Dragon's Rise

CHAPTER XXVI.

"You dare return, after I cast you out?" King Corbyn's voice thundered through the council chamber, each word laced with fury. The guards had frozen at the sight of her entering the castle, too stunned to act, their hesitation a testament to the power she still held over them. She stood unwavering, her gaze meeting her father's with defiance, the weight of his wrath unable to shake her resolve. He loomed above her, a storm in human form, but Rielle remained unmoved. "Do not fret, Father," she said, her voice smooth and edged with quiet fire, "I come bearing gifts." And then it came—the earth-trembling roar of Raiden as he descended onto the castle roof, the stones trembling beneath his might. The council room quaked, the air alive with the power of dragons and the daughter who would not be silenced.

୨⎯ CLEO LUNARIS ⎯୧

Cleo recognized the emerald dragon instantly—it was the same one she and Cahira had helped, its right wing still bearing a faint scar. Even now, it radiated an overwhelming power, more fearsome than any of the dragon offsprings she'd encountered. While all dragons held their unique might, there was something untamed, almost primal, about this one.

"Be careful, Winter," Nieves warned in her mind, her voice cold but steady. "Tirsynth is angry—very angry."

"What happened to him?" Cleo asked aloud, her voice tight with concern.

"The wretched boy tried to kill him," Zephyra growled darkly. Cleo's eyes widened in disbelief. She turned, catching the equally stunned expressions on Aiden's and Percival's faces, their dragons no doubt whispering the same revelation.

"Should we let Tirsynth kill him?" Percival asked, his voice low and void of emotion, though the tension in his posture betrayed him.

"It's not our decision to make," Aiden said firmly, his gaze locked on the raging dragon. "The Queen will decide his fate. Cleo, help the injured. Percival and I will try to calm him down."

Cleo nodded, her heart pounding as she turned toward the injured crowd. Chaos had erupted in the wake of Tirsynth's arrival. People scrambled to flee, some dragging others who had been caught in the dragon's flames. Her eyes scanned the panicked scene until she found Esme, who was unharmed and already helping others to safety. Relief washed over her before she quickly joined in, guiding the wounded away from danger.

When she looked back, Aiden and Percival were carefully advancing toward Tirsynth, their steps calculated, as if every movement might set the beast off even further. Aiden moved first, his voice low and steady as he tried to gain the dragon's attention, his outstretched hands a gesture of peace. Percival followed a few paces behind, his sharp eyes scanning for any opening to act should things spiral out of control.

Tirsynth's emerald scales gleamed in the sunlight, each ripple of his powerful muscles exuding a primal energy. His glowing eyes locked onto them with a feral intensity, the deep growl rumbling in his throat a warning to keep their distance. Still, Aiden pressed on, speaking to the dragon in soothing tones, though Cleo couldn't make out the words.

Percival moved to flank the dragon, his dark cloak billowing as he drew closer. His movements were graceful yet deliberate, his hand hovering near his dagger—not to attack, but to protect himself should Tirsynth lash out. He glanced briefly at Aiden, a silent question in his eyes: What now?

The dragon responded first, snapping its massive jaws in their direction, sending a spray of saliva and a low, guttural roar that shook the air around them. Aiden flinched but didn't back away, his voice rising in urgency, though it still carried an edge of calm. Percival, however, took advantage of the distraction. With swift precision, he darted toward the boy trapped beneath Tirsynth's massive claws.