The air tremble with heat and terror. The moment Nogard broke free, the mountains howled like a wounded beast. Flame rose from the cracks in it's surface, painting the heavens red and ruin.
Ammon stood firm though every instincts, screamed at him to run. His heart pounded, not from fear alone, but from the realization that this was not a battle of strength- it was one of will. His sword quivered in his hand, tiny sparks of courage flaring where magic should have been.
Nogard has emerged. The ground split beneath her roar. His crystal blue scales wreathed in shadows and with just blow was a mighty flame.
"Stay behind me", Ammon shouted. His voice cracked through the chaos.
Ayden stood silent for a moment, his usual cold demeanor cracking into something fierce, almost divine. The air around him shimmered, a sign of power, he had long restrained. Purple flames spiraled from him.
Prince Kael and his guards came just in time to witness it- Ayden, a figure of myth, his wings of fire, unfurling as he stepped forward. The heat scorched grass into stone. He was no just dragon, but a reborn and defiant one. But instead of awe, Kael 's eyes burned with jealousy. He saw in Ammon and Ayden, what he never possessed- unity, bravery and power.
"Hold your positions," Kael ordered sharply." We will not interfere".
The guards hesitated, glancing at him, then at the battlefield where two figures stood defying nightmare.
Ammon didn't see him. He couldn't.His world was fire and thunder. Each strike from Nogard tail sent shockwaves across the battlefield. His clawed hand ripping through the earth, sending the adventurers flying. Rocks shattered. Dust blinded them. Ayden leapt to shield Ammon, his wings unfurling in burst of flame.
"You can not win, you defy destiny itself." Nogard voice boomed.
Ammon's sword struck against Norgard's arm- it did nothing but caught the dragon attention. In that instant, Ayden's flame roared to life, enveloping the monster's limb. The fire didn't burn, it transform. Flesh turned into stone, tendrils of heat sculpting the darkness into marble.
Nogard howled, the echo shaking the heavens.
Ammon fell to his knees, gasping for breath, his strength warning but his determination unbroken. His eyes met Ayden across the smoke- a silent promise passing between them.
No matter how powerful the enemy, they would stand.