Melek Dyneer

But we've something they'll never have

And if the people stare

Then the people stare.

Oh, I really don't know and I really don't care...

Kiss my shades

So, hand in glove I stake my claim.

I'll fight to the last breath.

If they dare touch a hair on your head, love.

I'll fight to the last breath.

For the good life is out there somewhere.

Melek Dy'neer done by the talented @burrichgreer

Stratogeth, death on wings, unleashed his fury on the allied forces. Dark clouds rose, and lightning struck the battlefield, sending tremors through the ground. Every breath was a struggle as the earth shook beneath the drake's massive, scaly wings. Fear filled the mind with every deafening dragon roar. Another storm brewed within its colossal jaws, unleashing terror in its wake. Chaos reigned as the dragon killed without mercy.

Melek stumbled forward through the blood-soaked earth, inhaling the acrid scent of spent magic and burning flesh. His body was torn and battered, and blood dripped from his mask. In the midst of the carnage, he found himself alone.

Where are they? Where are you?

Lightning struck the ground with each dragon breath, making it impossible to reach his companions as the earth was carved and sundered. But as the black clouds cleared from the heavy dragon wings gusts, a harrowing scene was revealed. Yelena Sunshield, bloodied and broken, was shielded by Dame Eleysia Stormcrow, who selflessly took the brunt of the lightning storm with her body. Her life. Melek's eyes were then drawn to a desperate charge of a few brave souls, followed by the courageous squire, Lenora Reyes. He lost sight of her as the storm consumed them.

They need you.

Yelena's fear froze his heart as his blood turned cold to do what he must next. Eleysia's sacrifice emboldened him. His pain was forgotten. In his hands, he grasped his steel. His adrenaline rushed. Lenora's bravery rallied the knight forward, shadows convulsing around his form, his steel drawn as he remembered the squire's words.

"Don't stare into the dragon's eyes. It's a direct challenge."

Melek's body was engulfed in darkness as lightning raged in his path. Out of the storm, a shadow lept. Its emerald stare met Stratogeth's stormy blues, light flashing in its wicked depths. Melek stepped through the night itself. A dance of shadow and steel slashed and tore deep through the armored scales. With all his strength, Melek struck his blades deeper and deeper. In the air around him, lightning sprang and thunder roared. Lightning ended his final act. He lay on the ground before Stratogeth, burned and paralyzed. A mighty claw swept the shadow knight up, crushing his frame easily as razor talons punctured his body. Melek cried out as he was trapped in death's embrace. His life was fading.

I need you.

A shadowy visage emerged from the turbulent skies above, riding lightning down as it performed a macabre dance of shadow and crimson. Blood painted the night sky. It spun as a war glaive, slicing and tearing where the knight's steel had previously weakened. A mirror image. Move-for-move. It drove its night blades into the drake's flesh before evaporating into nothing. A death mark was left on the bloodied scales.

Melek was released from death's grip. With another defeaning roar of pain, the drake threw the knight to the ground. This was as it faced what would be the final attempt at its life. This was one last push by all the survivors who could still stand. Defeat followed shortly thereafter. Death and ruin fell on the allied forces. Stratogeth barely escaped death.

What was it all for?

As he lay twisted and broken in a pool of blood, Melek held a blood-soaked grin under his mask. His eyes dimmed. He couldn't feel his body. No pain. His breathing slowed. And he saw Yelena. Her moonlight eyes met his. A tiny vial of crimson was in her hand as she started to make her way to him from across the battlefield. Half a world away. His fingers twitched, only able to bring his hand up to where his fingers and eyes met, catching her faraway form in his grasp. The world spun. Color faded. His heart stopped.

I caught you.

Yelena never reached him. Melek never saw her fall.