The sun was beginning to fall down behind the horizon. The people of Vaal had recovered quickly from the megaswarm of Remobra and Thunderbugs. Already had they taken care of the wounded and anyone who had been unfortunate enough to have fallen to the monsters. Now the remaining guards and the small number of hunters willing to fight had massed together near the center of the town.

Legatus had taken a stand on a large crate and was observing all those who had come to fight. Many seemed anxious, some even fearful. Legatus turned as he saw a man walking towards him. “Permission to speak sir?”

“Granted”, Legatus responded as he hopped down to be on equal level. The man was a little shorter than he was, with short brown hair and a long leather coat and a wide rimmed hat, with a pair of glasses sitting on the bridge of his nose. “I am a scholar for the Royal Paleontology Scriveners. My name is Miyoru, and I-“”

“Scriveners? This hardly seems like a time for writing records. We’re preparing for an attack, and can’t afford to waste any time.” Legatus was walking through the crowd, checking the status of the fighters, Miyoru following close behind. “I understand that sir, but I believe that a prediction form an old crone is hardly enough to warrant preparation for battle. The battle had already happened today.”

“That was just one battle. Remobras and Great Thunderbugs are the heralds of disaster, and I have more than enough experience to know when to heed a premonition.”

“Experience? You mean you used to be a hunter?” Miyoru questioned, suddenly even more intrigued. “Remarkable! If I may ask, what was your title and why have you retired?” He asked, bringing out his journal and a pen.

Legatus was still walking, hardly acknowledging Miyoru’s questions. “I never had title, and as for my retirement, I have no intention of sharing it.”

Miyoru lowered his book and continued following, a little disheartened. “Oh, forgive me.”

Legatus finally turned to face Miyoru, but he was still unaware and continued walking until he bumped into Legatus, nearly losing his balance, “If I may ask you something Miyoru, have you by any chance taken note of the scorch marks that predicted the attack?”

“Yes I have,” he responded, gathering his wits about him, “I sketched it when all the healers were tending to the wounded.” He brought up his journal, and opened it to a page which had the eerie visage carefully sketched, almost looking like the actual markings were right in the book. “Do you have an idea of what it is?” Miyoru asked, scanning Legatus’ features.

Legatus gave a slight snort as he continued his examinations of the guards and hunters. “I recognize it as the one and only Emperor of Fire, Teostra. We can’t afford to take this situation lightly.”

Miyoru looked down at the sketch quizzically, “You are certain that it is Teostra? It could just be a random coincidence. It might not even be Teostra.”

“That might be true. Either way, we need to be prepared,” Legatus countered. “We’ve already been taken by surprise once today, and I won’t let that happen again.”

“Sir!”

Legatus and Miyoru both turned as they saw a hunter running towards them. “By the southern gate, we’ve seen some explosions in the mountains!” Legatus and Miyoru glanced at one another then ran after the hunter, following him to the southern gate. Once there, Legatus walked up to a scout looking through a telescope. “What have you found?”

The scout lowered his telescope and pointed to the mountains. “A few minutes ago we saw many explosions throughout the mountain side.”

“Any idea as to what it might be?” Miyoru asked, gently snatching the scope from the man’s hands and looking at the mountains, still able to see the plumes of smoke rising into the sky. Legatus scanned the mountains, like a hawk searching for a mouse from high in the sky. “There!”

All the scouts and hunters, and Miyoru, looked around as they saw the explosion he pointed out. And it was close. It couldn’t have been more than half a mile away. Legatus turned to all the men, “Ready your weapons! Sound the alarm!”

One scout brought out a flute, and with a single breath, sounded the warning. Soon a whole chorus of flutes reverberated through the city of Vaal. Guards and hunters flocked to the southern gate, ready to defend the city should something break through the doors. Other guards had gone outside the gates, to serve as a first line of defense. Legatus drew his longsword in preparation, “Miyoru, I believe now you should head to safety.”

Miyoru gave a nervous chuckle as he slowly started backing away, “Uh, s-sure.” And with that, he took off running to the Gathering Hall where everyone else had been gathered for safety. Legatus hopped on top of the ledge he was at and then jumped down to the ground twenty feet below, landing with the grace of a cat. He turned to look at all the guards left, and knew that they needed encouragement.

“Men!” All those present turned to him. “Listen, and listen well. Today you have already shown much bravery. Repelling the massive swarm of wyverns and Thunderbugs, something no man could do alone. Now, we shall all face an even greater test of bravery! After this battle, you shall all be remembered, in the pages of our history!” Raising his crimson claymore in the air, he was met with an uproar of cheers and excited yelling.

