OOC: Ah dang it, I'm so sorry.

Aeraldi roared a large greeting to all the dragons who finally came, an ancient call that he had heard only once within his life-time when another group of dragons had come to attack their home.
Aeraldi knew how significant it was. This time, their home was this world, full of creatures big and small, the home of all dragons. And they were being attacked from the Shadow Realm, ones who sought not only to take land away from them, but take their home, their lives and even their very souls. This call, it was for all creatures. It was a call to battle. It was a call to save everything that made this world theirs.
And it was a call in memorial of the one who guarded the evil gate. In Aeraldi's mind, this call was for him.

Polaris and Saiph heard the call of their father, the ancient roar and felt it's effect on them. It wasn't anything magic, it was in their blood. The blood of all dragons. Saiph heard the call and roared in unison, though his voice didn't match the sheer intensity that his father had. Polaris knew though, what this call was for. When Saiph roared again, Polaris roared with him.

Aelir roared as well, shouting his defiance of what was happening to their home. He and his rider may be the key to closing the gate, but it would be by the lives of all these dragons that they would get their chance. He charged with the other dragons, Keralin hanging onto his back, yelling with his own voice.

Nilarek, though faintly, heard the call that the dragons were now voicing. He looked at his puppet dragon and spat. It wouldn't even know what they were yelling about.

OOC:
Okay, in I come.

IC:
Zeke growled and shifted in his armor, increasing his wingbeats as he felt a change in the Orbs of those ahead of him. He'd felt the call of his starry friend, Phalynx, a while ago. He'd heard her warning, had perhaps been one of the few to believe her without a doubt. Now he waited for his own small army to gather. Though he didn't like it any better than the next selfless dragon, he'd been put as Head Chief of the Truth Seeker/Soul Readers. Behind him, in similar garb to himself, was his little sister, Jia, though she could hardly be called little any more, her daughter, Sarai, his eldest daughter, Sofranir, youngest son, Tel'aeír, the Water/Ice wielder, Samantha, Shadow Dragon, Naixul, the Giant Cobra, Shaina. He had only need waited for Felecia then, the winged ex-Rider of the deceased midnight blue warrior, Ebony. He'd heard a flutter of wings and seen that she had just arrived, settling onto his back. A stab of pain, long thought dwindled, had shot straight into his chest, wishing that it could be his own Rider that rode him into battle. He shook those thoughts from his mind now. That had been at least three hours ago. Since then he and his minuscule army had been flying at full speed to aid in their family. His ice blue eyes lit powerfully, followed shortly by a green-gold cast from Jia's powers. He was close enough to hear an ancient roar, one from times long passed. It set his blood to boiling. He could see them normally now, half a league ahead of them. The Shadows were on his left (?), the draconic army to his right (?). He felt a growl in his chest, quickly changing pitch. He released the sound from his throat, a loud bellowing roar that echoed a challenge to the Shadows and vibrated in his own bones. We have come, Evarinskular (Starscales), as we promised. he called calmly, despite the daunting force that they faced. He took position with the other dragons, the others falling in at his flanks. A feral grin spread across his muzzle; he was ready.

- - - - - - - - - -

Felecia clung to Zeke's well-worn saddle with ease born from years of practice. Tears touched her vivid sapphire blue eyes, making them gleam. She shook them away and drew her sword, once named Shadows in the Ancient Language, now Bluesilver, in honor of her deceased companion's talons and for the sapphire eyes of her passed sister. She brandished the blade, careful to avoid Zeke's wings as he stroked them up and down. Her wings were half-unfurled behind her, lightly waving back and forth, rippling with muscle. The roar of Aeraldi was powerful, almost crippling to her sensitive elven ears, but she answered it with a high, wailing keen. After the death of Ebony, it had become her unnerving battle-cry. Her jaw length blue-black hair whipped about her face from the fanning of so many wings, and she was glad she had cut it short.

- - - - - - - - - -

Jia bared her fangs, her own ringing roar following shortly after her brother's. She followed it with a defiant shriek of anger at the Shadows. Though she was still smaller than the average dragon her age, she was still a sight to behold in her armor, teal eyes glittering almost emerald with rancor. She pulled in her wings at the same moment Zeke did, falling into the ranks of the other dragons with the amethyst at the head. She brushed against the minds of her family and friends, her touch being brief and bitter-sweet. She quickly pulled away and focused. Her flames were ready. Her Seals were ready. It was time.

