✦ POV — Reth
The bushes erupted.
Something crushed into him, harder than the tackle of any knight, and the axe was wrenched from his hand. Claws dragged across his chest — not cutting, but pinning, heavy enough one jerk would spill his ribs open.
Scalding heat breathed on his face. The smell of ash and blood filled his lungs.
A snarl like grinding stone rocked the clearing.
The beast towered above him. Scales black and fissured with pale golden veins. Molten-amber eyes burning. Wings still forming but strong, tail hashing like a whip.
A dragon.
Smaller than legend — no larger than a lion.
[Threat Instinct Lv. 1] — No Lethal Intent Detected.
The weight of the dragon leaned on his ribs, breathing a grind. Amber eyes glowed inches from his own, pupils constricting, expanding, constricting again.
A growl rippled across its chest, jagged and low. Hot saliva spat as it hit the earth beside his cheek.
It did not blink. Neither did he.
