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A crimson droplet tricked down her cheek as Ahim pulled herself out from the rubble that had covered her. With a final groan, she was able to pull herself free with the help of the magnificent gold dragon, Marvelous, as she had stood carefully by watching her. Her breathing was ragged from the physical strain of pulling herself free. The last few moments were spent ordering Marvelous to stay back as she wasn't sure if the dragon haphazardly moving rubble may cause more danger to the people around her.

As she stood and surveyed the damage around her, she realized that her efforts held no meaning. The army that she came to defend her home lay scattered around, some buried under rubble and others no longer moving. Her dark eyes gazed up into the darkened sky, her expression hardened to the few remaining dragons swooping threateningly, as if keeping an eye out for any survivors. She remained low.

Ahim brushed down the front of her light pink battle gown. This wasn't her fault. She knew it wasn't. There were meetings with her tacticians, this was the best course of action. This was the only course of action. However, this was her fault. She led the charge. She should have seen this coming. Another scan of the ground near her showed a sword that was familiar to her. There was a small gasp and she dropped down to her knees to pick it up. As the anger welled up in her chest, Marvelous released a roar which echoed around their surroundings.

"Let's go." Her voice was soft and she didn't need to elaborate. Marvelous and her were linked. For better or worse, they were going to fight this to the end. She was their Queen and she was going to show them that she wasn't just given this role. She was to earn it.

Marvelous lowered herself to be mounted and Ahim easily slipped onto her back. With one flap of her wings, they were airborne. There were only three remaining of the invasion; they were so close. If she wasn't careless, there would have been less casualties. Upon hearing those thoughts, the gold dragon hesitated and Ahim shook her head. She urged her companion forward. She was going to need to control her emotions if they were to get through this.

Within a few moments, she was upon her first enemy. "Drop." Marvelous nosedived below that enemy with practised ease and without another command picked up the timing to swoop up from below the enemy as Ahim pulled the sword in her grasp up through the opposing dragon body. There was a loud screech of surprise and then pain as that dragon fell to the ground far beneath them. The only problem now being the final two have now been drawn to her location.

She didn't care if she wasn't going to go back this time. All she needed to do was defend her kingdom for the next Queen to step into her place. Marvelous let out a roar. She knew that like her Queen, this may be the end but she led the charge towards the final two opponents. Normally, the Queen doesn't go to the front line but she wasn't like the others.

Ahim wasn't going to hide behind someone else. She was going to defend her home with her own two hands.

She held on tight as Marvelous sped up and aimed her sword true. She was going to take down one but the other was going to be upon her right after. It was going to hurt but she was ready for it. With a roar, Marvelous bit down hard on the other dragon's wing as Ahim despatched him in the similar fashion as the first. Then she closed her eyes instinctively as the final dragon reared its head to end her.

If the rider is killed, then the dragon will go with them to the other world. Everybody knew that. She knew that her defence isn't strong enough to remain in battle. She was ready to die.

But a few moments passed and nothing came. Maybe it was swift and she didn't feel it. She was too afraid to open her eyes but she could feel Marvelous urging her to. Right beside her, she saw him, gently flying next to her on his own dragon.

"Joe..." her breath was a whisper. She thought he had...He would never have let this go otherwise. Ahim's eyes dropped down to the sword in her hands and she urged Marvelous a little closer to pass the weapon back to him. Instead of him taking the sword, she felt Cid gently reach over and take the weapon into his own mouth as the swordsman pulled her onto his own dragon's back.

There was a huff from Marvelous as this happened. Rude. Come in the last moment and take the glory. But there was also a note of pleasure in that huff as she decided to fly in circles around them, free to do as she pleased.

"Even if I’m injured, even if I’m destroyed
This body will be a shield to protect you"