At the center of the Kingdom of Drakaryth, a dragon stood motionless like a living statue, waiting for the command of his leader. The wind suddenly surged from the Pandora River, sending a chill down the spine ,a sign that the king had summoned his dragon, Aurethiun.
King Tharion raised his hand, silently communicating with the great beast.
He descended the stone stairs and stepped beyond the kingdom walls.
"Let the king guide you," he whispered.
Aurethiun lowered his head in response. The dragon settled into the open space, and his golden scales shimmered as they caught the light, glowing like molten gold.
Aurethiun slowly lowered his massive body, allowing King Tharion to climb onto his back. The dragon's wings stretched wide, stirring the air around them.
With a single powerful beat, Aurethiun lifted from the ground. The kingdom of Drakaryth grew smaller below, its towers and walls fading into the distance.
The wind rushed past them as they soared above the Pandora River, its waters glowing faintly under the sky. King Tharion held firm, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
Ahead lay their destination and a fate only dragon and king could face together.
The sky darkened as they flew farther from the kingdom. Clouds gathered, heavy and slow, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Aurethiun let out a low, steady roar, sensing something ahead. King Tharion placed a hand against the dragon's neck, feeling the quiet strength beneath the scales.
"We are close," the king said softly.
Below them, the land changed. The forests thinned, and the earth grew pale and cracked. Whatever awaited them beyond the clouds was no longer a rumor it was real.
And they were ready.
The wind softened as Aurethiun descended toward a quiet stretch of land. The clouds slowly parted, revealing open plains below.
King Tharion felt the tension ease, though his mind remained alert. This place was untouched, silent yet it carried a weight he could not ignore.
Aurethiun landed gently, his claws pressing into the earth. The dragon lifted his head, eyes glowing faintly as he watched the horizon.
"This is the place," the king said.
Whatever awaited them had not yet revealed itself but it was close.
The air was still. No birds sang, and even the wind seemed to avoid the land.
King Tharion stepped down from Aurethiun's back, his boots touching the ground with care. He scanned the area, sensing an unseen presence.
Aurethiun remained close, wings partially folded, ready to rise at a moment's notice. His golden eyes followed every shadow.
Then, far in the distance, the earth trembled softly, but enough to be felt.
King Tharion tightened his grip on his cloak.
"Stay alert," he said.
Whatever stirred beneath the land was beginning to wake.
A low rumble grew beneath their feet, vibrating through the soil. Dust rose from cracks in the ground as shapes began to stir in the distance.
King Tharion drew a deep breath, placing a hand lightly on Aurethiun's neck. The dragon's scales shimmered, sensing the shift in the land.
From the shadows, a figure emerged tall, cloaked, and silent. Its eyes glinted faintly, reflecting the last rays of the sun.
"This is no ordinary threat," Tharion whispered. "Prepare yourself, Aurethiun."
The dragon's wings stretched wide once more, golden scales gleaming, ready for whatever was coming.
From the shadows, a second dragon emerged. Its scales were deep crimson, like molten lava, and smoke curled from its nostrils. Eyes like burning coals fixed on Aurethiun and King Tharion.
It let out a low, rumbling growl that shook the ground. Unlike Aurethiun's calm and golden presence, this dragon radiated raw power and danger.
King Tharion stepped back slightly. "A new force…" he muttered.
Aurethiun lowered his head, wings spreading protectively. The air between the two dragons crackled, anticipation hanging heavy.
The crimson dragon stepped forward, each movement deliberate and threatening. Its eyes burned like coals, and smoke curled from its sharp nostrils.
King Tharion whispered under his breath, "Varkhaz…"
Aurethiun's golden eyes narrowed. He let out a low growl, wings tensing. The ground seemed to tremble with the mere presence of Varkhaz, the enemy dragon.
"The balance shifts," Tharion said, gripping his sword tightly. "We cannot let him reach the kingdom."
Varkhaz roared, a sound that split the air, sending a wave of heat toward them. The two dragons faced each other, golden light against molten fire, calm against fury.
