Ash drifted like snow, and the scorched earth sizzled with dying embers. Amid the silence, Dren stirred weakly beside Rin, his breathing shallow, but eyes sharp.
"Three approaching," he said. "One closing in fast. The other two are keeping distance."
Rin didn't move. His gaze was locked forward, his presence cold and still as stone.
"Strong?"
"Yes," Dren replied. "But not enough to beat you."
"Tell me the moment he enters my range."
Dren nodded. "Understood. Sixty meters... forty… twenty…"
"Now."
Rin's body twisted mid-air as he launched himself high. In a single breath, black flames burst from his maw and screamed across the charred battlefield. The fire roared and swallowed the trees in its path.
A cry split the air.
From the smoke emerged a figure ,burnt, coughing, robes in tatters, parts of his pale skin raw and scorched.
"Aelric Varane of Droscalin," Rin said, hovering above the ground, wings slowly retracting. "A noble? How pathetic."
Aelric clenched his jaw, panting, rage overtaking pain. "You dare—!?"
Rin cut him off with disdain. "Are you Kaelion's dog, too?"
The man's glare was answer enough.
Behind them, Dren's weak voice broke through. "Your Highness... the other two... they're fleeing."
Rin's eyes narrowed.
Running?
Now?
Wasn't this the moment to assist their leader?
Rin turned back toward Aelric with a chuckle. "Strange. I thought you came with reinforcements. But your friends seem more interested in saving their skins."
Aelric's face twisted. "They are not—"
Rin didn't let him finish.
"Doesn't matter. You're here. I should focus on the enemy in front of me."
Without warning, Rin dashed forward ,his killing intent sharpening the air like broken glass.
Aelric braced, summoning strength to intercept—
But Rin didn't strike.
He passed him.
Fast. Fluid. Purposeful.
He was already fifty meters ahead before Aelric's voice caught up with him.
"NO! LEAVE THEM ALONE! PLEASE—COME BACK! YOU COWARD!"
Rin stopped.
His head tilted slightly. His grin returned.
So… they are important after all.
He turned his gaze to the horizon, and sure enough ,two small silhouettes were stumbling through the smoke.
A black-haired boy.
A violet-haired girl.
Children.
Rin's lips curled. "They must be important to you, Aelric Varane."
He looked back once, just enough to catch the horror on Aelric's face.
"This is good," Rin whispered. "A very good surprise."
Rin caught up to them easily ,his dragon form a blur of dark scale and deadly intent. The two children stumbled and fell, trembling in fear. The boy scrambled to his feet and threw himself in front of the girl, arms outstretched, his small frame shaking.
Behind them, Aelric Varane of Droscalin cried out, desperation in his voice. "Please! Stop! They're my children,they have nothing to do with this!"
Rin landed slowly, his wings folding back, tail swaying like a predator preparing to strike. He approached the pair with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"But they look nothing like you, Aelric," Rin said with mockery. "No, I'll tell you what they look like…"
His smile widened, dark amusement glowing in his eyes.
"They look like they're from the fallen royal family of Droscalin."
The boy flinched. The girl whimpered and gripped the back of her brother's shirt.
"No—please," Aelric begged again, limping closer. "They're not part of this. I was trying to take them away,to give them a better life, far from this madness."
"Is that so?" Rin mused, glancing at the children again. "Touching."
He knelt down to their level, his enormous form casting a long shadow over them.
"Be honest," Rin said, his voice soft yet menacing. "Why are you here?"
The boy stayed silent, lips trembling, eyes wide in terror. The girl cried quietly behind him, too afraid to even look up.
"Speak," Rin snapped. His tail rose threateningly. "If you tell the truth, I will let your sister live."
"YOU MONSTER!" Aelric roared, staggering forward, voice hoarse.
Rin ignored him. His eyes never left the boy.
"Go on," Rin said calmly. "This is your only chance."
The boy's face twisted. His knees buckled, and his voice cracked as he finally sobbed, "We… we came here to meet our helpers…"
Silence fell.
Even Aelric seemed stunned for a moment.
Rin's gaze sharpened. His voice lowered, colder than ever.
"Helpers, huh?"
He rose to his full height. The smile was gone now.
"So that was your plan, Kaelion…"