Ultimate Level 1
Chapter 491: Rakonath's Call

“So you know what tomorrow means?” Batrire asked as they all climbed out of the carriage.

“Another boss,” Fowl answered, his voice peppy.

“No… I mean, yes, but not just that,” their healer replied. “Three-fourths through the tower. I…” She paused as she spoke, looking at them for a moment. “This process, the speed of everything we’ve done. It’s not even been two years, and we’re blazing through it like it’s nothing.”

Max saw all his friends smiling as they considered what had just been said.

Not even two years… she’s right. Lifetimes are spent trying to get just halfway, and we’re well beyond that.

“I guess that means a celebration after we take down the boss,” Max said as he held out his hand to Tanila. “Think about what you all might want to eat, and I’ll let Everett know.”

“That’s what I like about you, Max,” Fowl said. “Already planning on celebrating the victory.”

***

Max sat there bouncing Callie on his knee, laughing and blowing raspberries as she giggled and babbled.

“Who would have thought my brother, the hero, is also the tamer of children?” Stacy said. “I guess you’ll do rather well when you two have your own.”

Tanila nodded and leaned against him, her finger gently tickling under the baby's chin. “He’ll do great. The best is that I can let him stay up all night while I rest. Perks of not needing to sleep.”

“I still can’t believe how much you’ve grown,” his mother said. “Where did my skinny boy who never seemed to gain any weight no matter how many sweets he ate disappear to? Who is the man that sits here now?”

Glancing at her, he shrugged and grinned. “I’m still the same Max, just different. Besides, I–”

MAX! I NEED YOU!

His knee froze mid-bounce, and it took only a second for him to react, so he handed his niece to Tanila and stood.

“Rakonath needs me! I need to go!”

“Do I–”

He shook his head as everyone started to get up.

“Stay, I’m not sure, I’ll be back!”

One moment he was on the couch, enjoying a rare moment with his family and the next he was out the door of their apartment. The second he was in the hallway, Max used his skill to travel to the area he knew his dragon would be near.

[ Planetary Travel - Waypoint ]

Clouds covered the sky, and it felt like a storm was moving in as he hovered in mid-air. Sensing the direction Rakonath was from him, he took off like a bolt of lightning.

What is it?!

Aerthen! She called to me!

Both man and dragon raced towards each other, like shooting stars on a collision course they met, slowing down immediately as Max almost slammed into his friend's silver scales.

Is she–

YES!

[ Planetary Travel - Waypoint ]

High in the air near the volcanoes where the red dragon lived, a storm was erupting in the night sky.

The glow of red lava and a land covered in fire below illuminated the smoke that rose; yet, in the clouds off in the distance, there was a storm of a different kind.

He and Rakonath took off towards it, watching as flames caused the dark clouds to turn orange and red as lightning bolts arced through them.

Kemruss is here!

Anger and rage replaced the immediate concern Max had had. The knowledge that the dragon who had attempted to do things to the Aerthen had returned pissed him off. It was like a match landing amongst dry straw that had been doused in oil.

His weapon and shield were out and he was riding on his friend's back. Max could sense the concern flowing through his dragon.

What is it?

I’m going to eat his heart out of his chest!

The same fury and anger he felt seemed to roll off Rakonath, but it was much more primal. Each beat of his wings, drawing them closer to the battle, made it grow.

What do we do?

I’ll try to hit and run. He is much larger than both of us. She knows we are coming and is headed this way.

Magical power could be felt in the clouds as Max leaped off Rakonath’s back, using his own ability to fly, getting a little bit of distance between his friend as they moved through the night sky.

A form began to appear in the clouds, the shape of a golden dragon. From the distance they were, he knew immediately that the fight wouldn’t be easy.

He is bigger than Igarra…

A loud roar came from Kemruss as it spotted the silver dragon, and Max could see that Aerthen appeared to be injured. Her left wing was not moving as it should. The gold dragon was attempting to come down from above and force her to the ground, and she twisted, avoiding the large claws and talons that attempted to bind her. She lost altitude in order to remain free.

Rakonath let out his roar, and a red glow began to form as he prepared to breathe flames.

Lightning danced around the gold dragon’s scales, and Max could sense a build-up of power.

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Careful!

No reply came from his friend as the two dragons went at each other, lighting shooting from the tip of Kemruss’s snout while fire billowed forth from Rakonath’s mouth.

Both dragons twisted and turned, death streaming from their beings as they avoided the attack that would have killed most people in a single hit.

NOW!

Max’s presence didn’t even seem to register as the gold dragon turned, chasing after the younger dragon who had come to help Aerthen.

Unsure just what kind of fight this would be, he flew right at the dragon’s back, aiming for the section of scales behind the neck where it would be hard for it to reach him.

Flying as fast as possible, Max slammed into the gold scales, his weapon now a long spear with barbs set in it, not holding back as he prepared for the attack.

