The Crimson Fang

The wind began to howl outside. “What have you done?” King Albert grabbed Dimitri by his collar. “He just made things interesting. I guess I won’t need to call them now.” Joseph walked to the edge of the Veil, blades drawn, as a smile cross his lips. “Interesting? He has summoned the ones we do not name! He has called death down upon us all! You have just doomed us!” The wind’s howls turned to screams, as the guards were torn apart. “Stay quiet. I’ll take care of things.”

The door flew open and several Altros, more grotesque than Dimitri had seen in his dreams, poured into the entrance to the house. “We’ve checked this house before! Why are we even bothering? It’s so run down, there’s no way any of them could be hiding in here!” “Those Crimson paperweights had to be protecting something, or they wouldn’t have been standing outside the house, Orthos. We have to be sure to find out what it was, or Lord Brawnthos will make our deaths even slower than the girl with the daggers!” “Yeah! Who knew the Crimson Fox could scream like that?”

Joseph walked out of the veil, his smile replaced by a look of pure anger, and walked to the surprised Altros. “Your screams shall be spoken of for centuries. Your deaths will be so horrific, that they will only be spoken of in hushed voices, in secret places, for fear of those muttering about them suffering the same fate, Altros scum.” “And who the hell are you? And while we’re at it, where the hell did you come from?” Joseph’s eyes narrowed with hatred. “I come from the place that Altros nightmares are made of. My name is whispered on the wind, in fear. Those of your kind that have heard my name, soon after died, many of sheer terror. I am Joseph, the Crimson Dragon, and I am here to make all your nightmares and fears come to fruition. You,” he pointed at Orthos, “Go and inform Brawnthos that I am coming for him. Tell him that I will be coming for Alphenthos, as well.” Orthos turned and fled, looking back in time to see his comrades vanish.

“Was that wise?” “Of course it was. I was the fear to grow in Brawnthos, as he watches his army dwindle away to nothing.”

“Lord Brawnthos! Lord Brawnthos!” “Approach me, Orthos. You look frightened. What is the matter?” “My lord, the Crimson Dragon has returned! He just killed everyone that you sent to Crimsonia, faster than I could watch!” “So tell me; what are you still doing alive?” “He sent me to tell you…he’s c-coming f-f-for y-you.” “So, he wishes to come for me? Where is he? You shall lead me to him, where he will fall before me, begging for his life, or death. I will grant him his death, once I have been satisfied by his suffering.”

Joseph grinned as Orthos led the army back through the ruins of Crimsonia, right toward him. Just as I thought. Fools! “This is your only chance to surrender, Noble! If you choose to fight us, we will destroy you with the same ferocity that Lord Alphenthos’ army bestowed upon your giant friend!” Joseph’s grin became a devious smile, as the Altros beside Orthos fell to his knees, screaming in a way that Orthos had never heard. When he looked back, the smile had faded from the Crimson Dragon’s face, replaced by the rage that he had seen inside the house. “Bring. It. On. Altros. Scum.” The army charged over the corpse of their ally, with the intention of killing Joseph.

As Joseph’s blade pierced Orthos’ throat, he felt a pull, as his body flew to the back of his army, into Brawnthos’ hand. “You have failed me greatly, Orthos. Now you shall suffer.” Orthos’ body was enveloped by white flames.

Joseph watched as the Altros began to surround him, cutting down any who attempted to strike him down. He dodged, as a chain whip shot right past his head, slaying the owner. As he cut through the body, he hadn’t noticed the Altros approaching from behind him. As he turned, a giant hand gripped him by the neck, lifting him into the air. Somehow, he had become overwhelmed! The Altros prepared to tear his head off. A loud bang was heard, and the giant Altros fell to the ground. Joseph looked behind him, and saw Dimitri on the roof of his mother’s house, aiming down the sights of a glowing rifle. His eyes had become completely crimson. “Are you alright, comrade?” “Never better,” Joseph replied as his smile found its way back to his mouth. “I am about to rain death and destruction down on these poor sods!” His eyes lit up, as the clouds began to break. “Dragon’s,” the sky lit up, “Raging,” Fire became visible above the Altros army, “Meteors!” Huge balls of flame fell from the sky, slamming into the Altros army. Their screams echoed through the ruins, as their bodies began to deteriorate. “That was for Geoff,” Joseph said, as the battlefield cleared. Brawnthos stood in terror, trembling, as Joseph approached him.

“Your death is for Sakura, you swine.” Brawnthos howled, as his whip-like arm was torn from his body. He screamed as it struck him repeatedly, severing his other limbs. His screaming was heard across the entire world, ending when his head was relieved of its duty atop his body.

King Albert and the others ran outside, following the death of Brawnthos. “Joseph, are you alright?” He had a look of pure rage on his face. “That makes six. I’m going to find Draken and Ami, and I’m going to bring them back.” “But, we need you! The Alt… unnamed ones will be preparing to go to war!” “First of all, stop calling them the unnamed ones. They have a name; Altros. Secondly, if theirs is inevitably going to be a war, then you are going to need the remaining members of the Fang to help fight it.” He walked over and picked Sakura’s daggers off of Brawnthos’ body. “Lastly, I don’t care about your orders in this matter. I will not allow another of my friends to become a weapon in the corner. Dimitri, I thought you weren’t going to turn.”