"Lay the army to rest!
They deserve to be at peace." Said Storm.
"The dead don't 'deserve' anything, and it is better that they fight so that the living may continue to exist.
But I gave you my word and I intend to honor it." Said Mortis.
He held up a claw and a wave of energy flew from him into the city above.
"It is done!
I must say that I am disappointed!
I thought that you might have the strength to do what needs to be done!
But I see now that you are as weak and shortsighted as all the others!
He released the magic that held the paladin in the air and he fell to the ground heavily.
"If it's all the same with you, I am weary of this mountain and I will now depart!
I'll be taking my possessions with me, so you two had better leave quickly. " said Mortis.
Before Storm could ask him exactly what he meant, the entire building began to shudder and a low hum started in the building that was gradually getting louder.
Realizing what he intended to do, Both Storm and Taylor started running as fast as they can through the building and towards the exit.
Taylor stumbled as the quakes grew more intense and Storm turned around and helped him to his feet.
They ran down the garden path towards the main gate of the wall as a massive crack formed on the ground in front of them.
They jumped clear just as the entire ziggurat and the ground it was built upon broke free of the city and began to slowly rise into the air.
After the ziggurat rose several feet above the city roof line, it dissappeared completely with a flash of purple light.
Leaving nothing but a large crater where the gigantic structure used to be.
They helped each other up and Storm looked back at the crater.
"I really hope I didn't make a mistake releasing him back into the world!" Thought Storm with dread.
"Why did you do that!?" Asked Taylor.
"Do what?" Storm asked puzzled.
"Released his army from service?
You could have taken the entire world with such a power?!"
"I have no interest in conquering the world!
Just in securing a future for my kind where we won't be enslaved or slaughtered!
The price for using that army is too great!" Explained Storm.
Taylor was completely silent.
"The tales about you don't do you justice, dragon!
They describe a power hungry, crazed monster that is willing to do anything to achieve victory!
But I don't see that when I look at you.
For what it's worth.
You've earned my respect today!" Said Taylor.
Storm was speechless.
He hadn't expected a human to speak in such a manner to him.
"You're not too bad yourself, paladin. " replied Storm.
"We should return to our armies.
There's a lot that needs to be done. " said Taylor.
They traveled through the abandoned city and found that both forces had retreated to the siege camp at the outskirts of the fortress and were working together to treat the wounded.
The amount of casualties on both sides of their forces were staggering, and the wounded even more so.
"Commander Taylor!!" Called an unknown man.
Storm and Taylor both turned in the direction and saw one of Taylor's silver knights approaching.
A bandage had been tied around his side and he was sweating, though Storm couldn't tell if it was from pain or physical exertion.
"I'm relieved to see that your survived, sir!!"
Taylor nodded his head.
"What's the status of the men, captain?"
"We managed to save all the civilians, sir!
But only about half our forces are still fit to stand and are awaiting your orders!
He eyed Storm suspiciously, as if he was expecting hostilities to resume at any moment.
"Very good, captain.
Gather the civilians and the wounded and make sure we have enough supplies.
We will be moving out in the next few hours!" Ordered Taylor.
"Sir? Shouldn't we...?"
"We have no reason left to stay in this cursed place.
The threat has passed." Exclaimed Taylor.
"But, Sir! We shouldn't...!!"
"Enough, Richard!!I have given my orders and I expect them to be followed!!
There has been enough blood spilled today!!
We don't need to add more to the tally." Exclaimed Taylor.
It looked like the captain was going to argue some more, but he took a deep breath to steady himself before he spoke again.
"As you order 'sir'!!
I'll have our people ready to move out in 2 hours.
He turned around and marched away, leaving the 2 former enemies all alone.
"Please forgive him, dragon.
My people are stubborn and aren't prone to forgiving past grudges easily.
I might have thought no different to him if I hadn't fought by your side earlier today." Apologized Taylor.
Storm nodded his head, but gave no further comment on the matter.
"The fortress is yours now, Dragon!
... For the moment at least.
I will relay what you have done here today to the council of Kings, but not all of them are as forgiving or forward thinking as I.
We may find ourselves on opposite sides of the battlefield again, and if that day comes I will not hesitate to do my duty.
But until that day comes, we are at peace!" Said Taylor.
As Taylor left to oversee the exodus of his people, Storm's advisors approached him.
"Are we really going to let such a large force just leave ?" Asked Augustus.
"That's exactly what we're going to do!
The time may come again soon when we're at each other's throats once again.
But for now, I've had my fill of violence. " said Storm.
"What about the Lich?" Asked Aurora.
"Dead. Permanently this time!" Replied Storm.
"What of my siblings?" Asked Storm.
"They survived, and only received minor injuries....
But... a childhood friend of theirs died in the battle against the undead...
A fellow dragon...
He rose as one of the undead a few minutes later and we were forced to put him down...
They've taken it pretty hard.
You should check in on them when you can.
Storm nodded his head.