On a quiet morning, as the first rays of sunlight crept through the windows, the place was filled with whispers and farewells.

  "So... Your Majesty. We meet at the academy, then?" Kor said, looking at Alden with eyes full of curiosity. "Unfortunately, Alden will not be returning to the academy," Alrik replied quietly.

  "Huh?! What do you mean by that?!" Kor wondered, surprised by the sudden news. "After his coronation, he will have to leave the academy. There will be greater responsibilities awaiting him in his kingdom. As for his education, he will receive the best training from the sorcerers of the continent," Keith added.

  "Oh..." Kor looked saddened, fully aware of the changes that would soon affect Alden's life.

  "But that doesn't mean we won't see you again. Even after you become king, you'll still be our friend," Luna said with a comforting smile.

  "Of course! Besides, royal meetings happen at the academy. I'll sneak in and greet you then!" Alden replied, lightening the mood with his playful words.

  "Korr!" Lioness called, "It's time to leave!" "Right!" Kor replied loudly, turning to his companions, "Well, guys, I must go now." "Me too," Keith said.

  "So, Alden, good luck with your reign!" Luna said, offering a smile full of good wishes. "Thank you again for coming, and I wish you all a safe journey," Christina said, bidding them farewell with eyes full of emotion.

  "So... can I go now? I haven't gotten enough sleep," Kaya said, yawning and closing her eyes. "Yes, me too. Well, see you later," Alden said, just as Kaya turned to leave.

  But before they could depart, Christina stopped them and shouted: "Not so fast!"

  Christina grabbed Kaya and Alden by their hands firmly, "Today is the coronation, you lazy ones!" "And what about me? Alden is the one being crowned!" Kaya said, trying to act indifferent. "Why the rush? Let's postpone it to tomorrow," Alden said with a relaxed tone.

  But Christina wasn't going to allow that. She pinched Kaya and Alden's ears, causing them to shout in surprise. "Did you say something?" Christina asked with an angry tone, her eyes flashing with slight fury.

  "Ahhh! I said I'm going to get ready!" Kaya quickly said, bowing in embarrassment. "Ahhh! Me too! Me too!" Alden said, raising his hands, pretending to repent.

  Christina stopped pinching and looked at them sternly. "Oh... I can't believe this! I'm your only daughter, be nice to me!" Kaya said, taking a deep breath, trying to hide her smile.

  "I... I'm sorry," Alden said, looking at the ground, moved. "Good... now go and get ready," Christina said, smiling.

  "I... I'm sorry," Alden said again, his voice full of regret and seriousness.

  Everyone looked at Alden in surprise. It seemed as though a heavy burden had been lifted from his heart. "I acted foolishly. I was harsh with you while you were trying to help me... I..." Alden began, his eyes filled with tears.

  Suddenly, Christina embraced him, smiling kindly and saying: "It's okay, Alden. I know you've been through a lot, and all these suppressed emotions were hurting you. But remember, you were never alone, and we are always with you. Don't carry this burden alone. Share it with us, and we'll get through everything together, as we always have."

  Kaya and Alrik joined the embrace, and even Alden's tears began to fall. "I miss him," Alden whispered softly, overcome with emotion. "We all do," Christina replied, her eyes filled with sadness and tenderness.

  Alden's Room:

  After moments of heavy silence, the distorted voice of Adam came, laden with bitterness and confession: "I admit it... I didn't expect things to go this far! But all of this is thanks to Kaya, without her, You might have ended up thrown against the palace walls, worthless."

  Knock... knock...

  "Come in," Alden said, raising his hand as a gesture to allow entrance, though his tone carried a hint of caution.

  "Your Majesty," Alrik said, bowing respectfully, then raising his head with a focused look.

  Alden looked at him, his eyes wandering as if he were trying to retrieve thoughts lost in the noise of recent days. "Alrik... do you think I'm fit for this position?"

  "Huh?!" Alrik paused, then looked at Alden and realized the seriousness of the question wasn’t a casual inquiry. "Actually... no!" he answered honestly, causing Adam's distorted voice to sneer maliciously.

