Against the Odds, Where Legends Are Born

You two didn't think it'd be that easy didja? Just waltz up to the magical alter then harness its mystical properties for... whatever grand reason you both came here for? Heck no!! These two experienced warriors, seasoned adventurers, veterans of this dangerous realm in particular; know better than that. Upon reaching the glistening alter, concluding weeks of trekking through this hazardous territory filled with hostile tribes of golems, bandits, fierce wildlife and many other dangers; the two hold back any celebration. They know full well that in order to lay claim to such a powerful and extremely valuable prize, they'd have to overcome one final trial. The surroundings at first seem relatively quiet as they begin a momentary search through the ancient ruins that dominate the landscape, for any signs that might give a clue as to what type of guardian they'd surely have to face. But before they're able to uncover anything... a loud SCREEEEEECH from above obliterates the rather quiet ambiance, rattling the nearby ruins and causing some to collapse and crumble.

Lothander and Dexter's eyes are immediately drawn upwards to the source of that terrifying sound, catching a glimpse of a large dark mass flying through the darkened skies that made it difficult to determine its true form. "What the h..." before Lothander could even finish, that dark mass makes a sharp cut and darts towards the ground at impressive speeds. Even during the dive, the two warriors can't make out its exact form just yet, but it came as a surprise how fast it was able to move considering the size given away by its silhouette. The thought of running for cover came across their minds, but these events unfolded so fast they were only able to take a few steps back before the dark mass slammed into the ground; creating a massive shock-wave that destroys more of the nearby ruins and sends Lothander and Dexter flying backwards. After a rather tough impact with the ground followed by a short tumble, the two waste no time in getting to their feet, starting to check each other. To their relief, there was little more than a few scuffs to their armor and no physical damage. However, this relief vanishes as they looked towards the spot where the dark mass collided with the ground; their vision locking on to a pair of glowing yellow eyes staring right back at them through the wall of kicked up dust. Their hearts race, feeling the intense malice and overwhelming hatred burning bright within those hostile eyes that glared back at them. The once eerily quiet, still ambience, had now been replaced by an electrified atmosphere; drenched in a thick, evil aura that rhythmically vibrates from a deep low growl that manages to rattle their bones.

Slowly but surely, the dust begins to settle around the creature in a dramatic manner while the immense tension holds Loth and Dex in place; gradually allowing them to take in more and more of the true size and nature of this beast. Massive, menacing, mighty, intimidating; all words that they'd use to describe this fearsome stone dragon that stood before them with jagged spikes jutting out from its head in frightening fashion. The dragon holds a tense low stance, almost as if it was about to pounce while jets of hot steam would shoot from its nostrils with each breath; the intimidation factor amplified by strange steam flowing across the rocky armor that serves as its scales. Both warriors were able to hold up a stoic, somewhat confident appearance on the outside; but despite all they'd faced so far in the past, they have a feeling this challenge will be a step well above anything they've encountered. Their adrenaline flares, knowing this was going to be one hell of a fight, one that would truly put their skills and abilities to the test.

"Welp... looks like we're about to have ourselves an epic showdown yeah? Any ideas?" Dexter asks as he concentrates, holding his right arm out with his paw cupped until that familiar glowing blue flame erupts, quickly taking the shape of his signature sword. Just then he glances over to Lothander with his majestic white armor that seems to glow with anticipation. In a very professional tone "First we need to find any weaknesses AND any abilities this beast has in order to figure out a way to defeat it. Its armor looks impenetrable from here so doing that alone is going to be enormously difficult. What I do know, is that we must strike hard and fast, but..." Lothander emphasizes "...we must be precise and cautious. One hit from that rage-filled beast and we're pretty much out" Lothander grimaced at the thought, speaking in a tone just low enough for Dexter to hear as he wields his impressive warhammer, quickly admiring it before giving the handle a tight readying squeeze. Lothander then pauses for a few seconds, allowing his eyes to trace over the dragon's rocky surface and look for any signs of weakness. "Hmmmm.... I can't see anything that sticks out just yet, but there has to be something. On another note, I'm sure you've also noticed that steam flowing across its surface. I'm sure this originates from an immense heat blazing inside. Soooo....a fire breather? Haven't faced off with a fire breather in ages." Lothander's eyes narrow as he thinks out loud, carefully managing the adrenaline spiking within.

