52. A Battle Yet to End.

The weather was changing as they journeyed deeper into the woods. The clouds were gathering, looking as if rain was about to fall.

"Looks like the weather isn't friendly" Kai broke the silence.

"Yeah...I think we should find somewhere to hid for a while before the rain starts" Selene altered.

"There's a small building up ahead; we should be able to rest there." Micheal muttered.

They quickly moved toward the building. Upon arriving, they noticed a symbol of a dragon at the entrance. As they stepped closer, the symbol shinned with a dim, eerie glow.

"Wow this is beautiful." Selene said in awe

"Beautiful?" Jade replied. "There is nothing beautiful here"

"Silence" Micheal ordered.

Before any of them could react, the ground beneath them began to tremble and a series of stone spikes shot up, blocking the entrance. The air grew with heavy tension.

"Looks like we are being trapped." Kai murmured.

The walls began to shift, the ancient dragon symbol groaning back to life with an ominous red glow. Suddenly, sharp spikes emerged from above descending inch by inch on the floor.

"We need to move—now!" Micheal shouted looking round for an escape.

As they began to run, the dragon symbol let out an eerie growl.

"What?!" Kai shouted, glancing back at the glowing symbol as he ran. "Isn't that a real dragon?"

"Oh my..! Yes, it is," Jade whispered.

Micheal suddenly stopped, turning to get a better look.

Before he could move an inch, the dragon burst forth, its massive form emerging from the symbol, fire erupting from its mouth as it flew straight toward him.

"Alright, Let's do this" Micheal said twisting his veralune staff, his face set in a deep frown waiting for the dragon's attack

The Dragon was high above, letting out errie growl.

"What are you doing here" he demanded.

"I'm here to free the jungle from the Dark world" Micheal muttered as his crew looks on

"You can't do it alone" Dragon rumbled.

"Yeah...that's why am here with my friends" his gaze fixed towards them, his eyes filled with trust as they are in this together.

"Am neither a friend nor an enemy" Dragon voice audible. "You have entered my palace and have awakened me. You can't leave without a fight"

"Am not here to fight pal" Micheal breathed out. "But if you want one,we can give it to you."

The dragon furious with Micheal's last statement, unleashes flames of fire straight towards Micheal. Micheal shifted rolling to the side just as the fire scorched the ground where he had stood. He barley had time to recover before the dragon circled back preparing for another attack.

"Ready guys" Micheal called out his team

"Oh yeah!..time to kick ass" Kai yelled.

"Jade, Selene position to the left, riven take the right" Micheal ordered as he drew out a plan.

"What about me" Kai murmured.

"You're with me. Let's kick the hell out of this thing together" Micheal smirked.

"Are u done" the dragon snarled.

"Not yet. There's one last thing I need to do, big boy" Micheal said as golden flames began flickering around him,moving with intensity, signaling the awakening of his power.

"Now we are ready" Micheal exhaled.

The dragon let out a loud growl as his guards descended from above, landing on the walls of the building one after another, surrounding them.

"Looks like the dragon has his own plans too," Jade sighed.

"Change of plans, then," Micheal remarked.

Before he could give new orders, the dragon guards began firing metal spikes toward them.

The battle had just begun.

"Take cover!" Riven shouted.

"I think we need to get them to come down here, or else we'll be at a disadvantage," Selene murmured, swinging her sword and dodging the spikes.

"That's true. We can't defeat them while they're still up there. Micheal, do something!" Kai shouted, flinging his daggers to block an incoming spike.

Micheal let out a deep breath. Gripping his veralune staff, he struck the ground with force cuasing it to open up. The dragon palace collapsed into the ground taking his guards down with it.

The dragon furious, his face burning with fire

"What have you just done"

"I did what I had to do" Micheal replied, his voice loud and steady.

The dragon let out a deep scream circling above as he unleashed a storm of fire. The flames surrounded Micheal and his friends, giving them no room of escape.

"We can't even run now" Riven grumbled.

"Relax...Micheal will figure a way out" jade sighed, her gaze fixed on their captain.

"Is that all you got big boy?" Micheal taunted.

The dragon getting more heated up,as he let out a thunderous growl going towards Micheal at full speed, fire erupting from his mouth ready to unleash.

"Micheal do something!" They all cried out.

Miche took a breath, his eyes fixed on the approaching dragon.

"Come on, buddy" Micheal whispered to himself, bracing for impact.

BOOM!

A massive explosion sends dust flying everywhere , binding the battlefield.

Kai coughed, struggling to see through the dust "Where's Micheal" he gasped.

Selene scanned the forest looking for any sign of Micheal.

"It seems he and the dragon are no where to be found." She said.

"Where could he have gone" Riven murmured.

"Everyone, relax. Micheal will be fine— That am sure of it" Jade reassured them.

"Are you really sure?" Kai asked, tightening his daggers.

Just then, a voice from nowhere came.

"100% sure, Kai."

Kai's eye widened. "Did u hear that" he whispered.

Jade stepped forward, her eyes scanning the dust-filled air. "That's Micheal!" she exclaimed, a spark of relief flashing across her face.

They all ran towards him, with Selene reaching him first. She gave him a warm hug.

"My God!" You're safe" She said her voice filled with much excitement and relief.

"What happened?" Jade muttered. "Where's the dragon"

"I couldn't see it anymore after my veralune staff clashed with it fire before the explosion." Micheal exhaled.

He dusted off his cloth and continued,

"I don't really know what exactly happened, but I'm sure it's is still alive somewhere waiting to strike again."

"We need a plan" jade said firmly glancing at others.

Micheal and his friends exchanged looks, knowing the fight with the dragon is not yet over. They need to come up with a plan quickly before it comes back to haunt them.