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The Dragons of Chang-The Brothers war
By The Wordslinger

First my thanks to Nightshade for allowing my demons to prance about his world. Second, I wish to dedicate this story to my little brother. God bless you kid.

Part 1: Beyond hatred lies sadness

Within the world, there are powers at work. Chaos and Order vie for power over all, a never-ending struggle that has left many a world in shambles. This is a story of the Brothers war, a battle that would decide which of the two forces would control the world of Chang.


The song of the birds singing in the trees grew silent as Alecard passed under the great trees branches, his mere presence choking the joy from their beaks. Looking down the small cliff overlooking the Nestgrounds, he felt hate begin to course through his body, clouding his thoughts. To the readers, I pity this poor creature. While he stands there, the hate pumping through his heart, there is also jealousy, and sadness. And while we can not safely get any closer to this poor beast of a man, we can at least pity him.
Shaking his head, Alecard thought of the feast that that awaited him, and leaped off the cliff. Doing a back flip in the air, he landed evenly on the ground below, and without missing a beat, continued on to the valley of the dragons.

Kera sat in the newly found cave of her lifemate, nursing her newborn as another lay at her feet, snoring softly. Feeling another kick in her stomach, she laid back in her chair, smiling. Times had been good in the valley, the hunt plentiful, the fruit more than enough to share. As she sat there reminiscing on the past 5 years, her sharp ears picked up the sound of someone walking outside. Drake.

Rising to greet him, it hit her. Darkness seemed to settle on her, and a stab of fear pierced her heart.
Setting Ensha behind her, she rose again, tail still, snout pointed down in challenge, ready to face this threat. A human stood at the door, everything but his silhouette in the setting sun unseen. It was tall for a human, that she could tell, but with evil practically wafting off of him.
Growling, she said, “Who are you human?”
The figure spoke only one word “Alecard.”
More than a little nervous, she said “And what do you want?”
Looking up, he smiled a smile that snapped Kiras mind and said “Your lives.”


Drake walked up the path to the cave of one of the dragons, whistling gaily, and not a care in the world. As he stopped outside the cave, he heard the sound of low growls and the sound of someone chewing on something. Standing at the mouth of the cave, he put a hand to his mouth in horror.

Blood splattered the walls. Limbs and scales lay scattered across the floor, as though torn from rag dolls, then forgotten. But what truly horrified was the creature crouched beside Kara. A gaping hole was what replaced the home of his future child. Suddenly the figure stopped, and slowly stood and turned. Drake saw what he had in his hands...

A scream of horror and agony echoed through the valley, causing everyone to run to see what happened.

Usop yawned, stretching as he stood. Turning to his cabbage cart, he said “Hey, boy.”
“Yeah, pop?”
“Watch the cart. I’m going to the inn to get a drink.”
Walking down the empty road to the inn, Usop reflected with a pang of unease of the lack of customers. Though very few had ever bought any of his wares, it was unsettling to see the usually bustling village of Vend’ura take such a stony silence. Mood brightening slightly, he thought, maybe the inn will be full of patrons. And maybe that naughty eyed wench will be there. Grinning, he entered the inn.
    The usually cheerful, albeit drunken, feeling of the inn was gone, replaced by gloom. Aside from a sullen looking man drawing from a pint of ale, and of course the innkeeper, no one was occupied the common room of the inn. Nettled, he took a seat at the bar and motioned to the innkeeper.
“Whats your pleasure?”
“Pint”
As the innkeeper turned to the taps, Usop stated, “Sheesh, business has been terrible. Most times I’m here, the people in the roads and at the stalls are thicker then ticks on a dog, but today... what happened?”
Turning slowly, the innkeeper looked shell-shocked for a second, then said, “ You mean you don’t know?”
“Know what?”
Leaning close to Usop, as if the walls themselves might be listening, the innkeeper spoke softly.
“Well, you know that fellow who lives up on that plantation?”
“You mean Denju, the dragon trader?”
“Yeah. Well, about three days ago, a golden haired man walked up to the door.”
“A golden haired man?!’ Usop said incredulously.
“Do you want to hear the story or not?’ the innkeeper said, in a amused sort of way.
Dejected, Usop fell silent, intent on hearing the rest about this man.
“Anyway’ the innkeeper continued, relishing in the retelling of this story,’ this man walked up to the gates into the main house, and was let in. At first we thought that it was another one of the mercenaries the Denju had hired to guard him, until screams started to come from his mansion. All of us of course locked our doors and barred our windows, but the next day, a number of the braver lads walked up to the mansion to see what had happened during the night. When the got there, The said that Denju and all of the 126 mercenaries were dead. But one warrior gave the name of the one who massacred the mansion before he died.”
“126!” Usop said incredulously. “Where there any survivors?”
Pointing to the sullen soldier in the corner, he said, “See that guy?”
“Yeah.”
“Hes the only survivor. But don’t bother asking him to tell the story.”
“Why not?”
“Apparently whoever attacked the mansion, left that poor man alive. But, he ripped his tongue out. But he wrote down the warriors name on a piece of parchment for me.”
“And..’ Usop said "Whats his name?”
Leaning next to his ear, the innkeeper whispered “Ronin.”

