Outside, chaos reigned. The dragon’s roars echoed through the ruined village, shaking the ground and scattering debris as the party fought for their lives beneath its massive wings. Snow and ash filled the air. But high above — within the shattered tower — **[[Ellette|Ellette]]** was climbing. Her hands burned as she gripped the cracked stones, pulling herself higher, dispatching undead that lunged from crumbling ledges. Her daggers flashed silver in the dim light, cutting through rotting flesh with quick, practiced strikes. At last, she reached the top — the open roof of the tower. Wind howled through the gaps in the broken wall. More undead awaited her, staggering forward with hollow eyes. She didn’t hesitate. Steel and magic met decay in a flurry of motion until the last of them fell still, leaving her standing alone atop the tower, her breath misting in the cold air. Below, the battle raged. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]’s vines coiled up from the frozen ground, lashing around Venomfang’s limbs, struggling to restrain the thrashing dragon. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] hurled bolts of lightning that cracked against its emerald scales, leaving scorch marks that only seemed to enrage it further. Norridge loosed arrow after arrow, each one aimed for the creature’s eyes, while [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] swung his mace at its wings and legs, trying to keep it grounded. Venomfang’s tail lashed out, sending [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] tumbling through the snow. Its claws raked across the earth, scattering fire and frost alike. Then the dragon inhaled — the air itself seemed to shudder. “GET DOWN!” Norridge shouted, diving toward [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] just as the dragon unleashed its toxic breath. Acid hissed across the battlefield, melting stone and soil. “Don’t slow down,” Norridge yelled over the roar. “If you stop, it will mean your doom!” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] gasped, his robes singed, his energy fading. “I don’t know how much longer we can hold this thing off. We’re nearly spent!” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] staggered to his feet, coughing. “Don’t worry — [[Ellette|Ellette]] will help. She’ll help any minute now…” Before he could finish, Venomfang lunged, its jaws closing around him — but [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] slammed his shield between them. The dragon’s teeth sank deep, splintering the metal in a single bite. The shield cracked apart. Venomfang’s eyes glowed with savage glee. “FOOLS. YOU DEFY THE INEVITABLE. SUBMIT, AND I SHALL MAKE YOUR END _MERCIFUL._” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] raised his fist. “NO! YOU SUBMIT, AND I’LL M—” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] placed a weary hand on his shoulder. “[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]], please. Just… no.” Above, [[Ellette|Ellette]] stood at the edge of the tower, watching the battle unfold below. Her allies — her _friends_, though she’d never admit it aloud — were fighting desperately, their strength fading. For a moment, she hesitated. Something flickered behind her eyes — sadness, guilt, perhaps even fear. She closed her eyes, took a breath, and whispered to herself, “Not again.” Then she leapt. The wind tore at her cloak as she fell, daggers drawn. Her hair shimmered and flared — blue fading to gold, then red, then green — a cascade of colour like the northern lights. Light radiated from her body, her eyes glowing white-hot. “JUST— DIE— ALREADY!” she screamed. ![[Chp10.1.jpg]] She struck true. The blades plunged deep into Venomfang’s skull. The dragon’s roar turned to a choking gurgle, its wings flailing once before going still. Blood poured from the wounds, black against the snow. The beast crashed to the ground with an earth-shaking _thud._ [[Ellette|Ellette]] clung to its head, panting, her hair fading back to its usual icy blue as the glow left her eyes. Venomfang was dead. Silence fell over the battlefield. Steam rose from the dragon’s corpse. The air was still. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] was the first to speak. “I told you! My best friend always helps!” [[Ellette|Ellette]], still catching her breath, shot him a glare. “I am _not_ your best friend.” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] grinned. “But that means we _are_ friends! I knew it!” Norridge laughed, clapping his hands. “Well done! Ha haaa!” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] lifted his staff triumphantly. “Here, here!” Even [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] gave a satisfied nod, clapping his hands slowly before extending one to help [[Ellette|Ellette]] down from the dragon’s head. She accepted, sliding down the creature’s snout to stand before the group. Her voice was calm, but her eyes burned with resolve. “It’s clear now — the Mayor betrayed us. He sent us here to die. I say we go back and _end_ this. Him. His cult. All of it.” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] nodded. “Agreed. Let’s put an end to this madness once and for all.” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] tilted his head. “Wait, who are we killing again?” [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “The Mayor,” [[Ellette|Ellette]] snapped. “The _idiot_ in fancy clothes who sent us to our deaths!” “Ohhh,” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] said brightly. “The fancy-dressed man! Can I keep his clothes?” Norridge stepped forward, slinging his bow over his shoulder. “My friends… allies… I’m afraid this is where we must part ways.” [[Ellette|Ellette]] frowned. “Why?” “My quest was to slay the dragon,” Norridge said softly. “To protect the neighbouring villages. But there are more monsters out there — and my work is far from done.” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] inclined his head. “You were a formidable ally while we had you.” “Bye, friend!” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] waved enthusiastically. [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] gave a silent nod of respect. Norridge smiled faintly. “Until we meet again, [[Ellette|Ellette]].” He whistled, and from the treeline came the sound of galloping hooves. In one smooth motion, he mounted his horse and rode off into the snow, disappearing into the mist. [[Ellette|Ellette]] watched him go. “Pity,” she murmured. “He was cute.” “Ooooooh,” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] teased. “[[Ellette|Ellette]]’s got a _boyfriend!_” “Obviously not, you moron — he _left!_” “Ugh, men, am I right?” [[Ellette|Ellette]] rolled her eyes. “You’re insufferable. Let’s make camp. We leave for town at first light.” The group found shelter among the ruins — tired, bruised, but alive. As the wind howled through the dead village and the dragon’s body cooled in the snow, they sat around a small fire, knowing what awaited them next. Morning would bring reckoning. [[Chapter 11. Confront The Mayor]]