?The crowd grew enraged at the mockery this festival had become. Talk of the King's incompetence stirred as the years of failure piled up. Dawn slipped into the crowd, unnoticed by anyone. She overheard people saying they wished the King had never called forth that so-called hero. Confused by what she was hearing, Dawn decided to ask a nearby villager.

  ?"Sorry to interrupt, but I'm a traveler. What is the history of this festival?" she asked.

  ?The villager looked Dawn up and down, seeing her simple leather gear and a single fingerless glove. Assuming she couldn't have been a very successful adventurer in such cheap-looking equipment, they decided it couldn't do any harm to explain. "The Blade of Calamity festival began about four years ago. The King of this land summoned a hero to help the people. Instead, the hero refused to help. Outraged, the King locked up the hero who called herself Dawn. Moments later, that same hero called forth a demon known as Calamity X. That demon left this sword with a warning of his return, then took the prisoner Dawn and destroyed a nearby kingdom."

  ?Dawn's eyes narrowed. The King had lied. She nodded to the villager as a thanks for the history lesson and proceeded deeper into the crowd. As she got closer to the sword, she could feel its strange energy calling out to her. All sense of her surroundings faded as she became almost hypnotized by the blade. It called her to use it. Dawn slowly made her way closer and closer to the sword.

  ?She was just a few feet away when a shout snapped her out of her trance. The King was yelling at her. "You there! Who are you and who gave you permission to approach the sword?"

  ?Dawn turned to face the voice. Her eyes fixed on the man, and she immediately recognized him. It's you, she thought, the very king who hadn't even given her a chance. Rage began to overflow inside her.

  ?"I need no permission from the likes of you!" Dawn yelled back. "Do you not remember me?"

  ?The King squinted, trying to get a better look at the bold stranger. After a moment, his face twisted into one of horror and fear. "Did you happen to bring that other legend with you?" he asked, his voice wavering.

  ?Dawn thought for a moment. "What legend do you mean?" she questioned. Hearing this, the King's confidence began to return. He let out a short chuckle before addressing the crowd.

  ?"Everyone, if I can reclaim your attention!" he announced. "This person who has given themselves permission to approach the Blade of Calamity is also the very same person responsible for its arrival. This is the same weak hero, Dawn, who couldn't even help our kingdom."

  ?Furious, Dawn shouted back in protest. "How dare you say such things! You know as well as I do that you didn't even give me a chance."

  ?Murmurs started to grow in the crowd. The King, worried about his legacy, tried to reclaim his hold on what was believed to be true. "Listen! Listen to your King! Do not believe the words of this false hero. Trust your King, kill this weak imposter! We have bigger things to focus on."

  ?Dawn looked around at the faces of the crowd. An unsettling killing intent began to leave them, their muscles tensing in anticipation of an attack. Dawn looked at the people, then back at the sword. Her hand began to rise toward the blade. It called to her, almost as if it were returning home.

  ?As her hand got closer to the blade, her skin began to change. A searing heat surged through her veins, her soft skin hardening and cracking to transform into an incredibly dense crimson red scale. The change was excruciating, a thousand tiny fires burning beneath her flesh, remaking her from the outside in. The King, seeing the terrifying transformation, screamed, "Kill her now!"

  ?The crowd moved as one. Dawn's instincts took over, and she immediately grabbed the sword, tearing it from the stone as if it were light as paper. A wave of immense power surged through her, and her entire being transformed into that of a Crimson Red Dragon Warrior. Her form grew several feet, her clothes shredded as a long tail sprouted from the base of her back, and her muscles expanded. Every molecule of her being was reformed into a new, denser, stronger form, and the pain of the change was quickly replaced by a cold, searing power. Her once brown eyes were gone, replaced by a sea of bright red, like two glowing lanterns, marking her full transformation.

  ?The crowd froze in their tracks as a deep, guttural roar echoed from the dragon. The creature stood looking at the crowd, wisps of fire escaping with every breath.

  ?Agent X, who was still watching from afar, became a little more interested. What a good idea on her part, he thought to himself. Using a dragon ability to use the sword I left, and on top of that, she got the crimson red variant. Too bad it's only a warrior and not a higher-class crimson red. But I still believe that creature is considered an advanced rank. I wonder if she will be able to control its instincts. I haven't had the chance to explain that a stronger beast will take over your instincts if it's stronger than you. A wicked grin spread across his face.

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  ?Inside the dragon, Dawn's thoughts were a maelstrom of anger. She was furious with the King and his blind followers. I could have helped these people in some way. I could have been the hero they wanted me to be. Little wisps of fire leaked from the bright red lanterns on the dragon's face.

