Lordom Valley

Y/N POV:

We set up camp near in the settlement, while we wait for Yao to come back with her leaders. Tuka's asleep, resting her head a Itami's lap. I light a cigarette using the camp fire, as I take my fist drag Itami breaks the awkward silence.

Itami: So your dad died too huh?

Y/N: *blows smoke* Yeah.

Flashback

It was just after we drove the dragon away, Tuka is in shock with tears streaming down her face. I grab her shoulders and face her towards me.

Y/N: Tuka! Look at me!

Tuka:...L/N.

Y/N: Tuka, I lost my dad too!

Itami: What?!

Y/N: Listen to me, I know exactly what you're going through! I know your pain and I know what you endure!

Tuka: How....do you know?

Y/N: Because I endure it everyday too!

End Flashback

Itami: When and how did he die?

Y/N: Heart failure, happened around the time we first past through the Gate.

Itami: It's been nearly three months and you still haven't gone home to mourn him.

Y/N: He's already been buried, and I couldn't abandon my mission. But that's the kinda sacrifices we make for our nations right.

Itami: And what did you mean that you know what she endures?

Y/N: *takes drag and blows smoke* I have what she has.

Itami: Wait? You have PTSD?!

Y/N: You don't go through three wars and not have issues. As for my dad I just forced myself to confront the fact that he was gone. Tuka needs to do the same so she can move on.

Itami: Exactly, and when confronted with that reality today she was unable to cope with it.

Lelei: should we try and make her face it again, or should we wait another time?

Itami: No, we can't wait any longer. It's why we brought her here in the first place. And if it comes to it, we'll force her to face it.

Y/N: That's probably our only option.*takes drag and blows smoke* Something wrong Lelei?

Lelei: My magic was unable to have any real effect on the flame dragon. I don't like that .

Rory: *sighs* I can't believe my halberds' blade no effect either.

Y/N: Don't beat yourselves up too much, our rifles also didn't do shit.

Rory: If I can't slice it I'll have to strike it. But it's so tacky to beat one's enemy to death.

Y/N: I'm sure Kuribayashi would disagree with that.

Yao returns to our camp with her leaders and a group of warriors I finish my cigarette. Tuka continues to sleeps on Itami's ruck sack we sit around the camp fire with the dark elf leaders.

Elder: Your Holiness, we humbly thank you for making the long journey to our desolate valley.

Rory: Uh it's not like we came here to see you guys.

Yao: Okay Itami, L/N...Let me introduce you to the greatest warrior of my people. Kurow, Meto, Ban, Fen, Nocko, Komu, Seimi, Nayu. It is an honor for all of us to accompany you on your mission.

A/N: Or as I called them Dead One though Eight.

Elder: You must travel on foot to the nest of the dragon. We will be your guides and help you carry your belongings.

Itami: Thank you.

Y/N: Yes, that's very much appreciated sir.

Elder: If you had not come to us when you did...everyone our clan would have surely perished. We would all willingly risk our lives to ensure victory this beast.

Itami: Tell me...Why does the flame dragon continue to attack your tribe? If it takes out everyone, then it only ends up without any food at all.

Lelei: Both their active period and rest period are quite lengthy. So they typically eat all the food they can find...And during their hibernation, the population rebounds and replenishes itself.

Itami: Well I guess it's hunting season then.

Y/N: *chuckles* My favorite time of year.

TIME SKIP

Y/N POV:

The next morning we gathered the dark elf warriors to brief them on how to use the equipment we brought. Personally, I'd rather not have these people handling RPGs without thorough training but we're short on time.

Itami: So this is the equipment we're going to need to have a chance against that thing.

Kurow: These must be the iron weapons we're told severed the flame dragon's arm!

Itami: Yes, and we're going to show you how to us them.

Y/N: Alright Scrubs listen up! Now normally this a four to five hour course to familiarize yourself with this weapon system, however we don't have that kind of time. So we're only going over this once. So pay attention!

Y/N: This is the Pazerfaust 3 Rocket Propelled Grenade Launcher. It fires a 110 millimeter shape charged explosive warhead with a muzzle velocity of 377 feet per second.