- - - - - - - - - -

Tel and Anir flew side by side, silent as ghosts. Their bond was deep enough to where they almost knew what the other was thinking or feeling before they did. The lavender-silver stayed firmly at his fathers left flank, his older sister nearly glued to his left shoulder. As their Aunt did, the siblings brushed the minds of their friends and family before turning to the Shadow. Their combined roars were terrifying, intertwined as they were, one impossibly deep, the other almost shriek-like with its shrillness.

- - - - - - - - - -

Anir remained by her younger brother, though by all regards she wanted to be away from this, away from the violence. For all her years and experience in war, that one thing hadn't changed. She hated to fight. In this she knew she was the same as Na'ir. The roar of Aeraldi, ringing, deep, challenging...everything that could possibly be described in a single cry, her abhorrence was erased like it had never existed. She opened her jaws and roared with her brother, her cry almost shriek-like while his was impossibly deep for a dragon of his tender years.

- - - - - - - - - -

Naixul followed at the back of the pack, his single warm brown eye glittering. His armor gleamed, though he had only consented in wearing a single breast-plate and stomach guard. The roar of times past scorched through him, inflaming him with pride and courage. His answering bellow wasn't nearly as strong as the cries of his companions, but it would suffice. He glanced anxiously at Sarai, wishing he could speak to her, but with the daunting fierceness of her mother hovering not twenty feet away, he kept silent and focused on the approaching Shadows.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sarai's roar was that of one that had been scorned and rebuffed countless times, and yet refused to be put down for long. Shaina, the shift-shape-Giant-Cobra, clung tenaciously to the spines on her back, unused to flying. The black-gold glanced at her from the corner of her eye. Would you like me to drop you off? she offered. The female nodded. Yes. Don't waste time, young one, in going to the ground. Just tip yourself sideways. I'll do the rest. insisted the snake. Sarai obeyed, tilting just enough so Shaina would slip off. Though she could not see, she felt the shift of some ancient magic tainting the air as the female changed to her snake form. A low thud came from the ground, signaling that the Cobra had landed without problems. She looked back up and peeled her lips back, her pale-lavender-flecked-with-soft-grey irises glittering.

- - - - - - - - - -

Samantha shifted in her armor, ill at ease with so many fire-breathers close by. She wanted to be in water, to be at her full potential. There, she could use her ice ability. Here, she would be but a nuisance, a reliability that the army couldn't afford. The roar, however, shot through her heart jolted her fiercely. Her blood boiled now. She wanted to fight. She didn't bother with a roar in reply. It was a waste of her precious breath that she would need in the coming battle and couldn't afford to not have.

- - - - - - - - - -

At Chief Kasiya's order, he bellowed his own. Burn those that would seek to destroy our home! he roared. As one, Zeke, Jia, Sarai, Tel, Anir, and Naixul opened their jaws and joined their flames with that of the others. The amethyst pushed his powers into the stream, lacing the withering inferno with Soul Reader magic, enhancing the already powerful wall of flames. Even Felecia put in her part, sending a much-smaller-in-comparison stream of midnight blue flames from the tip of her sword. The screeches and wails bolstered him. Maybe they had a good winning chance, despite the odds.

OOC:
Wow, that felt really good. I haven't made a good long post like that in a while.lol

Phalynx felt her mate's roar sing through her bones, stirring ancient blood and setting her heart to pounding. She joined the call immediately, her clear, trumpeting cry carrying all the anger she carried over the things the Shadow Realm and its agents had down and were trying to do. She glanced to the west when she heard more roars, and saw that Zeke and his family, along with several others, were coming to join their group. She turned back to face forward and charged ahead, the Burning Sun Sea glittering beneath them. The shadows from the south had not yet darkened the sky here.

After the first wave of fire, the intense light cleared and revealed a heartening sight: their wave of pursuers had a very visible dent in its foremost regions. This might only be the first army of the Shadow Realm, but Phalynx would see to it that it was scorched from the sky. Loose fire one more time! Chief Kasiya cried, obviously hoping to make the most of the dragons' formation. Phal gladly obeyed, and once more the sky was filled with light, a light that could be seen for miles. This time, when the flames cleared, it revealed the remaining shadow beasts all scattering to get around and behind the dragons. Without a word, the dragons broke formation and broke into different groups to fight the remaining members of the shadow beast flock.