With each second ticking by, the gravity of the situation seems to multiply as the dragon growls louder, eyes glowing brighter from the rage within that continues to swell. Both knew they needed to make a move soon, or else the dragon surely would. "Well, there's two of us so we have the advantage in numbers. Not that it's saying much considering its size. BUT I doubt it can focus on both of us at the time. So if one of us creates a distraction, the other can swing around to get a different vantage point. At the very least get a good look and see if there's anything on him that sticks out for us to exploit" Dexter concludes. The odds were clearly stacked against them but this wouldn't deter their spirits. They knew they both possessed unique abilities, that if synchronized properly can lead them to ultimate victory and far beyond. "We do indeed have the advantage in numbers. But I hate the thought of putting either of us at risk considering this dragon could crush us with relative ease. Having said that though..." Lothander sighs "I don't see any other alternative right now and we're running out of time" A brief tense moment passes of silence between the two before a slight chuckle escapes Lothander's maw "Hey since you felines have nine lives, I think that makes you overqualified to be a distraction doncha think? Its purrrrfect for you" He says with a wink and a smirk towards the lion. Dexter couldn't help but grin despite the tension "Hah very funny. If only that were remotely true I'd happily charge him head on. Hell, just imagine the things I could pull off" A brief moment of laughter between the two passes before quickly dying off as they braced themselves.

Dexter speaks up again "The risks are enormous, but I can't think of anything else in particular right now either. So I say we do it! It can at least give us a better idea of what we're deali..." Lothander interrupts as they both lock eyes "Dexter wait, no! It's entirely too risky! And besides, I think I've just come up with another idea! We should probably..." Before Lothander could finish, he too was interrupted. This time by the dragon's abrupt movement in the corner of their eyes. The tense gaze between them broke as they looked back towards the dragon just in time to see its menacing head recoiling slightly, like it was about to unleash something from within. The two didn't have to wait long to find out exactly what the dragon was up to, as suddenly that gaping, jagged, rocky maw opens wide with a low rattling growl; before a concentrated stream of fiery blazing lava ejects towards the two intruders. Their quick reactions allow them to leap away and dodge with relative ease, yet they can't help but cringe at the immense heat radiating from that hot stream of lava that left a glowing, deep, burning scar in the ground.

The massive dragon made the first move and the time for waiting and planning was over. As soon as Dexter lands from his strafing dodge, he charges towards the dragon at full speed with his sword held out wide in a threatening manner to the dragon! "TOO LATE!" Dexter shouts back to Lothander, regarding the idea he was about to mention but was unable to convey! "I'll distract him! You swing around the back or climb one of these pillars to find a weak spot!" Lothander wanted to protest Dexter's move, but with no time, he nodded then took off in a full sprint towards a nearby pillar. With a powerful leap, he slams into the aged structure then begins a rapid climb. Dexter manages to get within 20 meters before he reaches down to pick up a small stone, then chucks it at the dragon's chin. It harmlessly bounces off but it does just as Dexter had intended. Agitated, the dragon lifts its head and shouts the loudest, terrifying roar yet. Dexter smirks "That's right you big oaf, come at me!" He shouts making an immediate cut away from the dragon. Despite running away, Dexter could tell he's now being pursued as the ground shook with each and every step from the heavy beast, even feeling the intense rage-filled gaze from the dragon drilling into his back as the mighty beast glared at his seemingly insignificant form.

