Hans knocked gently on the door of Prince Velco's room.
The door opened, and Velco's sharp eyes lit up as he saw him.
"Your highness," Hans bowed, "His Majesty sends word for you."
Velco's lips curled into a smile. "Let me hear it."
"He says he will release the Dragon King tomorrow on the palace grounds," Hans reported, his voice steady. "And he has instructed that you bring Lady Eva and Lady Aranel with you."
Velco chuckled darkly, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "I will bring them," he said confidently.
Hans bowed once more and left, leaving Velco alone in the quiet room.
A low, triumphant laugh escaped him. "You made the right choice, Eyan," he murmured to himself. "Now all I have to do is wait for tomorrow."
---
(Next day Royal Palace ground)
The morning sun glinted off the polished stones of the Velmoria palace grounds. Eyan stood at the center, his heart pounding, Luca by his side. Across from them, Prince Velco leaned casually, a cruel smirk playing on his lips.
"Look who's here," Velco sneered, his gaze flicking to Luca. "The master of the Magic Tower himself, Luca Veyren. I didn't expect you to witness this… little show."
Velco's sharp gaze returned to Eyan. "Did you summon your little friend here for help, your majesty?"
Eyan's jaw tightened. "Luca, control yourself," he muttered, sensing his friend's rising anger.
Luca drew in a slow breath and nodded, forcing calm.
Eyan squared his shoulders. "Do not worry, Prince. Luca is only here to watch. Nothing else."
Velco chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "Right. It would be quite a sight to see, wouldn't it? The Dragon King… up close. I want to see him with my own eyes."
He stepped forward, his tone mocking. "Your majesty, what are you waiting for? Release the dragon."
Eyan shook his head. "Not so fast. First… I want to see Eva and Lady Aranel."
Velco raised an eyebrow, then gestured sharply. His guards moved, dragging Eva and Lady Aranel to the center of the grounds.
The moment Eva saw Eyan, her eyes filled with hope, and she tried to run toward him. Velco's sword flashed in front of her, stopping her cold.
"Lady Eva, where do you think you're going?" Velco hissed.
Eyan stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Eva… stay where you are. Do not move."
Eva nodded reluctantly, fear flickering in her eyes.
Turning to Velco, Eyan spoke, "Prince, I will release the dragon. But first… let Lady Aranel go."
Velco's laughter was sharp. "And why would I do that?"
"Lady Aranel has nothing to do with this," Eyan said evenly. "You have Eva with you—shouldn't that be enough?"
Velco tapped his chin, feigning thought. After a long pause, he signaled his men. "Very well… let her go."
The guards stepped forward, releasing Aranel.
"Luca," Eyan whispered, "escort Lady Aranel to safety."
Luca nodded, touching her shoulder. "Come with me." In a flash of teleportation magic, Aranel vanished from the battlefield, safely back at her home.
"She's safe," Luca reported, returning to Eyan's side.
"Good," Eyan murmured, a flicker of relief passing through him.
Velco's eyes narrowed. "Now, your majesty, I have done as you asked. It is your turn to give me what I want."
Eyan leaned closer to Luca, his voice barely a whisper.
"Luca, you remember our plan, right? Just act as fast as you can. It's all up to you now."
Luca's eyes locked onto Eyan's. There was fear in them, but also determination.
"Understood," he replied firmly.
With steady, deliberate hands, Eyan drew out the black marble, He placed it carefully on the ground, then unsheathed the dagger. The blade flashed in the pale morning light as he dragged it across his palm. Crimson blood welled and dripped, soaking into the marble until it pulsed a deep, glowing red.
His voice rang clear, strong, and resolute:
"I, Eyan Lucien Therald, summon the Dragon King—Zeradros!"
The sky shuddered. Darkness spread across the heavens as though the sun itself had been devoured. Thunder cracked, and then—
From the shadows, a colossal form emerged. The Dragon King descended, his scales black as night, his eyes burning with piercing blue light. A roar split the air, shaking the ground beneath their feet.
Prince Velco's laughter rang out, wild and cruel. "Magnificent! Truly magnificent!"
Eva stumbled back, her eyes wide in horror.
And then—time stopped.
The wind froze mid-gust. Dust hung suspended in the air. Every soldier stood motionless.
All except for Eyan and the Dragon King Zeradros.
Zeradros's massive head lowered, his glowing eyes narrowing as he fixed his gaze on the lone man before him. His voice rumbled like distant thunder.
"You, mortal… are you the one who dared call me?"
Eyan's lips pressed into a thin line. "Yes."
"Tell me your name, mortal."
"I am Eyan Lucien Therald."
The dragon's eyes glowed brighter. "Therald… You know what you have done, don't you?"
Eyan clenched his fists. "Yes. I do."
"Then you are ready for the punishment?"
Eyan lifted his chin, his voice steady despite the tremor in his chest. "Yes."
"Very well."
Time lurched back into motion. The wind howled again, soldiers gasped, and Velco's smug grin widened as though nothing unusual had occurred.
But Eyan felt it—the weight, the doom.
Zeradros's eyes blazed, and with a roar that shook the heavens, the Dragon King's power surged.
