[Tobias POV]
With a roar, he dashed toward me, heat radiating off his body, fists tight and ready to strike. My heart beat as I braced myself…
And BOOM! he struck me with a punch strong enough to send me flying. My back slammed into the dirt, a cloud of dust bursting up around me. I coughed, tasting blood, my ribs aching, but before I could even stand, the Drago man was already stomping closer, his body still heating up.
"You won't stand after the next one!" he roared, fire swirling around his fists.
I gripped my sword tighter, forcing myself back to my feet, my arms trembling but my resolve unbroken. Solfira called out to me from behind, worried.
This wasn't over. Not yet.
I tightened my grip and sprinted at him, blade flashing. I swung hard, aiming to carve his neck, but he dodged with ease. I spun fast, bringing the sword down toward the nape—he ducked at the last second.
Before I could recover—wham!—his fist slammed into my gut with the force of a hammer. My breath burst out of me as I was overwhelmed by his power, my knees nearly giving up.
He straightened slowly, a cocky grin stretching across his face, like he hadn't even broken a sweat."Do you really think you still have a chance against me, kid?" he taunted, with cruel confidence.
The air thickened. His aura flared higher, climbing like a raging fire. It crushed down on me, heavy and merciless, pressing against my chest until every breath burned. I wanted to run away—not from the punch this time, but from the sheer weight of his presence.
It felt like I was carrying a boulder on my shoulders.
He walked up to me, intimidating like he owned the ground beneath my feet. "Why are you holding back?" he sneered. "Use your magic. I hear humans are powerful with it. Show me—give me a fight worth my time. Do that, and I might make it quick. Otherwise… you'll suffer."
His words slid over me like ice. I swallowed, every part of fear screaming inside. The weight of his aura pushed in again, hotter and heavier this time, as if it could crush the life from me without a single blow.
I gripped my sword tighter, forcing a grin. "You really think I need magic to beat you?" I said, trying to sound confident even though my chest still burned from his punch. "I've just been holding back. If I unleash it… You won't stand a chance."
The Drago man's eyes, then widened with anticipation. A wicked smile spread across his face. "Oh? So the cub has fangs after all. Good. Don't you dare disappoint me."
He stepped back, spreading his stance as if preparing to take the full force of my so-called power. My heart sank—I had no magic to show. Just a blade, and the thinnest bluff of my life.
I planted my feet and readied my blade.
"Come at me with your strongest," the Drago said, his voice menacing.
He smirked as I ran straight for his chest and struck—only to see the blade glance off like it hit stone. Barely a scratch.
The Drago's eyes flashed with contempt. "You dare lie to me?" he growled. "I will make this extra painful."
He raised his aura, and it was scorching hot. Heat and pressure slammed my ribs; scales rippled across his skin until he looked monstrous—more beast than man. The world narrowed to the sound of his breathing and the thunder of my failing courage.
I began to get impatient, my anger bubbling over. Frustration clawed at me as I realised how outmatched I was. "Solfira!" I yelled, my voice cracking across the clearing. "I need your help!"
The Drago's monstrous form turned toward me, scales flashing like dark steel in the dim light. His eyes narrowed, almost mocking me. "You dare call for aid?" he hissed, his voice rumbling like an earthquake. "Foolish human… you'll regret that."
I feared for my life, and I felt my heart beating faster and faster by the second. I didn't have magic. The forest around us grew dim as the sun set low, shadows stretching long across the ground. Solfira was coming, but the light of day was fading fast.
The Drago man's aura flared violently as he gathered his mana, forming a scorching ball of fiery energy around his fist. Every muscle tensed, his eyes burning with rage. "This ends now, human!" he roared, stepping forward, the ground trembling beneath him.
I could feel the heat of his power even from where I stood—but then a surge of energy struck me. Solfira had arrived. Her presence radiated warmth and fire; she raised her hands, channelling her mana into powerful flames.
