"Well... this is definitely something new"
"Heh, looks like everyone is enjoying themselves Ikarus"
(Dermakvar) "Alright little one, you'll have to find a seat"
(Kellearzar) "Evening Ikarus and Petra, care to join us?"
"Cu!"
All of my dragon family greet both of us whilst entering the room but none look excited or even look in our direction, all are heavily focused on what's going on inside the building.
What's currently going down inside the town hall is quite the sight. We have my dragon family, Mute, the two dryads, being Ria and Leah and last but not least, the phoenix fam all around the meeting table. As for what important task they're doing this fine evening, you ever heard of that property buying boardgame? The one with the guy in a top hat and moustache? Yeah, that capitalist adventure.
The only two missing from this is Nathan and Charlotte but I'm pretty sure they've gone to book a hotel room and definitely planning on keeping their content suitable for all readers. I have no idea if they have done the deed or not yet but I'm going to assume they have, already know that innocence disappears when alone. I mean, she is a succubus at the end of the day, it would be a little weird if they haven't done it yet...
"...!"
(Ariza) "Sorry Mute, I'd let you off but I'm not allowed to"
"Damn right brother, don't you dare give anyone any help! Capitalism is the heart of America"
By the looks of it, Mute's just landed on one of Ariza's properties and might as well be bankrupt now. Pretty sure Ariza and mother are the high rollers in this game at the moment, Zeki's comment sounded sarcastic but you never know with him.
"You know, if you were all playing board games, couldn't you have invited me and Petra?"
Maybe that sounds like I'm a little disheartened but I kinda am. Sure, I was giving Petra her 'gift' but feels like we've been missing out on what everyone's up to.
"You and the dark phoenix can never keep your hands off each other little one, we all thought best not to disturb you"
"Yes Ikarus, don't forget we can smell when something has happened..."
I'd say a face of embarrassment is required but at the end of the day, I couldn't give two shits about my parents knowing that. Actually, I'd rather not discuss it with them but it's not going to kill me knowing that they can tell when we've done the deed. When growing up in the dragon cave, I've seen both of them fly off out of sight in search of the other dragon's booty so it just runs in the family I suppose.
"Can we join in now then?"
"No orangey, there's only eight pieces in total and sis cheats. This game is already crap enough"
(Ria) "Don't be like that girly boy, we can always make room for more players. Just use a shoelace or something as a piece"
(Leah) "You two can take me and Ria's place if you'd like, we should be getting to work shortly"
(Ria) "Damn trees, why couldn't I have been born as a normal spirt? I could play with Zeki all the time then"
(Zeki) "Please just get rid of her already..."
It's only just now I've realized Zeki's still wearing that skimpy costume from last night, obviously Ria has decided it's in everyone's best interests he remains in it longer. I wonder how long he'd be stuck in that bikini if she had seen him like that but best not think too heavily on that, I'd rather not start feeling sorry for him.
"Eh... actually, I don't even want to play now"
"Heh, you've changed your mind Ikarus?"
"Yeah Petra. We'll only be starting with a huge disadvantage anyways"
These sorts of games either end prematurely with no real winner in sight or end up taking hours upon hours making you wish you hadn't sat down to play in the first place. The atmosphere around here already seems pretty tense, it wouldn't surprise me if the game board ends up 'accidentally' getting thrown about soon.
"Think I'm going to call it quits as well, boredom isn't a luxury I can afford to waste time on these days. I'll join you little one"
"You're finished as well Dermak?"
"Yes dear. It's obvious by now you and the blue one have this mundane game won, I haven't got the focus to care about it anymore"
Well, it looks like my presence has basically finished the game. I'm pretty happy about this despite it being petty as hell, nobody should be having fun without us being around! It's a joke... based on honest emotions.
"You have anything you want to do ol'lizard?"
"Yes little one, there's something you may like..."
__________
"Damn it Dermakvar! What is it with you and wanting to fight Ikarus!?"
<It's not fighting dear and, it's only the second time, me and little one won't use anything too dangerous>
In the end, mother came with us three and for what's about to go down, me and the old man are going to have a spar in the woods. I know that last time we did this, things got pretty tense near the end but if he wants to do it again, then I'm more than happy to oblige. We both just need to make sure to keep calm and carry on, easier said than done I guess.
"But still, just look at what happened last time you did this! I'm not sure I'll be able to stop Ikarus if she loses her way"
'Loving the confidence mother...'
<It'll be different this time, just trust me darling>
"Yes mother, it'll be fine. Even if I lose my way, Petra's right there to strike me down!"
"Heh, you really say some odd things at times Ikarus"
She's still not happy about this but enough trying to garner mother's approval. At the end of the day, I've gotten way stronger since last time we fought and I'm extremely curious if I can actually best the dragon, I will make sure to not get carried away though.
