Chapter 16
The sky filled with wings.
Hundreds of dragons tore through the clouds above the mountain as one after another descended through the gray sky. Massive shadows swept across the hidden city, their scales flashing like dark steel beneath the fading light. Their eyes burned the same furious red.
For a moment, the entire city froze.
Even the Dragon King slowly lifted his massive head. Beside Ariana, the golden dragon released a deep rumble that vibrated through the palace floor. Ariana's stomach dropped as she stared upward.
"How many are there?"
The man in black and gold stepped closer to the shattered balcony, scanning the sky as the color drained from his face. "Too many."
Kael moved instantly to Ariana's side. His instincts flared hard inside him, warning of danger, death, and war. His golden eyes tracked the enormous shadows circling above the city.
"This isn't just a hunting party," he said grimly.
The man beside the balcony shook his head slowly. "No. This is extermination."
The word settled heavily in the air. Below them, the hidden city had already burst into motion. Warriors ran across terraces, horns echoed through the mountains, and ancient defensive barriers flickered to life along the palace walls. But even with the defenses rising, the truth was obvious.
They were outnumbered.
Ariana kept her gaze on the sky as the dragons drew closer, their wings beating the air like thunder. "They're all coming for me."
Kael didn't hesitate. "Then they'll have to go through me." Ariana glanced sideways at him. "That's not comforting."
Before he could respond, the Dragon King's voice echoed inside her mind.
"The hunters have gathered."Ariana swallowed. "You mean they're all hunters?"
"Yes." Her throat tightened. "Because of me?"
There was a brief pause before the dragon answered. "Because of the Sovereign."
Another thunderous roar tore across the sky as the first wave of hunter dragons descended lower. The golden dragon beside Ariana spread its wings protectively.
Kael turned toward the Dragon King. "You said the Sovereign commands dragons."
The ancient dragon's golden eyes narrowed slightly. Only if the Sovereign is strong enough. Kael's jaw tightened. "Then help her."
The Dragon King didn't answer immediately. Instead, it studied Ariana carefully, as if measuring her worth. The silence stretched long enough for Ariana to hear her own heartbeat. Finally, the dragon spoke again.
"The Sovereign commands. But the Queen must also protect."
Ariana frowned. "What does that mean?" The Dragon King lifted one enormous claw and pointed toward the sky. "They will test you."
As if summoned by those words, three hunter dragons broke away from the swarm and dove toward the palace like falling meteors. Fire already burned inside their throats.
Kael swore quietly. "Get behind me."
Ariana grabbed his arm. "No."
He turned toward her, surprised. "What?"
"If they're testing me," she said quietly, her golden eyes beginning to glow, "then I should answer."
The Dragon King let out a low rumble. "Good." The three dragons descended rapidly, their wings beating hard as shockwaves rippled across the palace terraces. Far below, the city braced for impact.
Kael stepped slightly in front of Ariana anyway, just in case. "You don't have to prove anything right now," he muttered.
Ariana glanced at him. "If I don't, they'll destroy this place." Kael didn't like that answer, but he couldn't argue with it.
The first dragon opened its jaws, and flames rushed toward the balcony.
Ariana stepped forward. The golden dragon moved with her instantly.
Her heart pounded as the power inside her surged again, stronger than before and harder to control. She lifted both hands, and golden light burst from her body. The air bent around her. The flames racing toward them twisted suddenly in midair and stopped. Silence fell across the chamber. Even Kael blinked.
The fire hovered in the air, suspended like it had been frozen in place. Ariana felt the power rushing through her, wild and immense. She clenched her hands, and the suspended flames exploded outward, scattering harmlessly across the sky. The attacking dragon roared in shock. Behind her, the Dragon King watched silently. "Again."
The second dragon dove. Ariana's eyes burned brighter. "Bow." The command rang out clearly.
The dragon faltered midair. Its wings beat unevenly as it fought against the pressure forcing it downward. Slowly, it descended until its massive body crashed into the palace courtyard with a deafening impact.
Kael let out a low whistle. "Remind me never to make you angry."
But the third dragon moved faster. It dove straight toward Ariana. Kael shifted instantly, but before he could intercept, the Dragon King launched into the air. The ancient dragon moved with terrifying speed and struck the attacker mid-flight. The collision shook the entire mountain as both dragons vanished into the clouds.
Ariana stared upward, breathing harder now. The effort was draining her. Kael noticed immediately. "You're pushing too hard."
"I'm fine."
"You're lying."
She didn't argue, because the truth was obvious. The power inside her felt like a storm she could barely hold together.
Seconds later, the Dragon King returned and landed heavily on the terrace. The defeated hunter dragon lay motionless in the courtyard below.
Above them, the remaining swarm roared in fury.The battle had begun.
The man in black and gold spoke quietly. "They're not retreating."
Kael looked up. The sky was still filled with dragons. More were diving. More were circling. Hundreds of glowing red eyes stared down at the palace, watching and waiting.The Dragon King's voice echoed inside Ariana's mind again.
"The Sovereign has awakened."
Its tone darkened. Now comes the war.
Ariana felt a chill run through her. "What kind of war?" The ancient dragon lifted its massive head toward the sky.
"The kind that ends kingdoms."
Kael stepped closer to Ariana, his presence steady despite everything. "Whatever happens next," he said quietly, "you're not facing it alone."
Ariana gave a small, tired smile. "That's good."
Because at that moment, the clouds above the mountain split apart again.
But this time, it wasn't dragons. Something far worse emerged.
A massive fortress of black stone drifted through the torn sky, ancient runes burning across its surface like molten gold. The dragon swarm parted around it, and even the hunters kept their distance. The fortress hovered above the city like a throne.
Then a figure stepped forward from its center.
A man stepped forward from the fortress, tall and completely still as he looked down at the palace below. He raised one hand calmly toward the balcony, as if everything unfolding beneath him meant nothing. The moment Ariana saw him, the power in her blood recoiled violently, and a sharp wave of fear rushed through her. Real fear. The kind she had never felt before. Kael noticed immediately. "What is it?" he asked. Ariana's voice came out barely above a whisper. "I think… that one came for me." The man tilted his head slightly, studying her from a distance, and then he smiled. At the same time, the runes across the floating fortress ignited, and the sky exploded with power.