I watched in amazement as she granted flames to my blade. The metal shimmered and roared with fiery energy, and the heat prickled my skin without burning it. Holding it, I felt unstoppable—as if all the weakness I had before vanished. My blood raced; for the first time, I felt like I could face him on equal footing.
The Drago lunged, and the air sizzled around him. I gripped my now-flaming blade tightly, ready to meet him head-on.
The Drago's fist, covered in fire, shot toward me like a meteor. I held my flaming blade tight, feeling Solfira's power in it. Every strike felt stronger than before.
"Now, Tobi!" she yelled, flames jumping from her hands onto my blade. I ran forward and swung, clashing with the Drago's punch. Fire and sparks flew everywhere, and the force shook me, but I didn't let go.
With Solfira's help, I moved faster, hit harder. The Drago stumbled a little, and for the first time, I felt like we might actually have a chance.
The Drago turned to Solfira, his eyes blazing. "You're becoming a real nuisance," he growled.
Before I could react, he swung a massive power punch at her. The force hit her like a boulder, and she flew through the air, slamming hard against a giant tree. The bark cracked under the impact, and she slid down, groaning in pain.
I felt my chest tighten. I couldn't let him hurt her like that. My grip on the flaming blade got tighter, heat burning my hands. I had to do something—fast.
I felt unease, anger, rage. With a war cry, I charged at the Drago. Flames ran along my blade, and I crashed into him with everything I had.
I slashed and cut, each strike hitting harder and harder. I tried to kill him. The Drago roared in pain, backing off, clutching his wounds. His legs shook, and finally, he fell to the ground, too hurt to move.
I panted, my arms burning, but relief hit me. Solfira groaned behind me; she was alive. For now, we had survived.
And now I felt I should finish him, I raised my blade, aiming for his chest.
Before I could plunge my blade through his chest, watching him helplessly on the ground, Solfira grabbed my arm.
"Stop, Tobi!" she yelled. "This is enough! Don't let him turn you into a murderer!"
"Look at you. You're struggling to move… how could you waste energy on scum?" I said, my voice deep and merciless.
She looked at me gracefully. "I'm not wasting energy to save scum," she said softly. "I'm using it to save you from regretting it later."
I felt confused. How could I just let him get away with this? My anger and frustration raged inside me, but then I made a decision. I threw the sword as far as I could, watching it land, piercing the ground.
"You're lucky, Drago. Next time she won't be there to help you, and I might kill you," I said with a cold voice.
"Yes, definitely. I won't ever do this again, human," he said, very fearfully...
We collected long, thick vines around the forest, picking the strongest ones we could find. Carefully, we twisted and braided them together to make ropes that would hold him securely.
Once the ropes were ready, we approached him and began tying his arms and legs, making sure every knot was tight. He struggled a little, but the ropes held fast, and soon he couldn't move at all.
When we were finished, we stepped back to check our work. The ropes were strong enough to carry him safely, and we could take him to the capital tomorrow without worrying that he might escape.
"When we get back, I need healing," I said, my voice strained. "I'm very hurt."
I collapsed, unable to stand any longer, the pain from the night finally catching up to me...
I had woken up in a giant bed and began to panic. "Where am I? How'd I get here? I swear I was somewhere else… this can't be a dream. How'd I end up in a bed this big?" I said out loud.
I noticed I was still bruised, every movement sending a jolt of pain through me.
Then, through a giant door, Akira blasted in and screamed, "You're finally awake! I thought you'd never wake up!"
"W-wait… y-you're here? I swear I was in a forest a minute ago," I stuttered.
"You're in the castle," Akira said. "Our execution was pardoned. You collapsed, and they brought you here five nights back, but you need rest. I will tell you everything later"
I looked at my surroundings. The room was grand, with tall stone walls hung with red and gold banners. A large four-poster bed stood in the centre, draped in silk curtains. A fireplace glowed at the side, and a thick rug covered the cold floor.
I felt at ease, the weight of the past night slowly fading. I lay back on the soft bed and drifted back to sleep.
To be continued.