Tharion lifted the crystal from the ground, its light warm in his hands. "We know where he's going," he said quietly. "Now we follow."
Aurethiun stretched his wings and let out a low, steady roar. The golden dragon lifted into the air, carrying Tharion with ease.
The small creature trotted beside them, keeping pace as the plains gave way to hills and forests. The wind blew through Tharion's hair, carrying the scent of smoke and distant earth.
"Stay alert," Tharion warned. "Varkhaz will be expecting us soon."
Golden light from Aurethiun's scales cut through the evening haze, marking their path forward. Together, king and dragon moved toward the unknown, ready for the trials ahead.
As they moved through the hills, the air grew warmer, carrying a faint smell of smoke. Tharion tensed. "Varkhaz must be nearby," he said.
Aurethiun lowered his wings, eyes scanning the horizon. Suddenly, the ground trembled a subtle but unmistakable warning.
From the trees ahead, shadows shifted. Small creatures, dark and quick, darted between the trunks, stopping just out of reach. Their eyes glinted with a strange red light.
"Spies," Tharion muttered. "Varkhaz is watching us."
The dragon's wings twitched, ready to strike. But Tharion held him back. "Not yet. Let's see what he wants us to see."
The shadows lingered, watching, before disappearing as silently as they had appeared. Only the trembling earth and the faint smell of smoke remained a warning that the enemy was closer than ever.
The hills ahead were quiet at first, but then a chorus of harsh cries cut through the air. Dark shapes surged from the trees smaller, winged dragons, red eyes glowing, circling like predators.
Aurethiun growled, spreading his wings to shield Tharion. "Hold steady," the king whispered.
The winged creatures lunged, claws swiping and teeth snapping. Aurethiun met them with powerful beats of his wings, scattering some, but more kept coming.
Tharion raised his sword, guiding Aurethiun with precise movements. "We can't fight them all! We need to push through!"
With a strong flap, Aurethiun rose above the attackers, carrying Tharion over the worst of the assault. Behind them, the red-eyed dragons shrieked and circled, signaling that Varkhaz's army was near and watching.
The battle was small, but it made one thing clear: the journey ahead would be dangerous, and Varkhaz would not be stopped easily.
Aurethiun flapped his wings hard, lifting Tharion higher into the sky. The red-eyed dragons tried to follow, but the golden dragon's speed kept them at bay.
Tharion glanced down at the hills below. "We need to find a safe place to rest," he said. "They'll be back."
Aurethiun spiraled upward, circling over a quiet valley, its slopes covered in trees and hidden from sight. He landed gently, and Tharion slid off his back, brushing dust from his cloak.
The valley was calm. The wind whispered through the leaves, and for a moment, it felt like the world was holding its breath.
"We survived this encounter," Tharion said, placing a hand on Aurethiun's neck. "But Varkhaz is close, and he's not alone."
The dragon lowered his head, golden eyes reflecting the fading light. Together, they watched the horizon, readying themselves for whatever came next.
Tharion stood on a ridge, the valley behind him calm for now. He held the glowing crystal in his hand, its light faint but steady.
"This will guide us," he said, studying the map the crystal showed. "Varkhaz is moving toward the eastern mountains. We need to stay ahead of him."
Aurethiun stretched his wings, lifting slightly off the ground. "We'll follow his trail," Tharion continued. "Carefully, but quickly."
The wind carried faint scents of smoke and ash. Tharion frowned. "He's already leaving destruction behind him. We can't let him reach the villages."
Aurethiun lowered his head, claws pressing into the earth. Together, king and dragon prepared to take off, golden scales shining in the last light of day.
With a powerful leap, Aurethiun soared into the sky, Tharion gripping tight. Ahead lay the mountains, the path uncertain
but they would face it together.
As Aurethiun and Tharion approached the mountains, the air grew hotter, carrying the smell of smoke and fire.
From a ridge above, a shadow moved. Varkhaz emerged, crimson scales glinting, eyes burning like coals. He spread his wings, blocking their path.
"You're too close," Tharion whispered, gripping Aurethiun's neck.
Varkhaz let out a roar that echoed through the mountains, smoke curling from his jaws. He circled once, then landed heavily on the ridge, claws digging into the rock.
