With time no longer on their side and his secret survival exposed, Tyrus knew it was time to strike and get the ships. Surprise was no longer on their side, and with the risk of the Griffin Republic taking action, they had to hit hard and fast. Moving the entire army would take too long, so he took what forces he needed to make for the port city of Valewind in haste, where they would get the ships. They were already bought and paid for; the problem was getting them. The city of Valewind was famous for its ship-making, even to the point that entire armies requested ships from them.

For the past few years, Tyrus has sent multiple agents to the city to request different ships, all for the size of holding various dragons. Some of these are the largest ships one could ever make. Most would be troubled to make such ships, but the Valewind shipmakers saw it as no problem. Typically, such a scale would attract attention, but the shipping families of the city were greedy. A sizable bribe was enough to make them quiet and make enough ships. Such a task would take a long time, especially with the numbers they had. But the gold, jewels, and treasure they provided ensured they moved hands. Tyrus had no issues hiring sleazy characters of the various races to act as his handlers. Money was money, and greed knew no race. They were his to use, be it a pony, griffin, dragon, diamond dog, Abyssian, or something else.

And his to eliminate once they were of no more use.

The city of Valewind had no idea that they had been secretly building his armada all this time, and the price for their ignorance would be its destruction. They had camped temporarily on the mountains overlooking the city around midday. A small stop before their assault later tonight. He wanted to make sure that their plan was set. Despite confidence in his army's abilities, Tyrus didn't want to leave anything to chance. Even though most of the Griffin Navy was dealing with the Siren pirates and the current guard of the city was reduced in numbers, Valewind was still a well-defended city, and underestimating the enemy had been the downfall of many armies.

In his war tent, Tryus saw those he had brought with him on this. His uncle Scarscale represented Clan Warblood, and his cousin Drogo was there. They would be the front line assaulters who would see to it that the walls would crumble. Grow'an'nawa of Clan Feralbite would assist them with his forces. Once the walls crumbled, they would storm in and rip anyone apart. Since no survivors were a requirement to keep things unknown, they could feast to their heart's content. Queen Mara of Clan Everbling had come to plunder as they saw fit for this fight, much to their delight. Lichie of Clan Deathclaw and a small force of her deadly assassins were there. They would find the city's leadership and eliminate it before burning any other ships.

Clan Fatewing and Clan Blackforge were the only major clans not among them. Tyrus felt they were not needed, though they helped out by giving supplies and armor. He also had them make sure the main army was ready to move once the signal came that the city was theirs.

"The plan is simple," Tyrus said as he pointed to a city map. "Uncle Scarscale and Grow'an'nawa will focus on a main assault on the gates and walls. The main objective is to tear them apart. I will be leading this assault. Queen Mara? Once the gates and walls are down, you will charge your forces to raid the place. The rest of us will join you after some rest. Meanwhile, the Deathclaws will attack from behind, thanks to the cover of the night. Burn the mayor's building, the Head Barracks, and the Port Master's Hall. Then you will go to the ports and burn all the ships but ours. This is also important. Kill anyone trying to escape. This entire attack must be kept as secret as possible. Everyone is to be killed. No exceptions."

"And we can eat them, right?" Grow'an'nawa asked with eagerness.

"Yes, you can," Tyrus answered.

"And the valuables?" Queen Mara asked with a grin.

"Yours to take."

"I think I'm going to enjoy this," She said while rubbing her palms.

"Once the entire city has been put to the sword, we will prepare for launch and wait for our remaining forces. I want us to sail by dawn. The faster, the better," Tyrus said before looking at them. "We will sail non-stop until we get close to the Minotaur Islands. While the Behemoth Attack has bought us some time, I imagine they will eventually return them to their lands when the alliance defeats them. So every day counts."

Scarscale pointed out, "We should then preserve and untouched the city's emergency food supplies. We'll need every bit we can."

"We can also preserve the fresh meat," Grow'an'nawa suggested. "We of the Feralbites know how to keep good meat going for days."

"Ugh, can't you be a bit civilized?" Queen Mara shivered.