  "Hmph... Finally, someone sensible!" Adam said, sighing in frustration, as if feeling that a truth had been spoken.

  Alrik took a step forward, his eyes filled with confidence in Alden: "I'm sure you'll become a strong warrior in the future, perhaps even a hero. But a king... that's a whole different matter. If Kaya hadn't intervened in yesterday's speech, things could have ended very badly."

  Alden closed his eyes for a moment, reflecting on Alrik's words. He realized the burden he carried was far greater than he'd anticipated. "Hmm... Seems he's smarter than you. Maybe you should abdicate the throne to him," Adam said mockingly, as if trying to stir more doubt in Alden’s heart.

  Alden took a deep breath, then said in a firm and resolute voice: "Thank you, Alrik. I now know what must be done."

  Later...

  "Alright, Your Majesty. All areas have been secured," William said, raising his head respectfully.

  "Good... we don’t want yesterday’s incident to repeat. Woo-Kilan, is everything ready?" Christina asked, her eyes carefully following everyone's movements.

  "Yes, Your Majesty."

  "Alright, let's go!" Christina stepped forward, raising her hand to announce the coronation, her words carrying strength and attention. "People of the Kingdom of Shomer... Yesterday, we gathered to say goodbye to a king, and today we gather to welcome a new king! Therefore, with the authority vested in me, I, Christina of House Shomron, Queen of the Kingdom of Shomer, present to you the successor of King Adam, Alden of House Shomron!! Prince of the Kingdom of Shomer!!"

  The people began to cheer enthusiastically: "Long live Prince Alden!! Long live Prince Alden!! Long live Prince Alden!!"

  Alden stepped forward, his eyes turning toward Christina, then stopping in front of her. The head butler, Zerv, stepped forward, holding a cushion with a sword and crown, standing beside Christina.

  Alden knelt on his left knee and lowered his head in respect. "Introduce yourself!" Christina commanded, her tone firm.

  "I am Alden of House Shomron! Prince of the Kingdom of Shomer! Successor of King Adam!"

  Christina raised the sword, pointing it at Alden, asking: "Prince Alden! Do you swear your complete loyalty to the Kingdom of Shomer?"

  "I swear!"

  "Do you swear to protect the people of the Kingdom of Shomer?"

  "I swear!"

  "Do you swear to place the interests of the Kingdom of Shomer above your personal ones?"

  "I swear!"

  "Then... I, Christina of House Shomron, Queen of the Kingdom of Shomer, hereby declare you... Alden of House Shomron!! King of the Kingdom of Shomer!!"

  The people cheered loudly: "Long live King Alden!! Long live King Alden!! Long live King Alden!!"

  Alden raised his hands high, his eyes shining with excitement, before Christina placed the sword in his hands. Then she took the crown and placed it on his head.

  "You may rise now! King Alden!!" Christina shouted, her voice filling the air.

  Alden stood, bowing his head to Christina, and she mirrored the gesture.

  Alden stepped forward, raising the sword high, causing the crowd to cheer for him once more. When he lowered the sword, the cheering stopped, and silence filled the air as everyone awaited what Alden would say.

  "People of the Kingdom of Shomer! I am Alden of House Shomron!! King of the Kingdom of Shomer!! I hereby announce my abdication of the throne!! To Kaya of House Shomron!! Princess of the Kingdom of Shomer!!"

  "Haaah!!!" The crowd gasped in astonishment.

  "Wait, Alden?!! What are you doing?!!" Alrik shouted, clearly stunned by the sudden decision.

  "I made the right choice." Alden replied, then turned to address the people. "I know what you're thinking now, but the truth is... Kaya has proven herself more worthy of this position than I have. In fact, she was the one who aspired to this position, unlike me. I showed no responsibility for it, and without Kaya, we might have lost our mother too, and I would have remained outside the palace walls... Known as the failed heir. And I’m confident that all of you noticed this yesterday, how she faced the pressures and solved things, and how she supported me and our mother. She demonstrated the qualities of a king, the qualities... I saw in my father."

