The ashen plains of Karn’Arak burned below the Khan. His slim snakelike wyvern dashed across them, quite close to the ground. Ash was flying up by the wind of its speed and revealed the obsidian earth below. The sky was almost empty that day. Not a single ball of fire that was born from the burning mountains crossed the sky. “The Dragon is resting.” He thought with a smile.

  The battle wasn’t part of his plan but it only aided him all the more. No more sorcerers that could steal his prey from him, no more illusions that the dragon was at even a fraction of its power. And more than anything, more sacrifices for his ascension. He was willing to sacrifice the clan if he had to. One clan for the entire north, if not their entire people, to survive, but now he had the greenskins, the ogres and the traitor.

  His smile vanished when he thought about Bruna. He knew he would not be fine with her death, never. No matter if she was a traitor or not, even if she would be a sorceress herself he would not lose the last of his family. Aru’gal sighed and thought back on the Khan’s of old. On Bruna’s father, Ara’Gash the mountain. On his heir and on all those that came before. Those that left their words deep inside Karn’Arak for him to read and finally be the one to save their people.

  So many of these fools believed that their eternal war with the south was about honour. A show of strength that would make their deaths worth anything. Nothing but excuses by weaklings who couldn’t bear their losses.

  Aru’gal would end the wars. He would burn all of their enemies. He would make the clans grow fat and lazy because there would be so much to pillage. And finally, he thought, he would even lead them across the sea. To the lands of the far west and burn everything until they would return from the screaming mountains in the east. All enemies, distant and close, ancient and young, would burn. One final conquest to end them all.

  Before him the mountain slowly rose upwards to the volcano of Karn’Arak and the ancient obsidian structure next to it. He lashed his reins at his beast and guided upward. Not simply up the mountain but into the skies and their smoke. And higher until they had crossed the smoke. Above the black clouds he watched the stars and the moon for one last time. He was so close. No mistakes were allowed anymore. For a single moment his mind went to his father. Even now, even from death, he was judging. Aru’Gal shook his head. “No.” He declared to the moon and the ancestors before he dashed down again. Through the black smoke into the eternal fires of Karn’arak.

  He landed on the high plattform. And quickly saddled down. His beast, Venomclaw, hissed at him as he did. He roared back and the snake wyvern bowed her head down again. He was letting go of her and she flew into the night. There wasn’t much to hunt in these lands, but she would make due. She always did.

  As she flew off he started to take his way down. Over the obsidian stairs, and through the long floor. Aside of the many wooden doors and Sha’Raphs black curtain. Down further into the fires. The dragon was breathing. Sleeping once more. Its snores rumbled through Karn’Arak and even its heartbeat was a distant drum in the fires below.

  Aru’gal felt the rising heat with each breath that went through the old spire. Each snoring huff of sulphur that came from the grandest of all beasts lifted his long hair and scale cloak.

  His heart was drumming a faster beat. This could be the last time he ever went down the stairs. The last time he ever went to talk to the beast before its demise.

  Finally he reached the lowest part of Karn’Arak’s circling steps below. Without hesitation he started to walk the long obsidian bridge across its hoard.

  Once he stood at its end, he gazed through the smoke and at the beast below. Its head rested on a stone while most of its body was covered in the lava it made. If it would cool enough, if it would sleep enough, it would become stone again and the dragon would become but a statue. A distant memory. But Aru’Gal would not allow it. Their kind needed a dragon, and he was ready to make it true.

  He drew his big obsidian sword from his back. The runes on it were glowing in the fires. Each of them for an element and or clan, and the last for the riders themselves. He planted it on the obsidian ground next to him. The ring of metal on stone rose through the hoard and for a moment the dragon mumbled. Something was running out of its mouth. A black blob that must have been meant to be fire. Yet still it didn’t wake up.

  One more lie and the fires would be his. Aru’Gal thought and shouted below. “Master!”. The Dragon's eyes shot open. Slowly, while the mountains shook by its movement, it rose up.

  Even when it had its head at the plattform it did not speak but only slowly breathed. Aru’Gal huffed and let his sword sing through the volcano once again. Finally the dragon realised it and without any hesitation was about to breathe fire. Its throat started to glow and the heat around rose even more. It was hard to bear but Aru’gal didn’t move. He knew the beast was done.

  Finally it roared but where fire was meant to come out nothing but black gue left its mouth and dropped below. Finally Aru’gal took a step backwards to not be hit by the blob. He looked from it and back up to the Dragon.

  “Will you truly pretend to fight?” He asked and his voice echoed through the volcano. The fires listened and the dragon only sighed.

