The first rays of dawn streamed through the shattered windows of the castle, gliding across the floor where dark stains faintly gleamed.
Noa lay on the cold ground. His bruised eyebrows and cheeks were streaked with tears mixed with blood.
The door creaked open. Heavy footsteps echoed. Elyan stepped inside — the rustle of his armor slicing through the silence.
In a firm voice, he demanded:
— What happened here?
He scanned the room — the blood-stained floor, the trembling young man. Then his eyes froze.
— L–Lady Liliya?!
The guard knelt beside Noa and gently lifted his head.
Guard: — This… this cannot be. His appearance...
— Princess Liliya, can you explain this? Black Dragons do not weep from pain. Tears mixed with blood… this is the mark of a completely broken soul.
Liliya slowly raised her head. Her voice was low but sharp as a blade:
— If you value your life… leave now.
She took a step forward, her posture firm and unyielding.
Elyan: — My name is Elyan. I came by order of the commander. If I don't understand what happened, I will be punished. I need the truth.
Noa, with half-open eyes, slowly rose to his feet and turned toward the window.
Elyan spoke coldly:
— Noa! You have been ordered to attend training. If you refuse, you will be punished.
Noa slightly turned his face. His long silver hair clung to his pale skin, his eyes swollen and red. Blood dripped from his palms.
He whispered:
— Training? Why? For what purpose?
Elyan's brows furrowed.
— I have my orders.
Noa's hand brushed against the table. He grabbed a small knife — its blade flashed in the morning light. A wild spark ignited in his eyes. Without a word, he lunged at Elyan.
Elyan raised his hand — dragon blood surged within him, his claws extended. Steel met claw, sending sparks flying.
Elyan thought while looking at Noa:
He's not himself. If I injure him, I'll be punished. I must neutralize him without harm.
They fought fiercely — knife and claws clashing in a storm of rage. Every strike from Noa was aimed at Elyan's throat, chest, and ribs — relentless and determined. Elyan blocked and retreated, his defense weakening.
Elyan asked while defending himself:
— Why are you doing this?
Noa gave no answer.
He struck from below, then twisted upward and hurled the knife at Elyan. The blade flashed like lightning. Elyan caught it with his bare hand, his muscles tensing, but Noa spun and kicked the hilt — driving the weapon deep into Elyan's neck.
— Are you satisfied now?
Noa said, staring into Elyan's eyes.
Elyan's eyes widened, his breath caught. His body trembled and collapsed to the floor.
As he fell, Elyan's thoughts were chaotic:
I underestimated him...
Noa stood over the fallen guard — his face covered in blood, a feral light burning in his eyes.
Noa bent down, lifted the body by the arm, and dropped it again.
— Is he dead?
He shook the corpse with his hand.
The body did not move.
He stood up and stared at his hands.
Covered in blood, Noa breathed heavily. His gaze fixed on Liliya.
— Liliya… How did you know about my parents' death?
Liliya turned her face away, her voice trembling:
— My brother sent word.
Noa walked toward the window. The morning light illuminated his blood-stained face, casting a long shadow across the floor.
— I don't believe it. I won't believe it until I stand before their graves myself.
Liliya remained silent. Only the trembling of her heart revealed the storm raging inside her.
Noa turned. With every step he took, bloody footprints followed behind him.