  "Alden!" Kaya whispered, trying to hold back her tears.

  "She showed wisdom, courage, strength, responsibility, and, of course, ambition for this position... So I see no one more fit than Kaya to be my father’s successor. And I think all of you agree with me."

  "W... wait, Alden!! What do you..."

  But the cheers from the people interrupted Kaya’s words, growing louder: "Long live Princess Kaya!! Long live Princess Kaya!! Long live Princess Kaya!!"

  "Did you see that? The people have chosen you!" Alden said with a calm smile, looking at Kaya.

  "B... but... my mother?

  "Alright... The king has spoken, and it would not be proper to refuse his request." Christina said with a slight smile on her face, just as Alden smiled.

  Alden then pointed his sword at Kaya and said: "Introduce yourself!"

  "I am Kaya from House Shomron!! Princess of the Kingdom of Shomr!!"

  A grand celebration was held at the palace to celebrate the coronation of Queen Kaya, Queen of the Kingdom of Shomr. The hall was adorned with royal banners and bright lamps, and the atmosphere was filled with joy and celebration. The five council members advanced one by one, kneeling on their left knees, pledging their allegiance to the new queen.

  "I am Wu-Kilan of House Chin! The King's advisor! I swear my complete loyalty to you! Queen Kaya!" Wu-Kilan declared firmly, a man with a thick beard and sharp eyes, expressing his deep devotion.

  "I am William of House Boldberg! The army's commander! I swear my complete loyalty to you! Queen Kaya!" William said, wearing an extravagant military uniform, his eyes gleaming with strength and respect.

  "I am Khalid of House Sam! Ruler of Grenou! I swear my complete loyalty to you! Queen Kaya!" Khalid announced with a serious voice, his sharp features showing years of leadership experience.

  "I am Izogi of House Nawe! Ruler of Liberia! I swear my complete loyalty to you! Queen Kaya!" Izogi said with elegant presence and unwavering confidence, making some feel her powerful will.

  "I am Stephen of House Glider! Ruler of Fortemberg! I swear my complete loyalty to you! Queen Kaya!" Stephen declared, admiring Kaya, his nobility and loyalty apparent.

  The rest of the attendees in the hall, from all corners of the kingdom, stood up and showed deep emotion. They echoed in unison, "We are the people of the Kingdom of Shomr! We swear our complete loyalty to you! Queen Kaya!"

  Kaya rose from the throne, advancing forward with confidence and calm, as though carrying the weight of the kingdom on her shoulders. She looked at the council members and the attendees, then spoke in a calm voice but full of strength:

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  "Rise, gentlemen! You have served my father for many years, showing him nothing but loyalty and devotion. It is an honor for me to work with you to preserve what my father built, and what the kings before him built. And what the founder Shomron built! Rise, all of you, and let the celebration begin!!"

  The crowd began to clap enthusiastically, expressing their joy at Kaya taking the throne. However, deep within them was another feeling, a sense that the kingdom was at a crucial crossroads, and that Kaya would be capable of leading Shomr through this difficult phase.

  The sun set, but the celebration continued at the palace and throughout the kingdom. Singing and dancing, happiness and play, it was one of the kingdom's finest nights.

  "Your Majesty," William and the young man with him bowed respectfully. "Allow me to introduce my son, Byron…"

  "Byron!" Kaya completed with enthusiasm, smiling as she looked at the young man.

  "Your Majesty," Byron said, standing humbly.

  "Rise, please!" Kaya said, moving toward them with a smile. "Byron, it's been so long!"

  "Yes... since the academy days," Byron replied, smiling.

  "Since Byron finished the academy, I enrolled him in the army training, and he has developed greatly. He aims to become one of your personal guards."

  "What an honor! In fact, since the academy days, he acted like he was my personal guard," Kaya said, reminiscing about those days, causing Byron to smile shyly.

