Conquering the underworld with my beautiful dragon wives-Chapter 49: Rise of Veldaren—The City of Dragons
The next morning, the ashes were still hot. The smell of smoke and burnt wood was all over the air. No bird dared to come close.
Ethan was standing on a small hill, looking down at the ruins of Gravenfield.
Fayra stood next to him, confident, and said,
"This town’s got no name now. From today, we call it Voldaren... Dragon City."
Ethan grinned,
"Yeah... Voldaren. My city. Our city."
Selena laughed,
"Now that we’ve got a city, time to build an army, Keymaster."
Alice smirked,
"What, you’re gonna pull soldiers outta ashes?"
Ethan smiled, calm and sure,
"Nah... outta their hearts. There’s still brave people in this world. I just gotta find ’em."
Just as he said that, a few tired, wounded men and women slowly came out from the ruins. Their faces were full of fear, smoke, and exhaustion.
One man, his voice shaking, said,
"We... we didn’t mess with the council... we just..."
Ethan walked up to him, gently placed a hand on his shoulder and said warmly,
"From today, their laws don’t matter. Here... it’s my law, and yours... our town."
A young woman, eyes full of tears, said,
"But... we don’t know how to fight."
Luna smiled proudly,
"That’s why we’re here. We’ll teach you."
Then Ethan raised his voice, firm and clear,
"Anyone who wants to get stronger... who wants to take back their home... who’s got the guts to fight beside dragons... step into the square!"
People hesitated, looking at each other. A few seconds passed... then a young man with ash-covered hair stepped forward.
In a strong voice,
"I’m in."
Then another... and another. Slowly, they started gathering in the ruined square.
Fayra grinned,
"See? Told ya. People still got fight in ’em."
Ethan laughed,
"From today... they’re my army."
Selena smiled,
"Time for some training, boss."
Alice giggled playfully,
"You even know how to train ’em?"
Ethan smirked,
"Nah... but I’ve got three hot dragon girls and three fiery beasts... I’ll manage."
Fayra teased,
"Hot, huh?"
Ethan laughed,
"Yeah, real hot. Especially when they get pissed."
Luna cracked up,
"Well... get ready, Ethan. We’re about to get really pissed."
Right as she said that, three young dragons — Azarakhsh, Sholeh, and Sama — swooped down from the sky and landed in the square, shaking the ground.
Ethan, excited,
"Alright kids... time to train!"
People stared at the dragons, terrified.
Alice chuckled,
"So, who still wants to get strong now?"
Ethan shouted,
"If you’re scared already, better leave. This... is a city for warriors!"
Some people stepped back... but most of them stayed, standing tall.
Selena smiled,
"Good... now that’s an army."
Fayra put her hands on her hips,
"Okay boss... what’s the plan?"
Ethan took a deep breath,
"Three squads. Fire Squad, Speed Squad, Sky Squad."
Luna raised a brow,
"Who’s who?"
Ethan grinned,
"Fire Squad: those who wanna train with the dragons. Speed Squad: sword and agility folks. Sky Squad... for the dragons only."
Fayra laughed,
"Perfect. I’m taking Fire Squad."
Selena raised her hand,
"I’ll handle Speed."
Luna smiled,
"Sky’s mine."
Ethan, pumped,
"Awesome! Training starts tomorrow!"
Alice teased,
"And me... I’m in charge of watering the wounded."
Everyone laughed.
Ethan ran a hand through his hair,
"Guys... this is just the beginning."
Fayra grinned,
"I’m so damn happy!"
Ethan laughed,
"Same! We’re gonna build the strongest army ever."
Selena, serious,
"And when we’re strong... we’ll take this whole continent."
Ethan grinned wide,
"That’s the plan."
Luna laughed,
"Well then... let’s go meet our people. Our city... Dragon City."
They headed to the square, the sound of dragon shouts filling the ruins.
The sun was slowly setting. The sky was burning orange and red, just like dragon fire.
The training ground in the middle of Voldaren was now busier than ever.
People, wearing torn clothes and bruised hands, but with eyes full of hope, were lining up.
Fayra stood next to Ethan, proud,
"They’re ready. Way more than I expected."
Ethan grinned,
"Great. Tomorrow, we turn ’em into fighters."
Selena stepped up,
"Good news... our food supplies will last a week."
Luna, cheerful,
"And even better... I found three old swordmasters. They wanna join us."
Ethan, excited,
"Couldn’t ask for more! A fresh army with a few battle-worn veterans... we’re good to go."
Fayra teased,
"Alright boss... ready to start?"
Ethan took a deep breath,
"Yeah. Right now."
Then turned to the people, raised his voice,
"Listen up!"
Silence...
The wind blew Fayra’s long hair. Dragons circled above the town.
Ethan stepped forward,
"You’re not Gravenfield’s people anymore. From tonight, you’re... the Dragon Army."
Some murmured.
A woman, voice shaking,
"Dragon Army..."
Ethan kept going,
"Here... I’m the boss. These three are my commanders. Fayra, Fire Commander... Selena, Blade Commander... Luna, Sky Commander."
The people nodded with respect.
Selena stepped up,
"Anyone who wants to be in my squad, over here."
Fayra, serious,
"Fire Squad, this way."
Luna laughed,
"And the bravest... come with me."
People slowly split into groups.
Ethan grinned,
"I’m joining too. Gonna do my first training myself."
Fayra smiled,
"I’m loving this crazy side of you."
Ethan laughed,
"Well, if not me, then who?"
Selena joked,
"Duh... us!"
They all laughed.
Then the dragons landed.
Azarakhsh, Sholeh, and Sama stood tall in the square.
Ethan turned to the people,
"From now on... they’re your friends, not monsters."
A man, nervous,
"C-can we really train with dragons?"
Fayra smiled,
"You can. We’ll help."
Ethan shouted,
"First training: get close to them... touch their scales... hear their fiery breath... and don’t flinch."
People hesitated.
Alice snickered,
"Don’t flinch? If it were me, I’d be halfway across the country by now."
Ethan laughed,
"That’s why you’re not in our army, Miss Plant-Lady!"
Alice chuckled,
"Whatever, kid."
Slowly, people walked up, one by one, laying their hands on the dragons’ warm, rough skin.
Fayra smiled,
"See? They’re getting used to it."
Ethan grinned,
"Yeah... I’m really happy."
Selena walked over,
"Lemme say it too... I’m really happy."
Luna laughed,
"Me too... maybe even more."
They all laughed together.
Ethan ran his fingers through his hair,
"Guys... we’re changing the world."
Fayra softly,
"And this is just the start."
