Traitorous Scum

As dawn's gentle touch illuminated the peaks of the Demon Lord's mountain, a quiet descended upon the gathered heroes. The air crackled with the echoes of their recent battle, but now, it whispered promises of peace. The first rays of sunlight bathed the scene in a soft glow, casting away the shadows of the night.

The thirteen heroes stood together, weary but victorious. Their armor bore the marks of their struggle, testament to the fierce combat they had endured. Yet, amidst the signs of war, there lingered a sense of relief and accomplishment.

At the forefront stood Rohan, the Last Dragon Mage. His fiery hair danced in the morning breeze, a vivid contrast to the tranquil landscape. In his eyes glimmered the remnants of battle, a silent testament to the strength and determination of those who had fought alongside him.

Beside Rohan stood Elara, the elven archer whose lethal precision had supported them throughout the battle. Her silver locks shimmered in the dawn's light, and her emerald gaze held the wisdom of ages past. With a weary yet content smile, she met Rohan's gaze, silent acknowledgment passing between them.

To his left loomed Hammus, the stalwart dwarf warrior, his imposing frame a testament to his prowess in battle. His massive axe rested casually on his shoulder, a silent guardian ready to defend his companions at a moment's notice. Despite his gruff exterior, there lay beneath it a heart as vast as the mountains themselves. With a nod of approval, he conveyed his respect for Rohan, a bond between them forged through trials shared.

Surveying the scene before him, Rohan's chest swelled with pride. Throughout his life, he had been an outcast, shunned for his affinity with primordial magics. But here, amidst comrades who had become like family, he found acceptance. No longer a pariah, he stood as a hero among heroes, instrumental in vanquishing the shadow of the Demon Lord that had loomed over their world.

As the winds of change swept through the land, Rohan's gaze shifted to the horizon, where the first light of dawn was beginning to break. There, against the canvas of the morning sky, Azure, his loyal blue dragon, soared with grace, wings outstretched. It had been Azure's power that had turned the tide of battle, the dragon's fiery breath serving as a beacon of hope in the darkness, helping to defeat the overwhelming might of the Demon Lord.

Rohan whispered a word of thanks to the dragon, knowing that their bond was unbreakable.

Something hurts...

He felt a sudden, searing pain in his abdomen. His eyes widened in shock as he looked down to see a crystal sword protruding from his gut. Blood oozed from the wound, staining his robes. Rohan reached a shaking hand towards his stomach. 

Is this my blood?

He staggered back, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He turned to see the one who owned the blade - the one he had considered his closest friend. It was Prince Lionel, his handsome face twisted into a sinister smile as he withdrew the bloodied sword.

"Why, Lionel?" Rohan choked out, his voice barely a whisper.

"I think the proper answer," Prince Lionel wrapped an arm around Elara's waist and Sydnia, a water mage, drapes herself on his arm, "is why not?"

Rohan knelt in the gentle embrace of the approaching daylight, his breathing shallow and ragged. His blood-soaked robes were now tinged with the soft hues of sunrise.

Hammus...

Rohan's vision blurred as he watched the other heroes hold down the enraged muscled man down and slit his throat in front of him.

Prince Lionel, standing over Rohan's fallen form, the crystal sword still dripping with the mage's scarlet blood.

The prince, bathed in the morning light, wore an expression of chilling satisfaction. His handsome features seemed distorted, twisted by ambition and greed. "With the Demon Lord's demise," he declared, his voice dripping with malevolence, "I shall claim the power of the Last Dragon Mage for myself, and none shall stand in my way."

Rohan's vision grew dim as he lay helpless, the cold embrace of death drawing him closer. He saw Azure, who felt the sting of the crystal blade through their bond, approach like a comet from the sky towards Lionel.

Azure... No...

It was a mistake. Rohan blamed himself to be so trusting, he had given Prince Lionel a ring of immunity towards dragon fire. Azure filled her lungs with scorching air and released mighty dragon's breath, and Lionel stood haughtily as he watched the ruby flames simply pass him.

Sydnia pointed her staff towards Azure and summoned a ball of water in the dragon's throat, Rohan could hear his beloved bonded dragon choke on the expanding water ball. Azure desperately tried to fight back.

As Rohan's vision dimmed, he could hear his friends arguing. Someone fell to the ground nearby, but he couldn't see who. A woman cried out in sorrow, her voice piercing through the chaos. With each breath, the mountain air felt colder, making it harder for him to breathe.

In his last moments, a tear rolled down Rohan's cheek, saying goodbye to his life. As the sun rose higher, shining its golden light on the mountain, it saw not victory, but the breaking of an alliance. Only the mountain watched as Rohan's life slipped away.

And as he breathed his final breath, a shadow appeared on the horizon.