  Byron rubbed the back of his neck with an embarrassed smile.

  William laughed and said: "So that's why he insisted on being your personal guard, even though I asked him to join me at the front. Well, from now on, your training will be tougher."

  "Wait! Isn't it tough enough?!" Byron responded, laughing to hide his nervousness.

  "She looks so happy, don't she?" Christina said to Alden, who was watching Kaya talk and laugh with William and Byron.

  "Yes... I just wish my father were here today," Alden said, smiling with a touch of sadness.

  "Oh, please, you're going to make me cry," Christina teased, noticing his sad expression.

  "I feel the same..." Christina replied, then added after a brief silence, "By the way, Alden... do you feel anything strange in your body?"

  "Hmm?!" Alden responded, confused.

  "In fact, Chief Heimdal and King Leons told me that during yesterday's speech, when the people revolted, they saw a kind of dark aura surrounding them. But it disappeared after Kaya's speech."

  "Is that why they suddenly erupted? But no one noticed anything," Alden said, puzzled.

  "Yes, that's what we believe. Also, the dwarves have a strong connection to mana, so they might have noticed something. While King Leons has the ability to distinguish mana particles in the air."

  "Amazing!!" Alden thought to himself.

  "They also noticed the same aura on you... even stronger. So I want to know, do you feel anything strange?"

  "Hmm? She's right. Maybe you should tell her I'm talking to my father's disfigured corpse... I'm not sure how she'd react, even though I'm her husband, but I'm sure it's worth trying," said Adam's disfigured corpse.

  "In fact... I..." Alden stopped speaking suddenly. He saw a strange woman wearing a black hood and carrying a magical staff, which made him feel something strange in his heart.

  "Al... Ald... Alden!" Christina said in shock, sensing a sudden change in Alden's behavior.

  "Huh?!!" Alden said, snapping back to reality, smiling at Christina.

  "What's wrong with you all of a sudden? You really feel something! I'll take you to..." Christina started to say, but was interrupted immediately.

  "I'm fine! I just think I saw Alrik! I'll call him to join us," Alden said, walking away quickly.

  "What?! Wait, Alden!" Christina said, but Alden had already started chasing the strange woman.

  "Do you think it's appropriate to leave your mother like this? For a strange woman?! I didn't raise you properly after all!" mocked the corpse.

  "Be quiet! You're not my father!" Alden shouted in anger.

  "Oh! Finally, you're talking to me! It's been a long time. I was afraid I wouldn't see you again," the corpse replied sarcastically.

  "I told you to be quiet!" Alden said angrily, quickening his pace.

  Alden suddenly collided with someone.

  "Ah! Sorry, I didn't mean to..." Alden started, but stopped when he saw the person he had bumped into.

  "Prince Alden!" Stephen said in shock. "Excuse me, Your Highness," he added, bowing respectfully.

  "No... Sir Stephen, it's me who should apologize, I was in a hurry," Alden said, trying to correct the situation quickly.

  "If I may ask, why? Are you looking for someone?" Stephen asked curiously.

  "Yes... a mysterious woman, wearing a black hood, and carrying a magical staff. It's hard not to notice her, unless you're as crazy as my son here," said the corpse, attempting to downplay the situation.

  "I told you to be quiet!" Alden whispered angrily.

  "Sorry... Your Highness?!" Stephen said in surprise, but seemed more concerned about Alden's condition.

  "No! Nothing! Sir Stephen. I'm just looking for Alrik. Now, excuse me," Alden said quickly.

  "Uh... alright," Stephen said, bowing again.

  Alden, still feeling a strange tension, began searching for the mysterious woman he felt was near. He noticed that she had left the hall through a side entrance.

  "I found you!" Alden said, quickly following her.

  Alden chased the strange woman quickly, and when he crossed through the entrance, he saw her turn at the end of the hallway. He ran after her quickly. She was fast, and he saw her turn at the end of the hallway again. He continued running behind her through the palace.

  "Huh?!! Isn't that the prince?!!" one of the guards said in surprise.

