THE BRIDE OF FLAMES

THE HUNT AND THE BLOOD OF THE FIRST BORN

The group of hunters came to an abrupt halt, a palpable tension hanging in the air as many began to retreat to their positions, acutely aware that this is a fierce confrontation with the powerful dragon, they fear.

Amidst the shifting ranks, the man with the black masked, the leader of the hunters remained resolute, his stance unwavering as he clutched a shard of bloodied crystal in his hand. Glistening with the remnants of past battles, served as a stark reminder of the violence that had preceded them and the inevitable clash that awaited. The leader's presence commanded attention, his mask obscuring any hint of emotion, yet his grip on the shard conveyed a fierce determination to face whatever threat was about to emerge.

“You’ve come for him, haven’t you?” the leader in black masked, shouted.

The dragon’s head lowered, smoke curling from its nostrils. “You smell of his blood,” it growled, its voice rumbling like thunder. “You hunt what belongs to me.”

The leader smirked beneath his mask. “Not anymore. The cursed prince belongs to the order now.”

The dragon's eyes narrowed, and for a brief moment, it felt as if the very air had come to a standstill. Then, with a powerful exhale, the beast unleashed a torrent of black fire that engulfed everything around it in an instant. Trees were reduced to mere ash, stone melted away, and the hunters let out terrified screams as their armor glowed a fierce red before vanishing into thin air, their bodies consumed by the flames.

When the fire faded, only the masked man remained, kneeling amid the smoldering ruin. The shard in his hand pulsed with violent energy, deflecting the worst of the dragon’s wrath.

The dragon’s enormous eye fixed on him. “You carry the Storm’s mark as well… twisted, corrupted.”

The man in dark masked rose, charred but defiant. “And soon, the girl will too.”

Before the dragon could strike again, the man in dark masked vanished in a burst of crimson smoke, leaving only the stench of iron and blood behind.

The Dark dragon roared once more, then the ground is shattering across the mountains, and took flight toward the distant forest where Prince Red and Winter had fled.

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Deep below the ground, in the ancient tunnels, Prince Red and Winter stumbled through the darkness, only by the glow of their intertwined marks lightened the place.

Then they were amazed to find the ancient walls, Those were carved with murals, dragons bowing to a woman cloaked in stormlight, her hands outstretched to calm both fire and sky.

Winter stopped, breath catching in awe. “She looks… like me.”

Prince Red turned toward the image, his expression is unreadable. “That’s because the prophecy is now to begin again. The "Storm-Bearer" was awakened in me... while you were born as the "Fire keeper" the world needs balance.”

He reached out, brushing a lock of hair from her face, his voice soft. “You’re not here by a chance, Winter. You were chosen to wake the flame, and to decide if it burns or heals me"

Winter was speechless, not knowing what to say, she seemed to be carried away by Red's gaze that made her heart skip a beat. Their gazes on each other faded, until Red gradually brought her lips closer to his.

But suddenly, a tremor ran through the ground above them. Dust fell from the ceiling, and Red’s head snapped upward.

“It’s him,” he said grimly. “The Black Dragon is close.”

Winter’s hand found his. “Then what do we do?”

“We go deeper,” he said. “To the heart of these ruins. To find the truth about the curse, before the shadow finds us first.” Red’s eyes glowed brighter, his voices are heavy with both dread and determination.

The tunnels rumble as they go further, light fading behind them. Above, thunder cracked like the roar of gods. The dragon’s voice rolled through the cavern like thunder trapped in stone.

But in the end, Winter and Red could not escape the Dark dragon. They were greeted by it as if they were being warmly welcomed, after they successfully got out of that tunnel.

"Finally got to see you.." The Dark Dragon descended to the ground and folded its gigantic wings.

"Stay at my back!" Prince Red told her. Preparing himself to fight this Dark dragon whatever it caused and finding a way to run and hide.

Winter’s breath hitched.

