The General Who Should Have Stayed Home

The road home was supposed to be getting easier.

Joey was beginning to think that was a lie.

For the past several days, Behemoth had been putting him through exercises designed to help him control the power of the first dragons. Some had gone better than others.

He could now move small stones without accidentally launching them into the nearest tree. Usually.

He could create a small barrier of golden-blue energy, provided he concentrated hard enough and nobody distracted him. Unfortunately, Cassandra had discovered that distracting him was entertaining.

And he could occasionally make something float without setting it on fire.

Progress.

"You're staring at that rock again," Cassandra said.

Joey looked down at the stone in front of him. "I'm thinking."

"About the rock?"

"About moving the rock."

"Well, it hasn't moved yet."

"Thank you for the encouragement."

Behemoth walked a few paces ahead of them, his golden eyes scanning the surrounding hills. "Concentrate on the intention, Joey. Do not force the power. Guide it."

Joey looked back at the stone.

It trembled.

Then it shot sideways and disappeared into the brush.

Cassandra raised an eyebrow.

Joey sighed. "I'm getting better."

"Certainly. The rock is now somewhere else."

Behemoth turned, looking mildly amused. "Your control is improving. You are learning to direct the power rather than simply releasing it."

"That's good, right?"

"It is."

"Great. Because I'd hate to think we're measuring my progress by how many trees I can accidentally destroy."

Cassandra slipped her arm through his. "Don't worry. If you destroy enough trees, we'll simply tell people you're an environmental disaster."

Joey shook his head. "I really need to stop traveling with the two of you."

"You're welcome to try," Cassandra said.

They continued along the rough trail.

The edge of Leviathan's territory was close now. If they maintained their pace, they would reach the manor by the following evening.

Joey was looking forward to a proper bed, a hot shower, and seeing everyone again. He was especially eager to find out how Malcolm was doing.

The thought made him walk a little faster.

Behemoth noticed.

"Your concern for those waiting at the manor is understandable," he said. "But do not allow it to distract you. We are still within Leviathan's reach."

"That's reassuring."

"It was not intended to be."

Cassandra smiled. "He's getting better at encouragement, though."

A low rumble rolled across the hills.

Behemoth stopped.

Joey looked toward the sound. "Please tell me that was thunder."

"It was not."

"Of course it wasn't."

The rumbling came again, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps.

Something large was approaching.

Cassandra grasped Joey's arm and stopping him. Her expression changed instantly, the amusement disappearing from her face.

Behemoth's golden eyes narrowed.

"Stay behind me," he said.

Joey looked at him. "That's becoming a really common request."

"Then perhaps you should consider listening."

The trees ahead began to shake.

A massive figure pushed through the brush, snapping branches beneath its enormous feet. It stood nearly twelve feet tall, reptilian with thick green scales, a frill of severe looking quils around its neck and back, each looking like a hook that could tear and rend flesh, a barrel-shaped torso, and arms that looked like tree trunks. Two uneven horns protruded from its head, one considerably larger than the other. Its upper jaw jutted forward allowing its long fangs to remain visible even when his mouth was closed.

It carried an enormous wooden mace, apparently constructed from an entire tree trunk and a wrecking ball.

Behind it came a dozen armed lizardmen.

The giant stopped in the middle of the trail.

It looked at the three travelers.

Then it grinned.

"Well, well, well. Look what wandered into my territory."

Joey glanced at Cassandra.

She gave him a small shrug.

The giant planted its mace against the ground.

"I am General Gigantor the Horny!"

There was a pause.

Joey blinked.

Cassandra slowly turned her head toward Behemoth.

Behemoth remained perfectly still.

Joey looked back at the enormous creature.

"You're... sorry. You're what?"

The creature puffed out his chest.

"GIGANTOR THE HORNY! General of the mighty armies of Leviathan!"

Joey stared at him.

Cassandra covered her mouth.

Behemoth closed his eyes briefly, as if asking the universe for patience.

Joey finally spoke.

"That's ....unfortunate."

Gigantor frowned. "What?"

"Your name."

"My name is feared throughout the lands!"

"Right. Sure. I bet it is."

Cassandra stepped closer to Joey. "I don't think I'd advertise that one."

Gigantor's face actually changed from dark green to blood red.

"Silence!" He bellowed

Joey looked at the mace. "Is that a tree?"