<Dark phoenix, while me and little one are sparring, would you be willing to give littlest one some tips as well? He could probably use some additional advice>
"Cu?"
"You want me to spar with Minos? I'm not sure that's the greatest of ideas"
<Not spar, just give him a few pointers really, we do sometimes have the tendency of coddling our offspring>
Mother says nothing but that glare is enough to send shivers down anyone's spine.
"Hang on one second father..."
'Aesa?'
[<-Winged brethren- is now being activated>]
I'm yet to use my dragon form in an actual combat scenario so this could be a good test, puts us on an even playing field as well. Still never like how gross that form change looks though.
<...Might as well look the part if we're going to do this>
Anyways, now standing just a slightly bit taller, bigger and scarier than father, he just precedes to shake his head at me! The audacity of the lizard.
<Whatever little one, just make sure you keep that bloodlust under control otherwise we'll both end up in trouble>
<Yeah yeah, I know already. Let's get started>
'Now I'm getting the glares from mother as well, best ignore her otherwise it's an unnecessary distraction'
<Let's begin little one...>
Father, who was a slight distance away from me, kicks of the preceding's immediately closing the gap armed with those razor-sharp teeth of his decides to try and go for my neck. That mouth should be a terrifying site for anyone, as if I'd be scared of such an opponent even now..
The attempt fails miserably with me dodging to the side giving him a good swipe from my tail in return. That looked like it hurt but there's no way a little tail swipe will be enough to bring down this monster.
<Hmph, knew you had vastly improved but not to this extent little one, that dark phoenix of yours really knows her stuff>
<Stop talking ol'man and get on with it!>
I'm all for praising Petra but now's not the time. Thankfully, father does shut up and goes in for another frontal charge attack that I'm easily able to dodge once again. This time around however, he plans ahead for the failed bite by swinging his tail only to be met by mine as well. Heh, we're clashing our dragon tails like they're swords, it's pretty funny if this battle wasn't kinda tense.
<Stop smiling little one, take this seriously>
<I am! I can enjoy myself and focus at the same time father>
This is first decent fight I've come across in quite some time so of course I'm going to like it, the grin that sits upon this face has nothing to do with lack of concentration. Maybe I'm turning into a battle junkie but when put into a world with countless NPC trash, can you really blame me?
Sensing a slight opportunity, father's tail finds itself being thrown to the side a little so I take the chance to snap at it.
<Argh! You little shit>
Getting a bite out of father's tail and getting thrown away from his reaction, I still can't help but smile despite hurting him. I'm actually holding my own and currently winning, don't let this cloud your judgement Ikarus. Being complacent is something you stopped doing ages ago.
Father, like the absolute unit of a dragon he is, decides to change approach a little and charges differently making sure to spread out his wings and taking up as much room as possible. Despite all the speed in the world, there's still only so much you can do so I decide to take a different approach to this.
<That won't work little one, I've mastered the skies long before you even hatched>
<Yeah yeah, keep on nattering>
Now heading for the skies, it's very quickly apparent to me he flies way faster than me so no point making this become a disadvantage. Predicting what's he's going to do next, I stop moving forward in preparation for a counter attack...
Except, I end up finding a face full of tail when my plan backfires tremendously, turns out he wasn't going for a bite this time. That hurt as much as mother's smacks!
<Damn it!>
<Gotcha little one. Not so fast up here, are we?>
Discarding that approach and returning to the ground where we were just at; father begins his descent as well clearly planning to use me for a crash landing. There's no way I'm going to let him do that, just make sure I focus heavily on the time... Now!
Missing me spectacularly, father crash lands into the ground tumbling around even hitting a few trees in the process. That seriously looked it hurt a bunch but I really can't contain myself right now, what happened to the terrifying lizard we all know and love? I need to stop questioning how much I've developed because this situation clearly proves it, unless he's purposely losing but I hope that's not the case.
<Haha, looks like you may be too fast dinosaur!>
<Hmph!>
Looking away for a brief second, I notice mother facepalming, Minos laughing and Petra whispering something in his ear. There's no way Petra's giving him sparring tips right now, she's just treating him like a child. Can't say I blame her, father did spring that on her without any warning.
Focusing back onto the world ender ahead of me, albeit he's a grumpy and dirty world ender now, he's gotten himself into a little bit of a mess and presents a perfect opportunity while the remains of several trees are weighing him down.
With one strong swoop of my tail, it collides against his wing causing an audible groan with him trying to protect his face. It matters little if that's what he's focusing on, I'll just continue this and keep pummelling him with my tail while he's still a little stuck. I never claimed to be a clean fighter so might as well make the most of this.
