TAHAROS
“Is this the day we die?”
The cyclopes were horrified and clung to their shields and weapons. In that moment Sahngar expected a massacre, for him and his people to be wiped off the face of the earth in an excruciating inferno. But on that day, fate had another plan…
Having hid in the mountains beside the valley the cyclopes made their way through, Taharos was watching them with great care. He covered his own tracks, but he used the cyclopes below as his distraction. As the massive black dragon, Maldraxion, readied himself for a great breath of fire, Taharos made his move.
Pounding his foot into the ground beneath him, Taharos lept with terrifying force as he could feel the energy of all of the lives he had took fueling his body. With his great axe in hand, Taharos aimed for the head of the mighty beast and threw all of his weight and power into his swing.
The great axe’s blade pierced Maldraxion’s skull, and as the beast croaked out its final breath, Taharos buried his taloned greave into the head of the golden dragon. Ripping the axe from the beast’s flesh, Taharos turned and struck down the golden dragon as it fell. Grabbing onto the beast’s horn as it fell, Taharos jumped from the dragon before it collapsed completely, dead at the feet of the other dragons.
Shock ran through everyone the ranks of cyclopes and dragons as Taharos landed, his weapons in hand, and faced the ranks of the dragons before him. Snarling, they opened their maws and hurled a great wall of flame at the Dragon Slayer. Yet, instead of moving an inch the Slayer let the flames consume his body, standing there as the dragons gave everything they had in an attempt to incinerate him.
Unable to speak, Sahngar watched what he thought would be the Dragon Slayer’s death. Was this his sacrifice for them to attack? Or was it a final act to give them time to retreat. He couldn’t move. He felt true, unwavering fear. Yet, as the flames finally trickled away into lingering embers, everyone was left speechless as they saw the Dragon Slayer standing tall, unphased by the dragon’s hellish flames.
Standing before the dragons, Taharos bared his teeth and struck fear into the hearts of the dragons. This lone cyclops killed their leader, and now couldn’t die to their flames. As Maldraxion’s blood stained Taharos’ axe, the gemstone of the dagger he carried glowed and hummed its familiar tone as Taharos’ red scars glowed with energy. The Slayer felt a surge of power, and charging forth, he struck.