Gigantor lifted it proudly.

"It is the weapon of a mighty warrior!"

"Do you use it to POUND your enemies into SUBMISSION?" Joey asked, he could hide his snickering

One of the lizardmen behind Gigantor shifted uncomfortably.

Cassandra leaned toward Joey. "I think he likes you."

"Really? I was hoping for a better first impression."

Gigantor roared.

"Enough! You stand before Gigantor the Horny, greatest general of Lord Leviathan! Submit to his will or "

"You will pound us into submission right?" Joey cut him off. Not bothering to hide his laughter. Almost doubling over.

Cassandra glanced at Joey again.

"Do you think you should get serious now?"

"I can't...his magic is already making me submit...I am almost on my knees already!" Joey held his stomach, tears running down his face.

"Never mind." Cassandra rolled her eyes

Gigantor pointed his mace toward them.

"Hand over the human!"

Joey looked behind himself.

"Who, Me?"

"Yes, you!"

"Well, that's rude. We haven't even been properly introduced."

"I seek only what you carry!" Gigantor snarled. "The power of the first dragons! My master wants it!"

Behemoth stepped forward.

"Then your master has sent you to your death."

Gigantor stared at him.

Then his eyes widened.

"Behemoth!"

"Yes."

"The traitor!"

Behemoth's expression remained calm. "You have been poorly informed."

Gigantor laughed, revealing rows of uneven teeth.

"Leviathan told us you may interfere, that we would be rewarded if we brought you dead!"

"Your master has been wrong about many things. You cannot win here."

Gigantor raised his mace.

"We shall see traitor, !"

Joey sighed.

"Can we just go home?"

Gigantor charged.

The ground shook beneath his feet.

"Here we go," Cassandra muttered.

She moved first.

She crossed the distance between them in a blur, striking one of the lizardmen hard in the chest with her dagger, enough to send him tumbling into the others. Another lunged toward her with a spear, but she twisted aside and drove her blade into his throat, a fan of blood ushered its death.

Behemoth moved toward the giant.

Joey tried to follow.

"Not yet!" Behemoth called.

Joey stopped just as Gigantor swung his mace.

The enormous weapon came down toward Behemoth with enough force to split the ground.

Behemoth leapt aside.

The mace smashed into the earth, sending dirt and rocks flying.

"That thing is ridiculous! Are you compensating for something!" Joey shouted.

Gigantor turned toward him, his scales continued to turn a more murderous shade of red.

"YOU!"

Joey pointed at himself.

"I WILL SWALLOW YOU WHOLE!"

Gigantor charged.

Joey's brain struggled between adolescent humor and shear terror. Instead of dodging he raised both hands.

The old power surged through him.

A shockwave erupted from his body, throwing dirt and debris into the air. Gigantor staggered but remained standing.

Joey's eyes widened.

"That usually works better!"

Gigantor recovered and swung.

Joey barely managed to duck.

The mace struck a nearby tree, snapping it in half.

"Okay!" Joey shouted. "That's definitely not good!"

He tried to push the giant back with another burst of energy.

The power erupted unevenly, sending a wave through the ground. Gigantor stumbled, but the giant recovered quickly. Eyeing his tormentor.

He was stronger than Joey expected.

Much stronger.

Gigantor swung again.

Joey tried to raise a barrier, but the energy flickered and collapsed.

The mace caught him across the side.

Pain exploded through his ribs.

He flew backward and hit the ground hard. If not for the power of the first in him he would be a bloody pulp.

For a moment, he couldn't breathe.

"JOEY!"

Cassandra's voice cut through the chaos.

She turned toward him, but one of the lizardmen caught her from behind. She twisted, broke his grip, and hurled him into another attacker.

Gigantor approached Joey.

"That is the power my master wants!"

Joey tried to get up.

His ribs screamed in protest.

Gigantor lifted the mace.

"Give it to me!"

A golden blur slammed into the giant.

Behemoth had transformed.

His celestial kirin form towered over the battlefield, golden scales shimmering with light. His horn struck Gigantor in the chest, driving the giant backward.

Gigantor stumbled, then swung his mace into Behemoth's shoulder.

The impact sent a flash of golden light across the clearing.

Behemoth staggered.

Joey struggled to his knees.

"Behemoth!"

The kirin turned slightly, positioning himself between Joey and the giant.

Gigantor laughed.

