The palace was boiling with absolute chaos.
Guards dashed furiously through the corridors. Messengers arrived one after another, panting.
The king sat heavily on his throne, clutching sealed letters bearing the distinct crests of neighboring kingdoms.
Every single letter screamed the exact same warning:
"A giant white dragon was seen in the sky… breathing fire over plains and mountains."
The king's face darkened into a shadow. His grip on the parchment tightened until its royal edges curled and tore.
Outside, the raw roar of the crowds in the square mixed with the pounding boots of soldiers in the hall.
His features grew harder with every terrifying word he read.
Suddenly, the grand doors of the throne room burst open.
Dalerina entered.
Her steps were steady, despite the violent tremor buried deep in her heart. She advanced until she stood right before the throne, eyes darting between her and the raging king.
The king's voice dropped, heavy with menace: — "Are you doing this on purpose, Dalerina? Do you realize you are putting entire kingdoms at risk?"
She lifted her chin, answering firmly: — "I did nothing but set her free… Elinor was afraid, and she won't harm anyone as long as you don't harm her."
The king's gaze hardened into stone.
But the queen leaned close to his ear, whispering poisonous words only he could hear.
Suddenly, pure fury blazed in his eyes. His body leaned forward like a predator about to strike its prey.
Before he could speak a word, a deafening roar shook the entire sky.
It rattled the thick stone walls of the hall, shattering several glass windows into pieces.
Terror spread through the room like a plague.
All eyes turned to the great windows.
They saw Elinor.
She was soaring high above the palace, her massive white wings gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight, wild flames dancing around her scales.
Her roar echoed through the distant mountains.
Then, it was joined by other voices…
Deeper. Older.
The awakening cries of the other Big Dragons.
A guard rushed forward, completely breathless: — "Your Majesty! The Big Dragons… they're on the move!"
The royal dragon expert strode into the court. His face was deathly pale, his eyes wide with utter alarm: — "She's of the pure lineage of the Big Dragon rulers… She's awakened them, and now they're coming to her."
Dalerina turned to the king, her eyes pleading through unshed tears: — "She won't hurt you, I promise… just don't go after her."
But the king thundered, his voice shaking the foundations of the room: — "Enough! Lock her in her chamber… now!"
Guards immediately seized her by the arms. Their grip was unyielding.
She struggled against them, shouting the king's name—but her voice was instantly drowned out by another sound…
The terrifying tearing of iron.
High atop Mount Fliar, two massive cages of the Big Dragons burst open.
A pair of winged titans took to the sky, their roaring flames stretching toward the far horizon.
It was like the lighting of a devastating war's fuse…
A fire born on the mountains, destined to reach the very heart of the kingdoms.
And no one knew…