By now, Lothander had just managed to climb the pillar that shakes and cracks from the nearby disturbances. Immediately Shocked as he's presented with the rather terrifying scene of Dexter in a full speed sprint, with the fearsome dragon in pursuit; closing the distance with relative ease. Its impressive size in comparison to the feline was amazing to say the least, albeit frightening; but he couldn't focus on this too long. He needed to find that weak spot, and thankfully it didn't take too long to do so as his eyes are drawn to a strange glow atop the dragon's head. His eyes narrow briefly to inspect it "Right there! That has to be it" Lothander bears a fierce, determined look with his adrenaline pumping, examining what looked like a glowing red gem embedded in the dragon's forehead; right above those menacing eyes. "This isn't going to be easy... but of course it wouldn't. Gotta warn Dex first" Lothander whispers to himself as he swings his mighty warhammer upwards, holding it high above his head. Almost immediately the legendary weapon gives off a bright glow as Loth attempts to get Dexter's attention.

In mid-stride, Dexter glances over his shoulders as he detects the glowing warhammer in the corner of his eyes. Despite the massive hulking beast closing in, he felt a bit of relief overcome him, figuring Lothander had come up with something. But this relief is soon replaced with dread as suddenly, the ground shakes violently from the dragon slamming its massive sharp claws to the ground to bring it's tremendous momentum to an abrupt stop. The massive beast then shouts another powerful roar as a quick burst of intense red flames ejects from its nostrils, before charging towards the pillar that Lothander stood upon at full speed; seemingly angered by the bright light. "Dammnit NO!" Dexter shouts, trying to reverse course but finds himself having to makes several tight acrobatic maneuvers to dodge the barrage of rocks and stone that had been hurled at him from the massive dragon coming to a stop in such dramatic fashion. Dexter soon steadies himself then takes off to pursue the dragon that once pursued him, dodging its craggy spiked tail whipping from side to side in a destructive manner as he tries to get close.

Lothander, seeing that the beast is now headed towards him, quickly leaps from the ancient pillar. The nine-tailed warrior fox landing at its base just in time as the dragon sends another powerful stream of lava that incinerates and melts the pillar's top portion where he just stood. Seeing this attack on his fellow adventurer gives Dexter a burst of energy, propelling him to make a leaping strike at the heel of the dragon's hind leg. But this proves to be useless against the rock-solid armor. Dexter figured his sword would be rather ineffective against the dragon, but actually seeing his trusty sword bounce off with nothing more than a burning slit shook his confidence immensely...

The situation was taking a turn for the worst. With the immense dragon bearing down on Lothander, he was in no position to unleash a strike against the weak spot without the dragon reacting to counter. And Dexter, who trailed the beast close behind could only make ineffective probing strikes in various spots, having no idea where the weak spot was. It seems like every move he attempts to at least change the beast's course failed. The battle was only minutes old for these two seasoned warriors, but things were heating up and taking a wild turn. However, where one might see their situation as desperate, both still had quite a few tricks up their sleeves and this was only the beginning. The epic battle was set to rage on, one that would truly put the best of their abilities to the ultimate test, and would prove to be one hell of a tale to tell for years to come.

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Ok so three things, ONE yes I'm super late posting, but this is the finished illustration for the first place raffle winner  H-nighthawk! TWO this incredible piece is so gosh-darned epic, I felt it was deserving of a good story to go along with it. I did manage to get something out that's a bit rushed, but want to do something even more in depth for it. Unfortunately there's no way I can make that happen with how hectic things've been lately on many ends. So hoping to return to it sometime in the future. Might take what I have here and build it out into a whole story, then just link it to this piece to avoid reposts. LASTLY Going to definitely try to do a raffle in the next week or two. Likely one on here and one over on Twitter to keep em separate, so keep your eyes out for 'em =D

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Thrilling, action packed, badass illustration done by artist  Xypress Good gawsh where do I begin with this truly epic work of art? The badass fire-breathing dragon made of stone? The intensity this illustration projects? Lothander captured in grand fashion preparing to strike? Everything about this is so very well done and can't thank Xypress enough for the incredible work put in here! Original artist post here: [Deadly Duo]

Lothander Whitestar, the grand warrior in one of the most beautiful armor sets I've ever seen belongs to  H-Nighthawk

Warrior lion fighting fire with FIYAH belongs to me  DexterLion Accompanying writing too! also at [@DexChillViber]