Chapter 16
The sky filled with wings.
Hundreds of them.
The clouds above the mountain tore apart as dragon after dragon descended through the gray sky. Massive shadows swept across the hidden city, their scales flashing like dark steel beneath the fading light.
Their eyes burned the same furious red.
For a moment, the entire city froze.
Even the Dragon King slowly lifted his massive head.
Beside Ariana, the golden dragon released a deep rumble that vibrated through the palace floor.
Ariana's stomach dropped as she stared upward.
"How many are there?"
The man in black and gold stepped closer to the shattered balcony, his eyes scanning the sky. The color had drained from his face.
"Too many."
Kael moved instantly to Ariana's side.
His wolf instincts roared inside him.
Danger.
Death.
War.
His golden eyes tracked the enormous shadows circling above the city.
"This isn't just a hunting party," he said grimly.
The man beside the balcony shook his head slowly.
"No."
His voice lowered.
"This is extermination."
The word hung in the air like a blade.
Below them, the hidden city had already burst into motion. Warriors ran across the terraces, horns echoed through the mountains, and ancient defensive barriers flickered to life along the palace walls.
But even with the defenses rising, everyone could see the truth.
They were outnumbered.
Ariana stared upward as the approaching dragons drew closer, their wings beating the air like thunder.
"They're all coming for me."
Kael didn't hesitate.
"Then they'll have to go through me."
Ariana glanced sideways at him.
"That's not comforting."
Before he could answer, the Dragon King's voice echoed inside her mind.
The hunters have gathered.
Ariana swallowed.
"You mean they're all hunters?"
Yes.
Her throat tightened.
"Because of me?"
There was a brief pause before the dragon answered again.
Because of the Sovereign.
Another thunderous roar ripped across the sky as the first wave of hunter dragons descended lower.
The golden dragon beside Ariana spread its wings protectively.
Kael turned toward the Dragon King.
"You said the Sovereign commands dragons."
The ancient dragon's golden eyes narrowed.
Only if the Sovereign is strong enough.
Kael's jaw tightened.
"Then help her."
The Dragon King did not answer immediately.
Instead, he studied Ariana.
Judging.
Measuring.
The silence stretched long enough for Ariana to hear her own heartbeat pounding in her ears.
Finally, the dragon spoke again.
The Sovereign commands.
Its massive head tilted slightly.
But the Queen must also protect.
Ariana frowned.
"What does that mean?"
The Dragon King lifted one enormous claw and pointed toward the sky.
They will test you.
As if summoned by those words—
three hunter dragons suddenly broke away from the swarm.
They dove toward the palace like falling meteors.
Fire already burned inside their throats.
Kael swore quietly.
"Get behind me."
Ariana grabbed his arm.
"No."
He turned toward her, stunned.
"What?"
"If they're testing me…" she said quietly.
Her golden eyes brightened.
"…then I should answer."
The Dragon King rumbled softly.
Good.
The three dragons descended rapidly, their massive wings beating violently as they closed the distance.
Shockwaves rippled across the palace terraces.
Far below, the hidden city braced for impact.
Kael stepped slightly in front of Ariana anyway.
Just in case.
"You don't have to prove anything right now," he muttered.
Ariana glanced at him.
"If I don't, they'll destroy this place."
Kael didn't like that answer.
But he couldn't argue with it.
The first dragon opened its jaws.
Flames erupted toward the balcony.
Ariana stepped forward.
The golden dragon beside her moved with her instantly.
Her heart pounded.
The strange power in her veins surged again.
Stronger than before.
Harder to control.
She lifted both hands.
Golden light burst from her body like the rising sun.
The air bent.
The flames racing toward them twisted suddenly in midair—
and stopped.
The chamber fell into stunned silence.
Even Kael blinked.
The fire hovered in the air, suspended like frozen lightning.
Ariana felt the power rushing through her veins.
Wild.
Immense.
Barely contained.
She clenched her hands.
The suspended flames exploded outward, scattering harmlessly across the sky.
The attacking dragon roared in shock.
Behind Ariana, the Dragon King watched silently.
Again.
The second dragon dove.
Ariana's eyes burned brighter.
"Kneel."
The command cracked through the air like thunder.
The dragon faltered.
Its wings beat wildly as it struggled against the invisible pressure forcing it down.
Slowly—
it descended.
Until its enormous body slammed into the palace courtyard with a deafening crash.
Kael let out a low whistle.
"Remind me never to make you angry."
But the third dragon was faster.
It dove straight toward Ariana.
Kael shifted instantly—
but before he could intercept—
the Dragon King launched into the air.
The ancient dragon moved with terrifying speed. Its massive wings struck the attacking dragon mid-flight.
The collision shook the entire mountain.
Both dragons vanished into the clouds above the palace.
Ariana stared upward, breathing heavily now.
The effort was draining her.
Kael noticed immediately.
"You're pushing too hard."
"I'm fine."
"You're lying."
She didn't argue.
Because the truth was—
the power inside her felt like a storm barely contained.
Seconds later, the Dragon King returned, landing heavily on the terrace.
The defeated hunter dragon lay motionless in the courtyard below.
Above them, the remaining swarm roared in fury.
The battle had begun.
The man in black and gold whispered quietly,
"They're not retreating."
Kael looked up.
The sky was still full of dragons.
More were diving.
More were circling.
Hundreds of glowing red eyes stared down at the palace.
Watching.
Waiting.
The Dragon King's voice echoed inside Ariana's mind again.
The Sovereign has awakened.
Its tone darkened.
Now comes the war.
Ariana felt a chill run through her.
"What kind of war?"
The ancient dragon lifted its massive head toward the sky.
The kind that ends kingdoms.
Kael's wolf stirred uneasily inside him.
He stepped closer to Ariana.
"Whatever happens next…"
His voice was quiet but steady.
"…you're not facing it alone."
Ariana gave a small, tired smile.
"That's good."
Because at that moment—
the clouds above the mountain split apart again.
But this time it wasn't dragons.
Something far worse emerged.
A massive fortress of black stone drifted slowly through the torn clouds.
Ancient runes burned across its walls like molten gold.
The dragon swarm parted around it.
Even the hunters kept their distance.
The fortress hovered above the city like a throne in the sky.
Then a figure stepped forward from its center.
A man.
Tall.
Still.
Watching the palace below.
He raised one hand calmly toward the balcony.
The moment Ariana saw him—
the power in her blood recoiled violently.
Fear.
Real fear.
Kael noticed immediately.
"What is it?"
Ariana's voice came out barely above a whisper.
"I think…"
Her throat tightened.
"…that one came for me."
The man tilted his head slightly.
And smiled.
Then the runes across the floating fortress ignited.
The sky exploded with power.