  ?Just then, a small group of villagers jumped forward, drawing various weapons. The dragon's form acted before Dawn even thought. Her arm, wielding the sword, swung at a speed she didn't know she could move at. She felt no resistance as the blade sliced through the first attackers. Dawn's vision began to be overtaken by a bright red light, her anger giving way to a primal fury she had never known. She went to scream in frustration, but instead, a torrent of fire erupted across the courtyard, as her vision was snuffed out in a flash of blinding rage.

  ?Meanwhile, Agent X was now standing fully, enjoying the spectacle of destruction. His eyes began to dart around, finding any and all exit points from the festival. He spread his arms wide, palms facing the sky. His face twisted and reshaped, becoming a head covered in thousands of eyes like a fly. A layered voice rang out as bright green balls of energy shot from his palms. "Hive Takeover," it boomed.

  ?The glowing orbs landed on the necks of several people who were trying to escape, their skin instantly turning a sickly green. Within minutes, these villagers began to glow bright green, their eyes a flat, empty shade of green as they turned on the non-infected, chasing anyone who dared to leave the festival grounds. None of the infected approached the courtyard, their only target being those who tried to flee.

  ?Inside the courtyard, wave after wave of guards were cut down as the dragon slowly made its way toward the King. The King, refusing to believe a hero they captured so easily could defeat him, decided he would have to fight if he wanted to survive. He drew his sword, trying to appear brave as small tremors rippled through the ground with every step the dragon took. The King focused his energy and swung with all his might. The dragon simply caught the blade with one hand and crushed it effortlessly, the sound of splintering metal echoing through the silent courtyard. Terror overcame the King as the red lanterns of the dragon's eyes stared him down, wisps of fire leaving small burns on his face as the beast breathed.

  ?As the King winced at the burns, thoughts of escape began to fill his head. He knew the enemy in front of him wouldn't spare him. As fast as he could manage, the King ran. As he approached the gate, he froze. All the villagers were glowing a bright green and staring at him. He felt if he took another step forward, they would attack. The King started to slowly walk backward before he felt his back press against something like a solid wall. Before he could even turn, a sharp pressure ruptured through his chest. The dragon's hand had pierced his body from behind. With a ragged breath, the King slowly looked down to see the crimson hand holding his heart. The King gasped for air as the dragon ripped its hand back out. His body dropped lifeless, a gaping hole where his heart used to be.

  ?An excited cheer could be heard from far away. Agent X, thoroughly enjoying his private show, wore a giant smile. With a single jump, Agent X soared over and landed next to the dragon with a rush of excitement.

  ?Perceiving Agent X as an extreme threat, the dragon didn't hesitate to swing its sword. With a single finger, Agent X stopped the sword mid-swing. A gust of raw power from the strike tore past him, destroying the stone wall behind him. The dragon, uninterested in talking, roared and charged forward, unleashing a massive torrent of fire. Agent X simply held up his hand, and the flames parted around him, a river of searing light flowing harmlessly to his sides.

  ?The dragon roared again, then rushed forward, talons extended for a strike. Agent X didn't move. He simply waited, a small, knowing smile on his face. As the dragon approached, he slammed his hands together, producing a sudden, gale-force wind that slammed into the beast. The dragon's talons dug into the ground as it slid back, a low groan of frustration rumbling in its chest.

  ?Agent X leaned forward like a sprinter about to start a race. In a heartbeat, he was no longer there, but was now a shadow just above the dragon's head. He planted his hand on the back of its neck, pinning it down with incredible force.

  ?A chilling, toothy grin spread across Agent X's face as he spoke to the struggling beast. "I know you desire a strong foe. But little dragon, you cannot fathom the force I can produce when I'm not playing around. The time for our duel is not yet. Grow stronger, become a worthy opponent and ally. Then I will fight you as an equal."

  ?Agent X thought to himself, It seems the dragon has full control at this point. I bet it fed off her rage and used it to take control.

  ?If the dragon has taken full control, then if I leave it alone, it will continue on a rampage in this area, Agent X thought to himself. But maybe I should just let it go while I spread my hive.

  ?Leaping from the courtyard, he soared into the sky and landed at the top of a massive tree, his gaze sweeping over the landscape. From his vantage point, Agent X's consciousness expanded, and he felt a hundred pairs of eyes—no, a thousand—staring out from the bodies of his infected. He felt their singular purpose, their obedience. He moved his hands as if directing an orchestra, and each of his infected were given independent instructions, commanded to spread their master's influence far and wide.

  ?Suddenly, one of his many eyes saw a massive tornado made of pure fire erupt from the dragon. An instant later, a significant portion of his hive was cut off, their awareness snuffed out in the blaze. But it didn't seem to matter. As his hive spread and consumed everything in its path, it became clear that nothing living would be left behind. The hive was rapidly expanding away from the festival.