It didn't take long for the group to get the resources they needed. In fact, most shops refused to take payment.

  The citizens of Kadessa weren't foolish. They knew the [Primordial] threat wasn't to be taken lightly. Even if Trillia couldn't tell them the reality of what they were facing, the people still knew their own history and the history of their storied Queen enough to want to help in whatever way they could.

  The group now stood on the same balcony they had been training on. It was Trillia's first time seeing the Generals in their full armor.

  Cordaos was most striking. As far as Trillia could tell, he had to be part giant. He towered over everyone else and was covered in so much stone armor that you might mistake him for a statue. A two-handed battleaxe fit for his size rested easily on one shoulder. His horns had seemed to grow and curve up and out to make better use as a weapon, glowing runes were etched into them.

  Stas had at least stayed the same size, but there was an almost cloth-like substance covering the many arms on his back. A set of the steel-like armor that Alfred owned, with the exception of the many runes and enchantments etched into it.

  Brutus had two falchions at his sides, each pinged to her senses as dangerous creatures in their own right. Probably sentient, like Leaf. The man wore leather armor that had a vibrant orange and yellow pattern. It made the normally hidden man stand out in such a bizarre and outlandish way.

  Amara had her usual dragon's armor on, but the pauldrons had been replaced by something that Trillia was familiar with. It was the same dragon-like headpieces that the immortal dragon hunter had worn. A dozen various weapons floated around her, with thin tendrils of mana linking them to her mana output. The orange and obsidian patterned scale armor also had a faint glow about it.

  "Now I feel under armored." Fred lamented as the group stepped into the courtyard to join the older generation. That got a chuckle out of Amara.

  "Don't worry. You'll get as shiny and annoyed as we are one day. For what it's worth, Cordaos and Brutus won't speak with any of you around, not for the remainder of this journey or at least while they are in full battle regalia. It adds a certain edge to their voices that might negatively impact all of you."

  The group glanced at the two mentioned generals. Cordaos was certainly the most intimidating presence. They were waiting on the Queen, so Trillia decided to pester her mother with questions. "I know he can't speak, but is there a reason Uncle Brutus looks so..."

  "Fabulous?" Amara laughed as the duelist shot her a look. "He created the armor when he was much younger and full of more life. He was a showman first and a warrior second most days. It helped him woo the ladies." Amara nudged Trillia with a wink. "It also helps him stand out on the battlefield as someone distinct. Brutus does his best work when ignorant people with big egos try to fight him one-on-one. This get-up helps to ensure that happens more often. I doubt we'll need it against the Behemoths, but it's also some of the best enchanted gear he owns."

  Fred didn't dare get too close to gawk at any of the deadly warriors, but the armorsmith in him was curious. "What sort of leather is that from?"

  "He carved it off of the Eastern Primordial, Orientalem."

  The group paused as they looked over at the duelist with a newfound level of respect. Or perhaps terror. "You're all so insane. Who thinks to carve out armor for leather in a fight like that?" Layla managed to squeak out her words before slowly shuffling to hide behind her own minotaur friends.

  "Anyone who wants to survive." Stas chimed in. "Battlefield scavenging is an incredibly important skill on the battlefield, little Orc. Your group needs someone who specializes in it for rare creatures, but all of you should have the skill. Now, you don't need to scavenge to the extent I do, but as someone who tends to swap out my body parts for better ones, I go a little further."

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Trillia tried to respond but found herself unable to speak. Ialu, Dire, and Taz let out small whimpers as they were all frozen in place by a new presence. Alliyah stepped out into the courtyard in silver armor, a winged helmet on her head. A lance held gently in her right hand. "Sorry to keep you all waiting. Honos was being a brat, and I had to promise her that she'd be able to eat lots of tasty behemoth parts to get her to actually do her damn job."

  The group was still unable to move. The Queen didn't seem to understand that yet as she walked further into the courtyard and walked over to Cordaos. "Goodness, I haven't seen this armor in decades. Still entirely too damn tall, in my opinion, but I guess we aren't going into a dungeon, so you can use your best set. Did anyone go over a checklist with the kids to make sure they have what they need? Once we get to the Beast Scar, we will be away from them fighting. I'd rather double-check that they are ready."

