Clash with the Dominion

A sudden flare of magical energy washed over the Nightshatter, cascading in visible ripples across the sea's surface. Roy stepped swiftly toward the viewport on the bridge, pulse quickening as he caught sight of a distant silhouette emerging over the horizon. It wasn't alone. Behind it came dozens of sleek, imposing vessels, each riding atop a cresting wave of pure, iridescent mana. The wave seemed to emanate from a towering spire floating just behind the fleet, where a solitary figure stood, robes billowing in unseen winds, pouring raw magical power into the ocean below.

Roy stared, breath catching, not from fear, but excitement. For once, no treasure hunting, no slave freeing, no Abyssforged captains to kidnap, and no side-missions. Just a straight-up fight. This would be the first true test of the Nightshatter's capabilities, against an enemy fleet worthy of its might.

Lutrian stood at the tactical station, eyes narrowed sharply at the drone feeds. "Captain," he said slowly, recognition and concern heavy in his voice. "Those ships have clear markings of the Kaigun Dominion. Their insignias match perfectly."

Takara leaned closer, studying another feed closely. She tapped a nearby screen twice. "Some of the smaller dragons flying alongside Caliban's beast have the same insignia etched on their harnesses. Looks like that student we banished was right. Caliban really is working directly with the Dominion."

Roy glanced at Lutrian, frowning. "But I don't see the five other defectors anywhere."

Lutrian's brow furrowed deeply, unsettled. "Neither do I. Either Caliban abandoned them, or they're hidden from view."

Roy nodded slowly, turning back to the main display, a smile tugging faintly at the corner of his mouth. "We'll deal with them if they show up. For now, everyone get ready. This isn't some backwater pirate fleet we can sweep aside."

The Nightshatter's bridge surged into activity, red lights pulsing steadily across consoles as the Dominion fleet closed steadily from starboard. Serenity's scanners identified multiple signatures of high-level adventurers and powerful mages aboard the enemy vessels. Roy quickly assessed their formation, watching the fleet carefully fan out.

"Let's see how serious these guys really are," Roy muttered under his breath. He keyed in firing solutions, targeting the largest of the Dominion warships. Instantly, the battleship's main guns roared, shells blazing across the water before exploding violently against shimmering runic barriers.

But a massive form soared out ahead of the fleet, utterly unfazed by the barrage. Roy stared, heart hammering as a dragon with bronze scales shimmering beneath moonlit skies swept effortlessly over the detonations. Teal flames burned along its body, sparks dancing harmlessly off its impenetrable scales. Even the hypervelocity railgun shells glanced away uselessly, leaving no damage. With every wingbeat, it churned the ocean below into chaos, roaring its challenge in defiance.

"No effect at all?" Lutrian murmured, eyes locked onto the beast. "That dragon...no, it couldn't be."

Roy tossed an empty cup sharply against Lutrian's back. "Hey, quit muttering cryptic nonsense! It's spooky. Say it clearly, is this something we should worry about?"

Lutrian straightened, eyes serious. "That dragon matches ancient records. Supposedly killed two hundred years into the Immortal Family's reign. Father Skeleton personally eliminated it after it became a nuisance. Long story short, if that's really the same dragon, we might be facing one of the five Primeval Dragons."

Roy's grip tightened on the armrest, knuckles whitening. "You can't say 'long story short' after telling a long story!"

"Apologies, Captain," Lutrian replied calmly.

Roy scowled forward. "Keep firing, aim for its holes if you have to. If we let it get too close, it might get hungry. And you owe me the 'long, long' version later."

The hull vibrated as the Nightshatter's guns fired relentlessly, each round an attempt to slow the unstoppable beast. But the Primeval Dragon shrugged off the attacks like raindrops, utterly indifferent.

Serenity's voice chimed calmly through the speakers. "Captain, the Dominion's ships are closing, but appear hesitant."

Roy grunted confidently, eyes flicking to the tactical map. "They should be. Time we press the advantage. Teddy, grab a dozen Presidroids and hit the sniper positions. Start softening them up through the gaps in their defenses."

A swift acknowledgment crackled back over the comm. The battleship surged forward, slicing through waves that churned violently beneath her hull. Shell casings clattered rhythmically against the armored deck above, a fierce drumbeat punctuating the barrage.