  “Finally you show your face…oh greatest of Khans..” It said and moved back. It would be quite a jump for Aru’Gal to strike it now. And even though the dragon would have a hard time to hurt him, the fires below certainly would.

  He shook his head. “Did you think you were safe here?”

  “I thought…it would grand me more time..to heal” The beast answered. Its voice still booming through the mountain, yet it was no match to the might it carried before the battle.

  Aru’Gal raised a brow. “What for?” Finally he took a step closer again. He avoided the black goo that came from its mouth and looked right into its distant gigantic eyes in the smoke. “What else is there for you than to accept your end?”

  The Dragon breathed out. The heat from its nostrils still burned, yet even those seemed more like a breeze than a storm. It looked up and through the smoke right up where the midnight moon was meant to shine behind the smoke. Once its voice boomed through the hoard again it closed its tired eyes. “Your people always were so similar to the flesh that gave you birth..” It seemed to smile for a second. “Defiant. Angry. Furious. True heirs to the dragon of wich’s rot you were born.” Its eyes turned down to Aru’Gal. “All until you…oh greatest and last of Khans..”

  Aru’Gal smirked. “You think I won’t allow a Khan?”

  “I think no matter what form you take you couldn’t bear someone else being better at it.”

  The Khan’s smirk vanished and the Dragon’s tired eyes pierced through the smoke at him again. “You are such a fool…”

  “The fool that will strike you down.” Aru’Gal exclaimed and was forming a grin again. It vanished once the dragon started laughing. The laughter became louder with the moment and was a mixture of coughs and laughs that shook the mountain while the fires below burned in its applause.

  “Do you truly believe to be smarter than a beast like me?!” finally its voice carried its old roar again. Its head snapped forward as it spoke and Aru’Gal had to move a step backwards. He readied his sword, before it roared again. “Do you truly think, little Khan, that a beast like me, wouldn’t prepare for the likes of you?! For sorcerers and traitors?! Hungry for power you might be but I lived longer than any beast on this world. I have witnessed the stars and the deep. I survived beasts and sorcery not even your dreams could comprehend and yet here you are thinking you could trick me!”

  The Dragon's words finally caused fear to run through Aru’Gals mind.

  It moved to two of its four feet and spread its wings. Showing its full might and size. Aru’Gal’s eyes widened and he fell back another step.

  It returned to its four feet and had its gigantic head right above the stone bridge and Aru’Gal. “I know the true purpose of your mines, Khan and I am so full of gratitude. My latest subject!”

  Aru’Gal huffed and tried to clear his mind. If it knew of the scroll and the spell, if it knew of the circles their mines were meant to be, then why did it allow all of it?

  “Don’t think too much, little Khan! Your people will live and serve and I will continue to be your master.”

  Aru’Gal shook his head and readied his sword, about to jump for the Dragon’s throat when another voice came from the end of the hoard.

  “Aru’Gal!!” Bruna’s voice echoed from the other end of the bridge. Slowly the Khan turned to see his once blood brother through the smoke. In his hand an ogres axe. His face told he was ready to use it.

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  The Dragon started to chuckle once more. Bruna ignored it and slowly stepped closer to his once brother and still Khan. “You will stop!” Bruna shouted at Aru’Gal.

  “Stop..?” Aru’Gal asked in disbelief, his mind still reeling from the dragon's words.

  “Yes, oh mighty Khan..stop..” The dragon mocked and laughed.

  Bruna rose an eyebrow of his own at the Dragon just before it started to spread its wings. He saw how Aru’Gal was ready to strike the beast and heard his voice in his head once more “beat me.”

  He rushed in and grabbed the smaller orcs hand, stopping him from swinging his sword at the Dragon, or rushing for it. “No..!” Aru’Gal shouted as the dragon slowly started to fly. He was about to ignore Bruna yet the son of Ara’Gash held him in place.

  “You will not take it!” Bruna declared.

  Aru’Gal looked at him with rising anger. “It will take all of us if we don’t kill it now!”

  “Enough!” Bruna shouted. “You have spilled your lies and poison long enough!” He declared and forced Aru’Gal to look at his burning eyes.

  “Now of all times you decide to defy me?!” Aru’Gal shouted and freed himself from Bruna’s grip. Their eyes locked still and both were full of fire.

  Above the Dragon roared and Aru’Gal gazed up. He heard Bruna speak but had no time. He rushed back over the bridge. The beast behind him, and the dragon above.

  He had underestimated both, but still wouldn’t allow either to take his reward.