Na'ir glanced toward Rema as the green joined them, giving a firm nod of agreement. Together they would be stronger. She joined her voice to the thousands of others when the time came, and then released her starfire. She might not be the most adept or willing fighter, but using fire was easy enough, and she often relied on her flame since she abhorred close-quarters combat. Eventually, the dragons were forced to split up, but the blue stayed close to her siblings and Rema, burning away any shadow beast that approached along with them.

Sirius raised his voice when his father began the call, his own roar powerful and clear. Flying together, alongside countless other dragons all charging the enemy, felt right to him. More than anything, he wanted to help rid the world of evil and darkness, and this was the greatest opportunity yet for doing just that. When the dragons split up, he stayed near Polaris, Saiph, Na’ir, and Rema, adding his fire to theirs to dispel enemies. When shadow beasts got past the young dragons’ fire, he charged them head-on, unafraid to rip them apart with his talons and teeth (which were glowing strongly with light-magic to deliver even more damage).

Solarae’s roar was astonishingly loud for one so small, and it was guttural, almost feral, in her ferocity. As the dragons broke into smaller groups, she charged off alone, grinning with bloodlust (or was it shadow-lust?) and diving right into the thickest group of enemies she could see. She let loose an extremely powerful blast of flame, which took on light-magic properties thanks to the specially-made helmet. Six flying shadow beasts, all larger than her, were instantly vaporized. The orange’s body erupted into flames, which shifted to a white color rather than her usual yellow-orange because of the armor. Solarae’s grin widened as she realized that her fire-form was now enhanced with light magic and would be even more destructive than she had previously thought. With that, she began attacking shadow beast after shadow beast, her talons and tailblade a blur of motion.

Temias felt a powerful sense of one-ness when he added his voice to those of the Tribe. They all felt like members of his own family; together they were unstoppable. Even many of the dragons outside of the Tribe who had now joined him had become like family to him. When the army of dragons broke apart to deal with the remaining shadow beasts, the blue-black joined a group of Tribe dragons that included Arkior, Caela, and Relinox. The four of them had been training daily together for a few months now in preparation for this war, and had become a formidable team. Dozens of shadow beasts fell before their practiced claws and fire.

Navarre sent up her own cry with the rest, suddenly feeling as if her father and mother were there beside her. They were in their trance, and had been for decades, but she knew that, in spirit at least, they were with her. She flew towards her aunt Phalynx when the army separated, and their group quickly rushed to the head of the dragons’ ranks to get at the thickest part of the shadowy mass. The purple dragoness sent out thick streams of ice, enhanced with light magic, at the creatures to slow them down and cut through their wings before she attacked them with claws and teeth.

Rigel was dimly aware of the battle-cry of the dragons far to the north. He could sense their magic, at least, and knew that the Tribe had joined Phalynx’s initial attack force. He grimaced and ruffled his feathers. It appears that first wave of flying shadow beasts was a waste. Facing the dragons and their allies over the Sea means no ground support, which is where our real strength lies. Hopefully the next wave will be more effective, he muttered. His words were audible to the others, but he didn’t really care if they listened. The phoenix couldn’t care less if the Shadow Realm won or not. He only wanted one thing: to make Phalynx suffer and then kill her himself.

As they approached the shore of Alagaesia Equinox roared out, Prepare the naval assault! They are further in land, I want all flying shape-shifters and dragons to take off into the air. Take as many humans as possible. Remaining humans and shape-shifters, defend the fleet! Snarling with rage, he lowered to the deck as several humans climbed onto them. With a roar cry he leapt from the ship as the Lighting Dragon army soared into the sky, accompanied by the shape-shifters. Razor soared next to Equinox in Phoenix form.
"I never thought I'd set eyes on the land Demondred sought as his own."
I knew I'd return one day. I just wish I could have brought the army here sooner. Allowing Razor to perch on his shoulder Equinox shouted, Come! I can hear the storm, it is to the north. We fight, we shall slay the shadows! he shouted. Glancing around, he could already tell how the land was reacting to the invasion. Alagaesia was such a beautiful land, he was determined for its beauty to be restored.