Aurethiun growled, wings flaring, golden scales glowing in warning.
The two dragons faced each other, tense and ready. Tharion knew this was the moment they had finally come face to face with their enemy.
Varkhaz lunged forward, claws flashing and fire spurting from his mouth. Aurethiun twisted mid-air, dodging just in time, golden scales glinting in the sunlight.
Tharion held on tightly, shouting commands only Aurethiun could hear. They struck back with tail and wing, but Varkhaz was fast, stronger, and relentless.
A single swipe from Varkhaz sent Aurethiun skidding across a ridge, dust and rocks tumbling down. Tharion gritted his teeth. "He's too strong… we can't win like this!"
With a powerful beat of his wings, Aurethiun lifted them both out of reach. Varkhaz roared, circling above, smoke curling from his nostrils.
Both dragons hovered, eyes locked, each knowing the real fight was still ahead and that they had to be smarter next time.
Aurethiun landed on a flat ridge, wings folding carefully. Tharion slid off his back, brushing dust from his cloak.
"We can't face him head-on," Tharion said, studying the scorched rocks. "He's too strong, too fast."
The golden dragon lowered his head, breathing steadily, eyes scanning the horizon. Tharion reached for the glowing crystal. "This will guide us. If we use it wisely, we can predict his path."
A soft wind carried the faint smell of smoke from Varkhaz's direction. Tharion clenched his fists. "We need a plan. Hit where he least expects it… and stay ahead of him."
Aurethiun's tail swished once, a silent agreement. Together, king and dragon prepared to continue the chase, determined and cautious, knowing the next encounter would decide much more than just this fight.
Aurethiun glided silently over the hills, Tharion gripping his neck. The crystal's faint glow pulsed, pointing toward a narrow canyon ahead.
"Varkhaz is moving through there," Tharion said. "It looks… dangerous."
The canyon walls rose like jagged teeth, shadows stretching across the path. Smoke drifted from between the rocks, carrying a faint, acrid smell.
Aurethiun lowered his wings, circling carefully. "We must be ready for anything," Tharion whispered.
From above, a low rumble echoed through the rocks Varkhaz's roar. The enemy dragon was already waiting, and the canyon was exactly the trap they feared.
Golden and crimson scales glimmered in the fading light, two dragons poised for a clash that would test their strength and wit.
The canyon walls echoed with Varkhaz's roar as he lunged forward, claws striking the rocks beside Aurethiun. The golden dragon twisted, avoiding the blow, and countered with a tail swipe that barely grazed the crimson scales.
Tharion held tight, shouting commands, but even he felt the power of the enemy dragon. Sparks flew as claws and wings clashed, sending dust and small rocks tumbling down the canyon.
Varkhaz breathed a jet of fire, forcing Aurethiun to back off. Tharion gritted his teeth. "We can't let him corner us!"
Aurethiun leaped upward, wings flaring, carrying Tharion above the canyon floor. Varkhaz roared, circling with deadly speed, eyes locked on his prey.
The clash was fierce, but both dragons quickly realized something neither could win with brute force alone. With a growl, Aurethiun pulled back, landing carefully on a rocky ledge.
Varkhaz landed opposite, smoke,curling from his nostrils, crimson eyes burning.
Tharion breathed heavily. "He's strong… smarter than we thought. We'll need a plan, or this fight will never end."
Aurethiun lowered his wings, resting on the rocky ledge. Tharion slid off, brushing dust from his cloak, the canyon silent around them.
Varkhaz hovered above, crimson eyes still watching, but he made no move. The warning was clear this battle was not over, but for now, neither side would strike.
Tharion placed a hand on Aurethiun's neck, feeling the steady beat of the golden dragon's heart. "We survived today," he said quietly. "But we have to be ready… for the next time."
The crystal pulsed faintly in his hand, pointing the way forward. Together, king and dragon looked toward the horizon, where the mountains rose like jagged guardians.
The sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the land. Aurethiun's scales glimmered in the light, golden and proud, while Varkhaz's crimson figure faded into the distance.
For now, they had won a moment of peace. But the journey and the war was only beginning.