Mount the dragon.

You slide your blade back into its scabbard and stare upwards at the two dragons in heated in combat--one certainly much larger than the other, however. Citizens are fleeing in terror, and there's no doubt in your mind every guard in Tolis will be showing up sooner than later. That will only complicate things further. You can stay and try to slay an old, powerful wyrm through the streets of the city, putting everyone in danger and prolonging the chance something horrible occurs, or you can bounce as soon as possible. Malakae, however, is too far to hear you now, and her father was willing to electrocute her to **** before, he may not shy away from killing her now.

"Niki, follow me!" you command as your mighty stride takes you swiftly to the side of the estate's central mansion. Your body has grown strong, and you move with adept dexterity, which allows you to easily scale your way to the rooftop. Your eyes glance to the left as you go to spy Niki vaulting herself up by each windowsill. Her physical strength is unrivaled by any at Castle Phoenix, so climbing a building is but a simple task for her.

She goes for her mace, but you raise your hand for her to halt. "What is it?" she asks, confused. "I mean, I didn't think I could jump high enough to get to them, but I just assumed that was your plan."

"They're going up and down. I want you to get ready to fling me as hard as you can. I'll jump right as they're at their lowest point. I can't rely on my Bunny Hop, so I'm relying on you, Niki. Throw me as far as you're able."

She laughs with a toothy, excited grin. Her arms flex, and she lowers her hands together for a foothold to be placed at your leisure. "You've got it. But if you don't make it, you can't blame me, all right?"

"That's what magic boots are for. But I trust you."

You stare upwards. A bead of sweat runs down your forehead. Despite the clouds in the sky, the sun still shines bright behind them, masking the dragon fight in a frantic silhouette. Poor Malakae is doing nothing but distracting him, but you can't leave her behind now. After a moment longer, you feel as if they may not fly any lower before Malakae is injured. You can't take that risk. Despite the altitude, you look to Niki with a nod before sprinting towards her. "Now!" you shout with a mighty strength, mostly to hype yourself up before flexing the legs of your muscles and stepping onto her hands. You tighten your core and leap. The **** in which thrusts you upwards is nearly too much, but you pull yourself together and jump along with the momentum of her incredible power. Up and up you go--wind blasting back your brown hair as you squint your eyes. Golden scales rapidly approach. There's a hurricane of wind from massive wings, a crack of thunder from a snapping tail, and the heat of a cone of fire.

But finally, you slam up against the side of Lord Vraelion's body, and heave yourself onto his lower back.

You perch there and stare off towards Malakae. It's difficult to remain standing due to his rapid movements and the powerful wind. Yet, you draw your sword. "Let... her... leave!" you shout through the struggle, and then slam the point of the blade down with both hands between his scales.

The dragon roars loudly--partly in pain, but mostly with rage. "Fool!" comes a deep, bellowing voice. "What do you think you're doing back there, ant? My daughter is my property, and I'll do whatever it is I desire with what I own. Now fall, so-called Demon King. Fall to the ground!"

You draw back your blade, and as he begins to twist and turn like a rodeo bull, you once against sheathe your blade to grab onto his back with both hands. The good news is you don't need to remain. In fact, you use this moment of distraction to spy your destination and once again jump. This time, you have the advantage. You click your heels together, and using the magic of your Boots of Herbes, you descend slowly onto the back of Malakae instead.

While not as massive as her father, she's big enough to hold you.

"Malakae!" you shout from behind her head. "Hurry! We need to fly away from here with the others. Then we can teleport for real. Once we're at Castle Phoenix, we'll be f--"

"Scorching... Beam!" booms the voice of Lord Vraelion. He's found you. His mouth is agape, wider than ever before, and as he stares directly towards the both of you, a flash of light appears in his throat. After the mana builds, and it does so rather quickly, a beam of concentrated fire burns towards you like a laser.

You grab onto Malakae's horn and perch on her head. As quickly as you're able, you thrust your own hand forwards and into harm's way. The magical beam would have easily pierced through either of you--perhaps both--yet instead it's sucked right into your magic ring. Your arm trembles and aches, and you feel the burn on the tips of your knuckles, but you take advantage of this moment to turn Malakae's head away and shout once again. "Go, go, go!"

She nose-dives towards your party. Niki is the first to join. She leaps from the rooftop, and drags both of you down by Malakae's leg.

Malakae groans. "... Let go of that, you barbarian! I'm not strong enough to--"

"I thought you were the strongest woman in Tolis," you say.

After a grumble, Malakae steels her resolve and soars downwards. "I am!" she shouts, though she's once again taken aback by Eva, Amara, and Jelly both leaping onto her sides. This sends her completely out of control. Barely able to lift off the ground, the party goes crashing through a few fences, a mailbox, and then the corner of a nearby manor's rooftop as she starts to gain altitude once again, albeit barely.

"M-Major He... Heal~!" Amara shouts as she hugs you tight. She gasps and shivers. It seems her spells aren't coming so easily now, though she certainly spared no hesitation in attempting to cast it.

You feel the pain in your arm fade. "Thanks, but you know you have a smaller healing spell, right?"

"Behind us!" Eva shouts.

You turn to see Lord Vraelion once again gaining on you. So you turn, plant your foot down firmly, and hold your hand outwards. "Take us to the ground, Malakae! I'm going to get us outta here!" Then, holding your shoulder with your other hand, you release the stored magical blast like you have an arm-mounted laser cannon. Megaman would be proud. Or Alice. It explodes over the great dragon's face, and while it's unlikely fire does much to him, let alone his own, it certainly blinds him and causes him to stumble in the air.

Straight after, your party comes to a crashing halt into a neighbour's courtyard.

A beautiful bunnyfolk laying in a lawn chair falls to the ground and screams as she covers her topless, sunbathing body with one arm.

You give a salute. "My bad," you say before making sure everyone is holding onto you. "Malakae, turn back now!"

"... But I'm not wearing any--"

"Can you not worry about that right now?!"

Lord Vraelion is coming. Your heart races.

"H-Hurry up," Eva says. "He's gonna roast us like marshmallows!"

"Fine!" Malakae, much to her dismay, shapeshifts back into her humanoid form. She covers herself up in embarrassment, wearing nothing but jewellery. She shivers. Her face flushes red, and she squirms her hips left and right, yet gasps further as a party of people grab onto her naked body. "H-Hey, careful!"

"Get ready! Three, two, one," you start. Then right before the flames come down, you leap.