For the first time in his life, Kaelric rode upon the back of a dragon.The sky burned with hues of molten gold, and the wind pierced beneath his armor, seeping into his bones.The world below grew smaller, the mountains seeming to kneel beneath their shadow.But Kaelric did not smile.The wind might have reminded him of freedom, yet every beat of the dragon's wings only deepened the weight in his chest.
When the dragon soared past the mountain ridge and the towers of SkyDrane Castle appeared in the distance, the last spark of hope in him fell silent.From afar, the sight of the castle filled him with a strange turmoil—the warmth of longing tangled with the chill of failure.
The dragon began to descend.Its massive wings sliced through the wind, casting a shadow that swallowed the stone walls below.Guards raised their spears, then dropped to one knee the moment they recognized their king.The soldiers shouted in joy when they saw the dragon."The Dragons have returned! The King has brought help!"
But as soon as the dragon set Kaelric down, it took flight again.Its wings thundered through the clouds, leaving behind only a fading echo—like a farewell that refused to linger.The soldiers cheered on, blind with relief.Kaelric's eyes, however, followed the truth in silence.
When he stepped into the courtyard, his voice rang out, weary but resolute."Call the healers! See to Cedric and the men!"His tone sounded less like an order and more like a prayer.
He was tired—tired in body, tired in faith.Climbing the stone steps of the castle, he saw Selara waiting.For a fleeting second, hope flickered in her eyes—then died.
"Were you able to convince them?" she asked, her voice trembling between fear and curiosity.
Kaelric didn't avert his gaze."No," he said simply. "They claimed their kind is gone... and vanished into the clouds."
Selara lowered her head, her silence breaking into tears.Kaelric stepped closer, cupping her face and wiping her tears with his calloused fingers."Tomorrow," he said softly, "I will speak to the people. I'll lead the army myself."
Selara shook her head in anguish."If something happens to you, I'll never forgive myself. Let me go with you."
Kaelric's face fell under shadow."No," he said, his tone calm yet cutting. "You'll protect the children. If I fall, the kingdom is yours to guard."
Selara closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder.Even through the cold of his armor, she felt the warmth of his heart.No words could soften that farewell.
From the hallway, little Lane watched quietly.He saw his mother's tears and his father's unshakable resolve.For a child, that moment was enough to understand how fragile the world truly was.
"So I was right," he whispered. "Betrayal never comes from enemies. It comes from those you give your heart to."
Kaelric turned to face him.Lane's eyes were far too cold for his age.
"The dragons refused us, didn't they, Father?"Kaelric approached, placing a hand on his son's shoulder."It's time to protect the family, my son."
Lane bowed his head. "Understood, Father."
And for the first time, a faint smile crossed Kaelric's face.But it wasn't a smile of joy—it was a farewell in disguise.
Night fell.Kaelric gathered his generals around the grand war table.The castle glowed dimly with blue candles; their trembling flames stretched the shadows tall against the walls.
Cedric reported updates while the other commanders traced routes on the map, arguing about formations and mana defenses.Lane sat in a corner, silent but attentive.He was only six, yet he understood.
The discussion lasted seven long hours.Finally, Kaelric struck the table with his fist."The Crescent Tactic," he declared. "The enemy is vast, but not clever. Our wings will close fast, the center will pull back. If executed perfectly, we stand a chance."
The commanders bowed their heads.The plan made sense—but it demanded a miracle.Kaelric knew it, yet there was no other choice.
When the meeting ended, exhaustion clung to everyone.Lane slipped outside into the garden.The wind stirred the roses; the moonlight painted the stone walls silver.He clasped his small hands behind his back and gazed at the sky.The stars were fading behind thick clouds.
He thought to himself,"Tomorrow… some stars will never rise again."
By dawn, the grand hall was filled.The U-shaped table surrounded by nobles, officers, and ministers.Queen Selara sat beside Kaelric; Lane and young Lyra stood silently near the corner.
Kaelric rose.The dragon emblem on his shoulder glimmered in the pale light of morning.His voice was deep and weary, yet it filled the hall like thunder.
"This kingdom was forged in hardship," he began."Our faith has never lived in easy victories—but in impossible defiance.Tomorrow, we do not fight for our land—we fight for our name.As long as the name SkyDrane lives, this kingdom will never die."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the gathered soldiers."Recently, our villages have burned. Our children have cried. Our people have starved.But we are still here.When the enemy comes at dawn, they will come with steel.We will not pray—we will answer with blood."
The final words echoed through the hall like a vow."Long live SkyDrane!"
The soldiers erupted, raising their swords high.Thousands of voices roared in unison:"SkyDrane! SkyDrane! SkyDrane!"
The palace itself trembled.Tears streaked down Selara's cheeks as Lane clenched his fists in silence.
Kaelric stepped onto the battlements.The rising sun bathed the plains in pale gold.Far in the distance, the banners of the Solarin Empire fluttered like a tide of fire.The sky was gray, the wind carrying the scent of metal and rain.
Cedric approached."Your Majesty," he said, "the army is ready. We can reach the Talas Plains in two days."
Kaelric nodded."Good. Time is short. Hope is shorter. But that only makes it precious."
Cedric met his king's gaze—exhausted, yet unbroken."You know how this ends, don't you?"
Kaelric smiled faintly."Yes," he said. "But sometimes endings echo louder than beginnings."
The wind swept over the walls.Kaelric pulled on his gloves, placed his helmet upon his head.The morning of war had arrived.
The dragons were silent.The gods were silent.But the people of SkyDrane were ready to carve their name into that silence.