[Pre-Nano] Nightfire

The two of them watched from afar. With the exception of a few seconds’ delay, everything was going to plan. The man’s visitor, staying so late, was the only unexpected factor in their attack. Still, it was no matter. It would not affect the outcome of the attack.

“What’s wrong, Maiso?” his question broke her train of thought.

“Something is not quite right, Danijel,” she could not tell him more.

“The God will die, Maiso. Do not worry,” he took her hand with a smile.

She blushed, then looked back at the scene of the carnage. The assassins had boasted that they had killed many Divine Beings, but she did not trust them. The only mortals who could kill the Divine Beings were the Kamigoroshi clan, but if they could incapicitate the God that would be enough. She and Danijel would take over.

“Something’s wrong…” she breathed, releasing his hand.

Their hands stole to their weapons. She was right. There was a large roar and suddenly they could both see a majestic Golden Dragon take flight, growing in size as he soared. In his arms lay their quarry; the God Danhwa.

“The fools!” Maiso made to jump, but Danijel held her back.

“Do not be overeager, Sister. Watch,” he pointed to where the assassins were.

The Dragon floated above the area, his eyes on the smoking ruins of Danhwa. All around the neighbourhood, people were beginning to wake. Some had called the police, but no one had thought to look up yet. After debating with himself, the dragon fled, and the assassins followed. Apparently they were all working by the same rule.

The general populace must not know the existence of the Divine Beings.

“Now it gets interesting,” Danijel said.

Taking Maiso’s hand again, he led her away from the cliff and to the car. They would watch the battle happening on the outskirts of the city. The assassins claimed that they could take down a God; would they be able to take down a dragon?

Original entry as appearing at Reach Into Your Soul.

[Pre-Nano] Surrounded

“Towards the far end of the city. Pass the fires. There!” Danhwa’s inner voice guided the massive dragon.

They landed on the outskirts of the city, near one of the many shrines that dotted the landscape. The shrine sat atop a hill, offering them a great view of the surrounding area. It was also near the sea. As they landed, Zhilbar let Danhwa tumble out of his claws.

The God rolled himself on the ground, allowing the grass to cover him in a cocoon. Within moments, it had covered him completely. Zhilbar, who had seen this happen only once many years ago, shrunk himself to human size again. The land was actually draining him of his powers, something he found incredible.

As he sat down to wait for Danhwa, an assassin came out of the shadows, running on silent feet. Zhilbar turned just a tad too late; the assassin’s thrust was unstoppable.

Unstoppable except for the fact that the same grass that had enveloped Danhwa now shot out of the ground to stop the assassin. Zhilbar coolly walked over to where the assassin’s sword had dropped and picked it up. It was a wonderful blade, but it hummed. That puzzled him, until he realised what it was.

“Danhwa!” he called his friend, turning to the bundle of grass.

“I know, old friend. The ancient Enemy lives again,” Ran sat up, naked.

The initial attack and explosion had caught the God unaware, but here in this sanctuary he had made for himself, healing was to be had. And because he had made a decision to stay here, the ground had accepted him.

“The Reptilian One lives,” Zhilbar turned to the assassin. Now the tailed one’s attack made sense.

“And by His will, thus you die,” an unfamiliar voice spoke, the wind carrying her words.

The two Gods turned to find themselves surrounded. Somehow, the ancient creatures had slipped through their senses and were now all around them. Zhilbar counted about twenty of them, all small fry. Yet he was not interested in killing them, but in learning what they wanted.

“Reelian lives then?” The catch in Danhwa’s voice surprised him.

“Our Master lives, no thanks to your treachery. For that, you must die,” the young lizard woman detached herself from the group.

In her hand she had a single katana. Zhilbar could see her blood dripping off the blade. She had bathed the sword in her blood. The only races that would do that would know that mortal blood often poisoned Gods; their body chemistry was completely different from a mortal’s.

“Danhwa…”

“It’s Ai’ru. He’s alive.” Danhwa’s voice was full of venom, low in anger.

“For the sins you have committed against my Master, you will die, Danhwa of the Pelequoi,” the woman proclaimed judgement.

“It’s not yet my time to die, child,” Danhwa replied, his eyes glowing golden and feral.

“So you say,” dozens of arrows flew at them.

Both Danhwa and Zhilbar took to the skies.

Original entry as appearing at Reach Into Your Soul.