The cheers were cut short as an unearthly roar echoed through the mountains. The men fell silent and turned to a gap in between the mountains, heavy with fog. The men shifted nervously, while Legatus held his sword at the ready. Suddenly the fog parted as streams of fire erupted from the yawning chasm. Soon the figure of a monster was seen through the flames. Blood red scales, hideous fangs, strong leathery wings, two gallant horns that seemed like a crown upon its head and a mane that shimmered like fire. Legatus and all the men couldn’t help but be awestruck at the majesty of the Elder Dragon of Fire. The Teostra leisurely walked into the vast field in front of the gates. Looking at all the men, it seemed to glow even brighter from the heat of the flames that surrounded its body.

Letting loose another roar, it charged towards the gate. Legatus charged forward as well, ready to meet the dragon in combat. The two fighters meet head-on in the field; Legatus’ sword caught in between the dragons monstrous fangs. Teostra lifted its head, throwing Legatus and his sword high into the air before they came back to the ground. Teostra drew closer, intent on quickly finishing him. Suddenly a large arrow pierced the ground in front of it.

The dragon turned around as he saw men readying the Ballista for another shot. The guards that were in front of the gate were also closing in, Lances, Gunlances, and guns at the ready. Roaring again, it charged them as well, flames wreathing around its body. The men stood no chance. It charged through them all as if it were just running through a field of grass, which burned and smoldered in its wake.

Legatus slowly got up, just as the Teostra charged through the gates, the steel enforced doors seeming like little trouble. Grabbing his blade, he ran after the dragon, not about to fail again.

He quickly made it to the gates, and was greeted by a horrible site. The Teostra had scattered the fighters all over the place. Some were still trying to hold it off, others were running for their lives. The fire barrier around the dragon was searing the skin of those nearby. Some of the men were literally being burned alive in their armor.

Legatus ran to the dragon’s exposed tail and swung down hard.  The Teostra howled in pain, and turned around to face him again. Legatus stared right into the fire dragon’s eyes, seeing his own reflection in the burning blue orbs. The Teostra lowered the fire barrier around it, and both combatants slowly began circling one another, the Teostra lowering itself close to the ground preparing to attack, and Legatus with his giant sword held up at the ready.

Roaring again, the Teostra charged Legatus again, but Legatus nimbly sidestepped the attack and swung his blade at its left horn. With a small shower of sparks the blade bounced off, but the Teostra had nearly lost its balance and stumbled to a stop. Slightly whimpering it shook off the blow and turned again. Legatus could see that he had cracked its horn, and it wasn’t happy about it.

Giving a bellowing growl, the dragon reared its head back and ushered a burning stream of fire from its mouth. Legatus barely had enough time to jump out of the way, but not before receiving a nasty burn to his arm. The Teostra slowly walked towards him, seeming satisfied with the damage it had done. Legatus was struggling to get back on his feet, and the Teostra was readying itself to breathe its flames once again.

‘I’m finished,’ Legatus thought.

Suddenly he saw a black figure leap from the building behind the dragon, two swords drawn at the ready. Spiraling in his freefall, he came right down on the dragon’s cracked horn and sliced it clean off. The elder dragon reared back in pain and fell, thrashing and squirming to regain its footing. The figure in black armor turned to Legatus, “Up on your feet, quickly!”

Legatus painfully tried to lift his sword, but his burn prevented such a movement. The Teostra had quickly recovered and was right back on its feet. Looking at its severed horn on the ground, it reared back and roared in anger. It charged the black hunter, swinging a flame covered claw in an attempt to end him. The man easily rolled under the claws, swinging his blades at its underbelly before getting back on his feet. The Teostra continued its charge, ignoring its wounds and heading towards Legatus in his weakened state.

It lifted its fiery claws again as it pounced at him, fangs bared and claws swirling with fire. Before the Teostra was even close, three small explosions erupted from its arm, knocking it over and away from Legatus, sending it crashing into a small shop. Legatus quickly looked around before he spotted a gunner, covered in azure blue armor, armed with a gleaming scarlet bowgun. The gunner nimbly hopped from one rooftop to another, closing in on the elder dragon, reloading as he went.

Before he could do anything, Legatus felt a small tug on his uninjured arm. Looking down, he saw a small armored Melynx pulling him towards an alleyway. “This way, nya! We need to get you fixed up!” Legatus followed him, still looking back as the two hunters fight the Teostra. Once inside the alley, Legatus felt the pain of his arm come rushing to him, and he slumped to the ground hissing in pain.

The Melynx reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial, handing it to Legatus, “Drink this, it’ll heal you, meow.” The little Lynian held the vial Legatus’ face, but the strong smell made him turn away from it. Frustrated and impatient, the Melynx stomped on his gut, causing him to grunt in pain. The Melynx swiftly poured the green liquid down his throat and held his mouth closed, should the potion not want to stay down.

Legatus at first resisted and struggled, but soon calmed down, letting the foul-tasting medicine work its magic. He could feel his burn slowly heal, and soon all his pain had melted away. The Melynx wrapped a bandage around the still healing injury. “There, all better, nya!”

Legatus was about to offer a word of gratitude, but an explosion from the street cut him short. The Melynx had already drawn a little hammer from behind his back and hopped off into the street, ready to fight alongside the hunters. Legatus picked up his sword again, finding it much easier this time, and ran after the little cat.