Eyan's wolves—Talon, Fen, and Mara—erupted from his shadow, snarling before they dissolved into nothingness. One by one, every blessing the dragon had bestowed upon him was ripped away.
Pain seared through Eyan's body. His eyes turned black, consumed by the void. Gritting his teeth, he drew his sword, his hand trembling as if fighting against something unseen.
"Eyan!" Luca shouted, fear in his voice.
Eyan staggered, his chest heaving as he struggled to keep control. "Luca—do it! Now!"
With a desperate cry, Luca unleashed his magic. chains of light shot forth, wrapping around Eyan and binding his arms.
Eyan's body thrashed violently, shadows writhing from him as he roared in defiance.
Eva's scream tore through the air. She ran toward them, her hands trembling.
"Brother, what are you doing?! You're hurting him! Let him go!"
"Stay back, sister-in-law!" Luca shouted, his voice strained as he fought to hold the bindings in place. The sheer force of Eyan's resistance nearly broke him.
But Luca endured. With all his strength, he tightened the magical chains until finally, Eyan fell to his knees, still bound but no longer thrashing. His breaths came ragged, his eyes flickering with faint recognition.
Luca turned sharply to Eva, desperation in his voice.
"Go to Eyan, sister-in-law. Hurry! Talk to him."
Eva's feet stumbled across the broken ground, her trembling hand reaching for the man before her. Her heart thundered in her chest, louder than the chaos rumbling around them.
"Honey… are you okay?" Her voice cracked as her fingertips hovered, afraid yet desperate to touch him.
Eyan lifted his head, his eyes—pained, chained by Luca's magic—met hers. His lips parted, his voice no more than a breath.
"Eva…"
The sound of her name shattered her. Tears streamed as she threw herself into his arms, sobbing against him, clinging as though she could anchor him to this world.
But he didn't return her embrace. The shimmering chains of magic still bound him in place. She pulled back, her hands cupping his face, her tears wetting his cheeks.
"Eyan… what's happening to you?"
"It's nothing," he whispered, his voice trembling though he tried to sound strong. "Just a punishment I have to endure. Nothing else."
Her body shook violently. "Are you sure?"
He nodded, though his tears betrayed him. "Yes." His voice broke. "Eva… forgive me for saying all those things. I love you… and I love our child."
Her sob caught in her throat. She cradled his face as if she could keep him from fading. "I know. I know you only said those words to protect me and our child. Because you were afraid something like this would happen… right?"
His breath trembled. "…Yes."
"Then once everything is over, let's just live quietly. Just us three. I don't care if you're Kyel or Eyan. I don't care who you are anymore. I just want you with me."
His tears spilled freely now, breaking the last of his resolve. "Okay… let's do as you say." His voice quivered. "But Eva… before that, you must leave with Luca."
"Leave? But where?" She shook her head violently. "No, I'm not going anywhere!"
"Eva, listen!" His voice grew sharp with desperation. "I'll come back after I deal with the dragon, I promise. But you have to leave!"
Her lips trembled. "You will come back?"
His face broke, his body shaking. "Yes. I will."
Her sob escaped. "You promise?"
"I promise."
Behind them, Luca's strained voice broke through. "Eyan… I can't hold it any longer. Hurry!"
Eyan turned his head, eyes hardening through his tears. "Luca! Take her and release your magic."
"Okay!" Luca gritted his teeth.
Eyan's gaze returned to Eva, full of sorrow and love. "Eva. Leave now."
She pressed her lips together, shaking, but whispered, "Okay…"
Eva stumbled back to Luca's side. His hand tightened around hers. His voice shook. "Sister-in-law, when I say run, you have to run. Don't look back. Do you hear me?"
Her lips trembled, but she nodded. "Okay."
With a final, agonized motion, Luca released the magic.
The chains shattered.
"Run!" he shouted.
Eva turned and ran, tears blurring her vision—until a voice echoed in her mind.
Leo's voice.
"Don't trust a single word your husband tells you. When he asks you to leave… don't go. Just once, Eva—turn your head and look at him."
Her feet froze. Slowly, trembling, she turned.
And her blood turned to ice.
Eyan was on his knees, his sword angled at his chest. His hands shook, tears streaming down his face.
"No…" Her scream ripped through the night. She bolted toward him, but Luca's arms locked around her, dragging her back.
"Let me go! Eyan! What are you doing?! Please, don't!" She clawed against Luca's grip, thrashing, screaming until her throat burned.
Luca's arms tightened around her. His own tears streamed. "Sister-in-law! Don't look! Close your eyes!"
But she couldn't. She wouldn't.
Her gaze locked on the man she loved as he lifted his eyes to her—one last time.
"Eva…" his voice broke, raw with love and regret. "I'm sorry… for leaving you alone. Take care of our child."
His tears blurred his sight. "I love you."
Her scream tore the sky apart. "NO!"
And with those last words, Eyan drove the blade into his heart.
The sound of steel piercing flesh echoed like thunder in her ears.
His body collapsed lifelessly to the ground.
Eva's knees buckled, her scream tearing her soul apart. "EYAN!!!"
The world around her blurred, but all she could see was him—his still body, his broken promise, and the man she loved slipping away forever.