Instants before Adykon could react, he was saved. It was not by his team mates, and it wasn't by the army of Minbenthac. It wasn't even due to the enemy's incompetence. Appearing between the Dracon warrior and the Dragon was a visage of Dememoras himself!
The red dragon screeched to a halt and landed on a building near the walls, looking pointedly at the apparition of his master. This image of Dememoras was only about as large as a Dracon, and its voice was muted to the point that it did not sound the tenth part as powerful as the one behind it. Regardless, it still spoke in a menacing tone that all around could hear, even though it was just a projection. The wards around Minbenthac were powerful, and normally prevented outside spells from coming in, be they teleportation, abjuration, conjuration, or something as simple as a magical means of projecting one's image and voice into the city. Crystal balls and means of direct magical communication could still be used, but an outright image appearing in the city streets was another story.
It was a sign of Dememoras's power that he could breach the wards of Minbenthac without any outside aids or assistance. He was here to address the three surviving commanders of the armies he had sent. The red dragon looked at the image in the eye, but held his tongue. Anything the master said was to be obeyed without question or hesitation.
"My minions! We have tested the defenses of Minbenthac, and they are weaker than we had expected. Nevertheless, I can sense that one of our armies is not performing as well as planned. Therefore, I order you all to pull back and teleport to base. Victory is impossible without the Demonbred joining in the attack. Dragons! You will lead the Demonbred back to the teleportation sites with the rest of the armies, and depart. It was not the enemy's strength, but the incompetence of one who is beneath me who is responsible for this. To those who dare oppose us, know but this: the attack you have seen today was but a test run. You have been given a rare opportunity in this world. I grant you a second chance. If your city submits to be peacefully, it shall be spared. Resist a second time, and you shall all be ground to dust. Using the least of my armies, I have brought one of the most power Dracon cities to its knees. You know as well as I do that I wish to see no one who can serve me be killed, so long as they pledge their undying loyalty to me, the undying God! As for you, Adykon... you still have a part to play in this drama. Your survival only continues because I will it; because I can still see a purpose for you, the same way I can see a purpose for a tool or a weapon. The moment you are no longer potentially useful to me is the moment you shall die. I have spoken!"
The apparition faded away. Vespion, who was standing next to Adykon and the image of Dememoras, could feel that a similar vision appeared in the rest of the city, having been projected in over 500 locations at the same time! Hearing the words of their master, the entire dark army simply turned around and began to leave. There were no stragglers, no pockets of resistance, and if they were demoralized or disappointed by their 'defeat', they didn't show it.