  "Yes?! It is! Let's go!" the other guard responded quickly.

  "Damn!!" Alden cursed angrily, "Could it be her? That damn woman?!!" Alden thought to himself.

  The strange woman turned again, making Alden even angrier.

  "Damn it!! Stop!!" Alden shouted as he ran quickly, then was stunned when he turned behind the woman again. "!!!" Alden's eyes widened in shock, and his whole body began to sweat and tremble. "N...No!! The back courtyard!!" Alden shouted angrily, "Are you mocking me?!! Where are you?!! Show yourself, you damn woman!!"

  "Y...Your Highness?!?!" came the voice from behind him. It was the guard who had seen Alden running around the palace.

  "What?!!" Alden responded angrily, turning to them.

  "Ex...excuse us, sir!!" the two guards said in unison, bowing respectfully.

  Alden noticed they were just guards, and he felt guilty for shouting at them. He took a deep breath to calm himself, then said: "It's alright, rest... I just thought I saw someone."

  Alden started looking around the courtyard for the woman. The two guards approached him cautiously.

  "Hmm?!! But Your Highness, we've been through every part of the palace and haven't seen anyone else!" one guard said, puzzled.

  "Y...yes. Perhaps if you described the person, we might be able to help," the other guard added.

  "They didn’t see anyone but me!" Alden exclaimed, whispering to himself, "Maybe my mother was right, and I'm starting to hallucinate. Damn it!" He turned back to the guards, saying, "Never mind, maybe I was..."

  "Your Highness, watch out!!" one of the guards suddenly shouted.

  Alden quickly looked behind him and saw an axe swinging toward his head. He avoided the blow with a swift backflip.

  "Wait!! What does this mean?!!" Alden shouted angrily, jumping backward.

  "Oops... I missed." said one of the guards standing behind Alden, a malicious grin on his face.

  "Damn it! Where did this bastard come from?!!" said the other guard in surprise.

  "Your Highness!! Run!" one of the guards warned, but didn’t finish his sentence, as he was sliced in half by the claw of a giant bear.

  "You two... Aren’t you supposed to be guarding the corridor for us?!!" the guard holding a sword said angrily.

  "Oh... my apologies! I don't know where this guard came from." responded the guard with a magical staff, stepping from the corridor's entrance.

  "It seems he... was... in the square." the bear-like man said, blood dripping from his claws and mouth.

  "Yes... because this beast sliced any guard who appeared in the corridor." said the guard with the staff coldly.

  In the corridor, there were over twenty guards’ bodies lying on the floor, mutilated brutally.

  "You..." Alden said angrily, breathing heavily. "Who are you?! And is that crazy woman with you?!!"

  "Hmm?!" responded the guard holding a sword coldly, "As we told you before, Your Highness. We didn’t see anyone but you passing through the corridors, and as for who we are... we are..." He grinned maniacally, "Members of the Dark Sect! And we were sent to kill you!"

  Alden took a few steps back, still on alert.

  "Actually, we didn’t expect the mission to be this easy. I mean, how are we going to kill the prince?!! Right in the middle of people at the celebration?!! Isn’t that a difficult task?" said the staff-wielder, laughing.

  "Hmph... But after seeing you running alone through the corridors!" said the axe-wielder in a deep voice.

  "How lucky are we!" said the axe-wielder with a mocking smile.

  "An easy... prey." said the bear-like human.

  The four of them moved toward Alden, and with every step they took, Alden cautiously backed away.

  "Hmph! Four professional killers coming after one boy?!" Alden mocked, preparing for battle, "I thought you Dark Sect members were more imposing than this."

  "Hmm?!! He’s right. We don’t need you to kill the little prince." said the axe-wielder with an evil grin. "Let me handle him!"

  "Fine." said the swordsman. "He might not let you defeat him."

  "Hmph... As if he has a chance." said the bear-like human, letting out a soft growl.