A few hours passed and Equinox could hear the fighting. A snarl rippled down his chest. At once he ordered, Break into your formations. I'm not sure how many more they have to fight, but be prepared. Taking lead of his own formation, Razor leapt from him and soared into his own place. Looking behind him, Equinox nodded and flew forward, the army all flapped and flew in unison, all trained for was in the skies. When they grew closer Equinox ordered them to land so the humans and few non flying shape-shifters they brought would be able to fight. Once the air force was back in the sky they continued on. As they reached the fighting Equinox shouted, For Ardonia! He saw several dragons he recognized, but his main focus was on killing the shadow beasts.

It took some time, but the Alfin managed to paddle up several rivers and streams and they even walked across land at some points. Eris was growing impatient, but he held it in. Maraghon wouldn't appreciate his impatience.
"I can hear the fighting," an Alfin said.
"We're almost there. Everyone get out of the boats!" Eris snapped. At once the Alfin did and they went into position behind him. Taking out his sword he swung it through the air. Touching is reaping seal a friend gave him so many years ago he transformed into a massive brown dragon. At once he leapt into the air, Under me! he roared to the Alfin and soared towards the shadow beasts with the Alfin under him.

OOC: Kit or Voenth, please go. Or Astral, since you're here again.

OOC: *Bump*

OOC: Hm how about if Astral doesn't go this weekend then Aeraldi you can skip her? I believe you would be next in the order. Astral if you want more info before posting then we can discuss through pms.

The wave of newcomers was a very welcome sight to Aeraldi. He felt fire flow through his veins as his hopes of winning this war were raised. He roared once more before diving from his position in the sky and, with his maw still open, he sucked in the air and ignited the fire within his chest. Fire began to escape from the corners of his mouth and trailed down his body making him look like a meteor entering the atmosphere. He dived for the closest and largest Shadow creature.
When he was about to strike the creature, he released the flame that he held within his chest and let the fire completely engulf him and flared open his wings. He struck the Shadow creature directly on it's head and allowed his momentum carry him completely through the creature to the other side. The fire that engulfed him burned off everything that it touched. He thought afterwards that he probably shouldn't have done such a reckless tactic, but his veins burned for revenge. He had to hold his form for the moment, but as soon as they got closer to the portal again, and closer to his father, he would make sure the entire Shadow Realm knew his anger and his power.

Aelir and Keralin knew what needed to be done now. This was the time and this was the war. Aelir, if we're to go against Nilarek again, I need to use it.
I know. Let both our souls become the power needed. Let the Dark Magic wash both our souls away as it transforms them into Energy.
Keralin nodded. It wouldn't do them good to use it now, but once they all entered the main fighting, then they would have a limited window.
"Nilarek, I'm coming for you."

Polaris watched her father with admiration as he took down the Shadow creature. She knew she didn't have the raw power that her father had, but it did give her ideas.
Saiph was simply amazed at the amount of dragons that had come to fight. He had no idea that so many dragons had survived, of how much family he had. Everyone in the land had come to help destroy the Shadows, so many souls all working as one. His heart sank as he saw one of his brethren fall beneath one of the Shadow beasts, but it only strengthened his resolve.
He looked back to his twin sister, who in turn looked back at him. They both nodded to each other as they encompassed each other's minds. If they were to fight this battle they wouldn't be able to do it alone.
Saiph and Polaris breathed in together and gave their fire together, both Star fire and Ancient fire joining together to create a flame far larger than either of them were capable of. Their fire cut through the shadow beasts with ease, but they couldn't hold the fire for very long. It didn't matter to them, they would help their brothers and sisters in their quest for peace. In their quest for the light.
For life.

Nilarek watched the next wave crawl, fly and scurry out of the portal behind him. He heard Rigel's complaint and thought for a second. "I think we need something a little... Devious." He spoke. He looked back towards the incoming dragons and smiled. It didn't take long, but soon there were swarms of insects that had been twisted flying out of the portal. Thousands of locust created a swirling vortex of darkness, death and corruption. They swirled around the grotesque form of Zefanrac and Nilarek.
"There are millions of creatures that lie in wait in the Shadow realm. I have many more cards to play before this is over."