Once back in the street, he found the three hunters, cat included, all fighting the Teostra. The two hunters were covered in patches of ash, while the Teostra was still not backing down. The Melynx had given several goods whacks with his hammer, but their combined might seemed to do little.

Roaring again, the Teostra gave mighty flaps of its wings, from which gleaming red powder filled the air, almost like snow. The powder remained in the air for a few seconds, and with a powerful snap of its fangs, the whole street erupted in explosions. The hunters scrambled for safety, the black armored one diving into an alleyway, the blue one jumping off his roof into a barrel, Legatus back into his alleyway, and the little Melynx swiftly burrowing into the ground.

Giving one last roar, the Teostra took off, flying away towards the mountains again. The four hunters came out of hiding, watching the Elder Dragon fly away.

Legatus walked over to the black scaled hunter, watching the man lift the visor of his helm and sheathe his blades.

“I am very grateful to you. You saved my life, and saved the city.”

The man turned to him, lifting off his helmet, showing his autumn colored hair, emerald eyes, and smooth featured face. Obviously an experienced hunter“You’re welcome. But I’m not the only one who helped you out.”

Both men turned as they watched the gunner pop out of his barrel, struggling for a second before finally managing to get himself out. Apparently this guy was a little wet behind the ears.

Happily walking up to them, he slung his bowgun across his back and offered a silly little salute, “Hi!”

Legatus returned a more formal salute, and turned back to the man in black, “I’m sorry, I never got your names.”

“My name’s Ryuko,” the autumn haired hunter said, “and this is Asura, my baby brother.”

“Hey, I’m not a baby!” Asura said, taking his azure cap off, letting his burgundy hair sway around and showing his fair face, almost childike, with violet colored eyes. “Hey wait, where’s Apple?” he said, looking around the street,

“Who?” Legatus asked, and was then surprised by the little Melynx jumping out from his little burrow he had made in the ground.

“Present, nya!”

“There you are! I was starting to get worried!” Asura happily exclaimed, picking up Apple and hugging him like a teddy bear. Apparently Apple didn’t mind, for he began to purr a little.

Legatus let Asura and Apple continue and turned to Ryuko, “So, were you guys tracking that Teostra?”

“Yes we were. We’ve been chasing for quite some time. It’s proving to be very troublesome.”

“Hm, that explains your timely arrival. Let’s get everyone together, we need to help all the wounded.” With that Legatus sheathed his claymore and went to go fetch the healers. But he was stopped as he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“We’ll take care of that, and everyone else,” Asura said, a slight smile on his face, “Don’t forget, you’re still healing up, and the potion wasn’t gonna fix it completely.”

Legatus looked down at the bandage still on his arm. Truth be told he had actually forgotten about it. “Oh, right.”

“Take a break, you look like you need it,” Asura continued, looking off into the setting sun, “and besides, it’s almost nighttime. Go get some rest, we’ll find you in the morning.”

Before Legatus could even protest, Asura and Apple had already taken off, both bringing out bottles of potions as they left.

Legatus just shook his head and took a seat on a crate located nearby, glad to have a chance to rest. Ryuko walked over to him, “So how did you anticipate the Teostra’s attack?”

Legatus looked up at him, “There was an attack on the city earlier today, a swarm of Remobra and Great Thunderbugs. We managed to drive them away, but afterwards this old woman made a prediction of a monster that would attack the city. I wasn’t about to take something like that lightly.”

Ryuko gave a nod of understanding and took a seat next to him, “You’re a very smart captain, and a very brave one too. I’m not surprised you were given such a task.”

“Thank you,” Legatus glanced at the gleaming twin blades strapped to his back, “And you yourself are an amazing fighter. I’m glad you came along when you did.”

“Ah it’s nothing,” Ryuko looked around as he saw Asura and a group of medics tending to the wounded, “You can go rest. I’ll go help Asura and the others with the rest of this.”

“Alright,” Legatus rose up and stretched little, “Since everyone insists on it.” Legatus began walking towards the Gathering Hall, already starting to feel the exhaustion. “Thanks again, Ryuko.”
“Don’t mention it,” Ryuko called back, then went to helping Asura tend the wounded.

Soon Legatus had made it back to the Guild Hall, going up the many stairs that lead to his room. His arm felt like it was acting up again, and he was all too ready for sleep. Finally he made to his room, and proceeded to remove his minimal armor and charred clothing. Careful of his wound, soon he was in nothing but a pair of shorts. Looking at the bandage, he removed it to replace it with a cleaner one.

Taking a small vial of healing salve, he applied it to his wound, feeling the slight sting, but otherwise shrugging it off. Wrapping his wound in the bandage, he finally fell down into his bed, his tiredness hitting him like a Diablos.

But one thought still crossed his mind, ‘Was the creature really supposed to be a Teostra?’ The thought soon melted away as sleep overtook him.