A thick, cloying curtain of heavy bloodscent mingled with the stench of the sea, blanketing Starlight Dew Island.
The once-lush wetland vegetation was now trampled into a chaotic mess. Across the muddy ground, the fallen bodies of Bullywugs were a common sight.
In the shallow waters of the island's southeastern shore, the sea was churned into murky turbidity.
Dense and numerous, Bullywug warriors belonging to the 'Jade Wing' lurked in the water, only their warty backs and vigilant eyes breaking the surface.
They formed a loose encirclement around the island, their powerful webbed feet paddling silently to maintain their positions.
Frog King Benedict clung to a half-submerged reef, his bulging yellow eyes fixed intently on the island's interior. A menacing croak rumbled in his throat, as if he was using the Bullywug tongue to urge his kin within the island to surrender.
However, in response to Benedict's calls for surrender, the Bullywugs inside the island flatly refused, replying with a few bone arrows or blowgun darts. Their range was insufficient, the projectiles merely splashing into the water and stirring up small waves.
Following the Dragon Lord's command, Benedict maintained a stranglehold on the island's connections to the outside world, allowing not a single enemy to escape, nor any supplies to enter.
Meanwhile, in the gloomy sky above, a massive black shadow circled at low altitude. It was the Black Dragon, Saga.
Each powerful beat of Saga's broad wings seemed somewhat labored, lacking the usual fluid grace.
A closer look would reveal numerous sharp-weapon wounds on Saga's left wing membrane, clear evidence of an extremely perilous close-quarters melee not long ago.
Saga's gaze swept relentlessly over the complex terrain of the island below, wishing he could slaughter every last stubborn resister hiding in the shadows.
But he was merely a Young Dragon, lacking that capability. He could only forcibly suppress his fury, circling like a harbinger of death, continuously applying pressure from the skies.
The resisters on the island had clearly noted the Black Dragon's reappearance. From several concealed positions came more urgent 'croak' alarm calls, laced with a hint of barely-concealed fear.
Right then, an exceptionally penetrating draconic roar tore through from the northern sea, instantly overwhelming the sounds of waves, frog-croaks, and wind.
On the gray northern horizon, a massive jade-green silhouette cleaved through the thin mist, streaking towards Starlight Dew Island with astonishing speed.
A figure larger than the Black Dragon, covered in emerald-glittering scales, ripped through the sea mist, descending upon the Starlight Dew Island battlefield like a deity.
The Green Dragon, Xia'er, had arrived!
"Boom!"
Xia'er's colossal form, wrapped in sea winds, crashed down onto a towering reef at the edge of Starlight Dew Island. Her wings folded, whipping up a gust of wind.
Her cold, majestic slitted pupils swept across the battlefield, an intangible draconic aura spreading outwards like a physical force!
Dragons were inherently oppressive!
"Great Jade Wing!"
"Dragon Lord!"
"Croak!"
"..."
Led by Benedict, the surrounding Bullywugs were overcome with excitement. They poked their heads above water or bowed them low, emitting their loudest, most fervent croaks.
The circling Black Dragon, Saga, immediately ceased his patrol and respectfully landed slightly lower and to the side behind Xia'er, deeply lowering his head.
Xia'er's gaze fell upon Saga's torn wing membrane and somewhat disheveled appearance. She gave a slight nod, her low voice carrying a note of acknowledgment. "Saga, you've worked hard."
This brief acknowledgment was like a warm current, instantly washing away the fatigue and strain from Saga's days of intense battle.
A flicker of emotion passed through Saga's slitted pupils. His massive black dragon head lifted slightly as he prepared to give a detailed report on the battle situation, to express his gratitude and resolve.
"On this island..."
Xia'er, however, had already turned directly to Benedict and Saga, cutting him off. "Where are the main tunnel complexes where the Bullywugs are hiding? How many entrances are there in total?"
"Based on prior scouting and prisoner interrogations, those Bullywugs are mainly turtled up in the 'Festering Marsh Forest' at the island's center and the 'Serpent Vine Cliff' area to the west," Saga reported.
"The tunnel entrances are extremely well-hidden, mostly under water pools, within giant tree root systems, or in rock crevices. We've confirmed three main large entrances. As for smaller, more concealed passages, there are likely many more, not yet fully mapped. It's precisely by relying on this complex terrain that they've kept us at bay."
Xia'er nodded, then immediately opened her maw. "Benedict."
"Here, Great Jade Wing!" Benedict responded at once.
"Order your warriors to act immediately."
Xia'er's claw pointed at the island. "Use mud, stones, and seaweed to block two of the three large entrances you've identified! Block them completely, leave not a single crack!"
"As you command, Dragon Lord!"
Benedict received the order respectfully. Though he didn't understand the purpose of the Dragon Lord's instruction, he immediately began directing the surrounding Bullywug warriors.
Large numbers of Bullywugs immediately clambered out of the seawater or dove beneath it, beginning to busily work at the two large tunnel entrances Xia'er had specified.
They dug up wet, soft mud, moved heavy stones, and pulled tough strands of seaweed and vines, swiftly and efficiently sealing the openings.
The resisters on the island clearly detected this activity. Panicked croaks sounded, and a few more sporadic bone arrows shot towards the busy Bullywugs. However, they were all deflected by Saga's precise dive-and-intimidate maneuvers and the shields of the encircling warriors.
Soon, the two larger entrances were completely sealed shut, leaving only the final one exposed. This was the entrance Saga judged to likely have the strongest defenses and the most central location.
This entrance was located beneath the massive root system of a banyan tree half-submerged in a murky water pool. The intricate, tangled roots and hanging vines provided natural cover.
"Take me to the remaining entrance."
Xia'er commanded, her massive wings spreading as she glided low, following the guidance of Saga and Benedict. She landed on a relatively dry boulder at the edge of the water pool, directly facing the entrance that exuded the scent of humus and the distinctive stench of Bullywugs.
Faintly visible within the entrance were shifting shadows and nervous glints of light. Clearly, the Bullywug warriors inside were standing ready, prepared to make their final, desperate stand using the narrow terrain to their advantage.
Xia'er took a deep breath. That sensation of numbness and searing heat lurking deep in her throat instantly amplified!
Now, Xia'er no longer suppressed it. Instead, she actively guided that long-brewing, turbid energy.
"Fall back!"
Xia'er roared low.
Saga immediately beat his wings and ascended without hesitation. Benedict practically scrambled and rolled into the water, putting as much distance as possible between himself and the scene.
The surrounding Bullywug warriors also retreated in terror.
Xia'er's massive head lifted slightly, aiming directly at the pitch-black entrance.
Her chest cavity expanded violently. A terrifying, low rumbling emanated from deep within her throat, as if brewing a storm.
"BOOM!"
In the next instant, a vast cloud of poison mist, thick as liquid jade and mixed with highly corrosive acid, erupted violently from Xia'er's gaping maw!
The poison mist churned and spread like a living entity, carrying the deadly, pungent-sweet scent mixed with sulfur. It instantly flooded into the cave entrance!