"It's either the food preserves, the griffins, or your jewels to eat on this trip, Queen Mara," Lichie pointed out.

"...I suppose one can indulge in the more...primitive cultural tastes from time to time," Queen Mara huffed.

Tyrus smirked for a bit before getting serious again. "Tell everyone to prepare. We'll attack in four hours."

They all nodded and walked away, except for Drogo, who was looking at the map with a bit of hesitation. Sensing this, Tyrus walked over to his cousin. "Problems?"

"It's just...do we really need to kill everyone? Even the women and children?" Drogo asked with worry in his tone. "I mean...I get why...but..."

"Do you want to sit this one out?" Tyrus asked him as Drogo shook his head.

"No, I can't be a coward. I am the heir to my clan. Not participating in it will make me look weak," Drogo grumbled as he clenched his claws. Tyrus tried to think of something that could help, and it came to him.

"We are going to need our ships secure. They are vital for us," Tyrus said, which got his attention. "Why don't you take some of your clanmates, go with Clan Deathclaw, and secure them for us. The only ones who should be in that area will be guards and some ship crews trained in combat. Eliminate them and secure the ships for us. Can I trust you with this task, cousin?"

Drogo looked at Tyrus with both relief and determination as he placed a hand on his chest. "You can count on me, Tyrus. And thank you."

Tyrus nodded and let his cousin leave before looking over the map. He placed a claw on it and sighed. "It starts here...my path of blood...but I am determined to see it to the end."

***

The entire city of Valewind woke up to a thousand roars in the sky and from the earth as their entire world became a sea of flames and death. The guard rose up, spears and shields ready as the combined might of Clan Warblood and Clan Feralbite charged forward. The masters of war unleashed flames upon the stone as their vanguard forces landed on the city's walls. Weapons of great steel were unleashed as the griffins were cut down one by one, unprepared for the sudden dragon attack. Scarscale's twin axes bathed in blood as heads rolled and limbs were split into pieces. He ordered his forces to attack with vigor and bloodlust, as griffins were no match for their years of training in warfare.

From below, leading the charge personally, was Tyrus with his weapon drawn as the Feralbites claws at the defenses. They used modified hooks to rip apart the walls while bathing them in various elemental breaths. Interference forces flew to defend their weak points only to regret it as the hungry dragons tore them apart. They were nothing but meals to the dragons who feasted on their bodies as their dying and panicked screams, mixed with prayers to the gods and cries for mercy, echoed in the wind. Tyrus, not one to be outdone, decapitated the commander of the forces personally and, to earn respect among the savage drive, drank his blood.

Balistas and Scorpions were unleashed from the towers to try and fell the enemy in the air. Canapalts and what little firearms they had were unleashed. Some were shot in the sky and fell to their early demise, and more than one had their head smashed by the giant rocks, but there were too many to deal with.

The battle was becoming a slaughter, but the guard could only hold on and wait for reinforcements.

***

"Alert the city reserves! Send messages to the nearby towns and communities! Open the heavy weapons depots!" The Captain of the Guard ordered as his personal assistants and Lieutenants ran around the main barracks in a panic. Armored up and gritting his teeth, the experienced griffin continued to give orders. "Get the mayor and his family safe! Ensure the civilians are-"

"Sir! We don't have enough forces to take on an entire dragon army!" One of his lieutenants said to him, but the captain grabbed him by the breastplate.

"Do you think that matters?! Our home! Our people! Our families! All of this is on the line, and these dragons won't spare any of us! If need be, then we'll fight to the last griffin! Now suck your gut, pull up your pants, and grow a pair! We need to get out there and fight!"

"Y-Y-Yes, sir!" The lieutenant said with a salute.

"Good! Now let's-" He stopped upon seeing something moving in the shadows of the windows. "What was-"

He was cut off by a wave of black and green fire that burst through the windows and engulfed them all. Barely a few had a chance to scream before their souls departed for the hereafter. Lichie nodded to her fellow Deathclaws, who had silently descended from the night sky. As officials and leaders met their burning end from the silent dragon assassins, more black and green flames erupted in key locations. Many squads continued to wait for orders, wondering what was going on. But by the time they realized what had happened to their leaders, it would be too late, and they would soon join them in death later.

