Dragon Savior: A New Beginning ( Update Version)

An Unexpected Awakening (125)

Lyam did not answer her plea right away. Instead, he stepped closer to the bars, close enough that Starfania could see the faint scars along his gloves and the tension held carefully beneath his calm exterior. His gaze shifted from her to Aeron, then to Violet—slow, deliberate, dissecting.

" Words are easy," Lyam said. " Convictions are not."

His eyes snapped to Aeron. " You. You speak less than the others. Why?"

Aeron stiffened, then lifted his chin. " Because talking doesn't stop blades. Action does."

Lyam studied him. " A soldier's answer. You fight to protect, or to destroy?"

" To protect," Aeron replied without hesitation. " My sister. And anyone who can't protect themselves."

Violet's hand instinctively tightened around his sleeve. Lyam turned to her next. " And you, little one. You're afraid—but you're still standing. Why didn't you break?"

Violet swallowed, but her voice didn't falter. " Because if I do...then everything my brother's done for me means nothing."

Something flickered in Lyam's eyes—respect, perhaps. Finally, his attention returned to Starfania.

" And you," he whispered. " You speak of truth, of balance, of ending chaos. But you hide more than either of them. Tell me—what are you really running from?"

The question struck deeper than any accusation. Starfania felt her pulse roar in her ears. VulcanFire. Cesar. The crown she never asked for. The bloodline she could never outrun. She forced herself to breathe.

" I'm not running," she said. " I'm choosing."

Lyam raised a brow.

" I was raised in a place where power came from fear," she continued carefully. " Where strength meant control. I believed it was normal. That it was necessary."

Her voice tightened. " But I've seen what that kind of power does to Avalon. And I refuse to let it define who I am."

A dangerous pause followed. Then—footsteps. Fast. Urgent. A guard burst into the chamber, breathless. " My lord—one dragon—he's lost control!"

Lyam turned sharply. " Which one?"

" A white dragon," the guard said, panicking clearly in his voice. " Black markings—midnight blue eyes. We can't restrain him!"

Starfania's heart dropped.

" Atlas," she breathed. Before she could stop herself, she stepped forward, gripping the bars.

" Please," she said, the word raw and unguarded. " That dragon is mine. He's bonded to me—he's in pain. Let me help him."

Lyam's gaze snapped back to her. For a heartbeat, the world seemed to hold its breath. Then—something changed. Before anyone could react, Lyam's expression hardened. The smirk vanished, replaced by something sharp and unreadable. He turned, pulled a key from his belt, and unlocked the cell. The iron doors groaned open as he stepped aside, tilting his head in silent command. Starfania hesitated only a second before stepping forward. The door slammed shut behind her with a final, echoing click. Lyam faced her fully now, his yellow eyes locked onto her midnight eyes.

" Realizing who you are does not mean I trust you," he said evenly.

She opened her mouth—but his hand closed around her arm. Not cruel. Not gentle. Unyielding.

" If you want my trust," he murmured, voice low and commanding, " prove your worth."

Something unspoken passed between them—tension, understanding, challenge. Then he turned without another word and unlocked the remaining cells. Aeron and Violet rushed into each other's arms, relief breaking through the fear at last. Lyam waited only long enough for them to steady themselves before facing all three of them again. " Follow me."

They exchanged a glance—uncertain, wary—then followed. Lyam moved with purpose, leading them through twisting corridors until he stopped before a concealed black doorway. With a firm push, he threw it open. Beyond it lay a world none of them were prepared for.