OOC:
Gah. No, it's mine. >.< Sorry, sorry, I didn't realize it was my go now. x.x

IC:
Zeke roared as the fire cleared at last, revealing the scattered Shadow Beasts. He pulled in his wings and dove, bellowing another torrent of flames as he came down to fight with tooth and talon. He felt more than saw or heard Jia on his left flank, and her daughter, Sarai, at his right, both of them snarling like banshees. Felecia shrieked on his back and slashed with her sword at every opportunity that she got, though that wasn't much because she was on dragonback. The amethyst dragon bellowed and lashed and spit, tearing apart any Shadow Creature that came near him, determined to not let his sister or niece be too badly burdened in this fight.

- - - - - - - - - -

Jia's ferocity gleamed in her eyes as she saw the scattered Shadow Beasts. She roared her fury at their intrusion of her home, smoke billowing from her nostrils when she snorted, before opening her jaw wide and bellowing her gold-amethyst flames down, lacing it with Truth Seeker magic to make it more potent. She wished she could tap into her magic, but she had to be angry to do that. She was not angry enough to access it, not yet. But soon she would be. She did not glance at her daughter, but she did feel Sarai's large black-gold flame, billowing and powerful, and very hot, from the edge of her mind, where she and her daughter were connected. She would obliterate this entire army be herself if she had to to make Alagaësia safe once more for Sarai, and more her entire family as well. She snarled, liquid fire dripping from her jaws, as she flicked her wings a bit and slashed at a Shadow Beast that dared attempt to attack her brother from the side.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sarai hissed and opened her mind, unafraid of Shadow Taints that might try to take her over. She was confidant that none would possess her. Her will was strong and her mind disciplined. She wrenched her jaws open and roared black-gold flames, reveling in the shrieks of her enemy. She felt a brutal savageness take over her, and she knew it was the savageness that she had inherited from her father. Normally she would have tried to subdue it, but now they needed every advantage they could have. And this would definitely help her kill more Shadow Beasts. Her lavender-flecked-with-grey eyes gleamed with what she called a battle rage. The willingness to find the biggest, baddest opponent and utterly destroy it. This little bit she did contain. The biggest baddest enemy was too far out of her league, even with how powerful she had gotten over then years, and she was still rather small for her age. She reared her head back and lunged forward like a snake, snapping her jaws closed on the neck of a Shadow Beast that attempted to separate her from her mother. She shook it viciously until she heard a sick snap, then released it and let it fall to the ground, watching with her mind as Jia incinerated it with a wash of gold-amethyst flames. She smiled grimly at her mother, then turned and bared her teeth to continue the brutal fight.

- - - - - - - - - -

Naixul hissed and bit and slashed, better protected from the taint of the Shadow Beasts because of his origin as a Shadow Dragon, however little that protection he might be. He used his Black Fire whenever possible and slipped into the Shadow Plain to avoid injuries. Sometimes he stayed in the Shadow Plain and watched the fight above him, occasionally lashing a paw or spitting a globule of fire from underneath a Shadow Beast and confusing them as to where it was coming from. Tel and Anir fought at his flanks when he was above ground, and he liked this. Both of them he trusted more than others, because of their tender age.

- - - - - - - - - -

Tel snarled and launched a fireball at a smallish group of Shadow Beasts, of which Anir finished off with a save lash of her tail, and then Naixul incinerated them with a powerful blast of his Black Fire. The lavender-silver dragon grinned with glee at his companions, then continued fighting brutally.

- - - - - - - - - -

Anir, the little dragoness that hated fighting, felt a rush of heat in her veins like never before. She felt the call of battle and the savage glee that swept through her as she destroyed her enemy or protected an ally. She roared with triumph, sure that they would win this fight, even if it took hours. She lashed her tail at a flying Shadow Beast, destroying one if it's wings, and then Tel killed it with a plume of lavender-silver fire.

- - - - - - - - - -

Samantha roared and pulled in her wings, baring her needle like teeth in her ferocity to rip and tear her enemies to pieces. A light burned in her eyes and fury seared her veins, like never she'd ever felt before. She screeched and showered her ice breath on a small group of Shadow Beast, freezing them place in midair so that they started to fall to the ground. Her ice shattered after a few yards, but by then it was too late, she was upon them, claws slashing and snapping her teeth.

- - - - - - - - - -

Shaina slithered over the ground, ripping and shredding any Shadow Beasts that approached her. She reared back, the hood around her head flared wide and she bared her fangs, hissed her fury, her ruby red eyes glowing as she lunged forward.