The dark elves practice handling the RPGs.

Kurow: is this correct?

Itami: Uh-huh, now put the target in the cross-hairs, and fire.

Y/N: Now one last thing, when fired a huge counter-mass of force that's powerful enough to kill someone will come out the back of the tube. So make sure you clear your back-blast before you fire. Engage your brain before you engage your weapon. Do you Scrubs understand me?!

Dark Elves: Yes sir!

Y/N: Oh shit. Hey Itami, I know I'm only 22 but I think my hearing's going bad.

Itami: Why?

Y/N: Because I can't hear a FUCKIN' THING!! DO YOU SCRUBS UNDERSTAND ME?!!

Dark Elves: YES SIR!!

Itami: Jeez! Way to motivate them L/N. And to think you were ready to kill them yesterday.

Y/N: Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

Lelei: We're ready to go.

Rory: Just tell us when sweeties.

Lelei: I've used a spell to keep Tuka sleeping.

Rory: She must've been so terrified. She kept saying "father" over and over again.

Y/N: Alright! Get your gear! We're moving out!

I get my assault pack on, the dark elves strap the RPGs to their backs, and Itami puts a helmet to a still sleeping Tuka rigs her to a chair and carries her on his back. We begin our march to the dragon's nest. It took us a few hours, not only did the dark elves have to stop to rest, and Lelei had to keep using her magic to keep Tuka asleep. But we finally reach the foot of the mountain.

Itami: Is this it?

Yao: Yes Mount Duva, our scouts saw the nest of the flame dragon beneath it's peak.

Kurow: It goes in and out from the mountain's crest. It's nest is on a rock platform inside the crater.

Itami: So how do we get in?

Kurow: About halfway up there's a cave leading inside.

It turned to late evening we made our way to the cave, the dark elves stand by outside the cave Itami and I peak around the corner with my weapon point toward the cave.

Kurow: I stumbled across this place one day when I was our foraging for sulfur from fuming fruits. Deep inside, it opens up to a room underneath the crater. That's where I saw the flame dragon, sleeping. For fear of waking the creature I fled.

Y/N: Good call.

Rory: Can we get inside from the top?

Y/N: Ground looks too steep to go in from above.

Rory: So we really have no other way in but to go through the cave? I really have a problem with going underground

Y/N: Oh yeah, you have your claustrophobia thing because of another God right?

Itami: It's okay, Rory you can stay out here. We'll go in without you.

Y/N: Right stay here, keep watch for that scaly bastard. Itami hand her a radio.

Itami gives Rory a radio and a headset, Kurow and Yao went to scout the cave and we have chow while we wait. After about half an hour Kurow and Yao emerge from the cave.

Itami: How'd it go?

Yao: It's just as Kurow said...the cave leads right into the nest. But the flame dragon wasn't there.

Itami: Good, then we'll finish eating and take a look.

We finish our chow and prepare to move in Rory take the high ground. Itami straps Tuka to the chair.

Y/N: Rory, comms check.

Rory raises her halberd in the distance.

Rory: *radio*I can hear you.

Y/N: Alright listen up! We're going in, I'm not gonna to lie to you. This going to be a difficult fight and I can't guarantee your survival. So, if you any of you want to back out now's the time....

The dark elves all stand firm.

Y/N: Ladies and Gentlemen, I know we just met but best of luck to all of you. We pull this off and your people can live in peace without fear of that dragon.

Itami: Let's go.

Y/N: Move out!

Itami and other start heading into the cave and I feel a hand tug at me and I turn to see Yao.

Y/N: What is it Yao?

Yao: I want you to know L/N...I am grateful to you for everything you're doing. *grabs Y/N hand* If we survive this, I belong to you. My body and soul are forever yours.

Y/N: I told you didn't have to do any of that. You don't owe me anything Yao.

We walk through the dark cave with lit torches Kurow takes point. We come upon the the entrance to the dragon's nest.

Kurow: Okay, it's right over here.

Y/N: Itami, you and I will go in first.

Itami: Right, wait here.

Itami takes Tuka off his back and we move in weapons at the ready. We scan for targets and it's clear.