  The origin of the freezing dread that the group was feeling showed itself. A long silver-scaled neck twisted down from the cliff face as the rest of the body shimmered into view. The notifications pinged in Trillia's mind.

  You're in the presence of the Dragon Honos! Skill effectiveness is reduced by 80%!

  You're in the presence of the Dragon Honos! Healing reduced by 50%!

  You're in the presence of the Dragon Honos! You must have a derived stat that equals or exceeds 60,000 to use any offensive abilities!

  You're in the presence of an adult Dragon capable of manipulating radiant mana! You cannot use radiant mana skills or abilities.

  You're in the presence of an adult Dragon capable of manipulating wind mana! You cannot use wind mana skills or abilities.

  You're in the presence of an adult Dragon capable of manipulating fire mana! You cannot use fire mana skills or abilities.

  You're in the presence of an adult Dragon capable of manipulating light mana! You cannot use light mana skills or abilities.

  You're in the presence of an adult Dragon capable of manipulating healing mana! You cannot use healing mana skills or abilities.

  The creature was breathtaking to look at. Beautiful silver scales that pulsed with gentle power and had flecks of a crimson red flowing through it's body. Two large pools of white mana sat where it's eyes were.

  "??? ????? ??? ??????? ????????? ???? ?? ???? ??????????"

  "Yes. Also, they can't speak Dragon, so try to talk in one of the lesser tongues for their sake."

  "???????. ???? ??? ?????? ?? ????, ???? ??? ??? ??????."

  "They are worthy because I say they are worthy. I won't ask you a second time to speak in a language that they can understand. I care little about your status as a dragon. Right now, you are working as an agent of Kadessa, and I will have your respect and cooperation."

  The dragon looked from the kids over to Alliyah. "As you wish, Queen Alliyah. I will never understand your fascination with weak creatures."

  "If I didn't have a fascination for the small and broken, you would have been dead as a hatchling to those behemoths. You are still young, Honos. You only see what they are, not what they can become."

  "I shall trust your wisdom, Alliyah. I have learned much from our time together and have no rush to see it end. My combat effectiveness will be severely weakened if I must keep my aura inside."

  "It's just for the flight to the Beast Scar. We'll be splitting off from them to fight. Do you want to try and fight one on your own? I will be there to help if you need it, but we do not often get time anymore to fight such powerful creatures."

  The dragon pulled in it's aura and the kids could breath a little easier. While the system wasn't hitting them anymore, their own brains were still absolutely telling them to flee.

  "Do you think me ready, truly?"

  "I do. It will do you some good to kill a behemoth on your own. It might help with your nightmares."

  The dragon glanced over at the kids with a look that said if that information ever left their lips, they'd be dead.

  Amara spoke up as she walked over and gently ran a hand down Honos' neck. "Don't be embarrassed, sweetie. All of us are plagued with terrible nightmares of the lives we've lived. You're a dear friend, and we want to see that burden lessen. Maybe try fighting the first one as a pair, Alliyah? Then, if she feels comfortable, she can try one on her own. Take back some of her power and agency."

  Alliyah seemed to ponder that before nodding. "That seems like a good idea. Would that make you more comfortable?"

  "I think so, yes. Thank you for your tutelage, as always, General Demonsbane."

  Amara smiled and patted the dragon's neck. "Stas can carry Brutus. I'll carry Cordaos. This way, Honos doesn't have to contend with so much extra weight. Plus, I can only imagine Cordaos and his stone armor chaffs something awful."

  If dragons could blush in embarrassment, this one was. "I admit that it is not the most pleasant of experiences. But General Shatterhoof is a grand warrior, and my discomfort is secondary."

  Alliyah waved her hand. "Enough talk! Let's head to the Beast Scar and to grand adventure!"

  "The checklist?" Stas reminded her. The little goblin cackled as her excitment was immediately stopped in it's tracks. The Queen grumbled and walked over to the still stunned group to go over what they would need.