For several tense minutes, the Dominion ships hung back, allowing Roy to batter their defenses. Then, abruptly, the sensors spiked again as the dragon surged forward, diving straight for the Nightshatter. Roy finally glimpsed the armored rider seated atop the beast, broad shoulders and dark armor accented by matching teal flames.

"That's…" Roy's voice caught sharply. "Caliban?"

Takara nodded grimly. "There. He's adjusting course, aiming to intercept us head-on."

Roy snapped into action, barking orders. "He's making his move! All batteries, focus fire on that dragon!"

Cannons thundered once more, vaporizing water around the incoming enemy. Yet the colossal dragon barely slowed, swiftly closing the distance. Roy felt sweat bead on his temples, his pulse racing. "Full ahead, evasive—"

"Too late!" Warrex barked sharply, stepping quickly onto the bridge.

Sensors screamed warnings as the dragon shot forward at high speed. A heartbeat later, it slammed onto the Nightshatter's prow with thunderous force. The hull lurched violently, metal groaning loudly under it's claws. Momentum halted immediately, leaving everyone stunned.

A booming voice echoed across the deck, amplified by magic. "Still running, Roy? Thought you'd have more guts."

Roy's teeth clenched, moving swiftly toward the viewport. "Caliban," he hissed under his breath. "Leave it to you to dredge up some giant legendary dragon."

A harsh laugh boomed back. "It's Brask now. The name suits my new role as the Dominion's Lord of War, second only to the king himself. For now, anyway."

Roy grabbed the PA mic, flicking it on with defiant irritation. "I don't care what stupid title or edgy name you chose, Caliban," he shot back sharply. "I'm gonna... kiss your sister.... right on the mouth."

Takara flushed fiercely beside him, shouting impulsively, "That's a promise, Roy! No backing down now!"

Caliban's laughter cut off abruptly. "You wouldn't dare."

In response, Roy triggered the guns again, point-blank, shells hammering uselessly against dragon scales. The beast growled, claws digging deeper into the reinforced deck plates, bending them beneath its weight.

Just then, Takara's console chimed loudly, Harmony's voice urgent. "Captain, we've got another incoming contact, directly behind us. It's huge!"

Roy's stomach clenched. He quickly switched feeds, zooming in sharply. What he saw made him curse softly. Racing across the waves behind them was an enormous spider, legs skimming effortlessly across the ocean's surface. Its massive body was covered in chitinous plates, colored in pale whites and violets. Perched atop its thorax, a faint glowing figure hunched forward, clearly directing its movement.

Roy leaned in, voice low and tense. "What the hell is that thing? Zoom in further."

As the camera zoomed in closer, it became painfully clear this creature wasn't just large; it was colossal, like a living mountain skittering across the ocean's surface. After several tense seconds, the drone feed finally focused on the distant glowing spot atop its immense, violet-and-white chitinous body. It wasn't a mere glow; it was a transparent magical barrier, and inside it sat five familiar figures, the other students who had defected with Caliban.

Roy stared in disbelief, stomach tightening in recognition. "Is that thing… the grown-up version of the monster egg I still have a copy of?"

Takara nodded stiffly, her face pale as parchment. "Yes. It used to be just a creepy, basketball-sized creature. By the time I joined your crew, it hadn't grown an inch. Caliban must've found a way to feed it some twisted concoction, maybe even infused it with potent magical catalysts available only in the Kaigun Dominion."

Roy swung his gaze slowly toward Lutrian, eyes narrowed inquisitively.

Lutrian looked back at him awkwardly, shifting on his feet. "Yes, Captain?"

"I'm waiting," Roy said flatly. "Our resident know-it-all usually has the breakdown on monsters like this. I assume you have something useful to say, Mister Educated Prince?"

Lutrian crossed his arms in mild defiance, glancing back at the screen. "Perhaps. But given your reaction to the last legendary beast, I figured you might prefer not knowing until after we've beaten it."

"Fantastic," Roy replied, irritation lacing his voice. "Another 'unstoppable' legend?"

"More or less," Lutrian admitted softly.

Roy's fingers drummed thoughtfully against the edge of his console. "Fine. Unstoppable, maybe. But I'll be damned if I let that horror get anywhere close. Imma nuke it."