Y/N: Clear.

Itami: Okay then...this is it...the nest.

We bring everyone up and look around there are dragon tracks, human skulls, discarded swords, but most disturbingly there are large broken egg shells here.

Itami: Are these egg shells?

Lelei: During their active period, just as all animals. They eat, breed, and foster children. I guess I forgot about that.

Y/N: Wow. I called her a scaly bastard, she's actually a scaly bitch.

Itami: So does that mean there are more flame dragons?

Lelei: No, these shells appear quite old. They likely hatched a long time ago. I'm sure they've already left the nest.

Y/N: Well it looks like mommy and the kids aren't home right now.

Kurow: The tribe has only witnessed a single flame dragon.

Itami: Good, we can only handle one at a time.

Nocko: *picks up sword* Wow...Look at all these magical swords.

Seimi: These are amazing.

Itami: Oh, they must belong to people who've been killed by the dragon.

Lelei: Yes, many have faced the dragon we should let this be a reminder of what we're up against.

Y/N: You can take those home later. We got work to do. Ben, Fen, Nocko get me a hole in the middle of the nest!

Dark Elves: Right!

Itami: And the rest of you can help me with this.

Itami and the other dark elves ready satchel charges.

Itami: We need six of these.

Yao: This is going to kill the flame dragon.

Itami: It's 160 lbs of C4 plastic explosives. If this explodes, even a flame dragon should be blown to bits. Well at least I hope so. I'll do the rest of these.

Y/N: Everyone ready your weapons.

Itami: Rory can you hear me little lady? How's it looking out there...?

*STATIC*

Y/N: I'm only getting static Itami.

Itami: The rocks must be interfering with our reception...Rory.

*STATIC*

Y/N: Still just static.

Itami: Shouldn't be wearing this radio while we work down here anyway. The radio waves set off the C4 it's too dangerous.

Y/N: Good call.

We switch off our radios and I help Itami wire the explosives.

Itami: Kinda reminds me of training with the Special Forces Group.

Y/N: Yeah, they teach us this stuff in Recon as well.

We cover the explosives with several swords to add shrapnel to the trap.

Yao: Why'd you put swords here?

Itami: Cause we need to cause all the damage we can.

Y/N: This is gonna be one big IED.

We throw dirt on the trap and Itami spools out wire and the dark elves cover the wire with dirt and Itami readies the detonator.

Itami: Okay it's done.

Everyone looks up toward the opening in horror.

Itami: What is it?

Y/N: Itami, Mommy's home.

Itami: Here we go.

Kumo frantically aims her RPG at the dragon but two dark elves are behind her and she doesn't clear her back-blast.

Y/N: No! Clear your back-blast!!

She fires and the back-blast kills the two behind her, the warhead hits the dragon in the head.

Kumo: Yes!

The dragon is undamaged and swings it's arm through the smoke and swipes at Kumo and kills her.

Y/N: Goddammit!!

The dragon swings her tail and Itami and I just barley get out of the way. Kurow and Nocko ready their RPGs but the probe's not extended. Lelei drags Tuka to the cave the entrance and Yao moves to help her.

Itami: Extend the probe!

Kurow fires and the warhead hits the dragon but it's still undamaged.

Itami: Look out Nocko!

Nocko scream as the dragon eats him, and another is smashed into the wall by the dragon's tail. This whole thing falling apart we need to blow those charges. Yao moves to help Itami.

Yao: Itami go back to the cave!

Itami grabs and RPG, extends the probe ad prepares to fire while I lay down cover fire. The dragon swings arm at another dark elf and she's thrown at both me and Itami knocking us down and the RPG out of his hands. We both stagger up, The dark elf picks the RPG and prepares to fire but doesn't clear her back-blast.

Y/N: No! Don't fire!

I pull Itami away as she fires but the blast still knocks us away.

Yao: Itami! L/N! No!

Yao heads over to us as the dragon eats another one of the dark elves. Tuka awakens and sees the dragon and is petrified with fear by the sight of the dragon as it breathes fire.

Tuka: My father is dead...it should have been me instead of him. He never should have died...My father is gone and it's all my fault.

