Point-of-View: Esta Grefiel

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  How has it come to this? Are we really sending the weakest of us as sacrificial pawns while the strongest of us hang back in safety like cowards?

  "What are you all waiting for!? Go through before it closes!" Exclaimed the Fire Sage.

  She had created an opening in the barrier using her flames, but the front line was understandably hesitant to rush forward, since there were thousands of monsters on the other side.

  "I-if we do, we will surely die!" One of those in the front exclaimed in fear.

  "Most of us do not have any combat experience, this is suicide!" Wailed another.

  "I-I do not wish to die in such futility, I……!" Began a Dwarf, before he was suddenly cut off as the Fire Sage blasted down a fireball at him, killing him.

  A stunned, shocked silence fell over us all, unable to believe our eyes……

  "Dying for the sake of Lord Laus is anything but futility, how dare you!? If you are not going to be of any use to Lord Laus, then you may as well die……unless the rest of you wish to die as well, go through the opening……now!" Screamed the Fire Sage furiously, as she shot out another fireball to widen the shrinking opening.

  After a moment's hesitation, they began to move, charging into the opening……I could feel it, their terror and despair, having been forced to run towards their deaths like this.

  And it was only a matter of seconds before their screams began ringing out, the monsters tearing into them mercilessly. I felt so frustrated and helpless……I had been relegated to the rear, part of the group sent to the north of Abyss, under the command of Bie Papri, the Fire Sage.

  I do not know how long it was before the screams finally began dying down, but by the time that happened, thousands were dead, their corpses scattered all over the place in a large pool of blood, as we finally began to push the monsters back, stepping over the corpses of our comrades.

  We were making progress, but at what cost? So many were dead, and for what? Had they not been here, it would not have made much of a difference……their deaths were truly pointless, so why……why would Lord Laus command them to do this?

  I have done my best to avoid thinking about it all this time, but each and every one of his commands over the past few months……deep down, I could not agree with them. His commands have gotten so……cold and cruel. Why are we obeying these commands? It is not just that many of us have died, it is that many of us have died pointlessly.

  Are we nothing more than disposable pawns to him? All I currently feel is despair……and it is probably nothing compared to the despair felt by those that were forced to join this battle against their will and then made to charge straight towards their deaths, to be torn apart by mindless, savage monsters.

  "Tch, how useless……," Suddenly growled Bie, clicking her tongue.

  "Wh-what do you mean by that?" I responded with a frown.

  "Hm? Is it not obvious? Those worthless fools, allowing themselves to be killed so easily without dealing any damage to the enemy at all, how useless. Lord Laus deserves more competency, not such worthless rabble," She scoffed in response.

  I was completely speechless……how can she say all that? Before I could process her words, a sudden burst of flames from up front distracted me, as a massive, swirling fireball wiped out much of our front line.

  Huh? I do not see any monsters, they are all gone……where did they all disappear to? And who or what is causing those flames?

  The Fire Sage looked quite shocked as well, as hundreds were wiped out in a matter of seconds……and then, several more massive fireballs burst forth, as several thousands were burnt to death before they could even react.

  "Wh-what is this!?" Exclaimed Bie in shock, when suddenly, a red figure rapidly flew past the flames and landed behind us with a powerful impact, causing me to stumble as a slight shockwave burst out, cracks appearing in the ground.

  And then, right in the middle of our ranks, the thousands upon thousands of monsters that had suddenly and mysteriously vanished then reappeared, throwing our troops into chaos. As for the rear, in addition to the one that had landed behind us, three more had surrounded us, and they looked like……

  "Dragons," I realized grimly, taking a tentative step back.

  "How dare you……!?" Began Bie furiously.

  "Be quiet……how truly disgusting, hiding behind those that are weaker than you, you must not have any pride," Remarked the Dragon that landed behind us, one with red scales and a stifling heat emanating from his body, "I am Draco, the Dragon King……and you will die by my hand."

  "You dare call me a coward!? There is nothing cowardly about using those that are disposable on the front lines and protecting the more valuable combatants for the critical moments of the battle!" Argued Bie arrogantly.

  "Wow……that is literally the most pathetic and cowardly thing that I have ever heard. I shall put you out of your pitiful existence, you miserable creature," The Dragon King responded in disgust, before zipping towards Bie, who quickly flew up in response, unleashing her Fire Sage Mode.

  Some of the other Fairies around me began to fly up towards them, but were quickly shot down by the others that had surrounded us……they were Dragons too. I suppose that I have no choice but to fight as well……

  I shot towards one of the Dragons, one with turquoise-blue scales, webbed hands and feet, and the end of its tail was webbed too. Its wings seemed the same too, they looked more suitable to swimming than flying……well, it does not matter what it is capable of, I must defeat it!

  As I closed in on it, it fired out a rapid blast of water at me, I countered with an Obliteration Magic blast as I opened my third eye, canceling out the water blast and continuing on towards the Dragon, who evaded it with ease.

  "Come on, is that all you can do?" Taunted the Dragon with a smirk, firing another water blast at me.

  I quickly flew up towards him in response, firing out a barrage of Obliteration Magic blasts at him, before drawing out my daggers connected by a chain as he evaded my attacks, slashing at him as I closed it. Before my blade could strike, he deflected it with his claws, a smirk on his face.

  I crossed my arms in alarm as he fired out a water blast at point-blank range……it was too close for me to evade and there was not enough time to teleport or counter with an attack of my own.

  I let out a sharp, hollow gasp of pain as the Dragon fired his water blast at me, immense pain bursting through my arms and chest as I got sent flying down towards the ground at a blinding speed.

  I fired out wind from my back as I closed in on the ground to blunt the impact as much as possible, but it was still immense, the sheer force nearly knocking me unconscious as I slammed onto the ground, my vision blurring and darkening as a weak cry of pain escaped my lips.

  My arms are completely broken, and my ribs feel like they are badly fractured too……it is no use, I……I am losing consciousness. The last thing I saw before my eyes fully closed was the Dragon I was fighting, glancing down at me, before flying away with a look of disinterest as I started to lose consciousness……

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  Point-of-View: Draco

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  "Your flames are pitiful, Dragon! I am the Fire Sage, you could never even hope to match what I am capable of!" Declared the Fire Sage cockily, as she blasted out a huge stream of flames in my direction.

  She isn't exactly wrong, but……she is far too overconfident, she does not understand a thing. Well, no matter, she will see soon enough.

  I evaded her attack and then zipped through the air as fast as I could, slipping behind her in an instant and blasting out an intense ball of flames at her. She began to attempt to dodge it, but it struck her right shoulder before she could fully get out of the way.

  "You are quite sure of yourself, Fire Sage, but you are rather slow, considering your level of confidence," I stated, as she glared at me furiously.

  "Lowly lizard……! Do not get cocky just because you landed an attack, I am highly resistant to Fire Magic attacks, you cannot truly inflict damage upon me!" She responded with a sneer.

  She still doesn't get it……I suppose I may as well spell it out for her, and after that, I shall end this fight once and for all……

  "Highly resistant to Fire Magic? How adorable……," I responded with a smirk, "I shall let you in on a little secret, Fire Sage……unlike you, I am not resistant to fire. No, I am completely immune to it……"

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  Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Don't forget to vote, and feel free to leave a comment, I appreciate any and all feedback and criticism!

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