"Turquoise, you said this was a shortcut and an unknown path right?" Tetsuya asked.
"Yes, uncle. This was the secret path that beast people would use to travel without conflict." Turquoise responded.
"Care to explain why Raphael is here with reinforcements?" Tetsuya asked in frustration.
"I don't have an answer. But you can handle this, right?" Turquoise asked timidly.
This squad consisting of Tetsuya, Turquoise, Emerald, Darius, and Bo traveled through a series of paths that weren't listed on maps. The terrain of the land is ever shifting from natural and unnatural forces. There are paths set underground that moves with the land and becomes untraceable to anyone unaware of their existence. Traveling between the areas is swift but the passages are sometimes closed off and could be a death sentence if used at the wrong time. People who avoid being seen or known at all cost used these paths. They are similar to pocket dimensions except they are almost a portal from entrance to exit. Turquoise having ties with these families due to her royal lineage knew about these paths along with Emerald. Most people are unaware that travel like this even exist.
"You think I, Raphael, wouldn't be aware of such travel? I don't know what has you dragons in such a frenzy that you would invade our land but I'm going to stop all of you. I'll catch up to that water using dragon soon enough but I was informed there was another smaller group hopping around from city to city. I recognize you dragon the twin blade user. Why don't you just make this easy and just surrender? You remember from before, you couldn't even touch me." Raphael said smuggly.
"I am not the same as before. Even with your help, it'll be me coming out on top. But, why are you attacking us? We're not here to harm any of you. Why must you be so aggressive to dragons such as myself?" Tetsuya asked in a calm voice. "We're both warriors and I don't bare any hatred towards you individually. Why not avoid fighting?"
"Is this an attempt to bargain for your life? Killing dragons is what my family does. We exterminated the previous dragons that were destroying homes and taking lives and we won't allow you the opportunity." Raphael responded.
"I'll remove him." Bo said as he walked forever removing his cloak.
"A gargoyle? Oh no, it's nighttime!" Leon realized. "Raphael, I don't know if we can take a dragon and a gargoyle with just the three of us. We will definitely lose if we face them right now."
"Nah, I'd win."
Darius was still hidden in his cloak. They knew he was there but didn't realize he was demi God. The cloak was masking the properties that people just recognize off of instinct. He walked forever without removing his hood and got into a fighting stance.
"Today, we settle this. You won't get away with killing any dragons today." Tetsuya said as he unsheathed his blades.
"The three of you? What about the two..." Leon realized the girls had vanished into the darkness during Tetsuya's and Darius approach. "No matter, two baby dragons can be handled by anyone. We should focus on these three, though if that third person is anything but a dragon, this could be a problem."
"Main focus for us is holding down Raphael. Looks like the other guy with him is heavily armored, he'll likely stay near him." Tetsuya said to Bo and Darius.
"I can make them come to us. WATCH!" Darius conjures two lightning balls into his hands. He takes a pitcher's stance and throws one of the lightning balls at blazing speed. Leon stands in front of Raphael, blocking the balls. On impact, they created a didn't blast knocking Leon slightly off the ground, though he planted his feet again. Just as Leon gathered his composure, another ball came and nearly knocked him on the ground. Darius was already charging up more lightning balls to throw. The woman started chanting for a defensive spell. When Darius pitched another lightning ball, it was met with a reflection to bounce it back, but amplified. Darius caught the ball as it came back unbothered. "Oh, this won't be so easy, not until she's dealt with."
Leon looked back at both Raphael and the woman and they all, without saying a word, nodded and started to run towards the group with Leon ahead. "Wait, all of them running? Let's slow down them." Darius threw more attacks but they were reflected this time bouncing towards the sky. As Leon got closer to the group, Bo started running in head first to meet him. Leon bashed his shield into Bo hoping to knock him off balance and then swing his blade overhead, however Bo caught his arm stopping all of his momentum. Bo disarmed Leon of his blade and then kicked him, sending him flying thirty yards back. In a flash, Raphael flew past Bo while Leon was getting thrown and made an immediate attempt to take Tetsuya's head. The two swordsmen clashed with Tetsuya keeping up this time. Not giving any footing to Raphael. Bo turned around to help Tetsuya, however the woman interfered using gravity magic again to keep him joining the fight. Darius wanting to keep some distance decided to attack Raphael with another lightning ball. He was sure he couldn't avoid it and still fight at the same time. Raphael saw the ball approaching and twisted Tetsuya so he would take the incoming damage. The woman started charging up for another spell, when Turquoise and Emerald reappeared. Turquoise moved Tetsuya out of the way while Emerald used a binding skill to trap the woman's hands to her side and then stuffed a napkin in her mouth so she couldn't produce anymore spells. The gravity let up on Bo allowing him to freely move.
"There's no way we couldn't detect you. Where did you two even pop up from?" Raphael was enraged.
"Perfect stealth. Our family trait. We can mask ourselves and be hidden in plain sight. You thought you could sense me, cause I let you before, but I wouldn't make the same mistake twice." Turquoise said.
"No dragons have stealth abilities. They have Magically enhanced physical strength and endurance. You're lying. There has to be another spellcaster somewhere and I'm not aware." Raphael was furious.
"I'm PART dragon, you are so full of yourself. No matter, we'll be full of you shortly." Turquoise started drooling. "We were getting hungry and you guys were so kind as to bring us fresh meat."