Lelei: That is not true. He died because the flame dragon killed him. That is the truth.

Tuka: But!

Lelei: You believe the flame dragon cannot be destroyed. That is why you're choosing to direct your anger at yourself.

Tuka: But how can we kill it?! It's impossible!

Itami and I are pretty banged up by the blast as Yao moves to assist us,

Yao: Itami! L/N! You're still alive.

Y/N: Yao!

Yao: Both of you need to back to the cave right now!

Y/N: Yao wait! Itami grab the detonator!

Itami pulls the detonator out of the ground and finds the wire is been cut.

Itami: Shit! The damn thing's broken!

Y/N: Oh you gotta be shitting me!

The dragon breaths fire on another dark elf and she dies screaming while firing her rocket burning to death. I see this I get angry and I start shaking and hyperventilating thinking about the Marines I lost Afghanistan.

Itami: You son of a bitch!! L/N snap out of it!

Y/N: (No...No..No...Not again!)Itami! Get up there and repair the wire I'll cover you!

I move up laying down cover fire with Itami as he tries to repair the wire. He digs it up the broken part of the wire.

Itami: There it is!

Y/N: *fires burst* Hurry up Itami! *fires burst* We can't hold much longer! *fires burst*

I change mags as Itami starts fixing the wire shaking and breathing heavily. Back over at the cave Lelei tries to encourage Tuka.

Lelei: My village and my home were also taken by this monster. And many of my loved ones were killed.

Tuka: Lelei?!

Lelei walks toward the nest and uses her magic to levitate a sword and hurls it at the dragon but it bounces right off it.

Lelei: It's not fast enough...Move faster!

She hurls another one at it but this time it actually penetrates it's hide.

Lelei: It went it...*laughs* It worked.

Then Lelei makes a face I have never seen before...it's a little scary.

She amps her power up and makes nearly a hundred swords levitate glowing a blue light and they're all pointed toward the dragon.

Y/N: Holy shit!

Itami: Look at that.

Lelei: This is it...our revenge!

The dragon lets out a loud roar.

Lelei: Now dragon! I SHALL SEND YOU BACK TO HELL!!

She hurls the swords at the dragon, many penetrate it's hide and many don't. The remaining swords start raining down on us. The dragon falls to the ground

Y/N: Itami! Fall back!

Itami retreats from the dragon while I continue to fire on it. Yao and Kurow advance towards us.

Itami: No don't!

Kurow: Save the magic user!

Yao backs off and her and Itami rush toward Lelei who has just fainted.

Yao: Lelei!

Kurow: *Draws sword* Get away from them!

Y/N: *fires burst* C'mon you Big Red Bitch! *fires burst* Take a shot me! *fires burst*

I change mags again as Kurow leaps forward and starts slashing the dragon's feet then stabs it's foot. The dragon breaths its fire again and Kurow dies screaming engulfed in flames.

Yao: Kurow!!

Itami: Come on! L/N get out of there!

Y/N: * fires burst* I'll be right behind you! Go! I'll keep it suppressed!

I begin a fighting retreat firing at the dragon's face. Itami picks up Lelei and him and Yao retreat to the cave, Tuka stands at the caves entrance.

Tuka: No my father's gonna die!

Tuka builds up her energy and screams as she fires a large energy beam at the sky. Then a large bolt of lighting strikes directly at the dragon and electrocutes it. All of the swords in it's body fall out and one of the electrified swords embeds itself near the wire causing the electricity to circulate to the charges and detonate and the dragon is engulfed by the explosion.

The shock-wave hits me and sends me flying, the world beings to slow down. I cough up blood...everything starts going black

Y/N: (Target destroyed...Mission complete...Semper Fi Itami....)

Y/N: (Shino...I'm sorry...I love you....)

3rd POV

Y/N is hit by the shock-wave and is thrown toward the cave and lands in front of Itami and the others unconscious, limp, and lifeless.

Itami: F/N!!

Yao: L/N! No!!

Itami picks up Y/N and carries him on his back while Yao carries Lelei. The cave begins to collapse Tuka nearly falls from a collapsing cliff but catches herself. The group quickly run out the cave toward the the outside as the cave collapses behind them. The three stop to catch their breath.

