroundings. Molotov cocktails cast in desperation by angry townies only served the accelerate their hometown's destruction. Come midnight, the public spaces of Pathoz were painted crimson red.

Back on Teloz, all eyes landed on General Kaoz, whom extolled:

"I swear on my oath of office that these noble sacrifices have not been made in vain. The cursed Dräägz⁠ will pay dearly for these atrocities. As of now, we are officially at war with them. They shall soon feel the full might of our strength and only then understand why nobody crosses us humans!"

Though the mood was somber, there was a subdued applause. Subsequently, Procurator Onyroz gave the podium to Quæstor Doloz, whom exposed:

"Circumstances are certainly dire, which is why we have also sent an expidition inward to the planet's core. It is led by a simple girl named Nyx, who found a green gem that has granted her powers similar to those possesed by the Dragoons that Ereboz & Eroz have become. Although she clearly has greater control over her condition than either of our former confederates. Needless to say, this information is classified and should not leave this conference chamber."

An audible sigh of hope filled the room and there was a lot of whispering. Onyroz declared the meeting adjourned and everyone parted ways.

Miles beneath the surface, Nyx and her bodyguards were making their way toward a destination that she couldn't understand at the conscious level, but that made rather intuitive sense in a deep unconscious layer of her mind fused with that of Renna-Ür—Matriarch of Dräägz. Their quest was just beginning, and it would take them places they never dreamed possible.

To Be Continued...

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