Chapter 19: The Winged Inferno

Drakar sat alone on a rocky cliff overlooking the dense forest below. The golden rays of the setting sun reflected off his scaled skin, making him appear as though he was glowing. His golden eyes, usually cold and unyielding, softened slightly as he gazed at the horizon. The memories of his past played in his mind like an unwelcome voice he couldn't silence.

He was among the last of the Dragonkind, a race once proud and mighty, now reduced to scattered remnants. The cause of their downfall was not an external force but one of their own, Solreth. A name Drakar could barely think of without trembling. Solreth had brought ruin to their kind with his twisted ideology: only the strongest deserved to live, and the weak were a stain on their legacy.

Drakar and his twin brother Raedon had been spared by Solreth years ago, not out of mercy but because they were children, too young to fight and prove themselves. Solreth had deemed them insignificant, not even worth killing. Drakar remembered the flames that consumed their village, the screams of his people, and the sight of Solreth striking down their parents with ease. The trauma stayed buried deep within him, a wound that never healed.

While Raedon had no clear recollection of that fateful day, Drakar remembered everything vividly. He carried the weight of those memories in silence, never sharing them with anyone. He avoided speaking of Solreth at all costs, fearing the trembling and anger that would overtake him at the mere mention of his name.

Drakar sighed and stood up, spreading his massive crimson wings. He took to the sky, the cool wind rushing past him as he tried to clear his mind.

---

The guild was bustling with activity when Drakar returned. Members of various teams were laughing, eating, and discussing their latest adventures. Drakar entered silently, his presence turning a few heads, though no one dared approach him. His reserved nature and intimidating aura kept most people at a distance.

At a table near the center of the room, Lila sat with her team, the Rising Heroes. She noticed Drakar and waved him over. "Hey, Drakar!" she called out. Drakar paused, hesitating. He wasn't in the mood for company, but before he could walk away, Lila stood up and approached him. "You've been with us for a while now, but you still keep to yourself," she said, crossing her arms. "I know you're a lone wolf, or dragon perhaps, I guess, but don't you think it's time to fully join us?"

Drakar's golden eyes met hers, and for a moment, he said nothing. Then, in his deep, gravelly voice, he replied, "I fought with your team once. That's enough." Lila frowned, clearly not satisfied. "That's not the same as being part of the team. We're stronger together, you know." Drakar gave no response. He turned to leave when the guild doors swung open, and a man entered. He was tall, with an air of confidence and authority. His piercing gaze scanned the room before landing on Lila. "Lila, it's late. I thought you'd be home by now," the man said, walking toward her. "Dad!" Lila exclaimed, rushing over to hug him. Drakar froze. The moment the man stepped into the guild, his dragon instincts flared. A strange sensation washed over him, a mix of unease and curiosity. It was as though every fiber of his being was alert, sensing something unusual. But as soon as he saw him up close, the feeling disappeared, leaving only confusion behind.

"Who's that?" Drakar asked, his voice quieter than usual. Lila turned back to him, smiling. "This is my dad, Zora. He's amazing, isn't he?" Zora nodded at Drakar, his sharp eyes studying him for a brief moment. "And you must be Drakar, the Dragonkind. I've heard about you." Drakar's instincts remained silent now, but he couldn't shake the strange feeling from earlier. He was curious about Zora, though he couldn't explain why.

Later, after Zora had left and the guild was settling down for the night, Lila approached Drakar again. "So, about my offer," she began, grinning. "Are you going to join us for real?" Drakar looked at her, his golden eyes thoughtful. He wasn't the type to make decisions lightly, but something about Zora intrigued him. He wanted to understand what his instincts had tried to warn him about.

Finally, he nodded. "I'll join your team." Lila's face lit up with excitement. "Seriously? That's great! Welcome to the Rising Heroes, officially!" Drakar didn't smile, but there was a small flicker of warmth in his gaze. For the first time, he felt like he was taking a step toward something more, toward answers, companionship, and perhaps even a sense of belonging.