It had been 50 years since the last time Storm had seen Aurora. And yet he could never mistake her for another dragon.
Even in her currently dismal state.
Her once shiny silver scales were dull and covered in dirt and dried blood, several spots of her hide were naked and exposed due to someone forcefully removing her scales.
Old unhealed scars covered these exposed patches where someone had cut into her to draw blood.
The most painful thing for Storm to see was her eyes.
Gone was the youthful, cheerful, energetic dragon he grew up with. Instead she had so much sadness in her eyes, that it broke Storm's heart to see.
She seemed to have accepted death and was just waiting for someone to deliver it.
"We'll start the bidding at hundred thousand gold!! Can I hear a hundred thousand?!"
With the auction officially underway.
Storm's blood was boiling in anger. He took a step forward, then another.
Raising his hand, he was just about to obliterate the vile man holding Aurora prisoner, when the voice of Augustus in his head startled him.
"Overlord!! We've taken the barrier tower! You are free to move on the device at anytime. "
Storm hesitated and gave no response.
"Sir?! Can you hear me?!" Asked Augustus.
Storm was completely lost. On the one claw, he had a mission to complete. This was a golden opportunity to destroy the hunter's spirits.
Moving to rescue Aurora, would mean abandoning the mission. And he might never get another opportunity like this again.
On the other claw, this was Aurora in front of him, the dragon that he had adored since he was a hatchling.
Storm tried not to think much on what he had lost all those years ago in order to avoid loosing his mind again.
But every so often, he would dream about being reunited with her again, only for him to wake up alone the next morning.
"Sir!? Is everything all right?!" Asked Augustus in Storm's head.
"I can't lose her again!" Thought Storm sadly.
With his mind made up, he made contact with Augustus.
"Augustus!! There's been a change of plans!!"
"Overlord?!"
"I need you to cause a distraction! Something that will draw as many guards away from the square!"
"But, sir?! Why would...."
"I don't have time to explain, Augustus!! Just do it!!"
The elf was silent for a moment as he considered the options.
"Very well! I'll do what I can. "
"How will I know what to look for?" Asked Storm.
"You will know it when you see it!" Was all the elf said in response.
Storm began to push his way through the crowd as the auctioneer continued to call out bids from the people.
After a few minutes, Storm was standing right next to the stage.
"Damn it, Augustus!! Where's that distraction!!" Thought Storm.
A large explosion shook the entire city a moment later. Storm twisted around and saw that the large tower that housed the barrier crystal had exploded and was busy raining down debris on the city below.
The crowd screamed and started running as they saw this happening, the guards meanwhile all looked at the chaos in shock.
"Is the city under attack?!"
"Everyone!! Come with me!! We need to secure the gates and the barrier tower!! Called the captain of the guards.
They all marched out of the plaza, leaving the auctioneer alone with just a handful of personal guards under his employment.
"What should we do, sir?" Asked one of the guards.
"We'll stay put for now, but get the wagon ready to move if trouble shows up." Replied the auctioneer. "
"Now's my chance. I'd better secure the wagon before they decide to move her to somewhere more secure." Thought Storm.
He slowly walked towards the wagon while trying to attract as little attention as possible.
As he got closer to the cage, Storm could hear a low growl coming from Aurora.
"Don't worry, Aurora. I'm coming for you. " thought Storm.
As he placed his hand on the wagon, the people finally noticed him.
"Hey!! You there!! What do you think you're doing!!" Called the auctioneer.
Storm held out his hand and a bolt of lightning flew from his hand and struck the man in the chest before he could do anything else.
He looked down with a stunned expression at the large hole now through his chest.
"I'm taking her." Storm replied flatly.
The man fell to his knees, then collapsed face first into the ground.
Screams from the few people still left in the square started a moment later.
"HE KILLED HIM!! SOMEONE CALL THE GUARDS!!"
"MURDERER!! HELP!! GUARDS!!"
The auctioneer's guards sprung into action and came at Storm from all sides.
Storm made no moves to dodge or stop them. Once they were close, Storm discharged his energy and lightning flew from his body in every direction.
The lightning was attracted to the metal in the men's armor and flew at them at high speed.
After a few convulsions, they all fell to the ground around him.
Storm sprung into action and jumped to the wagon's driver seat. He grabbed the reins and was just about to force the horses into a run, when a hard impact at the back shook the entire wagon.
Storm turned around and he was stunned to see that it was Aurora who caused the impact.
She'd realized that now was the best chance to make her escape and was kicking the door at the back of the wagon with her back legs in an attempt to force them open.
"Damn it!! I need her to stay put or I won't be able to guarantee her escape!!" Thought Storm.
He placed a hand on the bars to comfort her.
"I'm on your side, dragon!! I'll get you out, but I need you to relax for the moment." said Storm.
"Aurora snapped at his hand, and Storm pulled it back. She then raised her back leg and kicked the door again.
"AURORA!!!" Yelled Storm.
She stopped what she was doing and looked at Storm with a stunned face.
"How do you know my name, human?!! Who are you?!" Aurora asked.
Out of the corner of his eye, Storm saw the guards starting to stream into the plaza again.
"There's no time to explain!! But I promise that I will after we escape! Please trust me, Aurora!" Replied Storm.
Aurora gave no reply, but she folded her legs underneath herself and laid down on her belly to show her acceptance.
"Hold on tight!! It's about to get bumpy!!" Yelled Storm.
He lashed the reins, spuring the horses into a fast run.
The guards and city people quickly jumped to the side to avoid the rushing wagon as Storm led it down the main road towards the gates.
His heart sank when he saw them.
A large group of solders were blocking the gate.
Each soldier carried a spear and shield. They were standing in formation with their shields interlocked and their spears pointed outward towards the incoming wagon.
He lashed the reins again and the horses picked up speed.
"BRACE YOURSELF!!" Storm called to Aurora.
Just before he collided with the spearwall, a flight of arrows left the top of the roof and hit the tightly packed soldiers.
They flailed about in confusion at the attack and this distraction was enough to break up the formation enough for Storm to break through.
He looked up and saw Augustus and a few of his fellow elves standing on the roof of the building.
"Guess I owe you one?" thought Storm.