-----As the burning air subsides, the dragon laughs deeply. There on the ground before him lies Sol in a very critical condition. The young warrior still clinging to his sword is burned badly although he still pulls himself up. A few feet away, Shema lies motionless as most of her clothing outside her armor has burned away.
-----At that moment, Raven with Rinda and the wolf behind him rush into the grassy field around the battle scene.
-----Shocked at what he sees, Lovan grits his teeth and charges toward the large monster.
-----The well-done Gorian gazes at Shema's prone body with a dulled expression as he hauls himself to his feet and finds his balance. Then Sol turns and heads towards his attacker, his visage turned baleful; this expression only being enhanced by his charred body. His movement towards his foe could hardly be called a charge. Stagger is a lot closer to the mark, relying on force of will alone to propel him towards the mocking laughter.
-----"Oh my goddess...." Sarah mumbles under her breath, wondering if she had mistaken the comet omen earlier, perhaps it really was a symbol of doom. The blonde magi moves back a few steps, staring in awe at the dragon that roasted Sol. She knows that if he can barely walk after its magic, she has almost no hope of coping with its fire. Ducking back, her hands caress a golden owl feather on her necklace, right next to the symbol of a shooting star.
-----As she casts her spell, several angry looking owls begin to circle Sarah's head. They appear into existence from nowhere, and are obviously the result of a spell she has cast. Only then does Sarah appear ready to face the dragon.
-----Raven spots Sol and sees how bad off he is. Locking his eyes on the dragon, a grim Raven runs up to attack.
-----The dragon warily looks at his approaching attackers and hisses. Its large neck snakes around as it balances its huge body. Still standing upright, it begins to motion with its claws drawing on its magical ability. "Fools! Nothing can stop the power of Merkulus! You shall all . ." the dragon begins to speak menacingly but its words are cut short.
-----Just at that moment, Sol staggers up to the large draconian form. As the beast eyes the others, the Gorian hefts his Lathanian sword and, as if drawing upon his last strength, stabs into the thigh of the foul creature. The dragon's head arches back and it screams out in pain and surprise.
-----Then the hunter leaps a few feet from the injured monster. Raven springs toward it with both short swords flashing through the air. The weapons seem to sing as they crease in between the scales on the lower belly.
-----Right behind Raven, Garrison swings his battle-axe only to miss the dragon's tail as it turns and twists in pain.
-----"To the Abyss with ye!" Lovan yells as he brings his warhammer down on one of the dragon's feet. A bone crunching sound is heard beneath the weapon as it connects.
-----Romney steps up beside Sol and slashes in with his own long sword. The guard's weapon cuts a deep gash along the monster's ankle.
-----Just a few yards away, the sun worshipper quickly kneels over the fallen Shema and begins to work and pray.
-----With an angry pain-filled roar, the dragon points its claw once more and releases four missiles, which instantly strike Sol, Raven, Garrison and Romney. The missiles appear to do little damage although Sol falls to one knee. Romney grabs Sol's shoulder and ushers him back.
-----With it bleeding heavily from its lower section, the dragon raises its wings and looks to spring aloft! It sneers at the fighters closest to it and its lips curl in a furious expression.
-----Lowering her fingers in a well-known gesture, Sarah sends magic missiles heading at the dragon. "At least maybe it'll roast me and not Sol." She thinks somewhat desperately.
-----Three missiles streak toward the large beast. On impact, the creature convulses and grabs its wounded belly. At that moment, the air around the dragon seems to waver. The large form appears to melt or shrink.
-----Suddenly standing in the place where the dragon was, is a thin man wearing a red robe. A confused look graces his hairless face as he looks at his human hands. The black mustache that curls down each side of his mouth glistens with sweat.
-----Raven lets out a primal growl as he attacks the red robed man. Raven's usual grace with his sword play is replaced by savage blows feed by his rage. He intends not to stop his attack until either this man or Raven is dead.