  Just before he reached the end of the hoard he heard Bruna roar and spun around. He saw the ogre axe flying for him. The Khan roared himself and deflected the axe with a swing of his own. Bruna’s axe was cast away and flew down to the fires below.

  Aru’Gal pointed his sword at him. “Do not dare to stop me, brother!” His words rang of anger and desperation.

  Bruna stopped after his weapon was cast down and glared at Aru’Gal from the other end of the stone bridge. “You sound different.” He grunted deeply.

  Every fiber of Aru’Gal wanted to follow the dragon but Bruna’s words held him in place. He knew they rang true.

  Bruna huffed as he realised his words’ effect and continued. “Remember last time we were here?” He asked and slowly stepped closer to Aru’Gal. “You told us to stop you. You yourself told us to beat you if there was any doubt in your plans..”

  Aru’Gal sighed and looked down. He shook his head before he answered. “Beat me all you like. The dragon will do the same.”

  Bruna stopped and glanced at his once blood brother. He spoke no word but studied him.

  Aru’Gal was the one to break the silence once more. “Ask yourself brother…after all is done who will be easier to beat.” He pointed at himself. “Me?” He then pointed up to the skies above Karn’Arak. “Or the Dragon?”

  Bruna huffed a few times. His eyes followed tha Khans hand upward. He knew he wasn’t meant to believe Aru’Gal yet his words rang just as true.

  Displeased for the lack of violence they would unleash he grunted. “What will it do?”

  Aru’Gal lowered his sword. “The same that I would have.” He answered and remained plain and tall for his statue. “It will cast the spell…and take the life of our Clan~” “You would have taken the life of our clan?!” Bruna shouted and stepped closer again.

  Aru’Gal took a step closer himself, anger carried his voice. “I would have taken the prisoners as our sacrifice but who knows that what beast w~”

  “My sister is a prisoner!”

  “She is a traitor!”

  “And my sister!!”

  “I was your brother, Bruna! The brother you chose! The brother that spilled blood with you, the brother that took care of you!” Aru’Gal shouted himself.

  By now they stood close to each other, close enough to strike if need be. “What did she do?!”

  A thousand memories came to Bruna’s mind. How she ran up the mountain, how she held his hand when his women died, how she cried when Kara was wounded, how she cried when Kara died. And finally how she told him to live.

  Aru’Gal continued. “She took your daughter…she rebelled against ME and took YOUR daughter with her!” Aru’Gal laid a hand on Bruna’s shoulder. “She is the rift between us…she and my father were the rift through us and through our clan.”

  Aru’Gal sought his eyes from below, similar to his sister back in the line of prisoners. “I did my part, Bruna. I ended the man that called himself my father and despite the tears I would do so a thousand times again.”

  Bruna’s eyes shot back to him. He understood what Aru’Gal wanted from him yet his mind wouldn’t allow him to go there. He remembered Kara’s dead body. He remembered the last words they shared and the promise of a life she would never have. He shook his head and his mind went to his sister in the battle of the mesa. How beaten she was but how she continued. How she stood between him and the witch in defiance. And how her song carried his back.

  He opened his eyes. “No.” He declared calmly.

  Without hesitation Aru’Gal swung his sword down at Bruna’s legs. Pain rippled from them to his mind and forced him to his knees. He saw that Aru’Gal was about to strike him down and grabbed the Khans neck. As he slowly gripped him tighter he realised that Aru’Gal was about to swipe his sword at his arm. He threw him away just before he did. The Khan's sword landed close to the edge. Aru’gal took his time to breath while Bruna desperately tried to stand up, despite the pain and blood from his knees. Aru’Gal grabbed his sword from the edge and stood up once more. Bruna tried to get up, but fell down again and again with more and more pain. Slowly Aru’gal rose before him. “I will not kill you..” He uttered and pointed his sword down at Bruna. “But I assure you this is the last time. When next we meet, no matter what form I take, you will be loyal or you will meet your daughter again.”

  Bruna roared at him in pain and anger on his knees. Slowly Aru’Gal sheathed the obsidian sword on his back once more and looked up. Quickly he then started to rush out of the hoard and up the stairs. Leaving the beast, the man he once called a brother, behind. “A traitor like the rest of them..” Aru’Gal thought with bitterness as he rushed the long way up.

  Bruna was bleeding from his legs and stumbled forward. Aru’Gal had cut the right spot. There wasn’t anything to bring strength to his legs. He grunted and snarled until his voice had gathered enough strength to scream after Aru’gal. “COWARD!!” He breathed heavily. “Strike me down you coward! But don’t leave me here!!”

