Dragon Prince of the Undead

There weren't always dragons in the Valley. It has been a few centuries without any sightings of the dreaded beasts at all, in fact. No one missed the creatures; they always acted like gods, breathing down villagers necks demanding sacrifices. It didn't matter if they were human, dwarven, elvish, or orcish. Anything not considered a "divine beast" were subjugated by the Dragon Lords. It wasn't until all who lived beneath them, joined together under the Goddess Athena, that the king of dragons, Bahamut, was slain and peace found. But all good things must come to an end.

Far north from the Valley, in the dwarven mountain, Jernhammer, the dwarves had discovered a huge crystal cavern. Immediately, they began mining for gems and minerals, untouched for eons. After all, they are the biggest provider for weapon materials, though not as skilled with magic infused crystals compared to the elves. Still, their latest findings would earn them a pretty penny, if only they knew the cost.

Inside one of the many illuminated holes found in that cavern, a giant amethyst hovered in the center of an underground lake. Unable to see the creature residing within, the dwarves began the extraction process. The second they laid hand on it to inspect the gem, cracks slowly formed around it like a spiderweb. They were confused and alarmed as it shattered before their eyes, revealing a humanoid dragon.

"Seth..." one whispered.

It glared at them despite being somewhat dazed from the rude awakening as the dwarves drew their axes, preparing for a fight. The leader of the excavation swung his axe to cleave the dragon's head off, but he dodged and countered with a roar, destroying the leader's armor.

"How dare you attack me?!" the dragon bellowed, "Apologize or else!"

His demand was met with raised axes and cursing. "It seems we missed one, boys! Don't let it escape!" the leader ordered.

Seth didn't have time to process the words at that moment. If it was a fight they wanted, it was a fight they'll get. Despite awakening mere moments ago, he was fast, dodging the attacks left and right from all twelve dwarves. As clarity came back to him, he charged a spell under his breath, hoping to end this nonsense quickly. The dwarves fought with everything they had, but the moment the dragon completed his spell, all of them fell to their knees. Perhaps if they had been more prepared, the dwarves would have been victorious, but now they are forced to kneel once more to a dragon.

"Ten minutes? I must be rusty after that nap..." the victor muttered to himself then turned to one of the dwarves with a pointed gaze, "You there! You best have an explanation for this petty scuffle. Have you forgotten who your masters are?"

The dwarf scoffed and spat, "We have no masters. We've been free of your kind's tyranny for centuries now. Even if we die here, there is no place for dragons as long as Athena is on our side!" Her comrades cheered at her words as they struggled to their feet, only to be brought back down by the oppressive air emitting from the dragon.

"What exactly do you mean by that?

"Ah, ya have been asleep for awhile, so I s'pose you hadn't heard. Bahamut is slain along with the rest of your rotten lot!"

Seth trembled with pure rage at the news and slammed the impertinent dwarf against the wall, the onyx caving in slightly from the force. "Deceiver!!!" he shrieked, "My father is a GOD of gods, and you expect to believe such an insulting lie?!"

They sputtered and coughed up blood as shards of splintered onyx dug into their back, "Heh... Arrogant as always... If ya don believe us, why doncha fly over to daddy's palace, see for yaself."

As the dwarf spoke, another shook off some of the spell's effects and quietly snuck behind the dragon prince, his pickaxe ready. As he was preparing to smash into the dragon's head while still distracted, Seth caught a glimpse of the weapon and grabbed it seconds before it connected. He pulled the dwarf using his grip on the handle and smashed his forehead against his face, then tossed aside the unconscious dwarf. He returned his attention to the dwarf squirming in the fist tightening around his neck.

"I am done playing these games," Seth's tone grew colder and crueler, "I am Seth, the son of Bahamut, and I sentence you all to death and servitude, beginning with you."

That was the only warning the dwarf, struggling for air, was given as Seth pierced their armor and dug his vicious claws into their chest then ripping their heart out as their screams echoed throughout the caverns. Seth strengthened his spell holding the rest down till they could barely keep their faces off the ground and then repeated the process to the rest of the dwarves. He stared at his handiwork for a few seconds, debating on utilizing them before or after verifying their claims. He shook his head deciding to leave it till after, that they would only slow him down.

Seth traversed the secret passage known to only his kin and flew with feathered wings to the Palace of Bahamut, arriving in two days time. The sight of the empty ruins of his glorious home was more than he could endure. He sprinted from room to room, calling out to any dragon that he knew with clear desperation, his search coming to an end in the throne room. The sight of destruction and the remains of his companions overwhelmed his senses, tears gathered at the corner of his eyes as he heaved. Not only were they deceased, they had been left to rot in the open air, thus leaving only bones. Despite that, he recognized some of them, especially Behemoth. Bahamut wasn't among them, meaning either he was able to pass on and reincarnate or that his remains were collecting dust elsewhere.

Either way, Seth was truly alone and this was undeniable proof. His mind was captured by a hurricane of emotions. Anguish, despair, hopeless, but beneath it all, he felt fury and vengeful that grew gradually until it was all he felt. He had lost everything he knew as he slumbered till it was time for him to ascend, but he still has his magic and the determination to proceed as the lone emperor. He rises to his feet and staggers towards Behemoth, preparing a spell. Necromancy may have been looked down upon by all races, but in his eyes giving his fallen comrades a chance to obliterate those who had slain them was far more important magnanimity.

The bones of the humongous creature slowly crawled closer together, snapping back into place and connecting with magic. The air crackled as it took form and with a deafening rumble it signaled its completion. Behemoth stared with glowing pinpoints for eyes into Seth's soul.

"Behemoth... Can you hear me?" Seth questioned with concern. It gave a thundering roar of confirmation in draconian. Seth smiled for the first time that day, "Good... Then please aid me in restoring order to this world, as it was meant to be. Together, dragons will rule again!" The thunderous cries of the two dragons rang and echoed into the sky, promising the beginning of the end.