Itami: Is everyone alright?

Tuka: I guess. I think so.

Yao: Somewhat.

Lelei: *wakes up* I think I'm good enough to walk.

Yao puts down Lelei.

Yao: There...L/N's hurt badly.

Rory: Hey, what took you so long? *pained breathing*

Itami: Rory!

Itami puts Y/N down on the ground.

Itami: Do what you can for him Lelei!

Lelei: I'll try.

Lelei uses healing magic on Y/N while Itami rushes to help Rory.

Itami: What happend?! What's going on?

*EVIL LAUGHTER*

???: My poor, poor sister.

A figure emerges from the dust cloud carrying a large scythe.

???: You are supposed to become the wife of a god. Yet you casually interact with these filthy...humans. How dare you sully our family line.

Rory: You're wasting you're time. I will never marry Hardy!

Itami: Uh, and who are you supposed to be?

Giselle: My name is Giselle. And as you can see, I am an apostle!

Giselle leaps forward and lands in front of Itami and Rory scythe resting on her nape.

Giselle: I serve my Lord Hardy. I've been ordered to retrieve my disgraceful, ungrateful sister and bring her back, so here I am!

Itami: Rory's a big girl I think she can make the decision for herself.

Giselle: You are a fool human! She is in a weakened state. Because she has taken the burden of your wounds for you.

Itami: What?

Itami recalls the time Rory bit his arm and licked his blood.

Giselle: Normally, there's no way I would be able to take her down on my own, but her injuries have changed all that. I don't know what you've done, but she is foolishly harboring your injuries as her own.

Itami: Why?

Rory: That would be my business.

Giselle: Now that we all know what the situation really is, perhaps next time you won't hold back.

She readies her weapon and two smaller dragons land next to her.

Yao: Oh no... Two more dragons...

Itami: Are those...from the eggs inside the nest?

Giselle: I had to awaken the flame dragon so she could bear and tame her offspring for me. With them by my side you have no chance against me, sister.

Yao: How could you do something so reckless?

Lelei: So it was Hardy's apostle who shortened the rest period...by 50 years!

Yao: But what about the people of my tribe?

Rory: *rises to her feet*The apostles of the gods have no sympathy for humans nor elves...and that would include me as well.

Giselle: Precisely, human and elves have no right to interfere with such divine matters.

Rory: But these two here...are not ordinary humans. They killed a flame dragon on its own ground.

Giselle: What? Humans killed the beast? Impossible, where are these dragon slayers?

Tuka, Lelei, and Yao point to Y/N and Rory points to Itami.

Itami: *gasps* Who me?!

Giselle: What?! This fool and a dead man! Interesting...Towato, Mowto! Come devour your revenge. And spare him no pain! Show no mercy!

The dragons take to the sky while Itami grabs Rory and runs.

Giselle: Where is he going? Go! Follow him!

Tuka picks up Lelei and Yao carries Y/N on her back and the group run down the mountain. The dragons are in pursuit, meanwhile in the skies above the mountain two F-4 Phantoms are circling the mountains with the pilots observing the situation.

Kamikoda: *radio* I see it! Uh...Does the dragon look like it's gotten smaller?

Kurihama: *radio* There's two of 'em. Completely different targets than before.

Mizuhara: *radio* Well they're pissed off. And definitely after Itami and L/N.

Kamikoda:*radio* Yes, they are. Let's do it.

The pilots move their fighters in to attack position.

Kurihama: *radio* Target locked!

Kamikoda: *radio* Hawkwind 01, Fox Two, fire!

Both of the Fighters fire missiles at the dragons and score direct hits and the dragons fall the ground.

Kamikoda:*radio* Fox three!

The Fighters strafe the downed dragons with their 20mm guns.

Kamkoda:*radio* Trebor, this Hawkwind 01. We chased the targets down to the ground.

Trebor:*radio* Hawkwind, this Trebor, copy. The artillery unit will open fire. Over.

Up on a cliff an SDF Spotter directs artillery fire.

Spotter: Ready! Impact!

