Sirab sliced through the dragon's chest and stepped out, soaked in blood. He looked over at Minzu, barely conscious and lying in the snow.
"We won, Minzu," Sirab said, breathing hard. "The dragon is dead."
Far away in the heart of the kingdom, chaos was erupting.
The king and the nobles were packing what they could—gold, jewels, food—preparing to abandon the kingdom. The cold had become unbearable, and the Ice Dragon's power had covered the land in endless snowstorms.
"Take everything!" the king ordered. "We'll leave this cursed land before the dragon ends us all!"
Suddenly, a messenger burst into the hall, panting and pale. "Your Majesty! I bring news!"
"What now?" the king snapped. "We must leave—"
"But my king, the storm is gone! The skies are clear! The snow is melting from the mountains!"
The king froze. "What are you saying?"
"The White Dragon… it's either retreated or… it's been defeated!"
The king's eyes narrowed. "No… the dragon never rests. It doesn't stop the ice unless it's dead." He thought hard. "Send our knights and teleportation mages. Find out what's happened on that mountain!"
—
Back at the mountain peak, Sirab stood over the massive corpse of the dragon, his entire body covered in the beast's blood. Minzu was badly injured, his armor shattered, and breathing weak.
Sirab knelt beside him and placed his hands on Minzu's chest. Healing magic glowed faintly around his palms.
"Thank you, Sirab…" Minzu whispered. "You saved me."
Sirab smiled. "You helped me too, brother. We saved each other."
With effort, he healed Minzu's wounds until the young warrior slipped into sleep, safe for now.
Sirab turned back to the dragon's body and approached the open chest cavity. He reached inside and carefully removed the heart. Slicing it open, he found what he was looking for: a glowing crystal—cold as death, shimmering like ice.
"So this is it…" Sirab murmured. "The Ice Crystal. I'll keep it… and figure out what to do with it later."
He returned to Minzu, gently waking him. "Can you open a portal? We need to get off this mountain."
Minzu slowly nodded. "I can open two portals… that should be enough."
He raised his trembling hand, and a glowing portal formed in the air.
Sirab helped Minzu through it, and as they emerged, they saw Mizuchi waiting anxiously at the base of the mountain.
When she saw her brother unconscious on Sirab's back, she ran to them, tears in her eyes. "You're both alive!" she cried, hugging them tightly. "What happened? Is he…?"
"He needs rest," Sirab said gently. "But he'll be okay. The dragon is dead."
Mizuchi wiped her tears. "Then we need to tell the village. They'll be free now… free from the cold. Free from fear."
Sirab nodded. "Let's go."
Minzu opened one final portal, and they all stepped through—returning to the village.
As they appeared in the center of the town, villagers rushed out, stunned by what they saw. Minzu was unconscious, and Sirab stood tall, still covered in dragon blood.
"You… you lost?" one elder asked cautiously.
Sirab raised his head. "No," he said firmly. "We won. The White Dragon is dead. Make way—we have a wounded man."
The village erupted in cheers and joy. People stepped aside, some weeping, others praying. They had been saved.
Sirab carried Minzu to his home, laid him gently in bed, and turned to Mizuchi.
"Take care of him," he said. "I need to rest."
Sirab went to his room, closed the door, and collapsed into sleep—exhausted, but victorious.
—
A few days later, the king's knights arrived in the village.
"What happened here?" they demanded.
The villagers told them everything—the battle, the death of the dragon, and how the snow had stopped.
For the first time in three months, the sun returned to the sky.
The kingdom rejoiced.
The eternal winter was over.
And in a quiet village at the edge of the mountains, the boy who once hunted lions, the boy who was swallowed by a dragon… now had a new home.
Sirab slowly opened his eyes. It was night, and a soft wind carried the sound of singing through the window.
He sat up, listening carefully.
> "Our hero saved us from the dragon…
The King of Fire saved us from the ice…
The King of Fire fought the demon dragon…
But he fell and lost all he had…
He traveled far to find hope…
And returned with the boy who broke the mountains…
The one who saved us all…
May the gods bless him, the one who ended the cold."
The song echoed gently across the village. It wasn't just one voice—it was many. Girls and women were singing together in harmony, their voices soft and full of hope.
Sirab stood, drawn to the melody, and walked outside.
There, sitting on a chair under the moonlight, was Minzu.
"Are you okay?" Sirab asked softly.
Minzu smiled. "The dragon broke a few of my bones… but you broke him. So I guess we're even now."
Sirab chuckled. "Fair enough."
He looked around. "What is this music?"
"In our village," Minzu said, "this is tradition. After a great war, we sing together—a song to honor the heroes. Tonight, they're singing about us."
Minzu reached out his hand. "Come on. Let's join them."
Sirab took his hand and helped him to his feet. Together, they walked through the village square.
Everyone stopped and looked at them—eyes filled with respect, admiration, and joy. Smiles lit every face. Some clapped. Some whispered blessings.
A long table was set with food—warm bread, grilled meat, fresh fruits—and the villagers sat in a circle around it. They cheered when they saw Minzu and Sirab.
Several girls waved Sirab over to sit with them, calling him "the boy who broke the mountain."
But Sirab looked for Mizuchi. She was seated calmly, waiting for them. He smiled and sat beside her.
The feast began. Laughter echoed. Firelight flickered. And for the first time in a long time… Sirab felt peace.
He ate quietly, then looked up at the sky.
> "My name is Sirab… son of Hercules. I don't know if I'm a hero or just a monster that fights other monsters. But today… I know one thing. I found friends."
He closed his eyes for a moment.
> "But I also know… I can't stay. I can't live a quiet life. Because I am…"
He opened his eyes again.
> "…The Hunter."