  Aru’Gal heard Bruna’s screams below. For but a moment he was to return and show him the mercy of death. But he shook his head and continued upward. Even in its wounded state the dragon was fast and he needed to stop it before it would reach the mountain. Anger grew at himself. How he didn’t see the dragons own plans. How he had played right into its schemes. But he would stop it and end it all. All their slavery to dark masters, all the chains to sorcery. He would end them and he would become the eternal protector of their people. A dragon that would not just rest but lead them to conquest.

  Down in the hoard, Bruna crawled over the obsidian bridge. A line of blood followed him and he knew it would take a day if he was to go up like this.

  Finally above him a wyverns roar went down and Darkscale flew by. He smiled at her. Usually the Wyverns didn’t dare the dragon's hoard. Maybe it was its absence now, or the fact she knew her end was close, but she flew down.

  Bruna was just glad to see her. She glided down and just barely hit the bridge right next to him. He raised an arm and smiled into her eyes. “Brave fool you are, dark one..” He grunted at her with a smile. Her own grunt seemed like a smile. After he huffed himself to strength a few times, he held onto her scales and lifted himself up to the saddle once again. Up he leaned down and petted her neck. “It’s a long way up..can you do it?”

  She glanced up the hoard and roared. Slowly she flapped her wings and started flying. Not fast and not all the way. Just enough to take a hold of the volcano’s cliffs to breathe again and fly to the next. Bruna meanwhile did all his arms could to stay in the saddle. Usually a rider was using their legs to stay there. But there was no use in those. Aru’Gal had managed to strike the one place that truly wore protection and still cut right where the armour was open enough. Bruna’s mind was answering it in return. He saw the Khans armour before him and tried to imagine the right places to cut. If all else was deemed to fail, he would have to cut his head off. But he had to find a weapon. Yet if all failed he would rip it off.

  Darkscale came closer to the volcano's maw atop and they could hear the distant dragons thunder through the red clouds.

  While they were reaching the top edge of the volcano and the hoard, Aru’Gal was moving across the many floors of Karn’Arak and aside of the many rooms once again. As he reached the outside stairs to the platform above he took his horn and blew it into the wind.

  Bruna and Darkscale could hear it below. “Follow him..” Bruna told Darkscale. “Burn him.” He added and Darkscale roared. She started to climb and fly aside the structure that was Karn’Arak and came ever closer to the Khan. It was easier than the Volcano below and they were close.

  Aru’Gal had reached the platform and looked around for his mount. He blew his horn again and watched the dragon fly for the east and the lands of their clan. He needed to stop it. Nothing and no one would take his price. He grinded his teeth when he heard a roar behind him.

  Bruna and Darkscale had reached the top. The orcs stared at each other. Aru’Gal drew his sword. There was nothing to say.

  Bruna lashed the reins and both him and Darkscale roared in unison. The old Wyvern charged Aru’Gal and the Khan held his blade ready.

  Bruna could see the focus in the Khan’s eyes and knew he was fast. Just before Darkscale reached him he guided her sideways. Aru’Gal’s blade hit nothing but smoke while aside from him the old Wyvern’s throat started to glow. Aru’Gal’s eyes widened and he answered with snarling teeth. He rushed at her his sword first. Bruna saw that he would reach her before she could breath fire and used her scales to climb further up her head until he could launch himself at the Khan below. Giving the last his legs could muster. Aru’Gal couldn’t believe his brother would have the strength and was buried below him. He got punched to his face that broke a tusk before Bruna grabbed him as they were laying down and held the Khan up towards Darkscale. Panic flickered in the Khan’s eyes as the old wyvern opened her mouth for fire.

  Just as the first flicker of flame left her maw she was stabbed by Venomclaw’s tail. The sting went right into her throat.

  The two mixed venoms, one for poison, one for fire, ignited each other and tore Darkscales' throat open in a tiny explosion of red flame and flesh.

  Bruna looked on in horror and Aru’Gal used the moment to answer with his elbow. Hitting Bruna’s face behind him. He was let go off and whistled for Venomclaw as he ran towards the edge of Karn’Arak. Bruna was falling to his knees and next to Darkscale once more as he watched the Khan as his Wyvern at the edge. Aru’Gal jumped onto Venomclaw and they flew off for the east. Where the Dragons red clouds rose above the mountains and red lightning struck through.

  Bruna sighed as he looked down to Darkscale next to him. She still tried to breath yet half her throat was missing and blood ran out. He laid a hand on her head and she sighed. Calm in the end, facing her last moment. “Sorry…” he whispered just before she stopped breathing. He was alone. He couldn’t move. He lost.