  The axe-wielder moved forward, his massive build evident, wielding a double-edged axe. He looked incredibly strong, as his axe was huge and heavy.

  "Alright... then it’s you!" Alden said, breathing heavily, "He must be enhanced. Fighting him will be tough."

  The axe-wielder charged toward Alden quickly, raising his axe high and ready to strike.

  "[Damn!! He’s faster than I expected!!]" Alden thought quickly.

  Alden focused mana into his feet to increase his speed, and jumped to the side at the last moment.

  Boom!

  The ground shattered from the force of the axe-wielder's strike.

  "Hmph... I can't believe you dodged that!" the staff-wielder sneered.

  "Sl...ow!" said the bear-like human, looking at Alden with cold eyes.

  Alden was breathing heavily, his entire body sweating, "[I... can’t believe it!! If I had been a second late...]"

  Alden couldn’t finish his thoughts, as the axe-wielder suddenly appeared in front of him, falling from above, ready to deliver a stronger blow.

  "[Damn!!]"

  Alden remembered something.

  "Damn!!" Alden said, rising from the ground, feeling a sharp pain throughout his body.

  "Too slow." said Adam, his voice calm but full of wisdom. "If this were a real battlefield, you would be dead by now."

  "But father... you’re so fast. I can’t even see your attacks." Alden sighed, trying to gather his strength.

  "Of course, you can't keep up with your current vision. Just as you focus mana in your body to enhance your speed and power, focus it in your eyes as well. This way, you’ll be able to match your opponent’s speed. And the higher your level, the sharper your vision will become."

  In the present...

  Alden dodged the strike again at the last moment. His eyes were sparkling due to the mana focus on them.

  "[Damn!! I can't look away from him... or this will be the end!]" Alden thought with determination, keeping his focus on his opponent.

  "Stop playing and finish him off!" the swordsman said sharply. "The rest of the guards may be gathering now."

  The axe-wielder smiled maliciously and turned his eyes toward Alden. "How unfortunate... I was starting to really enjoy this."

  "[I need to keep dodging until...!!]" Alden thought, continuing to avoid the strikes.

  But suddenly, the bear-like human appeared behind Alden!

  "[Damn! I don’t have time to...]"

  The hybrid beast delivered a powerful punch from the side, sending Alden flying toward a massive tree. The tree shattered from the impact, and the sound of breaking branches filled the air.

  "Heh! You monster! Who allowed you to interfere?!" the axe-wielder shouted angrily.

  "We don’t... have... time... for... playing... with... prey." the bear-like human said in a heavy tone, his face expressionless.

  "He’s right." said the swordsman coldly, watching Alden, "Come on, just make sure if he’s dead or not."

  "Hmph... you idiots!!" the axe-wielder muttered impatiently, raising his axe challengingly. "Hah!! I can’t believe it!! He survived that beast’s attack!!"

  Alden managed to block the beast’s attack at the last moment with his right hand, but his hand shattered under the force of the blow, and blood started pouring from his mouth. His body was nearly broken, as if every part of him was suffering from the impact.

  "You’re not bad, boy!! But unfortunately... this is your end!!" said the axe-wielder, raising his axe high, ready to deliver the finishing blow.

  Then a deafening, monstrous scream echoed, filled with the scent of death and danger.

  "Alrik!" Christina called, searching the hall. "There you are! But... isn’t Alden with you?"

  "No... actually, I haven’t seen him since the start of the celebration." Alrik responded with a confused expression.

  "This is strange! He said he saw you and went to call you." Christina said, her worry evident.

  "Queen Mother, Your Highness." Stephen bowed politely.

  "Sir Stephen... have you seen Alden?" Christina asked quickly, concern visible on her face.

  "Yes, my lady. He seemed a bit confused. When I asked him about it, he said he was looking for Your Highness, Alrik."

  "What is this? Is he using me as an excuse to avoid responsibility?!" Alrik said sharply.

  "Mother... Allow me to introduce..." Kaya suddenly stopped speaking, turning to her mother.

  "Kaya, have you seen your brother?!" Christina asked.

