DOTA: Dragon's Blood

In the beginning, there was only the Primordial Mind.

From this mind sprang the whole of creation.

The stars, the planets, life and death.

But in time, the Mind was divided against itself.

Two fragments, the Radiant and the Dire, thought and action,

warred over creation with irreconcilable ferocity.

The Chaos of the Infinite followed.

Kings, queens.

Gods.

Monsters.

They all sought wisdom in the shattered Primordial Mind

and power from its ineffable madness.

But in his prison in Foulfell,

the demon Terrorblade gazed into the chaos

and found Truth.

Terrorblade found the idea.

Fuse thought and action.

Remake creation in his own infernal image.

- -Ah!

- -

Ah!

- -

- -

- -

Bram.

- -

- -

What the hell is he doing?

Why isn't he killing the damn thing?

Quiet. Watch the man work.

- -

He's not coming out.

They always come out.

Crazy, stupid…

Here we go.

- -

-Piece of shit! -Hey!

Dishonor my kill again, you're next.

Dishonor it?

Fucking thing killed four of mine, injured at least five more.

Gods! Another one!

Hatchling. Dead.

Hatchlings. Pups. Wee babies.

Bite your face off, boyo.

The entire nest…

it's gone.

They tore each other apart. It's like they all went crazy.

Like they all lost their minds and turned on one another, all at once.

Crazy wyrmlings, crazy hatchlings…

I'm sure it's fine.

This nest, it opens up.

Bram.

An eldwyrm dug this.

Asleep.

How do you know?

We're not dead.

Asleep, then.

Lovely.

Now is our chance. Now we kill the beast.

No. Now we pray he doesn't wake up.

And when, pray you, do we return to kill the big one?

"Kill the big one?"

Do you know how many living Dragon Knights

have ever seen a "big one" that still had fire in its guts?

Or whatever they have in their guts, it varies from dragon to dragon.

Bram.

One. That's how many.

Ah, you're afraid, then.

We'll ride for Dragon Hold in the morning.

Get advice, find help.

But tonight, I plan to celebrate the fact that I'm still breathing.

As should you.

You especially.

Coward.

All these people…

Just for you.

For that.

This morning they were terrified, tonight they feel safe.

All I'm doing is delivering their trophy.

-Davion! -Davion!

Oh, no. Not for you.

All right. It's a little bit for me.

Your father was a militian.

-Yes, sir. -He was a brave son of a bitch.

You look like you're a brave son of a bitch, too.

Like him.

Here. I want you to have this. Dragon fang.

I've got one just like it. See?

When you're of age, when you're ready, take yours to Dragon Hold.

They'll know what it means.

I'll slay monsters too someday. Just like father.

Just like father.

Davion leaped left, he leaped right.

Bobbing and weaving as the great beast lunged and snapped!

Finally, knowing it was beaten, the dragon fled under the earth!

Davion followed.

There, alone in the darkness, he slew the beast!

When we found him,

covered in the enemy's black, stinking blood,

he said, "Tonight, we dine! Tonight, we drink!

The village is saved!"

- -

Of course, I played a critical role.

He'd have been dead a hundred times if I weren't there.

A hundred times?

A hundred times at least.

At least!

Worry not. I'll return with fresh cups for everyone.

- -

-Barkeep, another round. -Excuse me.

I was waiting.

Forgive me. I'm in my cups. I didn't see you there.

Please, help the lady.

Thank you.

An Icewrack white, please.

Two glasses, chilled of course, not so sharp.

- -Two crowns.

It smells terrible. And it's warm.

It's beer. It's all we got.

Wet, sour and sharp enough to cut the head off a hellbear.

-Smells like mom. -But…

-Two crowns. -For this?

-I'll pay for her Icewrack white. -Oh, uh, in that case, they're free.

Wait. If I order, it's two crowns. If he orders, he pays nothing.

Well, yeah. He's Davion the fucking Dragon Knight

what killed a fucking dragon.

-This fucking dragon. -Among others.

Many, I'm sure.

But the one, the big one, you left down in that gods-empty hole!

-Don't talk much about him. -You're drunk.

Tell her all about it.

Tell her how you bravely ran away.

If all your stories were worth a steaming sod,

you'd be killing that thing.

Listen up, idiot.

One man alone can't kill an eldwyrm, nor 10, nor 20.

It would be stupid to try.

Waking that monster means death for everyone within miles of here.

Let the dragon sleep.

Now, if you'll sod right off, I was talking to the… lady.

Shit.

Ah! She thinks you're a coward, too.

Icewrack white.

It's supposed to be warm.

A human tavern.

Barely.

This isn't exactly neutral.

I assume you would've preferred a dark alley or the foothills.

The better to rob me.

Rob you?

Locating precious things for the wealthy is more lucrative than stealing from them.

My lotuses.

Selemene's lotuses. The usurper's lotuses.

I don't really care.

I care only to make them mine now.

I don't have your lotuses.

What I do have is a name. Travel to the Black Market in Haupstadt.

Ask for Nikdo. He'll arrange the rest.

You promised to bring them.

I promised to find them.

Now, the matter of my payment.

I'm not paying for a name.

Then I'll find Nikdo and tell him there's no bargain.

Safe travels, miss.

Wait.

I don't have money.

But I do have other items of value.

Oh, sorry. Not interested.

Human women are pleasantly soft, but too easy to come by.

That's not my offer.

This.

This bracelet. Your tiara.

I know who you are.

Ah! My future ex-wife.

And my other future ex-wife. Huh?

Never come down from the throne to address a peasant.

Oh, I see. Skinny bastard is your boyfriend.

Been stepping out on me, huh?