King Of Limbo

A short while after the numerous explosions on the western mountain, a large number of Drakar gathered in the sky, a few with red scales, others with gray scales, and some with black scales.

However, there were no blue-scaled Drakar in the sky at that time.

"Rah!~"

A ferocious growl could be heard coming from off in the distance as the gathering Drakar peered down at the ruins.

Even from a few kilometers away, one could hear it since it was so loud and enraged.

The entire group of Drakar turned to face the impassioned roar only to witness Manuvv of the western Drakar rushing in their direction with no indication of slowing.

"Manuvv, calm down! We've only just arrived!" From among the Drakar crowd, a recognizable figure appeared to attempt to pacify the enraged Manuvv.

It was Greile of the southern Drakar, the gray-scaled Drakar he had previously spoken with at the massacre that took place in the wide lowlands.

Manuvv abruptly came to a stop in the air after hearing her. However, the shockwave he and his wings created continued and spread, causing Lesser Drakar to plummet to the ground.

"So who!? I need an answer immediately." Manuvv's eyes showed absolutely no sign of logic.

His determination to combat the criminals, no matter who they were, could be seen in his eyes; it was a mentality that was almost insane.

"I'm not sure! You should look for survivors because, as I've already stated, we Southerners are here to help." Greile responded with the same ferocity as Manuvv and without displaying any signs of weakness.

Many of the Drakar were unconcerned, despite the majority finding Manuvv's rage frightening.

Manuvv could only clench his fist in fury, even causing his palms to bleed from the pressure of his nails driving into them.

Greile received no response from Manuvv, who then flew down to start looking for any survivors.

He and others had no idea that the offender was merely casually observing the action.

As he mounted one of the several mountain ranges, Aron, who was currently traveling alone, once again used the camouflage aspect to completely conceal his location.

After sharpening his senses, he had a terrific view of the action and a clear understanding of all that was being said.

'Those unmoved by his show must have the capability to equal or even exceed him in strength or ability.  If so, then there must be a bigger force holding all of these hot-tempered creatures in check, or violence would have broken out long ago.'

Aron frowned and watched the spectacle as he lost himself in thought. The fact that a greater threat existed made the already hazardous path he was traveling even more challenging.

He believed that genetics could not allow a race that was so vicious to rely on self-government or be united.

Instead, he believed that a strong, central figure—or possibly a group of such figures—kept the community together. If the latter, then based on the Drakar's customs, segregation, and culture, they must have had some level of intelligence.

'I definitely need to stay out of sight. When those in authority witness what they control falling apart, they will be pushed to take action.'

Aron's mind wandered, and he swiftly turned away from the scene and carried on climbing the mountain.

The two Drakar he had previously taken had given him more than enough details to draw a basic conclusion; the scene did nothing more than reinforce what he already believed.

'I'm curious to see how he will respond to what is hidden.'

…

Despite being mighty Komi, they still had to dig through what had been a collapsing mountain that had suddenly fallen apart while the search for survivors went on for a while.

Greile produced a bunch of theories for Manuvv at that time, and his rage almost vanished entirely. At that point, the threat posed by the Tulsa and other nearby Drakar didn't even cross his mind.

His sorrow for what he had lost had now overtaken him.

A moment ago his fellow westerners were chanting his name heroically and felt safe with him representing them, yet not long after, disaster befell them, leaving the blue-scaled Drakar nearly extinct.

Any leader would have found it too much to bear.

"Manuvv… I don't believe any of them are survivors."

The huge Drakar turned to gaze at the distressed voice and sighed.

The one to speak was one of the Drakar Manuvv who had set out to look for Aron, who was now just a passing memory.

Manuvv had a peculiar expression on his harsh, scaly face, one that seemed to veer between sympathy and hopelessness.

The Drakar who had spoken noticed that his scales had changed from blue to a brighter shade of blue. For them, an increase in scale shading was a sign of melancholy, much like how humans cry.

"Even if there isn't even the slightest chance, I must try since that's all I can do at this point. I'm sorry about your youngers." Manuvv responded and then turned to continue removing debris.

Despite their strange behavior, they were still living, breathing creatures with feelings and lives.

The Drakar treated others in an unrepentant manner, similar to how humans domesticated inferior animals or even lower beings.

In part due to that, Aron was unable to feel compassion for either of the races he had inflicted harm on.

Aron was currently perched atop one of the smaller mountains, trying to take in as much of the surrounding landscape as he could with his fleeting thoughts.

"Greile!?"

Manuvv's recognizable voice came into his ears with a burning wrath supporting it as he was trying to imprint what he could into his consciousness.

He didn't react visibly when he heard the roar, as was to be expected. Instead, he turned his head back and stared in the general direction of Manuvv.

The big Drakar, now in the skies once more with very dark blue scales, roared the name of the Drakar with gray scales. His eyes revealed an unmatched level of furious bloodlust.

The one called Swiftly got to her feet as well, but she kept a safe distance from the enraged Manuvv. Her hardened face made it difficult to interpret her expressions, but it was clear that she was anxious.

"This!? Explain yourself now."

Greile was astounded to see the massive, gray scale that Manuvv held out with his large hand for her to view.

"Are you accusing me? Watch your words, Manuvv, you're in no state to have me as your enemy." She responded, her eyes narrowed in threat.

"Grah!~"

Before flinging the scale away, Manuvv's breathing became labored. He also let out another loud growl.

"Now that I think about it, I should have known. After today, nobody will ever have to worry about you being an enemy again!"

With those final words, Manuvv launched an attack and triggered what would become yet another massacre.