As they closed the distance, the paladin raised his flanged mace overhead to strike.
Storm blocked the stike with one of his swords, before countering with the other sword.
His opponent raised his large shield and deflected the incoming blow.
The paladin tried to connect with a shield bash to force some space between them, but Storm jumped back and avoided the strike.
They circled one another as they watched each other for an opening.
Storm realized that he would need to find a way to get behind his opponent.
So he suddenly rushed straight at his enemy again, and as expected, his opponent covered himself with his shield and bashed with it in order to break Storm's momentum.
Before the shield could connect with him however, he jumped up and using the shield as a stepping stone, he vaulted over his opponent's head and shoulders.
As his feet touched the ground behind his opponent, he spun around and stabbed with his sword, intending to strike at his opponent's exposed back.
Before it could land though, his opponent spun around and attempted to swat away his sword with his mace.
He had underestimated the height of Storm's weapon and only managed to clip it slightly.
Deflected the blow to the downward and to the right, Storm managed to deliver a shallow cut to the man's right leg.
Instead of hitting him in the center of his back like he had intended.
Before Storm could strike again, his forward momentum carried him past his opponent and out of striking range.
Changing tactics, Storm continued to deliver blow after blow to the man's shield, in an attempt to tire him out.
The force and ferocity of Storm's attacks slowly forced the paladin to give ground, while being unable to strike back.
Sparks flew from the shield with every hit and the sound it made with every strike, sounded like the clap of thunder.
A crack began to form on the shield as the shield continues to take damage.
Then, finally after a hard strike with both his blades.
The shield split in two right down the middle.
By some miracle however, Storm had missed the paladin's arm that was strapped underneath the shield.
The paladin tossed the now useless hoop that tied his arm to the broken shield aside, and took a two handed grip on his mace.
Storm charged him again and his opponent raised the weapon overhead.
Storm crossed his blades and blocked the overhead strike.
He held the mace for a moment, before cutting with both blades and severing the mace head from the shaft.
Before the paladin could do anything else, he plunged one of his swords through his chest and out his back.
The paladin stared stunned at the weapon that pierced him, before Storm ripped it free and the man collapsed.
Storm sheathed his weapons and went over to the dying man.
The man coughed up blood as Storm kneeled by his side.
"I guess my people's fate is in your hands now, dragon...
...honor one last request of a dying warrior."
The man coughed again.
This mistake is on me.
They were only following my command..
...Do not punish them for my mistakes...
...be ... merciful..."
With his request given, the man breathed out his last and closed his eyes.
Several of the men cried out in anguish and drew their weapons.
They charged at Storm, not caring whether they lived or died, their only wish being to slay the monster that had killed their beloved leader.
Storm cut each one down without mercy as they reached him.
The remaining warriors realized that further fighting would only result in more blood being spilled.
So they placed their weapons on the ground before them and went down on their knees in surrender.
The elves and dwarves moved in and secured their hands and retrieved their weapons.
Storm's advisors slowly approached him.
"Well fought, Overlord!!" Said Augustus.
"Yes, well done!
But what are we supposed to do with them?!" Said Grombrim as he gestured towards the surrendering soldiers.
"They're a liability! Kill them!" Said Augustus.
"That's a bit brutal, elf!
Not to mention wasteful!!
Let's put them to work instead!!
Have them work in the mines!" Suggested Grombrim.
"And who do you expect to watch over them so that they don't kill us while we sleep.
We have few enough manpower as it is." Said Augustus.
"No!!" Exclaimed Storm.
Drawing the attention of both quarreling advisors.
"Cut them loose!
Allow them to leave with as much as they can carry!" Ordered Storm.
"Come again?" Asked Augustus.
"You heard me, Augustus!"
"This is tactically foolish, I can understand that you wish to release the non combatants!
But what about those that raised weapons against us!
Are you just going to let them leave as well!?" Retorted Augustus
"That's exactly what we're going to do!" Exclaimed Storm.
He looked the elf dead in the eye.
"I don't expect you to understand, Augustus!
And I can't explain my reasoning to you!
I just expect you to follow my orders." Said Storm.
The elf bowed his head.
"We shall do as you command!" Exclaimed Augustus.
Without another word, Storm left the town center to be alone.
Leaving his advisors to carry out his commandment.
As he wandered through the burning village, Razor walked up to him.
"I saw what you did during the attack, Storm!" Said Razor.
Storm looked at her to elaborate.
"The human hatchlings!
I saw all the trouble you went through to save them!" Explained Razor.
"It was the right thing to do!" Answered Storm.
"I'm not saying it wasn't.
I'm just suprised.
May I ask what prompted such an act of benevolence?" Asked Razor.
"A hatchling is a hatchling.
Regardless of it's species." Replied Storm.
"I'm not saying it's wrong, but I am suprised you think that way.
You certainly didn't think so before?" Said Razor.
Storm was silent for a moment.
"You know, I always had a small amount of resentment to my father for not being more active in fighting humans.
But I think I understand now."
When I first took up the mantle of 'Calamity ' and the stories of my notoriety spread.
I didn't mind it, and was even proud of it.
But becoming a future father has changed my perspective now.
I don't want my children growing up thinking their father is a monster!" Said Storm.
"They won't, not after today!" Said Razor.
She stared at him.
"You realize this war won't get any easier?
You might be called upon to do this sort of thing again?"
"I know. " said Storm.
"And I will do whatever is necessary when that time comes."