[ Stealth ]

[ Detected - Stealth Broken ]

[ Ultimate Form ]

[ Power Strike ]

[ Magical Strike ]

[ Rampage ]

[ Quick Attack ]

Frustrated at how the gold dragon had sensed his presence the moment he had stealthed, Max still drove the tip of his weapon into the beast, piercing the scales and sending four feet of the weapon into its neck. Each subsequent strike of the rampage had driven the spear deeper, piercing the tough outer protection and incredibly strong muscles.

A roar came as it twisted immediately, spinning like a top in midair as it attempted to find the pest that had just injured it.

With a single hand holding the shaft of his weapon tightly, Max willed his weapon to shift forms. The section he held onto turned into a handle, the other part branching out inside, creating tendrils of metal that acted like hooks and barbs everywhere.

“ I SHALL DESTROY YOU! WHO ARE YOU– ”

Kemruss’s words were cut off as Max sensed the presence of Rakonath coming, and the gold dragon had to adjust his path again, claws raking across his scales as the silver dragon took advantage of his successful strike.

A grunt and shudder came from Kemruss as Rakonath flew past, blood appearing where his strike had pierced the scales.

“ THE MARK! YOU ARE THE ONE! DO NOT– ”

Ignoring the roar and words directed at him, Max summoned a hammer, focusing on his Wind Mastery ability to keep him stable. He pressed against the bucking gold dragon, slamming the end of his modified weapon deeper inside.

Each strike caused his opponent to buck and twist, and a build-up of electricity formed around the golden scales.

The pain was immediate as the magical attack flowed through his weapon and into his body, but Max wasn’t going to give up the wound he had created, avoiding the snap that was sent his way, half a dozen yards separating the beast's maw and his body.

Claws moved upward at Max as it tucked both wings, dropping toward the ground, and then Kemruss twisted, halting his attempt to scratch off the flea on his back as fire erupted from underneath.

Below the massive gold dragon was Aerthen, and she roared, pouring out fire and flames.

[ Regeneration ]

The pain of everything intensified as both lightning and fire washed over him.

Caught in the middle of a battle between beasts most kingdoms would never want to face, Max summoned walls of air and ice, trying to divert the flames that covered him, casting Frost Nova and feeling his flesh and muscles regrowing as they were burnt off again and again.

You should go! Do not–

I can deal with it! Tell Aerthen to keep it up!

Kemruss fell like a rock, passing under the red dragon, who cut her flames and turned to give chase. A silver dragon now flanked her as the duo pursued the larger dragon that attempted to escape.

The warm wind of the land below felt amazing as the flames were extinguished, the smell of burnt flesh filling Max’s regenerating nostrils.

Two large gold wings spread out, beating quickly to put some distance between it and the pair of dragons.

A slight glance from a turned head showed Max a gold eye staring at him.

“ This fight does not concern you! Flee human! Mark or no mark, I shall end your life if you stay! ”

Laughing as he held onto his weapon, Max wondered if his body looked normal or still partially burnt. Regardless, he didn’t care. Someone he called a friend had been attacked once, and this dragon had attempted to attack her again.

Bob had told him there would be moments like this, and the only way some would ever learn was to die. Seeing the glint of anger in the gold dragon’s eye told Max that this beast was one of those.

Rather than trading words, Max used the trick he had been preparing for.

Pulling the last keg of flames that didn’t end from storage, Max was grateful that Everett and Tom hadn’t complained too much about him returning it. It wasn’t full, but he knew a moment like this would eventually come up.

[ Phasing ]

Max’s right side, including the keg, became incorporeal as his left side held onto his weapon.

Pushing the keg as deep as possible into the dragon’s neck, Max felt Kemruss start to twist harder, sensing the dragon watching him, seeing what he was doing.

Counting the seconds in his head, Max withdrew his hand and body at the last moment, stored his weapon and leaped off the dragon.

[ Demonic Teleportation ]

Kemruss had attempted to spin, swiping at him with claws as he flew free. Mid-turn, the keg erupted, a muffled explosion followed by a cry of agony from the gold dragon.

A gout of flames flew upward and stuck to the outer gold scales, causing a hole in the side of his neck as his body spasmed. His wings did not flap correctly.

What was that?!

Not missing a beat, Max used his Wind Mastery to give chase, joining the two dragons as they pursued the larger one now plummeting toward the ground below.

Aerthen smiled faintly and nodded slightly as she flew past him, a glow starting to appear in her throat.

Tell her I want the kill!

Seconds passed, and then the red dragon slowed slightly.

You must claim it, or she will take it. She also says, do not think he is so easily defeated. We must –

A shimmer of light began to appear over the gold dragon’s scales, and Max knew that Rakonath’s warning was most likely about to take place.

Gone was the gout of flames that had been streaming from Kemruss’s neck, splattering fire upon his back.

With a single move, both wings snapped into position and the massive body surged forward, no longer falling without control.

A roar louder than any of the others filled the night sky.

“ YOU ALL THREE SHALL DIE! ”

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