The Dragon's Chosen

The ground beneath the ruins trembled, sending dust and debris falling from the broken towers. Eira clutched the seventh medallion, its cold surface pulsing against her palm. Malgrin's laughter still echoed through the air, a cruel reminder that their enemy was always a step ahead.

Kael wiped blood from his mouth as he pushed himself upright. "We need to leave. Now."

"No," Selya snapped, scanning the ruins. "That voice Malgrin isn't here. He's using the city's magic to project his will. If he's watching, it means there's something else hidden here."

Eira's heart pounded as she looked around. "If we stay, we're risking our lives for nothing."

"And if we leave," Selya shot back, "we could be walking away from the only weapon strong enough to stop him."

Before Eira could answer, Ryven tensed. "Someone's coming."

Out of the swirling mist emerged a figure a familiar figure. His black cloak was torn, and a jagged scar ran down his left cheek. His emerald eyes burned with cold fury.

"Zoren…" Eira breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Zoren. The first ally they had sought. The one who had vanished after their battle at the Sunspire.

"I warned you," Zoren said quietly, his tone sharp as a blade. "You cannot win this war."

Kael stepped in front of Eira, his sword raised. "You betrayed us."

"I did what I had to," Zoren replied, his gaze locked on Eira. "Malgrin isn't just a threat you don't understand his power. If you keep chasing these medallions, you'll doom us all."

Eira's magic flared beneath her skin. "And you're helping him?"

Zoren's lips curled into a bitter smile. "I'm not helping him I'm trying to stop you from making the same mistake the Ancients did. You think these medallions will save you? They were meant to seal something far worse."

Valeria scoffed. "Convenient excuse from a traitor."

"I didn't betray you," Zoren snapped, his calm mask slipping. "But if you take the last medallion, you will unleash the Ebonwyrm a creature even Malgrin fears."

Eira's blood ran cold. The Ebonwyrm a dragon lost to time, sealed away for its destructive power. A creature of legend, and if Zoren was telling the truth…

"We can't trust him," Kael growled, stepping closer.

"And if he's right?" Eira demanded, her voice shaking. "What if we're walking into a bigger trap?"

Zoren took a slow step forward, holding out his hand. "Let me take the medallions. I can hide them where even Malgrin can't reach them."

Selya's laugh was cold and sharp. "You must think we're fools."

Eira hesitated everything in her screamed not to trust him. But in his eyes, she didn't see Malgrin's corruption she saw desperation.

"You're lying," Kael snapped. "You always were a coward."

Zoren's face hardened. "And you've always been blind."

Without warning, the air around him crackled with magic. Dark tendrils lashed out, striking toward Kael. He dodged the first attack, his sword cutting through the next.

The ruins exploded into chaos.

Eira summoned a shield of blue flame, blocking Zoren's next strike. "Stop this!"

"You won't listen to reason," Zoren said bitterly, his power growing darker. "So I'll stop you myself."

Kael charged at him, their blades colliding in a clash of fire and shadow. Each blow sent shockwaves through the ground, cracking ancient stone.

Selya's magic flared as she unleashed a torrent of thorns, aiming to trap Zoren. He countered with a wave of black fire, burning the vines to ash.

"Eira!" Ryven called. "We can't hold him forever!"

Eira's heart pounded as she faced the truth Zoren wasn't going to back down. If they didn't stop him here, he would take everything they had fought for.

Tears burned in her eyes as she raised her hand, magic pooling in her palm. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

A blinding blast of energy surged from her, striking Zoren square in the chest. His body slammed into the broken ground, dust rising around him.

When the air cleared, Zoren lay motionless, his breath shallow.

"You should've trusted me…" he rasped before his eyes closed.

The ruins fell silent again, but the weight of his words lingered.

As Eira clutched the seventh medallion tighter, doubt crept into her heart. What if they were making a terrible mistake?