Later, Wridra landed the aircraft on mountains and the desert several times to spend some time for magic preparation. Kalina watched the entire process, then asked, “Master, why are you opening your Shadow Gate in various locations?”
The Arkdragon put her hand on the driver’s seat as she climbed into the aircraft and nodded. A veil had enshrouded the area, blotting out the bright sunlight.
“I must plan ahead to cover areas where I am inferior to the opponent. I will use distance to my advantage and these traps,” explained Wridra.
She pointed with her finger, and the scenery in the air distorted. It became clear she had connected the space there with her den, which she was using as an armory, and she began setting up the explosives from there all around the desert. Even though these weapons had complex mechanisms, they had one simple purpose: annihilating the enemy.
The aircraft rose into the air with a whoosh, covering the explosives in sand. But Wridra still didn’t think it would be enough. She wanted one or two more decisive countermeasures for her opponent, who boasted an inexhaustible life force and cruelty. Kalina’s voice spoke up as she ascended and watched the ground get farther away.
“Is it not possible to avoid the battle with the Prominence Dragon? Perhaps you have the choice not to fight, Master.”
“This is a matter of my way of life against his. Words alone will not settle it. A fool will not understand until he gets sense beaten into him,” replied Wridra. Her smile suggested that she was dying to fire off her newly acquired weapon. Kalina said nothing, as if her silence was out of pity for her master’s opponent.
Wridra continued working until around noon when she finally decided her preparations were satisfactory.
Meanwhile, the Gedovar army charged into the oasis like an avalanche.
Wridra’s armored feet sank into the fine sand down to her ankle, and the faint smell of sand rose. She was in some mountains, far from Arilai’s desert. The eastern winds carried sand and threw it upon the craggy mountains. Steam rising from the ground partially obscured the black, jagged mountain ridges that the Arkdragon could see when looking up.
She touched the moist sand and felt some geothermal heat. At that moment, Wridra noticed an odd smell and realized it was sulfur. Because of this, she believed hot springs could be made there and scanned the desert to see if it would be suitable for a recreational space.
Suddenly, faint tremors shook the land. Sand slipped through the Arkdragon’s fingers, so she rose in anticipation of her opponent.
Black vapor rose from the quaking ground only to cover the area and wither what little plant life remained. Wridra watched the world becoming increasingly barren, with darkness engulfing the sky as if it had abruptly transitioned into night. She looked up at the faint outline of the sun in the sky, and a voice spoke from behind her.
“Huh, I worried after noticing you dressed like that, but look at you... All slotted up with defensive skills because you’re afraid of me. Why did you even bother showing up?”
The speaker, a man with fluorescent red hair that crisscrossed around his forehead, loosened his necktie with his fingers. The Prominence Dragon had pale skin that didn’t seem to get much sun, and his golden eyes were narrowed in a carefree smile as he stopped just outside of sword range.
“Ah, I am surprised to see you can match my draconian form. That was quite the cold greeting for someone who traveled this far to see you, Lavos the Prominence Dragon,” stated Wridra.
Although Wridra didn’t show it, she felt disturbed that Lavos knew which skills she had equipped. She had taken precautions against leaking information, but this was the Prominence Dragon’s realm. He had likely been observing her ever since she stepped foot in the mountains. It annoyed her to think he held off on showing himself until he could confirm all the skills she was using.
“You came just to see me, did you?” asked Lavos. “Well, I’m sure you already know what I have to tell you. Your job is to change diapers. If you want to look like a human, why don’t you learn to cook and sew like a human wife should?”
Wridra was ready to argue but held her tongue when she realized his comment wasn’t too far from the truth. Even if she didn’t cook, she stayed at the mansion to manage things and make clothes.
“Hah, the human realm is quite entertaining. Though I am certain you consider it worthless,” said Wridra.
“You’re right, it is worthless. All they care about is protecting themselves and living only to trample upon others. What was it you talked about all of the time? Ah, yes, neutrality. I don’t understand how you can stay neutral after watching those humans and their ear-piercing shrieks. Shi-shii Alaaba.”
Lavos pointed a finger at Wridra, making her feel like every bone in her body had turned to ice. The next moment, she heard what sounded like a crystal shattering and realized he had broken through her Dragon Barrier― No, somehow he had broken it from within. Lavos must have used Divine Haze.
She waited as Lavos approached her with a nonchalant expression.
There was no way he had neutralized all of her barrier layers, more than ten, in a mere instant. The more likely explanation was that the Prominence Dragon had altered his nature to match that of the Arkdragon. This synchronization allowed him to bypass her barriers, just as water mixed with water, and oil mixed with oil. His skill Divine Haze gave him the power to change his own existence to his will.
Lavos slowly walked circles around Wridra, pressing his finger against her back and stomach as he passed by.
“Wingless, and now with fewer dragon cores. You grow weaker without me lifting a finger. Maybe I’ll take your last dragon core for myself,” he said.
“The Age of Night is no more. You should have been satisfied with reminiscing on your glory days. Nothing is more pitiful than the demise of a dragon driven by greed.”
The man’s finger jabbed into her throat with a thud. She resisted it to the best of her abilities, but blood dripped down from the fresh wound.
“What? I didn’t say you could speak,” said Lavos, staring intently at Wridra.
He dug his fingers deeper, drawing another line of blood. Wridra’s obsidian eyes narrowed as the bit of compassion she had for him vanished completely. Her black hair floated menacingly into the air despite the lack of wind.
Lavos’s smile grew bigger. “Nice, I like that look in your eye. There’s an obstinance to it that reminds me of Gedovar and their desire to bring back the Age of Night. I’m sure you’re here to stop me from helping them, but seeing your face like that just gives me the urge to make you submit to me.”
What looked like black tattoos appeared at his fingertip. They expanded like vines, forming geometrical patterns on Wridra’s neck. Seeing that Wridra’s will had generated them to prevent him from pushing any deeper, the man smiled again and moved away from her.
“So, should we start? I saw you setting up traps around the desert, so you obviously came here expecting to fight. If you lose, I’ll make you my eternal slave. When I get bored of you, I’ll remove your dragon core, and let’s see... I could use it as decoration in my home,” said Lavos.
A vein popped out in Wridra’s forehead, her eyes becoming that of a ferocious dragon.
“I had faint hopes that perhaps you would be willing to talk as a husband, but that is not the case. Hah, hah. It is I who will make you my slave. I cannot wait to see you roaming around with a cleaning rag in hand,” declared Wridra with an intense smile.
The vines dug through the ground, obscured by the darkness. Lavos took notice but spread his hands as if to say she could do as she wished. Once more, the vines entangled Wridra and enshrouded her in shadows as they covered her in layers.
Both glared at each other, their lips still curled into smiles. Wridra soon disappeared, and Lavos’s smile widened.
“Beating my wife once in a while sounds like a good time. Now, how should I make you cry this time?” he said, licking his fingers.