In a Dice house outside Vend’ura, collective groans echoed out as twenty markers were placed in front of the golden haired stranger. While some of the whores looked at him with lust in the lackluster eyes, and the other patrons with envy and jealousy in theirs, none said a word to him, though several got up and left in disgust.
The dice master called out “New Game! Objections?”
Silence greeted his ears.
“Dice is agreed upon?”
Again, silence.
Throwing the dice into the curved bowl, he brought it down on the straw mat with a small thump.
“Place your bets.”
Several men placed three markers, others five. The golden haired man placed fifteen markers on the mat.
“Bets?”
Most of the men stated “Even.”
But golden hair said in his usual quiet voice that he had used most of the night, “Odd.”
Lifting the bowl, the dice master scowled.
“Five. Odd.”
More groans echoed through the small hut, as all but Ronin and two other patrons, left in disgust, to no doubt be bitched and nagged at by their wives later on. Scowl deepening, the dice master stated, “Final bets. Place your markers.”
The two patrons threw five markers on the mat, while Ronin threw in fifty of his winnings. Eyes shifting over the right shoulder of Ronin, to the pit boss. Looking to anyone like he was just scratching his shoulder, the dice master knew it was the signal.
“New game! Objections?”
Silence.
“Dice is agreed upon?”
Grunts of consent from the two patrons, stony silence from the stranger.
Throwing with his right hand for the last time, the dice master brought the small curved bowl down with a thump. For a split second, he looked at the two patrons, then back to the bowl.
“Bets?”
Both patrons grunted “Odd.”
The stranger, “even.”
As he pushed the bowl to make the dice jump to seven, a wind passed by his face, and pain shot through his arm. About three seconds later he realized where all the blood was coming from.
Grabbing the bloody stump that was once his hand, he began to screech. As the two patrons jumped to their feet, Ronin quickly turned and cut two deep wounds in the would be warriors chests. Turning slowly to the pit boss, he raised his sword.
Raising his hands in defeat, Hendansu begged “Please, mercy.”
Grinning coldly, Ronin said, “I can’t stand cheaters.” Then he let his sword fall.




A depression had settled over the valley, the death of fifty hatchlings and twenty-one dragoness’s weighed heavily on everyone’s mind. Drake, who had seen what Alecard did with the hatchlings, lay huddled in a corner, taking little food or drink. Damus, last of Drakes hatchlings, stood looking out of his mothers cave, tail lashing angrily. Damn old fools, he thought angrily.
He just couldn’t understand why his mother Leigh and his godmothers wouldn’t let him go avenge the injustice to the Nestgrounds. Growling, he said quietly to himself “Well, I don’t need their permission. I’ll bring back the head of this creature, and show them all what I can do.”
Grinning at the thought of the heroes welcome that awaited him, he opened his wings and headed towards the outskirts of the valley. Where the monster was said to be headed.