Unbeknownst to them, the immortal and tiny bronze dragon who inside the bronze watch made his way to used its magical power. So the walls inside the cave pulsed with fiery magical veins, casting a dance of shadows that intertwined Winter's silhouette. That makes Prince Red’s figure start to change in an intriguing mix of human and something else.

“I didn’t mean to..." Winter said.

“You were meant to,” Valcanar rumbled. “The mark you bear isn’t just a coincidence. It chose you because of him.” The dragon’s golden eye shifted toward Prince Red.

Winter turned, startled. “Because of Red? What do you mean?”

Prince Red stepped forward, his jaw tense, eyes flickering like dying embers, and reacted. “Don’t.”

But Valcanar, the Dark dragon ignored him. “The blood in his veins is not human. He is the real "Prince Red" the last prince of Dravenour kingdom, the heir of the red blood line, bound by oath and flame. The mark you bear, girl, is his bond… and his curse.”

Winter stared at Prince Red, unable to say a words. “Cursed?” she repeated with a laugh.

“You’re joking. He crawled on the ground, and he bleed like anyone else..”

Prince Red’s gaze met hers, a pain burning behind them. “Do you think I want this?” he said hoarsely.

Winter’s pulse thundered. The bronze watch on her wrist flared, sending heat up her arm until she fell to her knees. “What’s… happening to me?”

Prince Red caught her, his hands burning against her skin. “You’re linking to me. The bond’s starting. Once complete… you’ll see what I really am.”

The surroundings erupted with roaring light. The carvings on the walls inside the cave, ignited. The dragons coiled around crowns, flames devouring thrones. Winter saw flashes, a young prince raising a sword made of fire, a city in ruin, a shadow tearing the sky apart.

And through it all, Red’s voice whispered, “You should’ve never found me.”

The roar on that place became a living storm. The molten veins across the walls surged brighter, and the bronze watch on Winter’s wrist burned until her cry shattered the silence.

Red gritted his teeth, holding her close even as fire seared through his palms. “Winter, look at me!”

But she couldn’t.

Winter's vision dissolved into white and flame. Through the blinding light, she saw shapes of wings, spreading across the void, chains snapping, the echo of ancient cries.

Then the world broke. The floor of the cave split open, exposing a chasm that pulsed like the heart of the ground itself.

The Dark dragon Valcanar raised its massive head.

“The seal is breaking,” Valcanar said. “The power of fire returns." Valcanar growled as he waited patiently.

Red’s breath came ragged. His body convulsed, a red light tore through the scars on his skin. His whole human body began to burn away... ready for changing, while his hair turned to red, his pupils narrowing to slits of molten gold.

“Red, stop! You’ll destroy yourself!” Winter shouted.

Prince Red looked at her, with his voice trembling. “Are you okay...?"

"Control yourself. You are not a monster, just look at me.." Winter ordering him.

But Prince Red couldn't stand to watch her in pain and distress, as she struggled to harness the powerful energy from his curse. "It’s already decided. You are the Keeper… and I, the flame you bind.”

His back arched, and the sound of his cry echoed through the mountains. Wings erupted from his shoulders, crafted from liquid fire and shadow. The walls inside the cave, trembled under that force, ancient carvings coming to life, dragons twisting and turning, kings bowing in reverence, and a woman of bronze flame standing proudly at their center.

Winter fell backward, clutching her wrist as the sigil expanded into glowing vines of light across her arm, chest, and neck. Her reflection shimmered in the molten pool beside her, not just a girl anymore, but something radiant and dangerous.

Valcanar lowered his head. “The cycle begins anew. The bond of flame and a keeper reborn"

Winter’s voice broke. “What happened? I don’t understand any of this!”

“Because,” Red said, stepping from the blaze, his form now are both man and dragon, haloed by fire..“you are the only one who can control me.”

A silence followed, heavy as destiny. The bronze watch on Winter's wrist broke, and scattered to the ground, but its sparks like dying stars.

High above the mountain, there are mysterious, unseen creatures soaring through the sky. Something is stirring, and a shadow lurks, peering through the storm clouds.