"You're weaker than the stories said!"

Behemoth lowered his head.

"Then the stories were incomplete."

He charged.

The two collided.

Gigantor's mace struck Behemoth again, and the celestial creature cried out as the blow landed against his shoulder.

Joey watched helplessly.

He could barely move.

Cassandra finally broke free of the remaining lizardmen and rushed toward him.

"Joey!"

"I'm fine," he gasped.

"You know the bond tells me you are lying AND your hurt badly right?"

"Okay, I'm not fine." He conceded

She dropped beside him, her hands moving toward his injured side.

Gigantor raised his mace again.

Behemoth was still fighting, but he was being forced backward.

Joey looked at the giant.

Then at Behemoth.

Then at Cassandra.

He remembered the training.

AWARENESS

INTENTION.

CONTROL.

Behemoth had told him that his power responded to instinct first, emotion second, and eventually to his will.

He had spent days trying to force it.

Every time he became frightened or angry, it erupted.

He needed to stop reacting.

He needed to choose.

Joey closed his eyes.

The noise of the battlefield seemed to fade.

He could feel the power inside him. It was enormous, almost impossibly vast. It wasn't something he needed to create. It was already there.

He only needed to direct it.

He opened his eyes.

"Stop."

The word was quiet.

But the world listened.

Gigantor froze.

His enormous body stopped in mid-swing. His mace hung above his head, motionless.

The giant's eyes widened.

"What—"

Joey lifted his hand.

Gigantor rose several feet into the air.

His armor began to buckle under invisible pressure. The ground beneath him cracked as his enormous body strained against the force compressing him.

Joey's breathing was uneven.

He could feel the power responding.

He could feel how easily he could crush the creature.

He could also feel how little effort it would take.

Gigantor struggled.

"RELEASE ME!"

Joey stared at him.

"No."

He tightened his fingers.

Gigantor's armor groaned.

Then Joey stopped.

He could end it.

He knew that now.

But he didn't need to.

He lowered his hand slightly.

Gigantor dropped to the ground with a heavy crash.

The mace fell from his grip.

Joey raised his hand again.

The weapon lifted into the air, rotated once, and flew into the trees.

It landed with a distant crash.

Joey looked at the giant.

"Stay down."

Gigantor tried to move.

He couldn't.

The power held him in place.

Joey took a shaky breath.

"Now listen carefully. I don't know who gave you that name, and I don't know what you did to deserve it, but I strongly recommend you find a new one."

Cassandra stared at him.

Then she smiled.

"That was good."

Joey glanced at her.

"Thanks."

Gigantor glared.

"My master will destroy you!"

"Probably," Joey replied. "But you aren't helping your case."

Joey released the pressure.

Gigantor scrambled to his feet, looking at Behemoth, then Joey, then the weapon lying somewhere in the trees.

He seemed to consider fighting again.

Then he reconsidered.

"Retreat!" he bellowed.

The remaining lizardmen immediately began backing away.

Gigantor followed them, still glaring.

"This isn't over!"

"Thank you CUM again!" Joey couldnt help himself.

Joey watched them disappear into the brush.

"Good. Because I don't think I could handle another round of that name."

Cassandra laughed.

Behemoth returned to his humanoid form.

His shoulder was injured, though the wound was already beginning to close.

Joey hurried toward him.

"Are you okay?"

"I will recover. How about you that thing hit you pretty hard." Behemoth asked.

"Hurt but healing"

Behemoth looked at him nodding.

"Sorry" Joey said rubbing the back of his head.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"Because I couldn't control the power. You had to protect me, and you got hurt."

"But you eventually controlled it."

"After nearly getting myself killed."

"An important distinction," Behemoth said. "You recognized your mistake and corrected it."

Cassandra approached them.

"He's right. You did well."

Joey looked down at his side.

"Except for the part where I got hit with a tree."

"That was less impressive," Cassandra agreed.

"Thanks."

She gently touched his ribs.

Joey winced.

"One is cracked," she said. "Possibly more than one. I can help, but you'll need rest."

"Wonderful. I finally learn to control ancient dragon magic and get taken out by a walking pun compensating with a litwral tree stump."

Behemoth gave a small chuckle.

"Your enemy was stronger than you expected."

"His name was Gigantor the Horny."

Cassandra nodded solemnly.

"An intimidating opponent."

