Alfraed dropped to his knees, his body shaking from sheer fatigue. His right arm dangled uselessly at his side, the protective barrier magic that used to shimmer around them was now entirely depleted. He made a fleeting attempt to create a left arm using barrier magic, but lacked the mana and focus needed. His breathing was uneven and harsh, each breath searing his lungs as though he had been sprinting for hours. Snow and Blaze chirped gently from their perches on his shoulders, their small bodies expressing worry as they snuggled against his neck.
The elder dragon landed with a ground-shaking thud, its massive form casting a long shadow over Alfraed. Its molten gold eyes glowed with a mix of triumph and concern as it surveyed the battlefield. The shadow dragon was gone, its essence dissipated into the air, leaving only the faintest trace of dark energy lingering like a bad memory.
