Dalengor was shaken to her core when she got the news. Drows AND Shadow Dragons? That would prolong the war! She had to put her worries to the back of her mind, though. Her friends needed to win! Arsha made the call for battle stations and Dalengor made her way to the bridge. “Dalengor, I know they’re your people,” called Arsha, “but they’re on the wrong side. Weaknesses?”
“In their full dragon state,” answered Dalengor, “they’ve got a chink in their armor just below their right ribs. Big enough for arrows to hit. However, they’ll compensate for that with their speed. They’re the fastest fliers around and always have a Drow riding them.”
“And with Quenthem out of action, it’ll be more difficult to coordinate the counter-attack. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have an uphill struggle. Let’s push on through it and prove to the enemy that we can handle anything!”
“Erodeth’s given the go-ahead for attack,” reported Shalvey.
“Then let’s get to it!”
As the Air Fighters, sans Quenthem, dealt with the Shadow Dragon riders and their riders as best they could, the Driders rappelled halfway down the wall and fired on the ground forces. Falnimam was named one of the best shots in the Drider Self Defense Force and she intended to prove it that day. Unfortunately, some Drow had the bright idea to shoot at her line. The sudden shift in her rear’s weight was enough to make her fall. She hit the ground, then picked herself up to see the Drow leader approach her. It was a priestess, judging by the ornate armor. “Te failure still lifes?” scoffed the woman in an accented voice.
“Despite your best efforts, yes,” replied Falnimam. “Me and my mothers and sisters still do. Still pledging loyalty to Oyed, I presume?”
“It serfs te Trows. You are not only a failure, but you are also stupit. You testroy your fusher by crossink Oyet.”
“It’s YOU with no future, Tanta, YOU who are the failure. Drow relics are now in museums!”
“Impossible!” Tanta’s voice betrayed offense at the idea that her culture was now something to gawk at instead of being feared.
“The Drows have failed in seizing eternity, as is the result of ALL life! Persist and you will be the first Drow mummy!” Tanta charged at the Drider, swinging her sword wildly. Falnimam blocked her opponent’s blows with her staff, then slammed her head into the wall, knocking her out. “Moron.” Falnimam was then grabbed by the neck by a male Drow and flung across the battlefield. When she recovered, she got a good look at the fighter. “The orphan turned assassin, Ektar.”
“Better to trive in Tanta’s court tan starf in te streets,” replied the male Drow. “You Triters may practice Shate Magic, Falnimam, but I am te master!” Shadows then enveloped Ektar’s hands, and he fired a torrent of them at Falnimam. She then held her hand out and absorbed it before flinging it into his face, knocking him down.
“Pride will be your downfall!” she declared.
“And it won’t be yours?” asked another male voice. This one didn’t have the Drow accent, but she knew it came from a Drow. She turned to see her ex-boyfriend.
“Eltum, you have the potential to be our future ally!” she pleaded.
“To the Depths with the future, Darling,” replied Eltum, “I live in the moment.”
“Given our shared antipathy towards Tanta, I wouldn’t have thought you so reckless.” They then raised their weapons, ready to fight. That was when things…went south. Falnimam heard something strike something else hard, then the tumbling of stone told her everything!
“The walls!” she gasped.
“Forgot your main objective?” taunted Eltum.
“THE WALLS HAVE BEEN BREACHED!” called Yulduk. “SWARM THE CITY!” His army wasted no time in obeying. The Shadow Dragons immediately targeted the castle, setting it ablaze. The Royal Family had evacuated it in time, looking back only to see their home burn. The Realmgate Guard fought valiantly, but they were unprepared for the onslaught. The situation became worse when a small Realmgate opened up, depositing Oyed and the rest of the Realm Trinity Imperial Council.
“I do love the smell of terror in the morning, don’t you?” asked Oyed.
“I must admit, the smell IS intoxicating,” replied Dr. Borg.
“Yes, it is. However, we DO have an objective to complete.” Oyed then turned to their forces. “Start digging! Realmgate research is below here somewhere!” Everyone started shifting earth around…all but one Golem.
“You there!” called Femfaf, “why aren’t you digging?”
“I’m awaiting orders,” answered the Golem.
“You’ve already got them, dig!”
“I’m awaiting orders.”
“…Hello? I said your orders were to dig!”
“I’m awaiting orders.”
“…Dr. Borg, I think this one’s broken.”
“I’ll fix it,” replied Dr. Borg.
“Orders received!” The Golem then punched Dr. Borg straight in the face, sending her flying!
“What?!” spluttered Femfaf.
“Correction, orders were received a long time ago!” snarled the Golem.
“Those are never a Golem’s orders!” growled Femfaf. “Who was your shaper?!”
“I’m Golem 8.0, Bremfo!” introduced the mystery Golem.
“I was declared the pinnacle of Golem evolution! Who made you?!”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?!” Bremfo stopped speaking and swung his fist at Femfaf. The two Golems brawled. Unfortunately, it distracted the Realm Trinity forces long enough for the Endeavor to complete its objective.
“Is everyone on board?!” asked Arsha.
“All present and accounted for!” reported Shalvey.
“Then we need Bremfo here! Thangred, lock onto him!”
“Found him and bringing him over!” Bremfo appeared on the bridge.
“Nazay, Vorsholstein estate as planned! Now!”
“Course laid in! Let’s get the Depths outta dodge!” As it took off, the Endeavor was fired upon, but it escaped the Realm Trinity Empire’s forces.
“HOLD FIRE!” ordered Dr. Borg. Everyone stopped shooting as the Endeavor retreated. Dr. Borg stared grimly at the sky.
“Victory is ours, as is the city!” chuckled Oyed. As their forces celebrated, Dr. Borg, snarled to herself.
“Golem 8.0?” she said to herself. “Someone clearly stole Golem research.” Femfaf approached the cyborg Sprite.
“Doctor, it’s clear to me,” she grunted, “that there’s a leak somewhere. We MUST plug it!”
“You and I are of the same mind. Help me organize a team to do so.”
“On it.”