The remaining soldiers, witnesses to the dragon's wrath and the ferocity of Yuki and Aragon, swiftly abandoned their duties. Some fled outright, others merely shrugged off their allegiances as the hopelessness of their situation became clear.
Soon, only Osalde remained amidst the smoldering ruin that was once his home. He fell to his knees, his arrogant bravado extinguished like a candle's flame before a hurricane.
Eliviraa's gigantic head descended until her molten gaze met his at eye level, smoke furling from her nostrils.