Varkhaz lunged forward, wings snapping the air like thunder. Aurethiun met him head-on, claws flashing as sparks flew where golden scales met crimson.
King Tharion steadied himself, shouting commands only Aurethiun could hear. The dragon twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding a swipe from Varkhaz's jagged claws.
The enemy dragon roared, flames licking from his jaws, forcing Aurethiun to shield himself with a beating of massive wings. The heat scorched the earth, leaving marks where Varkhaz had passed.
Tharion gritted his teeth. "Hold, Aurethiun! Wait for my signal!"
The two dragons circled each other, wings slicing the wind, eyes locked in a deadly game of patience. Every movement carried the weight of power, skill, and the fate of Drakaryth.
Varkhaz lashed out with a swipe of his claws, flames sparking where they met Aurethiun's golden scales. The shock of the impact sent a wave of wind that knocked dust and debris into the air.
Aurethiun roared and countered with a tail strike, but Varkhaz was faster, twisting mid-air and forcing Aurethiun to dodge, landing several meters away with a heavy thud.
King Tharion's heart pounded. "He's stronger than we thought," he muttered, gripping Aurethiun's neck.
Varkhaz's eyes burned hotter, wings beating a furious rhythm, forcing Aurethiun to retreat again. Sparks and heat filled the air as the two dragons circled, testing each other, neither daring to land a full strike.
Finally, Aurethiun slowed, wings partially folded, chest heaving. "We need a new plan," Tharion said calmly. "He's too strong for a direct fight for now."
Varkhaz hovered a short distance away, smoke curling from his nostrils, watching them like a predator sizing up prey. Then, with a powerful flap of his wings, he backed off slightly, keeping them in his sight.
The tension remained, thick as fire in the air. Both dragons knew the battle was only beginning and Drakaryth's fate hung in the balance.
Aurethiun lowered his wings and kneeled, letting King Tharion step down. The air was still again, but the tension lingered.
Tharion looked around the open land. "We need to understand him Varkhaz," he said quietly. "Charging in won't work."
The dragon sniffed the air, golden eyes scanning the horizon. Something was moving in the distance, barely visible.
"Follow me," Tharion whispered. "We need to find out what he's after."
With a powerful leap, Aurethiun lifted off, carrying the king toward the distant shadows, ready to face whatever came next.
Aurethiun glided low over the land, golden scales gleaming in the sunlight. King Tharion held on tightly, scanning the horizon.
The ground stretched wide and empty, but something moved in the distance small, quick, and deliberate.
"Stay sharp," Tharion whispered. "We don't know what's out there yet."
Aurethiun lowered his wings, preparing to land if needed. The wind carried a faint sound, like rustling leaves but something felt… off.
Together, dragon and king moved forward, cautious but determined, ready for whatever the land would reveal next.
As they moved forward, the rustling grew louder. From the tall grass, a figure emerged smaller than a dragon, but moving with surprising speed.
It stopped when it saw Aurethiun and Tharion, tilting its head curiously. Tharion squinted. "What is that…?"
Aurethiun lowered his head slightly, golden eyes cautious but calm. The figure didn't attack. Instead, it held something shiny in its hands a small, glowing crystal.
Tharion stepped closer. "It looks like… a message."
The creature didn't speak, only stared. But its gesture was clear: it wanted them to follow.
Tharion nodded to Aurethiun, and the dragon lowered his wings, landing softly. Together, they followed the small creature across the plain.
The crystal in its hands glowed brighter as they moved, lighting a path through the grass. The wind whispered around them, calm now, as if the land itself was watching.
Finally, the creature stopped and placed the crystal on the ground. A soft light spread from it, forming a map of the surrounding lands marking paths, rivers, and a distant place that pulsed with a faint red glow.
Tharion knelt beside it, studying the map. "This… this shows where Varkhaz is headed," he murmured.
Aurethiun lowered his head beside the king, scales gleaming in the glow. The two dragons and their rider shared a quiet moment, readying themselves for the journey ahead.
The future was uncertain, but they were together and that was enough for now.