𝒜 ℋℯ𝒶𝓇𝓉 ℴ𝒻 𝒮𝒸𝒶𝓁ℯ𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒮𝓉ℯℯ𝓁

Chapter Five - Asher

Chapter Five - Asher

The morning air was crisp, tinged with the scent of pine and damp earth as I stood at the edge of the training field, my heart pounding in my chest. The sun was beginning its ascent, casting long, golden beams across the dew-soaked grass. Today was the day I had been waiting for—the day I would prove myself, not just as a prince, but as a hunter. My first dragon hunt. The thrill of it surged through my veins, filling me with a fierce excitement. No fear, no hesitation, only the certainty that this was my time.

Beside me, my brother Dante stood tall and composed, his armor glinting in the early light. His expression was serious, but there was a glimmer of something in his eyes—a quiet confidence in me that I could feel radiating through the air between us. He'd always been the more experienced one, Evervale's finest dragon hunter, but today was my turn to carve my name into that legacy.

"Are you ready for this, Ash?" he asked, his voice steady, though his lips hinted at a smile.

I nodded, feeling the weight of the sword at my side. Every moment of training, every challenge and every lesson had led to this. The dragon we were hunting wasn't just any ordinary beast—it was a Nightwing, one of the ancient dragons spoken of only in whispers. Its scales as dark as the abyss, its breath a scorching inferno. This was no simple hunt. It was a test of strength, skill, and courage.

"More than ready," I replied, my voice filled with determination. I wasn't going to let this opportunity slip away.

Dante clapped me on the shoulder, his touch firm. "Good. Trust your instincts. And remember, we hunt not just for glory, but for the safety of the kingdom."

I nodded, but the thought of glory was already front and center in my mind. This was my moment, my chance to rise above and take my place in Evervale's history. The village we were heading to had been decimated overnight, reduced to ashes by the Nightwing's wrath. The people of Evervale were counting on us to rid them of this ancient terror, and I was determined to deliver.

We mounted our horses, the weight of our mission settling into place as we began our journey. The forest loomed ahead, thick and shadowed, but it only fueled my resolve. The path wound through towering pines, their branches swaying gently in the breeze, but there was an edge to the air now—a sharpness that set my senses on alert. As we rode, the silence between Dante and me felt different today. It wasn't the heavy silence of dread, but the calm before a storm, the quiet confidence that comes when you know what you're about to face.

The ride to the village was long, the landscape gradually changing from the vibrant green of Evervale's fields to the scorched, blackened remains of what had once been a thriving settlement. Ash floated in the air, carried by a cold wind that whispered of the destruction that had come in the night. Charred buildings stood like skeletons, the ground beneath us still warm from the fire that had consumed it.

"We're close," Dante murmured, his eyes sharp as they scanned the treeline. His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his crossbow. I followed his lead, drawing my sword, the familiar weight of the blade giving me confidence.

Then, I heard it—a deep, rumbling growl that reverberated through the air like distant thunder. My pulse quickened, but this time, it wasn't out of fear. It was excitement. Anticipation. The hunt was on.

"There," Dante said, pointing toward the far edge of the village where the forest grew denser. Through the thick shadows, I saw it: the Nightwing. My breath caught, not in fear, but in awe.

It was massive. Larger than I had imagined, its dark, shimmering scales blending into the gloom, its eyes glowing faintly like embers. The dragon moved with a slow, deliberate grace, its powerful body stalking through the wreckage like a predator surveying its kill. The sight of it sent a thrill through me. This was the creature I would defeat. This was my destiny.

Dante motioned for me to stay low as we dismounted, moving silently through the underbrush. Every step brought us closer to the beast, closer to victory. I could feel the tension in the air, the energy of the hunt thrumming through my body. I gripped my sword tightly, feeling the familiar weight in my hand, ready to strike.

The dragon paused, its head lifting slightly as its nostrils flared. It had sensed us.

Without warning, its wings snapped open, casting a massive shadow over the ruins. It let out a roar that shook the very earth beneath our feet, the sound like a challenge hurled at the heavens.

"Now!" Dante shouted, loosing a bolt from his crossbow.

The bolt struck true, embedding itself in the dragon's shoulder. The beast roared in pain, its massive body twisting toward us, flames already gathering in its throat.

But I was ready.

With a burst of speed, I charged forward, my sword raised. The heat from the dragon's breath was intense, but I didn't falter. I moved swiftly, rolling to the side just as the dragon unleashed a torrent of fire, the ground where I had stood moments before now a scorched wasteland. Dante fired another bolt, striking the dragon's throat, and I saw my opening.

This was my moment.

I lunged, my sword aimed for the vulnerable spot beneath the dragon's chest. The blade sank deep into its flesh, a surge of triumph coursing through me as the dragon let out a final, deafening roar. Its body shuddered, and with a great, earth-shaking crash, it collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. I stood there, my chest heaving, my hands still gripping the hilt of my sword, as I stared down at the fallen beast. I had done it. The Nightwing, the legendary dragon that had terrorized our people, lay dead at my feet. The sense of pride that surged through me was overwhelming.

Dante approached, a grin spreading across his face. "Well done, Ash," he said, his voice filled with pride. "You've more than earned your place today."

I nodded, a fierce smile tugging at my lips as I looked down at the slain dragon. This was what I had been waiting for. The thrill of the hunt, the rush of victory, the knowledge that I had succeeded where others had failed. I had proven myself, not just to Dante, but to the kingdom. I was no longer just a prince—I was a dragon hunter.

As the sun began to dip behind the mountains, casting long shadows over the charred village, I felt a sense of satisfaction settle over me. This was just the beginning. There would be more dragons, more hunts, and I would face them all with the same fire burning in my heart.

For today, I had become a legend in my own right.