About five hours, he spotted a cloaked figure about 20 feet below him. Landing he bellowed out,
 “You, Human!”
The figure turned slowly, and said “Where did you get the idea i am human?” it asked politely
Slightly perplexed, Damus continued “I have come to avenge the death of my siblings. Now, state your name, so I know whom I am slaying.”
“How rude of me.” The figure said bowing. “I am Alecard.” Taking a samurai stance, a cold glare in his eyes, Alecard said, “Now lets see how strong you really are.”
Growling, Damus charged the half demon. An inch from his horns connecting with Alecards chest, he moved, dodging the young dragons attack. Lashing out his tail to strike him, Alecard dodged, only to have Damus’s claws catch him in the right side of his face. Bellowing in agony at the loss of his eye, Alecard took several steps back, clutching his now ruined face.
For a moment Damus took pleasure in Alecards agony, then it hit him. The darkness. The evil of Alecards soul. Shaking in fear at this new feeling, Damus tried to fly, then Alecard leapt on his back. Taking a wingarm in both his hands, he pulled until half of each wing was torn. Sobbing at the unbelievable pain, Damus fell to the ground, screeching and rolling in agony. Taking the blade from its sheath, Alecard raised his sword above his head, fury etched in what was left of his face.
“Now DIE!”

Chapter two: The Stranger

The last village to the north, Scath, was bustling with the usual morning patrons, most of the happy and well. Suddenly, like molten rock from a erupting volcano, a voice hollered out, “Put it down!” then the wail of child followed the angry words.
“Shut up!’ the mans callused hand coming down with a loud crack on the boys head, which made him cry even louder.
“I said shut up!’ the drunk shouted, raising his arm like a tennis player, then bringing it down. Suddenly it stopped inches from his son’s head. First a look of astonishment, then rage at whomever was stopping him.
Looking up, he said, “Who the hell are you?”
Ronin merely shook his head. “Doesn’t matter who I am. All that matters is you to stop hurting the child. Now apologize.”
Growling, the man said, “It’s none of your business.” Then screeched as the golden haired warrior twisted his arm viciously.
“Say you won’t do it again.”
“Fuck you!”
“Not the answer I wanted.” Ronin said pleasantly, twisting even harder.
“Are you the child’s father?”
The man merely nodded sullenly.
“Then you should treat him like a father should treat his son.” Twisting a little harder.
“All right!”
“All right what?”
“I... I won’t hurt the boy anymore.”
“Good.” Releasing the mans arm, he turned to the boy, and put a hand on his head.
 “Take care son”
Bowing to the man, he said politely, “Have a nice day.”


Alecard stood over the now dead body of Damus, licking the blood from the tip of his katana, trying to recover from his wounds. Damn, the little bastard’s claws would leave a scar, and he would never get his eye back. Giving the body a final contemptuous kick, he turned, and was struck hard in the rib cage, sending him careening across the field. Trying to stand, he began to feel his ribs heal. Looking up, he saw her. Standing at seven feet, the red color intense by the setting sun, her wings quivering in rage, he found an almost alien beauty in her. Shaking his head to clear it, he stood, slowly rotating his head, listening to the bones pop and snap in his neck.
Turning his head slightly, he looked at Leigh and said evenly, “Well, what is such a beauty doing with a beast?”
Growling, Leigh spoke, every syllable empowered with rage, “Did you kill my son, my Damus!?”
“And what if I did?”
“What are you?”
“Me?’ Alecard said innocently, “Why, I’m the bogey man!”
 Roaring, Leigh charged. Grinning, Alecard drew his hand back, and when Leigh was close enough, back slapped her. Dazed, she fell to the ground. Grabbing her by the throat, he said, “You know, i was going to kill you. But I have a much more fun idea.” Reaching into his coat, he drew out a small vial, containing some gray fluid. Reaching a little behind Leigh’s jawbone, he pressed the two pressure points.
After pouring the fluid down her throat, he closed her muzzle, then rubbed her throat, causing her to swallow.
Mortified, she said, “What did you make me drink?”
“Tell me, have you ever heard of the chemist Dwayello? A truly ingenious creature. I wonder when the made the saying “Mad scientist”, they were thinking of him.”
Hysterical, Leigh cried, “What the hell did you make me drink!”
Smiling coldly, he said, “In about five minutes, you will fall asleep. And in about two hours, you’ll awaken to a dull ache in your stomach. And you will realize then, that all chances of you ever bearing children is gone.”
Pulling aside the left part of his coat, he said, “I have five more vials. And I have such uses for them.”
With that, Leigh fell asleep with mad laughter in her ears.

