The suspense in the air could be tasted on one's tongue. Even Dravion, with scattered memories drifting back, could sense how every breath, every glance, seemed to be pushing things toward a clash—and at the center of it all, he knew he was the spark.
From one side, rebellious dragons... from the other, a race tied to my second brother—vampires... but he's not simple, I can feel he's stronger than me... And...
Dravion's gaze dropped for a moment to the bushes wrapped in darkness.
Whatever that thing is... It seems I have no choice but to flee this area...
He started to map out a plan in his mind, searching for a way to turn their focus elsewhere, just long enough to make his escape. His wings, at least, would answer him—they were strong, swift, and if his pride was to be believed, faster than anyone else gathered here. It would have to be enough.
"What is the Vampire clan doing in the sacred forest of our dragon lineage? Do you believe we are blind and deaf, that we won't dare to destroy your sacred city?" Trevuqis's voice rang out, pride seeping from every word. Even after his recent humiliation, the moment someone else threatened the dragons' ground, he was ready to bare his fangs—ready to rip out a throat, even if he knew he couldn't win.
What is this crazy idiot doing? Xyntherra thought, her eyes trembling from the power radiating off the newcomer. She knew they had to flee—standing their ground would be suicide; only the adult warriors could hope to match this one.
He doesn't get it… fighting here is death. What she failed to realize was that this was his plan from the start.
"Arrogant words, little boy." The vampire stepped forward, unhurried, gliding like a shadow. His tongue slid across his blade, eyes fixed on Trevuqis as if already savoring the taste of him—prey, not rival. The sight was disturbing, and every dragon present felt a cold shiver crawl down their spine.
But Trevuqis smiled—it was working exactly as he'd planned. He exchanged glances with the three dragons beside him, and without a word, they fell into step, reading his intent as if it were their own. Only Xyntherra stayed aloft, wings barely stirring the air, ready to stand by Dravion's side and protect him. But then—
"Defeat our rookie, and then you can challenge the rest of us. He'll fight to the death for the pride of our lineage!" Trevuqis called out, and in the next instant, all four rushed Dravion where he stood, bathed in moonlight, surrounding him in a blur of motion.
They attacked together, blows raining down, forcing Dravion to cross his arms and dig in his heels, standing his ground with all the stubbornness of one who refused to fall. Fists struck his scales, their force barely enough to sting, but the sheer momentum sent him skidding backwards, launching him straight toward the waiting vampire.
The vampire was ready, hands outstretched, eager to snatch Dravion and vanish. But at the last moment, Dravion twisted away—body spinning in the air, wings unfurling in a display of control that belied his age. He moved with the grace of a butterfly rather than a dragon, each beat of his wings precise, every muscle honed by instinct and something deeper, something none of them expected from a newborn.
"Come here!" The vampire snapped, his voice growing harsher, face twisting with impatience. He'd been given a mission that left no room for failure—if he returned without this mysterious dragon, his life would be forfeit. That desperation clung to him, thick as blood in the air. Mana erupted from him in crashing waves as he lunged, trying to seize Dravion, but his fingers closed on empty air, missing by the barest margin.
Dravion landed hard, his left hand steadying him against the earth while his right gripped the sword. The momentum was his now, a chance to strike back—if he was quick enough, maybe he could even sever the vampire's arm, if his blade could cut through those layered defenses. His nose twitched; the scent of mana was strong, dense around the vampire's body, proof that his guard was up. It wouldn't be easy.
For a heartbeat, Dravion's eyes locked with Trevuqis's across the chaos. That smug look—so sure of himself—only fed the fire simmering inside.
I'll deal with him later... Dravion cursed silently, focusing every muscle and every breath on the fight ahead. He braced himself, ready to risk everything now, even if it meant fighting to the death.
Two sharp glints flashed from the vampire's hands—small blades, razor-thin and wickedly sharp, glimmering like scalpels in the moonlight. He struck at Dravion, aiming straight for the wings, desperate to tear them off so the little queen's newest "toy" wouldn't escape. But Dravion read his intent with ease and launched himself from the ground, an arrow loosed from the tautest bowstring.
What is this power?! For an instant, panic rippled through the vampire. The pressure rolling off Dravion—predatory, relentless, alive with killing intent—was something even he couldn't ignore. He raised both blades just in time to meet the attack.
Clang!
Sparks scattered in the dark as steel met steel, the two suspended mid-motion, neither able to overpower the other.
"Good! Keep him busy!" Xyntherra's voice cut through the chaos, her blade gleaming with cold fire as she dove from above to join Dravion. She could settle her score with Trevuqis and the others later; now, her place was at the side of the boy who might be the queen's heir, no matter what it cost. But before she could reach him, the other four dragons closed ranks around her, confronting her in midair.
"Where are you going? Can't you see the rookie is fighting? How could we, as sacred warriors, interrupt such an important duel? That would go against the clan's rules..." Trevuqis's grin was all teeth, relishing his chance to block Xyntherra, punish her arrogance, and erase a threat in a single move.
"You—!" Her shout broke off as battle flared on two fronts—each side fighting for a reason all their own. Above and below, the clash only grew fiercer, but in the deeper shadows, violet eyes watched, silent and unblinking, waiting for the chaos to crest.
A young, feminine voice slipped through the night like mist. "I can smell the ancient spirit... That dragon... He can't die today..."