𝒜 ℋℯ𝒶𝓇𝓉 ℴ𝒻 𝒮𝒸𝒶𝓁ℯ𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒮𝓉ℯℯ𝓁

Chapter Seven - Asher

Chapter Seven - Asher

The grand halls of Evervale Palace were always intimidating, but today, they felt different—almost triumphant. As I walked through the stone corridors, the echoes of my footsteps against the polished marble seemed to chase me, a steady rhythm to match the rising pride within my chest. The palace was quieter than usual, which only amplified the satisfaction I felt. I had been summoned to my father's study. King Darius himself had requested my presence, and this time, I had earned it.

For most, an audience with the king was an event to be approached with caution, full of awe and uncertainty. But today, I carried with me something more. King Darius wasn't just the ruler of Evervale—he was my father, and I was returning to him not as just another prince, but as a hero. I had slain the Nightwing Dragon. I had achieved what few in our kingdom ever dreamed of.

The hunt had been a blur of heat and fury, but in my mind, the moment of victory stood clear as a polished blade. My first dragon hunt. My first kill. The Nightwing, an ancient and legendary beast, had terrorized our lands for far too long. Its dark wings had cast a shadow over villages, its fiery breath leaving destruction in its wake. But not anymore. I had brought it down—driven my sword deep into its heart, felt its life leave its enormous body. The roar of the creature still echoed in my ears, but now it felt like a triumphal cry, a sound I had conquered.

As I approached the large wooden doors of my father's study, the two guards standing at attention bowed slightly, acknowledging me in a way they hadn't before. Today, I was not just the prince—I was the dragon slayer. The doors opened with a heavy creak, revealing the familiar scent of oak, parchment, and the distant crackle of a fire. The afternoon sun streamed through the tall windows, casting golden light across the shelves filled with books, scrolls, and relics from Evervale's past.

King Darius sat at his desk, his blue cloak draped over his shoulders, his golden crown gleaming in the sun's rays. He was every bit the king—regal, composed, powerful. But today, I didn't feel the usual weight of expectation. Instead, I felt ready. I had proven myself.

When he looked up and saw me, his expression softened slightly, though the gravity in his eyes remained. "Ash," he said, his deep voice commanding yet calm. "Come in, son."

I stepped forward, my back straight and my chin held high. For once, I wasn't here to seek approval or to endure a lecture on duty. I had done something no one else in our kingdom had done. I had slain the Nightwing Dragon. The people would speak of it for generations. And today, my father would recognize it.

King Darius stood up from his chair, moving slowly but deliberately, his gaze never leaving mine. His towering presence would have felt overwhelming once, but not today. I had stood against something far more fearsome than any king, and I had walked away victorious.

"You've done something truly extraordinary," he said, his voice carrying an edge of respect that wasn't there before. "The Nightwing Dragon was not just a threat to this kingdom—it was a creature of legend, a beast that has haunted our lands for centuries. And you, my son, have brought it down."

His words filled me with a surge of pride. "I have," I said, meeting his gaze without faltering. "The Nightwing is dead, and our people are safe."

King Darius nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "It was not just any dragon. The Nightwing was one of the last of its kind—an ancient breed, stronger and more cunning than any dragon we've faced in generations. Yet you faced it, and you emerged victorious."

I couldn't stop the smile from spreading across my face. The image of the dragon's final moments flashed through my mind—the way it had fought fiercely, its flames scorching the earth, its claws ripping through the air. But none of it had been enough. I had bested it. My blade had found its heart, and I had felt the life drain from its massive form. I was proud of that. More than proud. I had done what even the greatest hunters had failed to do.

"The people will speak of this day for generations," my father continued, his eyes shining with approval. "Your name will be remembered, Asher. Not just as a prince, but as the one who brought down the Nightwing."

I felt a sense of accomplishment wash over me, stronger than anything I had felt before. I had earned this. My father's praise, the kingdom's gratitude—it all felt deserved. I had taken on a dragon that had ravaged our lands, that had filled our people with fear. And now, that fear is gone.

"The people will celebrate this victory," King Darius said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "You have given them hope, Asher. You have given them safety. For that, you deserve more than recognition. You deserve their admiration."

His hand on my shoulder felt like the weight of a crown, but it was a weight I was ready to bear. I had proven myself worthy. "I did what had to be done," I replied, my voice steady. "The dragon was a threat, and I could not let it live."

King Darius studied me for a moment, his eyes filled with pride. "And you succeeded where others would have failed. You stood against a force of nature and won."

I met his gaze, feeling the confidence surge within me. "I knew I would," I said, allowing myself to revel in the victory. The Nightwing was no more, and its reign of terror had ended with me. I had slain the beast, saved the kingdom, and earned my place in history.

But my father's expression shifted, growing more serious. "There is something you must understand, Asher. The hunt is not just about killing. It's about responsibility. The Nightwing was a dangerous enemy, yes. But dragons are part of our world, part of the balance of power. With its death, that balance has shifted."

I frowned slightly but nodded. "I understand," I said, though part of me wondered if I truly did. The Nightwing was dead, and to me, that was all that mattered. The balance of power felt like something far less important in the face of such a victory.

My father seemed to sense my hesitation. "You have proven yourself today, Asher," he said, stepping back and returning to his desk. "And that means I will expect more from you in the future. You are ready for more than just the hunt."

I straightened, my pride swelling again at his words. "What do you mean?"

"There are other threats, other challenges beyond the borders of Evervale," he said, his tone growing darker. "Now that you've shown what you're capable of, I will rely on you to face them."

The prospect of new challenges, new victories, stirred something within me. I had taken down the greatest threat to our kingdom—what else was there to fear? "I won't let you down," I said, my voice filled with confidence.

King Darius smiled, a rare, approving smile. "I know you won't, Asher. You have proven that you are worthy of the title of hunter. And this is just the beginning."

I left my father's study with my head held high, the weight of my victory still settling over me like a cloak of honor. The Nightwing Dragon was dead, and I had earned my place as a hero of Evervale. My father's words echoed in my mind—this was just the beginning. I had proven my strength, my skill, and my courage. Now, the world would know me not just as Asher, prince of Evervale, but as Ash, the dragon slayer.

And I was ready for whatever came next.