Joey looked at her.

"You're enjoying this."

"Immensely."

They made camp several hours later.

Joey sat near the fire while Cassandra worked on his injuries. Her touch was gentle, and the warmth of her blood helped ease the pain, though it didn't erase it completely.

Behemoth sat across from them, his injured shoulder already healing.

Joey watched the fire.

"I almost lost control again."

"Yes," Behemoth said.

"I could feel it happening. I was scared, and then I got angry, and the power just came out."

"That is why you must learn to separate emotion from intention."

Joey nodded.

"I thought I was going to watch you get killed."

Behemoth looked at him.

"And what did you do?"

"I focused."

"That is the key."

Joey looked down at his hands.

"It felt different. I wasn't trying to throw power at him. I just wanted him to stop."

"And the power obeyed."

Cassandra finished tending to his ribs and leaned back.

"You did more than stop him. You could have killed him."

Joey looked toward the dark trees.

"I know."

"That matters."

He looked at her.

"I don't want to become something that solves every problem by crushing whatever gets in the way."

Cassandra smiled faintly.

"Then don't."

Joey gave a tired laugh.

"That's your advice?"

"Yes."

"Very profound."

"I've had six hundred years to work on it."

Behemoth leaned forward.

"Power is not defined by what it can destroy. It is defined by the choices made by the one who wields it."

Joey considered that.

"You're saying I did the right thing by letting him go."

"I am saying you made a choice rather than allowing your fear to make it for you."

Joey nodded slowly.

Cassandra rested her head against his shoulder.

"Besides, I would hate to have to explain to everyone that you were killed by Gigantor the Horny."

Joey closed his eyes.

"Please don't."

"I would have to tell them the whole story."

"Don't."

"I would probably leave out the part where you were nearly beaten to death with a literal tree.."

"Thank you."

"And emphasize the name."

Joey groaned.

Behemoth chuckled.

For the first time since the battle, Joey felt himself relax.

They were alive.

They were still moving toward home.

And he had learned something important.

He didn't have to let the power control him.

He could choose what to do with it.

Far away, within Leviathan's territory, Gigantor knelt before his master.

His armor was dented. One horn had been chipped, and his pride had suffered considerably more damage than either.

Leviathan watched him from his throne.

"Explain."

Gigantor swallowed.

"We encountered the human."

Leviathan's eyes narrowed.

"And?"

"He has the power of the first dragons."

"I am aware."

Gigantor hesitated.

"He defeated me."

The chamber grew quiet.

Leviathan leaned forward.

"How?"

"At first, he could barely control it. His power erupted wildly. He was vulnerable."

"And then?"

Gigantor shifted.

"Then he stopped me."

Leviathan's gaze sharpened.

"Explain."

"He held me in place. Lifted me into the air. Crushed my armor. Took my weapon away."

"And he killed you?"

"No, my lord."

Leviathan stared at him.

"No?"

Gigantor lowered his head.

"He let me go."

Leviathan sat back.

That was more interesting than a simple victory.

"And Behemoth?"

"He was with them. He fought me in his celestial form."

Leviathan's expression changed.

"I now know my brother is with them."

Gigantor nodded.

"Yes, my lord."

Leviathan's claws tapped against the arm of his throne.

"So the human is learning."

"Yes, my lord."

"And Behemoth is teaching him."

Gigantor said nothing.

Leviathan looked toward the enormous doors at the far end of the hall.

"How long were you engaged?"

"Not long."

"How many survived?"

"Most of my soldiers."

"Most?"

Gigantor hesitated.

"Some were... unavailable."

Leviathan closed his eyes.

"Leave."

Gigantor bowed and hurried from the chamber.

Leviathan remained motionless.

The human was becoming more dangerous.

Not because he possessed the power of the first dragons.

Because he was learning to control it.

That changed everything.

Leviathan rose from his throne and walked toward the enormous windows overlooking his territory.

"Summon the war council."

A servant immediately bowed and hurried away.

Leviathan watched the distant horizon.

"The manor remains under pressure. Continue testing its defenses. Do not commit the full army yet."

He paused.

"And I want every report concerning the human. Every display of power. Every lesson Behemoth gives him. Every sign of what the bloom is doing."

A low hiss escaped his throat.

"Let them come home."

His eyes narrowed.

"I want to know what they will do when they discover what I've been preparing for them."