Merlin drove both of his weapons into the dragon's neck, using gravitational force to add pressure to the the attack.
His blades began to go through the dragon's hide. It attempted to get up again.
Aki zoomed towards it's head, using his body to smash it's head into the cave walls repeatedly as the blade went deeper.
With it's head bent over and it's neck half open, it spat fire, this desperate move melted The Black Knight's helmet as he quickly evaded the rest of the flames and removed his melted helmet.
Aki jumped back and joined the other two.
The river of flames still flowed down the cave as the trio ran as fast as they could, Awia turned around and raised her staff.
A bright light emerged forming a glowing golden dome that protected them from the dragon's attack.
"Thank you". Aki said to Awia as he was clearly exhausted.
"You're welcome boss". She said with a smile.
"Now, we hope Merlin can pull this off". Lee said to his team as he dropped to the floor.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh". Merlin screamed as his blades slid through it's neck. Blood splashing across his face, blades and armour.
He was breathing heavily as he had forced his body to go beyond it's physical limits with his shadows. He almost fell but he struck his axe into the ground, using it to hold himself.
"Don't move, you've done enough". Awia shouted as she quickly approached him and began healing him.
"The way this thing fought was on another level, almost like it was protecting someone or something". Lee said as he kicked the decapitated head of the dragon.
"Wait… it kept chasing us away from the deep cave". Aki said as he picked up his fallen lantern and walked down into the dark with the gunslinger.
After a few minutes of walking they finally reached a hot part of the ice filled mountains, the only reason a creature like this would stay in a place like this.
It laid eggs. Lee began to count.
"I count twenty". Lee uttered in horror.
"Maybe we can.." before Aki could finish his sentence, Merlin shot through them both and before smashing the hard eggs with his weapons like a madman.
He was covered in boiling amniotic fluid and albumen but he did not care as he tore through the eggs.
From twenty, they became fifteen then eight then five.
"Merlin stop!". Aki screamed out but it was too late, two were gone in an instant.
"Stop!". Aki yelled as he ran towards him. Another two were gone.
"I said, stop!". Aki said to Merlin as he grabbed his hand.
"Put down your blades". Aki continued.
"Neither of us are strong enough to duke it out right now so i really hope you listen…to Me". He added as he squeezed Merlin's fist.
"I am your leader and i command you to stop". Aki tightened his grip on his arm.
Merlin dropped the weapons, looked at Aki and walked away.
"Awia go heal him, he'll be alright". He said to the Awia who was watching everything play out with Lee.
"Lee pick it up, we're taking the egg with us". He said as he sat down and pressed his back to cave wall.
He looked to his right and observed the broken eggs.
"It doesn't have to be like this, everytime". He turned his head and said to Lee, who covered the last egg with his coat.
"Maybe". Lee replied him and walked away.
Aki sat alone, the weight of leadership began to dawn on him.
"I wonder what you're doing, mum". He said to himself as he looked at the top of the cave.
Aki eventually rejoined his guild and was healed by Awia.
"Let's get down from here". Aki said to the guild as they followed.
"Merlin, you need new armour. We can't work with.. that". He said to Merlin while pointing at his heavily damaged armour.
"It's time to get payed people". Aki said out loud.
"You know, he was a former knight right, like an actual knight in the knight's guild". Lee said to Aki.
"I could tell". He replied as they two confined walking down the mountain.
Merlin dragged the dragon's head as they descended.
"Despite his inadequacies, he's a real sticker for authority." Lee added as he smoked again.
Aki continued walking. He crossed his arms, covered in his coat.
They finally reached the village.
They all starred at them with their mouths wide open, even the governor and his family. They all couldn't believe that it had final ended.
Merlin wrapped the dragon's head in a massive blanket and threw it into the boat. They all climbed unto it.
"Well, I'll be damned. You fellas are really different". Old man Albert said to the guild as he took off his hat in amazement.
"Take us to the other side Albert". Aki said and walked into room, slamming the door behind him.
"Welp, i ain't got no choice, do i". Albert said out loud, followed by a loud hysterical laugh.
They sailed back to the other village and made it there by noon.
They took their beasts and things from Albert's grandson, checked them and returned to the village. Merlin now pulling the head in a carriage attached to his horse.
Lady Byeol was seen talking to the other villagers as the group rode in.
"Good day everyone, We're here to return one large dragon head". Aki said gleefully.
Merlin threw the blanket to the floor and the head rolled out.
"Impossible".
"He didn't fuck it up?". Lady Byeol said to Aki as she pointed at Merlin.
"Nah". Aki replied her as he brought out the contract and she signed and ordered a villager to bring the bag containing their reward.
"You know i have seen some really strong people but you guys are really young to be pulling this off". Lady Byeol said to them as she lighted her cigar.
She directed the villager to hand it to Aki, which he then confirmed.
"Thank you". Aki said as he gave the money to Awia.
"No, thank you". Lady Byeol responded and the villagers followed, thanking the group of adventurers in unison as they departed.
The village began rebuilding and El Diablo headed out to where their next adventure awaits.