Chapter 2
Part two: The golden haired Stranger

    Leigh ran through the moon lit woods, clutching at the bite wound in her arm. Hearing the howls of the wolves, and seeing the golden eyes in the moonlight, she ran faster. Wings still numb from whatever Alecard had given, she could not fly. Suddenly, as what happens in many stories such as this, she tripped, twisting her ankle. Agonized by her now, multiple wounds, she looked up as the wolf pack surrounded, teeth glinting evilly in the moon. One of the more bold of the pack broke away from the rest, and ran towards her. Closing her eyes, Leigh waited for the inevitable. But all felt was a wind in front of her, and all she heard was a howl of pain, then a thump. Looking, she saw for the first time, Ronin.

    Hissing, she said, “What do you want freak?”
Looking over his shoulder, the golden haired stranger said evenly, “I’m here to save you.” Then he turned his attention back to the wolf pack. As he looked, the wolves all stood to one side as a gigantic bale wolf passed by. Each wolf flattening their ears and bowing their heads in subjugation, he carried all the air of a great king. Growling deep in his throat, he faced the insolent two legs that would dare to enter his dominion.
    Leaning his zatoichi against his shoulder, Ronin said, “So you’re the one I guess i'll be fighting.”
Growl deepening, the Alpha leaped, ready to dig his fangs into the neck of the warrior. Standing aside, Ronin, in one swoop, took off the top of the pack leaders head, then turned to what was left of the pack. Smiling coldly, he said only one word:
“Boo.”
Yipping and yowling, the pack ran tails between their legs.
    Turning to Leigh, he reached down to her arm, only to have it slapped away. Eyes green with fear and hate, she hissed angrily, “Don’t touch me.”
“If I can’t touch you, I can’t treat your wounds.”
“If that’s the case” she growled, “Then i'd rather die.”
“Then I’m sorry I have to do this.”
“What?”
Curling his hand into a fist, he bashed into the side of Leigh’s head. As her now limp body fell into his arms, he said, “That.”
After treating her wounds as best he could, he took her in his arms, and took off toward the Nest Grounds in a sprint...

Hours later...
    Leigh awoke to the worried faces of Ceres and Chandi looming over her. Clutching her head, she struggled to rise, and, looking over Chandi’s shoulder she saw who was sitting at their table. Hissing in surprise and rage, “You!”
Smirking slightly, Ronin said “Me.”
Looking a her sisters, she snapped, “You let him in here?”
Surprised at Leigh’s reaction, Ceres said timidly, “He brought you here.”
Snorting in disgust, Leigh struggled to get up, saying, “Bah, no matter. I have to kill tha...” then she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, she heard the human say “Oh, no youre not.”
“How? How can i just lay here when that monster is still out? But i suppose you would never know how that feels.”
    Shocked at her sister’s behavior, Chandi looked apologetically at Ronin, only to find him smiling slightly. Pointing to her arm, Ronin said, “Well you may desire vengeance, but that arm and that ankle say your staying here for a while.” Walking to the entrance of the cave, he turned and said, “I’m going to go look for signs of my brother.”
    Leigh moved her three-clawed hands, gently touching where Ronin had put his hand on her shoulder, thanking all her lucky stars by name for her red scales hiding her blush.

Chapter Three
Pain

Excerpt from Drakes Journal:
“Hello journal. It’s been awhile since I wrote to you, the last time being the massacre of the hatchlings. Well, anyway, I have a lot to tell you! It is now spring, and everyone seems more cheerful then I have ever seen, even Leigh. Odd though. She says she despises our friend Ronin, and yet, whenever he is around, they both seem to give each other odd looks. While they both deny it, we are all aware they are lifemates. Four months after that basterd Alecard gave poor Leigh that potion, she was depressed, but Ronin, with his gentle skills, brought her out of it, bless his soul. While a few of the males distrust him for being a half demon, he cheers the children, and the elders trust him as if he were there own son. And i love him as if he were my own brother. Well, I must go now. There is much work to be done.”