  "Which one? The one standing behind you? Or the other one?" Kaya replied sarcastically.

  "Kaya!" Christina said loudly, trying to control herself.

  "Okay... okay. I’m sorry. Just calm down, Mom." Kaya said quickly, adding, "Wasn’t Alden with you? What’s going on?"

  "It seems mom is worried about Alden because he couldn’t find me." Alrik said calmly, watching his mother’s face.

  "No! Something is wrong! I can feel it!" Christina responded, her eyes filled with deep worry.

  "Okay, mom. Just calm down. Of course, he’s somewhere here, probably flirting with one of the girls." Kaya said, trying to ease the situation.

  Suddenly, a soldier rushed toward them, panting.

  "Sir!" the soldier said, approaching quickly.

  "Wait, soldier! Don’t you see the Queen is here?!" William said angrily.

  "Apologies, sir, but... Prince Alden..." the soldier began to pant again, looking anxious.

  Everyone rushed toward the back square. On their way, they passed the corridor filled with the dismembered bodies of guards. They all stopped suddenly, shocked by the gruesome sight before them. Bodies torn apart in a savage way, scattered everywhere, with blood splattered on the ceiling.

  "Alden!!" Christina cried, her face covered with concern.

  "He’s not here, my lady. But in the square." one of the guards replied.

  At the mention of the square, everyone remembered King Adam. Christina and Kaya remembered how his injuries had been. They feared they would find Alden in the same condition. Christina's body was shaking with fear, while Kaya and Alrik held her hand and walked together toward the square’s entrance. When they arrived, they were shocked by the scene before them. The bodies of the four Dark Sect guards were dismembered in the same way as the bodies in the corridor.

  One of the guards pointed to the tree Alden had been thrown into. They were trying to approach, but something was stopping them. When Christina and the others got closer, the guards stepped aside to let them through, and then the surprise.

  "Impossible!!" Stephen shouted.

  "Is... that really... a dragon?!" William said in a trembling voice.

  The creature before them was a small dragon, with red scales and dark brown stripes. Its claws seemed stronger than steel, and its sharp, gleaming teeth. Its wings were large enough to carry a bear. But its body wasn’t as massive as the dragons they knew; he was at least six feet tall.

  "Alden!!" Christina cried, tears filling her eyes.

  Suddenly, the dragon moved as if it had been sleeping. The guards stepped back, for this was the dragon they hadn’t seen in centuries. The dragon went into a defensive stance, but didn’t attack. It stepped back one more step as if...

  "Wait!! Is it... protecting Prince Alden?!" said Beron, amazed.

  Christina took a step forward, but the dragon puffed smoke from its nostrils, threatening her. Alrik quickly grabbed Christina's hand.

  "Wait, Mom!! This thing might attack you!!" Alrik said, worried.

  "Alrik is right. But... Alden is there... he seems injured!" Kaya said, trying to stay calm.

  "If it really is protecting Alden, it will let me pass." Christina said confidently.

  "Then let me go ahead..." Kaya said, but Christina interrupted.

  "No! I don’t want to scare it. Maybe if we go together, it’ll feel threatened... so I should go." Christina said firmly.

  Alrik looked at Kaya and nodded in agreement. He released Christina's hand and took a step back while she moved forward.

  "Captain William... you have permission to intervene if you sense danger. Get my mother away and attack the dragon immediately." Kaya said.

  "As you wish, Your Highness." William replied seriously.

  Christina advanced slowly toward Alden. The dragon watched her with sharp eyes. When she got closer, it stood in her path, blocking any movement. William stood ready and signaled his soldiers to prepare.

  The dragon began sniffing her, as if studying her. When the dragon stepped back one step, it allowed Christina to pass. William stopped the spell he was about to cast and signaled his soldiers to retreat.

  Christina carefully examined Alden’s body but found no injuries. He was covered in blood and dirt, unconscious. She immediately hugged him, her tears flowing freely, overwhelmed with both happiness and worry.