I'm allowing myself to get a little carried away here but I actually seem to be doing pretty well all things considering. Of course, father could just release poison breath causing me to lose immediately but at the same time, I'm also refusing to use any abilities so maybe we're more even than first thought? That, or I'm stronger than him now.
While trying to recover from the constant tail beating he's receiving, I notice a very small opportunity, a place he's left completely unguarded. I don't want to do this but at the same time, a win's a win.
"Ikarus!"
"..."
Getting a good bite into father's neck, the taste of blood disgusts my senses but this must be done if I'm able to win this fight. He's been trying to chow down on me so it's only fair to repay the favour a little, don't think the bite is too deep as well but those scales of his are definitely resilient enough to handle it.
The lizard starts to thrash about trying to get out of the clutches of my jaw but struggles immensely, I think I finally may have him here...
<Give up old man, I don't want to rip your neck off>
<We'll see about that little one>
Father fully retracts his wings pushing be aback and even cutting one my eyes in the process! Despite feeling like I now have a paper cut through every blink, I can't help but worry for father and that blood that's trickling down from his neck after getting our from under those trees. Have I seriously not won this yet? This feels like he's just being stubborn now.
<He's able to withstand way more than that, right? Status>
[Name: Dermakvar | Species: Dragon | Level: 521]
[Health 18,249/30,250]
[Stamina 47,729/50,000]
[Magicka 50,000/50,000]
'Yeah, he's not dead yet but that did do a lot'
[<Dermakvar's health is dropping at a considerable rate due to blood loss so Ikarus should have battle won if the stupid lizard decides to give up his pride>]
It's not just me and Aesa who realize that this fight is already won in my favour, mother as well notices what's going on.
"Dermakvar! You're letting your pride take over! Just admit defeat, you're bleeding all over the place!"
<Not yet dear, little one will need to go in for the kill if she wants to win this>
<What the fuck on you on about!? Are you trying to get me to kill you!?>
<Just focus little one or you'll end up in defeat>
Father like a dragon hell bent on revenge starts trying to snap at me like a wild dog or something similar, it's strange mother hasn't changed form to stop him at this point. Is he actually mad at me, actually being suicidal or is this a distraction for something else? Regardless, I'm going to take this seriously.
All of a sudden throughout the biting, he unexpectedly pounces on me completely taken be aback and ending up with him crushing me with that weight of his. Despite now appearing to lose myself, I'm way more flexible than father gives me credit for...
<I think we'll call this a dra-, Argh!>
Getting an even deeper bite down on his neck despite the weight of a literal dragon on top of me, the only thought that's going through my mind right now is that I'm not losing this fight to him. Maybe I'm just as stubborn as him but there's no way this is a draw considering his neck looks like a butcher's nightmare right now. This is a complete checkmate, he can't pull away without causing serious damage this time around.
<Admit defeat father, I'm not letting go till you do>
"Dermakvar! For the love of the Gods, just admit it's a loss!"
"Cu?"
"Don't look Minos... Ikarus knows what she's doing"
Mother looks distraught at how violent this fight has now turned out but Petra is just still 'mentoring' Minos without a care in the world. Despite this bloody display that's occurring, she understands that even right now while I've got a strong grip on my father's throat, I'm in complete control. There's not a single once of bloodlust running through me, this is more just proving a point.
<Hmph... Guess you've gotten me beat then Ikarus>
Father finally disregards that stubborn pride of his and now I can't help but worry this his safety letting go of that neck of his, that gash from my teeth really doesn't look pleasant. Combine that with the trail of blood that now splatters the grassy floor of the forest and even over me a little, he really should've given up sooner.
This doesn't even prove who's stronger, he just happened to end up at a disadvantage so I took that opportunity with both hands. I'll attribute this win more to luck rather than anything else, we're probably even if we just go off sheer power. With dragon voice however, I have no counter to poison so I'd be screwed.
<We really need to get you to the clinic father; Ariza will be able to help >
<It's only a scratch little one, it'll heal well enough on its own>
<How can you even say that? It's still pouring right now!>
He still can't help but be stubborn on the whole thing. Where has this prideful father act come from all of a sudden? He can't be that pissed that I beat him, right? I can't even mock or say anything right now cause this dinosaur just won't let me relax!
"Dermakvar... listen to your daughter"
"It doesn't hurt to have a little help time to time big guy, no one will think less of you"
"Yes father! Listen to sister, mother and auntie Petra! That bite looks like it hurts"
Even the other three have to say something to get him to come around, just accept the help, you stupid lizard!
<Hmph, fine then, I'll get it sorted... I do hope you know I am proud of you little one, despite my actions sometimes showing otherwise>
<Eh, you know I don't care about all that sappy stuff, at least you're finally willing to listen to reason. That fight was pretty cool though...>