Without further hesitation, Roy swiftly activated the nuclear console, selecting a five-megaton warhead. "Time for an airburst. Sorry, old classmates. You forced my hand."

"Thirty miles out," Harmony's voice announced, nervously precise. "At current speed, it'll be on us in three minutes."

Roy exhaled tightly, finger hovering over the launch trigger.

Abruptly, the bridge door slammed open. A Presidroid marched confidently inside, dropping dramatically to one knee, and presenting a silver platter. "Captain, your sandwich!" it declared ceremoniously.

The tense atmosphere shattered instantly. Roy stared blankly, incredulous laughter bubbling at his lips. "You're late!" he scolded, snatching the sandwich nonetheless. "Also, you forgot—"

The droid emitted a mechanical chuckle, reaching into its side pouch. "Your Nuke Time Muffin, Captain." Proudly, it revealed a plastic-wrapped muffin as though displaying a priceless treasure. "I'd never neglect that. Arthur would haunt my circuitry for eternity."

Roy barked a short laugh, equal parts amused and relieved. "Well done." He snatched the muffin, shaking his head. After quickly biting into both sandwich and muffin, he decisively slammed his crumb-covered finger onto the launch button. "Everyone brace!"

From the upper deck, one of the missile tubes hissed, releasing a sleek projectile into a high arc above the fleet. Moments later, a blinding flash lit the distant horizon, followed by a shockwave that sent towering waves radiating outward. The enormous spider reeled sharply, several of its legs flailing uncontrollably in the violent turbulence.

For one brief, hopeful second, Roy believed it might be enough to obliterate the monstrous threat completely. But as the glare cleared, his heart sank. The creature lay on its side, legs twitching spastically, before slowly forcing itself upright once more. Roy's gut clenched at the sight of a multi-layered, swirling rune barrier around Corvy, who remained completely unharmed, but very scared, inside the protective bubble.

"What the hell…" Roy muttered bitterly. He clenched his fists at his sides, frustration mixing with dread. "At least we knocked it down, right?"

From the prow, a furious, bone-rattling roar erupted. The dragon shifted irritably, its enormous talons sinking further into the deck plating. Roy quickly keyed the railgun for a desperate, point-blank strike. A tungsten slug exploded from the barrel, crossing the short distance instantly, but shattered harmlessly into sparks against the dragon's bronze scales.

The beast roared savagely again, and Roy watched helplessly as the ship's bow dipped beneath its massive weight. Before Roy could issue any further commands, the main hatch burst open. Eryndra surged out onto the deck, her armor gleaming fiercely.

"Eryndra, careful!" Roy shouted into the external PA, panic clawing at his throat.

She charged forward without hesitation. Even through the reinforced bridge glass, Roy could see her armor's plating vents flare open, releasing torrents of steam as her mana surged. Noise overwhelmed the ship: the dragon's deafening snarls, the Nightshatter's metal groaning under its tremendous mass, and the Dominion's fleet rapidly closing their distance, cannons and spellcasters charging attacks. Roy desperately wanted to give more orders, but it was already too late, Eryndra had reached her target.

A resounding impact echoed loudly as she struck the dragon's snout with a devastating punch. To Roy's astonishment, a web of cracks formed across the primeval scales. The beast recoiled, shrieking in pain, talons momentarily loosening from their death grip on the deck. The ship rose back upward immediately, no longer pinned.

Caliban's booming voice filled the air, rich with grudging respect. "Goddess of the Iron Wrath indeed. I'm genuinely amazed."

Roy glanced back to the monitors. The spider-creature had begun to move again, its enormous legs cautiously probing the water, gaining confidence with each step. The Dominion fleet steadily closed in, forming a wide semicircle of formidable ships bristling with weaponry and glowing runic shields. Warriors lined every railing, many chanting or charging spells, clearly preparing for an imminent counterattack.

Roy's pulse quickened, his mind rapidly scanning every screen for any possible advantage, any desperate tactic that might tip the odds back in their favor.

Another thunderous roar shook the glass windows violently. Roy turned sharply, heart slamming against his ribs. Eryndra stood her ground firmly amid jets of flame, locked in a fierce stare-down with the towering dragon. Beyond them loomed the enormous spider, now fully recovered and moving relentlessly closer. Around the Nightshatter, Kaigun Dominion vessels circled ever tighter, their runic sails and banners bright against the dimming sky.