As Drake wrote in his journal, Ronin sat on a rock, watching as the hatchlings played, and gathered herbs for him to identify.
“Master Ronin!”
Smiling at the baby dragoness at his side, he said “Yes Kim?”
Holding out the bundle in her arms, she laughed and said, “What do these do, Master Ronin?”
Taking the plant in his hand, he said, “Well, lets see.  Why, this young one, is Methrope. It helps cure aching joints.’ Winking at her, he leaned close and whispered “I’m sure the elders will enjoy this.”
Giggling, she nodded, and ran back to her friends.
    Feeling at peace for the first time in a long time, Ronin turned to his half made straw hat. Feeling a claw on his shoulder, he turned, smile leaving when he saw it was Ceres. Disappointed that it wasn’t Leigh, he said “Hello Ceres. Wheres your sister?” Then he saw the pained look on Ceres face, and knew something was wrong. Turning around he said “Whats the matter? Is it Leigh?”
Nodding her head was all she could do.
Alarmed, but still professional, he said, “What happened?”
Gulping, Ceres said, “About five of the larger males went up to Leigh’s cave a few hours ago. When they got, they started to call her all sorts of awful names. When she told them to leave, the tackled her to the ground, and....” the rest was choked out with a sob.
For a second, Ronin was unsure what she meant. Then, it hit him. Getting up, he took off with a sprint, his mind screaming “No! Not her! Please, all the saints and holy God in heaven, not her!”

    When he reached, he saw Chandi coming out with a basket of bandages and medicine. Seeing a spot of blood of one of the cloths, he ran up to her and grabbed Chandi by the and shouted “Leigh! Is she all right!”
Taking his hand off her arm, she said quietly, “Shhh, she’s fine. She wants to see you though.”
Relieved close to tears, Ronin hugged Chandi hard enough to make it hard to breathe, then went in the cave. Looking at Leigh lying in her nest, a sob almost ripped through Ronin. The scent of male lust floated through the cave, strong enough to make him, and his Leigh! Her body was covered in scratches, a large one on her right thigh covered with a large poultice. Dropping to his knees, he looked at Leigh silently. Opening her eyes blearily, Leigh saw Ronin. Smiling, she reached for his right hand. Crying silently in relief, Ronin took her clawed hand in his and pressed it against his cheek. Hoarse, she said ”Ronin.” and that is where Ronin walls of defense came down. Putting his head gently on her chest, listening to her heart beat, he began to sob like a child, feeling Leigh gently run her claws through his hair. After his relief had passed to a manageable point, he rose, and said “Leigh, I’m sorry.”
Suprised, Leigh said, “ For what?”
Clutching his eye’s shut, hand tightening slightly painfully, he said, “I should have been here.”
Smiling, Leigh said quietly “My silly little demon. I know you were only protecting the children, and...” as she spoke, she lightly put a hand on his chest, “There is nothing to forgive, my love.”
Shocked, Ronin said “Enough. It is time for you to sleep.”
Exhausted, Leigh said blearily “I love it when you get forceful.” Then she fell asleep.
As Ronin sat there, he felt fury building within him. And as the fury grew, so did his demonic core, which consisted mostly of...
DEATH!
RAPE!
KILL!
MAIM!
    Drawing his zatoichi, he pushed past Drake and Ceres, and followed the scent of Leighs aggressors.
Looking terrified at the expression on Ronins face, Ceres looked at Drake and said timidly “Shouldn’t we try to stop him?”
“Stop him? How? What can one do against a fury that could cower Satan himself? I don’t think there is anyone in this entire valley that could stop him?"

Hendri and the seven other dragons that had raped Leigh stood atop a hill, gloating over their recent victory. Looking at the silver blue dragon, he said “Hey Jan, she had a pretty nice tail, huh?”
Looking nervous the young dragon said, “Yeah, but... did we have to be so rough with her?’ then adding after the looks the others gave him, "You know, we didn’t want to hurt her too badly, right?" And what about Ronin?”
Snorting in disgust, a large reddish dragon said irritably, “That half breed. Why should we worry about him?”
Before Jan could answer, a fog started to billow from underneath their feet. Jumping up slightly, Jan said “What the hell? We're not supposed to get...” but his words were cut off, and he fell forward, the slashes across his back, exposing his spine. Taking a step forward, Ronin spoke.
“You... worthless miserable degenerates!” Took another step forward, the 6 other dragons stepped back.
“You pile of mud and filth screaming and hollering from between the sweaty thighs of your pathetic whores of mothers.” Took another step forward, the dragons took another step back.
“YOU CONSTIPATED SHIT CANNISTERS! Prepare to die.”
I’m going to close this story for now. There is no need to hear nor see what happened to the six dragons, and if you did see, you would no doubt need to rip the eyes out of your skull.

to be continued..