Chapter 38: Fire From the Sky
894 Words
The battlefield froze beneath the shadow of the Devourer.
Thousands of warriors—Lycan soldiers and rebel wolves alike—looked up as the enormous form of Dravoryx spread across the darkened sky. His wings stretched like storm clouds over the plains, blocking the fading sunlight.
For a moment, even the sounds of battle faded.
Fear filled the air.
Then Dravoryx laughed.
The sound rolled across the battlefield like thunder.
“Such a magnificent sight,” he rumbled.
His glowing golden eyes scanned the armies below.
“So many warriors fighting so bravely…”
His voice lowered into a dark whisper.
“…yet so many about to die.”
Kael tightened his grip on his sword.
Across from him, Magnus stood calmly, watching the sky with satisfaction.
Dravoryx lowered his massive head toward the battlefield.
“Let us begin.”
A deep glow began forming inside the creature’s jaws.
Dark fire.
Kael’s eyes widened.
“Everyone move!” he shouted.
But it was too late.
Dravoryx unleashed the blast.
A massive wave of black flames rained down across the battlefield like a falling meteor.
The explosion tore through the plains.
Flames consumed dozens of warriors instantly as the ground erupted in fire and smoke.
The shockwave threw soldiers off their feet.
Dust and ash filled the air.
Screams echoed across the battlefield.
Kael barely managed to shield himself behind a fallen piece of armor as the flames scorched the ground around him.
When the smoke began to clear, the devastation became visible.
Entire sections of the battlefield had been reduced to burning craters.
Lycan soldiers struggled to stand.
Rebel wolves looked equally shaken.
Dravoryx hovered above it all, clearly pleased.
“Yes…”
He inhaled deeply.
“Now this feels like war.”
Magnus stepped forward slightly, his cloak flowing behind him.
“Magnificent work.”
Dravoryx glanced down at him.
“I’m just getting started.”
Below them, Kael pushed himself back onto his feet.
His armor was blackened by smoke, but his golden eyes still burned with determination.
He looked across the battlefield.
His army had suffered terrible losses.
Yet many of his warriors were still standing.
Still fighting.
Kael raised his sword again.
“Regroup!” he shouted.
His voice carried across the battlefield.
The remaining Lycan soldiers slowly began gathering around their commander again.
Magnus watched the scene with mild amusement.
“He’s stubborn,” he said.
Dravoryx smirked.
“Yes.”
The Devourer lowered himself slightly toward the battlefield.
“Let’s see how long that courage lasts.”
With a powerful beat of his wings, Dravoryx descended onto the plains.
The ground cracked beneath his enormous weight.
Kael stepped forward immediately.
The two figures now faced each other across the shattered battlefield.
A single warrior.
And a monster older than kingdoms.
Dravoryx tilted his head slightly.
“So you’re the one leading this army.”
Kael’s voice remained steady.
“I’m the one stopping you.”
The Devourer chuckled.
“That’s ambitious.”
Without warning, Dravoryx swung his massive claw toward Kael.
Kael reacted instantly.
He rolled beneath the attack, the claw missing him by inches before slamming into the ground behind him.
The impact sent dirt and rock flying into the air.
Kael sprang back to his feet and slashed at the creature’s leg.
The blade struck Dravoryx’s scales—but barely left a mark.
Dravoryx looked down, amused.
“That tickles.”
His tail whipped across the battlefield.
Kael barely raised his sword in time.
The force of the strike sent him crashing across the dirt.
He slid several meters before finally stopping.
Magnus watched with interest.
“Is that the Lycan kingdom’s greatest warrior?”
Dravoryx slowly walked toward Kael.
“I expected more.”
Kael forced himself back onto his feet, though pain shot through his body.
He wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.
“I’m not done yet.”
Dravoryx grinned.
“I admire your determination.”
His jaws began glowing again.
“But determination doesn’t save lives.”
The Devourer prepared another blast of dark fire.
Kael realized instantly that he wouldn’t be able to dodge this one.
Around him, the remaining Lycan soldiers looked on in horror.
If the Devourer fired at this distance…
Kael would die.
Just as the flames began forming—
A powerful silver light exploded across the battlefield.
The dark fire vanished instantly.
Dravoryx froze.
His golden eyes widened slightly.
“Well…”
He slowly turned his head.
Across the battlefield, a figure stood glowing with brilliant lunar energy.
Aria.
The Moon-Bound had arrived.
Silver light surrounded her body like a radiant shield.
Behind her, two massive figures appeared through the smoke.
Lunaris.
And Thalor.
The guardians had come to war.
The Lycan soldiers stared in shock as the guardians stepped onto the battlefield.
A powerful roar from Lunaris echoed across the plains.
The remaining soldiers suddenly felt their courage return.
Dravoryx’s grin slowly returned.
“Perfect.”
His wings stretched wide again.
“I was hoping you’d make it.”
Aria stepped forward, her silver eyes glowing brightly.
“This ends now.”
Dravoryx laughed.
“Oh no.”
His voice rumbled like distant thunder.
“This is only the beginning.”
Lightning flashed across the sky as the ancient enemies prepared to clash once more.
And this time…
The entire battlefield would witness it.
- Writer
