The clouds were red, torn by the heat of the mountains below. The air trembled with the proximity of the center of Caelum, where the magical tension was so dense that each flap of wings caused echoes of energy. High above, four silhouettes cut across the sky like omens.
Suddenly, a roar cut through the air—sharp, desperate, animalistic.
A dragon with dark scales, streaked with greenish spots, burst from the clouds below like a missile of fury. Its wings were spread wide, claws extended, eyes filled with hatred. It flew straight toward Strax.
Scarlet and Ouroboros immediately changed formation, moving to intercept, but Strax raised a claw, signaling for calm.
"Leave it," he murmured with a half-smile.
The enemy dragon roared again, its mouth spewing a torrent of purple flames.
Strax didn't even blink.
He opened his mouth.
