THE DRAGON'S CHOICE
The dragon’s growl deepened.
It was no longer the curious rumble it had given Aria.
This sound was darker.
Angrier.
Its massive head turned fully toward the Blood Emperor.
Smoke curled from its nostrils as its red eyes burned with rising fury.
The Blood Emperor took a small step back.
“…That’s not supposed to happen.”
Lucian immediately noticed.
“You’ve lost control.”
Rowan laughed breathlessly from the ground.
“Finally.”
The Alpha King didn’t relax.
His eyes stayed locked on the dragon.
“Everyone stay alert.”
The creature’s enormous wings shifted slowly, stirring the burning air around the clearing.
Then it took one heavy step toward the Blood Emperor.
The ground trembled.
The Blood Emperor lifted his hand quickly.
A red symbol on his palm began glowing.
“Obey.”
His voice carried power.
The command echoed across the clearing.
For a moment—
The dragon paused.
Lucian frowned.
“Is he controlling it?”
But then the dragon’s eyes flashed brighter.
And it growled louder.
The red symbol on the Blood Emperor’s hand flickered.
Then cracked.
His eyes widened in shock.
“No.”
The dragon roared.
A deafening blast of sound that shook the mountains.
The command was broken.
Rowan grinned widely.
“Oh this is getting good.”
The Blood Emperor clenched his fist, trying to regain control.
“You belong to me.”
The dragon answered with fire.
A massive wave of flames erupted from its mouth and rushed toward him.
The Blood Emperor jumped aside just in time as the fire scorched the ground where he had stood.
Lucian stared in disbelief.
“It’s attacking him.”
The Alpha King nodded once.
“Because it recognizes the real power.”
All eyes turned toward Aria.
The silver glow around her had grown stronger again.
The Primordial energy pulsed steadily around her body.
The dragon’s massive head turned slightly back toward her.
Then something even stranger happened.
The creature lowered its head again.
Not fully bowing this time.
But acknowledging.
Rowan blinked again.
“…Okay.”
“That dragon definitely likes her.”
Lucian crossed his arms slowly.
“Or it respects what she carries.”
The Blood Emperor looked between them furiously.
His red eyes burned with rage.
“You think this changes anything?”
He raised both hands toward the sky.
Dark energy began swirling around him again.
The air turned colder.
The monsters around the forest started moving once more.
Their red eyes glowed brighter.
Lucian sighed.
“Of course he’s not done.”
Rowan shifted back into wolf form again.
“Round three then.”
The Blood Emperor pointed directly at Aria.
“Kill her.”
The command echoed across the battlefield.
Every monster in the forest turned toward her.
Dozens of glowing red eyes appeared between the burning trees.
They rushed forward all at once.
Lucian stepped in front of Aria.
His blade flashed as the first creature lunged.
Rowan tore another monster apart beside him.
The Alpha King moved like lightning through the battlefield, golden power striking down enemies with devastating force.
But there were too many.
More creatures kept emerging from the forest.
Lucian gritted his teeth.
“He’s stalling us.”
Aria’s silver eyes narrowed.
“For what?”
The Blood Emperor smiled again.
“You’ll see.”
Then he ran.
Lucian’s head snapped toward him.
“He’s escaping!”
Rowan growled while tearing another monster apart.
“Go after him!”
But before Lucian or the King could move—
The dragon suddenly spread its enormous wings.
The wind from the motion blasted through the battlefield.
Then the creature launched into the air.
Its massive body rose above the burning forest.
Lucian watched it carefully.
“What is it doing?”
The dragon turned in the air.
Its glowing eyes locked onto the Blood Emperor.
Then it dived.
Straight toward him.
The Blood Emperor looked up just in time.
His eyes widened in shock as the enormous dragon came crashing down toward him.