***

Meanwhile, Drogo and his forces started taking over the ships they had been ordered to secure. Each of the ships that were made had special flags to symbolize which ones were to be spared in the burning of the docks. While some of the Deathclaws focused on burning the other ships, Drogo had encouraged some of his forces to aid in them. Crews fought to protect their vessels with their lives, fighting to the death, but it was all in vain. Although Drogo had fought against others, this was his first time-fighting non-dragons.

He was almost disappointed by how easy it was to fight against them. His claws and teeth made short work of them, and their feathers burned to a crisp by a simple flame. Some tried to surrender, but the orders were clear. No survivors. Though killing surrendered enemies seemed dishonorable, Drogo felt they could have died fighting, as death in combat was seen as an honorable way to go.

Regardless, his cousin had given him a task, and he would not fail his future Emperor.

"Fight, Warblood! Claim the spoils of war! We are guided by destiny and the courage of our future Emperor! Long live Tyrus! The true heir to the Dragon Throne!" Drogo shouted in the air as the fighting went on.

His men were invigorated and fought harder. When it was over, multiple bodies floated in the sea or sunk to the depths as the water turned red.

***

The guards quickly realized that no help was coming, and upon seeing the fires in their city, they realized they were all but doomed. Many panicked and fled in various directions. Some tried to get home and save their families, and others tried to escape the area to get help but were shot down or hunted by the dragons. A few brave souls decided to die fighting.
Ultimately, the gates and the wall fell, and it was Clan Everbling's time to shine. Like a swarm, they descended into the town, breaking into homes and businesses. Ripping them apart to take whatever they wanted and killing whoever stood in their way. Families were slaughtered. Those who attempted to hide, bargain, or fight shared the same fight. Churches were ransacked, banks pillaged, and the homes of the rich and nobles were claimed. The streets were filled with civilians seeking refuge while the guard did their best to protect them.

Following them was Clan Feralbite, hungry and wanting to feed. Residents lost whatever hope and fell into despair as they saw their neighbors, friends, and fellow city dwellers ripped apart and eaten. Their guts feasted on, their bones crushed, and the blood drank like water. Some decided to avoid such a fate by ending their own lives. A few even killed their families to spare them such gruesome deaths before ending it all.

There was no hope for the city and its residents.

By the end of it all, as dawn rose from the sea, there was nothing but death and blood.

Valewind was taken over, and its entire population was slaughtered to the last griffin.

History will forever know this day as "The Valewind Extermination".

***

Tyrus walked through the streets of the conquered city, which was filled with the stench of death. Not wanting disease to spread, he ordered the bodies to be tossed into the sea or swallowed in flames. He watched as dragons carrying large bundles of corpses were thrown into the roaring fires without care as if they were just trash needing to burn. He wondered if the gods would curse him for this, but so be it if that were to happen.

Did he take pleasure in this ransacking? No. But he knew it had to be done.

For the sake of uniting the Dragon population and regaining their rightful place as the dominant creatures of this world. It had to be done. And many more terrible things like this would come in due time.

"My Lord," He turned to see one of the Warbloods landing next to him. "We've received word that the rest of the army has been sighted heading towards us."

"I see," Tyrus nodded. "Faster than I expected. My love has a way of leading our forces. Tell Uncle Scarscale to start loading the ships with whatever Clan Everbling found. Especially food, water, and other supplies. We will sail as soon as we can. Tell others to stop bothering with the corpses and help out if need be."

He watched him nod and fly away before sighing. "Eventually, the Griffin Republic is going to find out about this. Hopefully, we'll be far enough that their navy won't reach us."

This act would make him many enemies. Enemies that would come for him. But he was prepared to face them all for his destiny and the greater destiny of the dragon race.

He was prepared to face the world.

Author's Note

Yeah, I had fun making this one. I figured we have a chapter dedicated to Tyrus. Please help out at the TV tropes page: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Fanfic/AGrowingFireInMyHeart