Rise in flames

The dragon's golden eyes gleamed with something unreadable—power, fury, expectation. The chains lay in molten heaps at its feet, the runes reduced to nothing but flickering remnants of their former strength.

Anne barely had time to catch her breath before the cavern shook.

A deep, resonant BOOM echoed through the underground space. Dust rained from above, and then—

The ceiling cracked.

Lucian swore. "Tell me that's not what I think it is."

Anne's stomach dropped. The hunters had figured out where they were. And they were bringing the whole fortress down on top of them.

The dragon snorted, clearly unimpressed. "Fools. Do they think rock will hold me?"

Anne smirked. "I was hoping you'd say that."

The dragon stretched, its massive wings expanding fully for the first time in what had to be centuries. The sheer force of it sent a gust of wind surging through the cavern, pushing Anne and Lucian back. The beast arched its neck, eyes locking onto the cracking ceiling.

Then—

It roared.

The sound wasn't just noise. It was a war cry—an earth-shaking, bone-rattling declaration of freedom. The cavern walls split apart, and the last of the fortress's foundation collapsed under its sheer fury.

The ceiling gave way.

Anne moved.

She grabbed Lucian and jumped, fire bursting from her feet as she launched herself upward. The dragon shot into the air beside them, its wings carving through the smoke and rubble as it propelled itself toward the surface.

Sunlight hit Anne's face like a slap.

They were out.

The fortress stood in ruins below them, its towers crumbling, dust curling into the sky.

And the hunters?

They were everywhere.

Archers scrambled into position, arrows nocked, their faces twisted in fear and determination. Spellcasters raised their hands, muttering incantations that made the air crackle with energy. Swordsmen braced themselves, blades drawn, ready to strike.

Anne's heart pounded.

The hunters weren't running.

They were fighting.

Lucian exhaled sharply. "Oh, they are so stupid."

The dragon hovered beside them, wings beating slow and powerful. "These insects dare challenge me?"

Anne grinned, flames curling around her fingertips.

"Not for long."

Then she dropped, diving straight toward the battlefield.

The first wave of arrows came screaming toward her, but Anne twisted midair, fire exploding from her hands. The arrows melted before they could even touch her.

Lucian followed suit, moving with deadly precision. He landed in the middle of a group of hunters, his daggers flashing.

And the dragon?

The dragon descended like a god of wrath.

With a single beat of its wings, a hurricane of fire roared across the battlefield, swallowing the nearest hunters in a golden blaze. The air warped from the heat, turning the world into a molten nightmare.

Anne hit the ground running, fists blazing. She moved through the chaos, dodging spells, shattering blades, leaving only destruction in her wake.

A hunter lunged—she ducked, her claws flashing as she ripped through his armor like paper. Another aimed a spell at her—she exhaled, and fire consumed him whole.

Screams echoed.

Smoke curled into the sky.

And for the first time, Anne felt truly unstoppable.

Lucian skidded to her side, grinning breathlessly. "Having fun?"

Anne's eyes burned gold. "You have no idea."

Above them, the dragon soared, fire spilling from its jaws as it reduced the fortress to nothing but ashes and ruin.

The hunters fled.

The ones who stayed behind didn't last long.

And when the dust finally settled—when the last embers flickered and the battlefield fell silent—Anne turned to the dragon, breathless, victorious, alive.

It landed beside her, folding its wings with a deep, satisfied growl. "You fight well, Dragire."

Anne wiped the blood from her cheek, smirking. "You're not so bad yourself."

The dragon's golden eyes studied her for a long moment. Then it spoke.

"My name is Valtheris. And you have earned my allegiance."