In 10 minutes every Dragon and Griffin was in the air and flying as fast they could towards the Kitsune's village.
The village was a few hours flight from their new home.
The smoke could be seen from the air for miles.
Which did not bode well for the fate of the village.
Storm landed heavily at the edge of the settlement.
Everything was burning and there were several dead already scattered around the village.
Some were Kitsune, or their retainers, others were unknown knights in pitch black armor with rune covered swords.
Several Kitsune were running around with buckets of water trying their best to put out the raging fires.
The Matriarch's Chamberlain was overseeing the bucket brigade as well as the rescue efforts.
"Kira!! What happened here!!" Asked Storm.
"A large force of humans attacked the settlement at first light!!
They came without warning and just started killing everyone!!" Explained Kira.
"Where is the Matriarch?!" Asked Aurora.
"At her temple, we've turned it into an emergency infirmary for the time being."
Storm and Aurora rushed to the temple while the dragons and griffins that followed him got to work helping the Kitsune.
The temple was a grim sight, hundreds of villagers were laid out on the floor.
Healers were running all around trying to save as many people as they could.
Many were already dead from their wounds, their loved ones held them in their arms as they wailed in grief.
Without another word, Aurora left to try and aid the healers with the workload, while Storm went on alone to find the Matriarch in the sea of wounded bodies.
He found her kneeling down with one of her white robed Kitsune handmaidens in her arms.
They were both in their true fox like forms.
Beside her were two strange hand weapons Storm had never seen before
The handhold resembled a half circle with a single bar at the end to close your fist around.
3 long curved blades like claws extended from the hoop.
The blades had golden rune work engraved on it, and a 4th hollowed out bladed spike extended from where the thumb would be located.
All 4 blades on each weapon was covered in dried blood.
Both women were covered in blood, though Storm was unable to see any wounds on the Matriarch's body, but her hand maiden was a different matter.
Storm recognized her as the 4 tailed hand maiden and the unofficial leader of the group he met the first time he saw the Matriarch.
A fist sized hole could be seen in her lower belly from where she had been stabbed.
Her shattered iron mask laid beside her on the ground.
Around them were the remaining hand maidens, all of them already dead.
He breathing was ragged and she was coughing up blood.
As Storm got close, the wounded hand maiden breathed out her last breath as she succumbed to her wounds.
The Matriarch used 2 fingers to close her eyes, before laying her down on the ground and getting back to her feet.
"What happened here?!" Asked Storm.
"Exactly what it looks like!
Humans attacked the settlement without warning and without demands.
They called themselves 'The Order of the Dragon ', led by a man that calls himself 'The Slayer '.
He said this was retaliation for attacking the hunter sanctuary. "
"At least you managed to drive him off." said Storm.
"Drive him off? Me and my hand maidens fought him together!
9 to 1!! And despite the odds, he won!!
The only reason I'm alive is because he let me live!!" Said The Matriarch.
"Why did he do that?" Asked Storm.
"Because he wanted me to deliver a message.
"He's coming for you, Storm!
But he says that before he kills you, he will take everyone that you care about!!
And that no one will be safe!" Warned the Matriarch.
Storm was barely containing his rage.
He could handle threats on his own life.
But this man had just threatened to kill every single person that Storm cared about.
"Who did this!!
Which kingdom is responsible!!" Yelled Storm.
"None."
"None?" Asked Storm.
"The Order is independent, but are being bank rolled by every single kingdom on the continent "
"Then I will burn them all to ash!!" Exclaimed Storm.
"Storm! You..." started the Matriarch.
Before she could finish what she was about to say.
An frantic cry for help drew their attention.
A Kitsune ran into the temple carrying a wounded girl no older than 5 years.
The girl was a Kitsune, like her mother and her small body was covered in burn wounds and scratches.
"What happened?!" Asked the Matriarch.
"The roof of our house collapsed on her during the battle!!" Explained the mother.
Storm and the Matriarch inspected her body.
Severe burns covered most of her body.
Most of the fur was gone, her breathing was barely a whisper.
The child clearly didn't have long to live.
Without another word, Storm got to work trying to heal the child's burns.
Much to his dismay though, his magic didn't seem to have any effect.
"I don't understand why this isn't working!!" Exclaimed Storm.
"It's not your fault, Dragon.
There's something about the fire they used in the attack!!
Water can't extinguish it and magic has less of an effect on the wounds it causes!"
The child suddenly shivered and grimaced in her mother's arms, before a peaceful expression appeared on her face as she breathed her last.
"I'm sorry, Eliza. There was nothing we could do!!" Consoled the Matriarch.
The mother wailed in grief.
A moment later Kira ran towards them.
"Mistress!! We've tried everything and nothing seems to be putting out the flames!!
Not even magic!!"
"Tell everyone to evacuate the village!!" Ordered the Matriarch.
"But Mistress!! There are people still trapped in the buildings!!" Exclaimed the Chamberlain.
"My people will safe how many we can!! Get your people away from the danger!!" Exclaimed Storm.
He and his fellow dragons worked through most of the day trying to save as many as they could.
Despite their best efforts many more died buried underneath burning rubble, or died from their wounds moments later.
And each loss was another blow to Storm's conscience.
Eventually the fires burned out on their own as they ran out of fuel to burn.
Though the embers remained active, and were simply waiting to flare up again.
The survivors were gathered together at an open clearing at the outskirts of the village.
"Storm... you offered us a place by your side before.
I know we turned you down at the time, but I was hoping that your offer still stands?" Asked the Matriarch.
Storm nodded his head.
"Of course it does!!
Your people are welcome to stay as long as you need!!"
The Matriarch nodded her head in thanks.
Since there was no further reason to stay, the few remaining villagers were loaded onto the dragon's and griffin's backs.
And they flew back to their hidden city.