Spotter: Use the exact same coordinates! Fire away men, Hit it again!

5 Type 99 Self-Propelled Artillery vehicles fire another barrage at the downed dragons. In addition 2 Cobra Gunships fire their TOW missiles at the them scoring direct hits as well. When the smoke clears the dragons are dead.

Rory back on her feet looking for her sister to finish her off as Chinooks begin rappelling infantry into the area.

Rory: Giselle?...Where are you?...Where are you hiding?

Giselle realizing all is lost pulls herself out of the dirt and retreats before her sister can find her. Meanwhile Itami and the others try recover after long fought battle.

Itami: I can't believe they really came for us.

Leiei: I'm so tired.

Itami: We actually pulled off Tuka...didn't we?

Tuka: Yes we did.

Itami: We killed the son of a bitch.

Itami sees Y/N still limp and lifeless quickly rushes over to aid him.

Itami: L/N!

Lelei: Itami, I tried everything....but L/N's not breathing!

The others look upon him with worry, Itami checks for a pulse on his neck and feels nothing. He starts removing his body armor, unbuttons his jacket, and starts giving him chest compressions.

Itami: Come on!...Come on!...Come on!...Come on!

Tuka: Is he...?

Itami: He's not dead! Come on F/N! Breathe dammit!

Still no response Itami cups hands together and raises them as high as he can.

Itami: GET UP MARINE!!

Itami brings his cupped hands down as hard as he can and slams them into Y/N chest. Upon impact Y/N suddenly wakes up coughing and hacking up blood and fluids. He leans over to his side to get it all out, everyone is sighs with relief that he's alive. After expelling the fluid from his body he rolls back over on his back.

Itami: Come on man! Say something!

Y/N: *painfully groans* I want go to back to Afghanistan.

Itami sits down next to him and chuckles at that remark.

Itami: You crazy Yankee! Thought you were really dead.

Y/N: Yeah, another minute or two you'd be sending me back across the Gate wrapped up in an American flag with a hunk of cheese in my ass. *laughs* Ow! Hurts to laugh!

Itami: Is this really the time for jokes?! *chuckles*

Y/N: It's how I deal with the stress. *chuckles* Ow!

Lelei: I'm glad...You're okay L/N.

Y/N: Hey Lelei, that was some impressive shit with swords.

Y/N looks over to Tuka who has tears in her eyes.

Tuka: I'm sorry...I cast the spell that almost killed you....Please forgive me!

Y/N: Tuka...I was dumb enough to caught in the blast radius when charges went off...If you hadn't cast that spell, we would've all died....So be proud, you killed that dragon.

Tuka: *sniffles* Okay.

Rory: Still alive I see huh L/N?

Y/N: Rory, *snickers and groans* you look like hammered shit.

Rory: Right back at you Sweetie.~ Any longer I would taken you to the Underworld.

Y/N: Couldn't ask for a better escort Rory.

Yao kneels down next to Y/N and grabs his hands and has tears streaming down her face with a smile.

Yao: You risked your very life...to save me, to save my people...Thank you, I am forever in your debt L/N.

Y/N: I'm sorry about your comrades Yao.

Yao: They will rest easy knowing that we killed the dragon.

Y/N looks up at the sky as sees the F-4s fly over them and smiles.

Y/N: Hey Yoji...

Itami: Yeah F/N?

Y/N: ....We should've joined the Air Force. *laughs* Ow! Ow! Hurts to laugh!

Itami: Yeah maybe we should've! *laughs*

The two are laughing hard, Itami sees SDF infantry start to approach and he signals to them.

Itami: We need a Medic over here now!

The infantry advance to them double time with medics sprinting toward them and Y/N passes out from the pain.

A/N: Holy Fuck! This was my longest one yet! So I'm gonna ends this here, I want to give a shout out to Storyteller-Maverick for inspiring to write stories on this platform. Check out his SAO story "The Maverick" it is absolutely amazing. And  also to Poser_Dragon for helping out with some ideas check his "Girls Frontline X Male reader" it is really fun. You know the drill give me a vote, share, follow me if you like to. Have a great day or night! I'll see you in the next chapter! LATER!!!