The Dragon's Chosen

The air burned hot and thick as Eira faced the High Dragon. Flames crackled around them, casting jagged shadows over the shattered castle. The weight of the dragon's challenge hung heavy in her chest.

Kael's voice cut through the chaos. "Eira, you don't have to do this alone!"

But she shook her head, eyes locked on the towering beast. "If I don't prove myself now, nothing else will matter."

The High Dragon lowered its head, molten gold eyes blazing. "Show me your strength or fall beneath mine."

Without warning, it struck. A torrent of fire exploded toward her, scorching the earth. Eira barely had time to summon her magic. Golden flames erupted from her palms, forming a barrier that cracked under the force of the dragon's power.

Her legs trembled, but she stood firm. "I won't break."

Kael cursed under his breath. "She's pushing herself too hard," he growled, slashing down a soldier trying to approach.

Seren and Ryven fought beside him Seren's blades flashing in the firelight while Ryven's black fire devoured anything in its path. But their battle was nothing compared to the one Eira faced.

The High Dragon lunged. Its claws struck like lightning. Eira darted to the side, barely avoiding the blow as she unleashed a wave of fire toward its chest. The attack landed but the dragon barely flinched.

Eira's heart pounded. I'm not strong enough.

A voice echoed in her mind sharp and cold. "You cannot control the fire. You are weak, just like the first Chosen."

Memories of the journal flooded back. The kingdom had betrayed the first Dragon's Chosen binding her power and leaving her to die. Was that her fate too?

No. She wouldn't let that happen.

With a roar, Eira released every ounce of magic she had. Golden flames spiraled around her, lifting her into the air. Her wings blazed like the sun as she charged the High Dragon.

The beast met her strike with a burst of its own power. Fire clashed against fire, shaking the ground. But Eira refused to back down.

"You think I'm weak?" she shouted. "I survived the kingdom's lies. I survived your trials. I won't be broken!"

For a moment, the High Dragon hesitated.

And in that moment, Eira struck. Her magic pierced through the dragon's defenses flames searing against its scales until it let out a furious roar and collapsed to the ground.

The world seemed to still.

Kael reached her side, his face pale. "Eira… you did it."

The High Dragon stirred, its voice softer but still heavy with power. "You are strong… but strength alone is not enough."

A new tremor shook the ground. From the broken earth, a dark mist began to rise cold and unnatural.

Ryven's expression turned grim. "That's not dragon magic…"

Seren's blades gleamed as she stepped closer. "It's something worse."

Eira's victory felt fragile as the mist thickened. Something ancient and dangerous was waking beneath the castle.

The High Dragon lifted its head. "You have earned my respect, Dragon's Chosen. But your true battle has only begun."

As the mist spread, Eira realized the truth winning the dragons was just the first step.

The real enemy was still hidden in the shadows.