Chapter 56 - Betrayer

[Warning!]

- This chapter is a draft. That means this is written with heart, not with brain. This has grammatical errors here and there and needs to be proofread and edit. The author will edit the drafts after a while.

Now that Blaze had realized it, she knew her pre-initiative along with Fervent Concentration Emission Art was a more commendable counter against Alistein if she could often accurately read his intentions. But she couldn't exhaust her mind more than what she already did, could she? So she relied on her senses.

With Fervent Concentration Emission Art, she didn't need to rival Alistein's speed as she would move before the attack even happened. But with Superb Fusion Art, she had realized she needed to get as close as Alistein's speed to avoid being his sandbag. And that was the plan.

Blaze rose from the ground with the help of the Warchiefs. She could feel every inch of her body merrily accepted the pain and returned a power surging from within the moment she loses health from the blow. If she could explain, she felt this similar feeling when she first unlocked Hyper Surge and gradually removed the limiters to her human's full potency.

[Dragon's Unique Ability: Tarrasque's Rage]

<Tarrasque's Rage (Passive)>

- The ability will boost the physical capabilities in all aspects by 1% every percentage reduced to the user's health.

Cast Time: None

Cooldown: None

Draconic Energy cost: None

'Azurion you're one hell of a masochist.' Blaze grinned, amazed by the power she was getting because of the Dragon's Unique Ability.

'I don't know what's that but I think you're praising me because of my amazing ability so you're welcome, Blaze!' Azurion responded.

Blaze chuckled.

"Warchiefs, let the dragon-slayers bring our injured comrades including the council members and the Emperor back towards Warchief Clamory and the rest of the shamans. While you guys... look for Alistein's partner. Don't engage if not necessary, I'm pretty sure she has dragon power as well..."

With a nod, the Warchiefs began moving and commanding everyone. The Emperor regain his consciousness and grabbed Colleen's arm. "Who's fighting Alistein?"

"Emperor!" Colleen and Kaiser approached. "Blaze... Blaze is fighting Alistein. I don't know what happened but... it seems Blaze too has the same magical powers Alistein has."

"What?! What's the whole situation?" The Emperor shoved Kaiser unintentionally to find Blaze amongst the crowd.

"Emperor!" Warchief Dyingstar called. "Forgive my rudeness but... Blaze wants everyone to evacuate including you. The Infernal Tarrasque is dead."

"What? No!" The Emperor's groaned. "I am Alistein's target. Leaving here will put everyone in danger. Besides, we should look for opportunities to assist Blaze. Everyone should leave here aside from the Warchiefs. But how come the dragon of abomination is dead already? I'm pretty sure I'm not asleep for long."

"I don't even know how Blaze killed it. The dragon's body is intact," Bolt spoke, crossing his arms. "And by the way, we don't need to look for the woman with Alistein. She's there!" Warchief Hastamvidé pointed in a certain direction and everyone shifted their attention to it.

Malileah was sitting on a tree branch, watching Blaze and Alistein go at it before they noticed her, careless about the escaping dragon-slayers.

"The answer is the dragon is not dead, Uncle." Kingsley approached them.

"Just like what I reported, we met Winter inside the dungeon wearing the same uniform. But I left out some details when he talked to me. He told me... the mystery of their power. He wanted to entrust the secret to Blaze so I told her. I think she pulled it off and gain the dragon's power and consciousness inside her. I apologize Emperor. He wanted you to know this as well but I couldn't find time to tell you," Kingsley continued. He bowed his head but the Emperor seemed unbothered by it.

"!!!?"

Everyone trembled. Colleen and Kaiser choked on their saliva while the Warchiefs felt lightheaded as if they were questioning if what they heard was right. The Emperor though smiled gleefully once he heard a familiar name in the story.

"Winter Ashkin... you're carrying out my duties and saving me time and time again." The Emperor clenched his fists in excitement.

"Emperor... do you know anything about Winter's disappearance?" Colleen couldn't help but ask. She hasn't talked to the Emperor before and being in his presence was making her nervous. But seeing him act childish like this made her question everything about her suspicions.

"Of course! I was the one who sent him on a top-secret mission to spy on the dark organization scouting our faction. To be honest, he and Blake Estereon before the latter passed away," Emperor Rahnggabat explained.

"I don't think I'm going to make out of here alive so I think all of you should know this. Let Winter be branded as a betrayer but don't hunt him. He's on our side. Now leave, children! Let us adults remain here!" The Emperor continued.

Tears were emerging from the sides of Kingsley's eyes. Apart from Blaze, he had the closest relationship with Winter Ashkin, especially in the Lunargard Council. He and his sister knew he couldn't kill Blake Estereon and betray the faction he swore to protect. And now, the Emperor proved his intuition correct. "Damn you, Winter! I'm right to trust what you had told me. You're carrying the pain of your best friend's passing in enemy's base all alone. You and Blaze were honorable dragon-slayers of Lunargard no matter what everyone says!"

Uncle Bolt held the back of his nephew's head, pulling him closer to his chest to comfort him. "It's not usual for men to cry. But when we did, it's because we couldn't hold it inside any longer. You did a great job trusting your wits, Kingsley. My older brother will be proud to hear this."

"And..." Bolt shifted his attention to Alistein and Blaze. "Teach me how to acquire a dragon's power like Blaze. I don't think I can keep up without it."

"Don't you think we all need to have it, Bolt?" Terry held Bolt's shoulder. "Don't be selfish. I want it too. We have dragons in our cells to spare. I'm dying to hear this dragon power from Blaze since earlier. I knew she's off to something when she decided to face the Infernal Tarrasque alone."