After resting long enough, they hurriedly left the iris flower field behind and continued toward their final destination—Mount Levuskan.

  This mountain region was formed from several rings of towering rock formations that encircled the Kingdom of Normandia. Mount Levuskan itself stood incredibly high, its upper peaks shrouded in thick clouds. It was not an active volcano, yet its overwhelming grandeur was proof that countless mysteries lay hidden within its silent heights.

  As they stepped into the mountain’s domain, an unnatural chill filled the air, making the hairs on their necks rise. As knights, they immediately sensed that a great danger awaited them ahead. Their horses began to slow, their steps growing heavy, and soon the mounts refused to obey their riders altogether. Seeing this, Isac Galeon, leader of the hunting party, made a decision.

  “It seems our mounts can feel a dangerous aura,” Isac said.

  “We must continue on foot.”

  “Yes, Hersir,” the knights replied, dismounting and preparing themselves to climb the towering mountain.

  They tied their horses to several trees at the foot of the mountain, then moved forward in formation. Isac walked at the front, followed closely by Elisabeth, their guide. She used her talent to sense danger in the surrounding area, while the other knights—and Sveanna, the Elf woman—remained alert, scanning their surroundings as they followed their leader.

  They passed many steep and treacherous slopes, but the agility and discipline of the knights made it manageable.

  Halfway up the mountain, a deafening roar suddenly echoed through the air. At the same time, the bright weather shifted instantly into pitch-black darkness. Sensing something terribly wrong, Isac ordered them to take cover.

  “Everyone, listen to my command!”

  “Hide behind the nearest rocks. Something is about to happen!”

  The knights quickly took shelter behind the boulders around them.

  And then…

  A thunderous roar shattered the silence, so powerful it made even seasoned warriors tremble.

  ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRR !!!

  The sound was immense, shaking the very air. Panic spread among the knights, yet none could determine where it came from.

  “Where is that coming from?” Breum muttered, watching carefully.

  “Above? Below? Left? Right?” Matias added, drawing both of his blades.

  “Stay alert and do not panic!” Isac commanded, trying to steady them.

  “Elisabeth, use your talent. Find the source of that roar!”

  Elisabeth clasped her hands above her head and activated her tracking mode, extending her senses through the aura surrounding the mountain. Moments later, her face turned pale.

  “Above… Look above!”

  The knights immediately raised their heads toward the sky. The clouds, thick and heavy, began to swirl and change color—turning deep crimson mixed with ash-gray. Then, from within the clouds, enormous black claws emerged, sharp and monstrous. With a single beat of its wings, the clouds split apart— Revealing a massive black dragon. Its scales resembled jagged stone cliffs, ridges running along its colossal body. Its wings stretched wide enough to eclipse the sky.

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  In that instant, the knights understood. This was the final trial. The reason so many missions recorded in ancient manuscripts had ended in failure. The dragon from legend… now stood before them. It flew low around the mountain, watching them from above, blocking any possible escape route. Each beat of its wings stirred violent gusts, creating small storms that sent rocks tumbling unpredictably down the slopes.

  “Damn it! Everyone, move!” Isac shouted.

  “Get to open ground! Avoid the falling rocks!”

  “I found an open area!” Elisabeth cried.

  The knights sprinted after her, the dragon’s roar following close behind as it circled them like a predator stalking prey.

  They glanced upward constantly, ready to dodge an unexpected strike. At last, they reached an open clearing. Panting heavily, they formed a defensive circle, drawing their swords. Sweat dripped from their faces as the cursed dragon’s shadow swallowed much of Mount Levuskan, proving just how enormous it truly was.

  “Damn…” Monci whispered, gripping his sword before his chest.

  “This thing is huge… We won’t last.”

  “Focus, friend,” Mathias replied, twirling his blades, his face burning with hunger for battle.

  “No matter what, we must stay together,” Isac said firmly.

  The dragon continued circling above them, its roar echoing across the entire mountain. Its size was like a giant sequoia tree—far beyond anything they could possibly face.

  After a long moment, it descended. With wings spread wide, the creature landed before them. The impact of its claws shook the ground, nearly knocking the knights off balance. Its horned tail swayed as it stared down at them, their bodies trembling in fear.

  “If I die, bring my corpse back to Normandia,” Mathias muttered, eyes locked onto the dragon.

  “Don’t be stupid. We’re all dying here,” Thauvin snapped.

  “Hersir, what are your orders?” Breum asked.

  “Even if our chances are nearly zero… do not lose focus,” Isac said.

  “Yes, Hersir!”

  The dragon roared. A mystical force ripped through the air like blades, shredding their clothing and throwing them backward. Blood spilled from their wounds as despair began to creep into their hearts.

  “Hahaha… My blood is boiling,” Mathias laughed, charging forward.

  “Hersir! Orders? Attack or die?”

  “Attack until death.”

  “Then it’s time, comrades!”

  “Yes, Hersir!”

  With desperate determination, the knights rushed forward—this was not joy, but the fury of warriors making their final stand. Isac Galeon, Mathias, Breum, Thauvin, Monci, Igor, and Lothar charged toward the beast. Behind them, Elisabeth, Sveanna, Lula, and Sasa remained, protecting themselves. The dragon roared again. The sound reverberated against the cliffs, creating violent shockwaves. The knights were torn apart repeatedly, collapsing in pools of blood before the horrified women.

  “Pathetic… We couldn’t even land a single strike…”

  Seeing the hopeless situation, Sveanna made a decision. She activated the forbidden magic of the Elves. Stepping forward, she stared into the dragon’s yellow eyes and began chanting.

  “Zeanamamaya washirohe kobeltarnahim… Luimineth Fade, release!”

  A glowing rune circle appeared beneath her feet, filled with ancient symbols blazing brilliantly against the darkness.

  The cursed dragon became blinded, roaring wildly in every direction, destroying the surrounding land. It gave the knights time to escape.

  “Go! Hurry!” Sveanna screamed.

  Lula hesitated.

  “What about you?!”

  “I’ll hold it a little longer. Go!”

  “I won’t leave you alone!”

  “Enough! Leave now! I don’t have much time!”

  Breum grabbed Lula’s arm.

  “Lula! There’s no time!”

  “No! Sveanna will die!”

  As tension rose, Elisabeth suddenly spoke.

  “Let me stay with Sveanna.”

  Isac stared sharply at her, but Elisabeth’s gaze was unwavering.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, Hersir.”

  “I am the one it has been searching for.”

  Understanding her meaning, Isac gave the order.

  “Everyone… We trust Sveanna and Elisabeth.”

  “We retreat, treat our wounds, and plan.”

  “Understood?”

  “Yes, Hersir!”

  The knights stumbled away, injured and shaken. Sveanna’s strength began to fade as the dragon’s power grew. The clearing was torn apart, claw-like craters forming in the ground. Then—The dragon opened its mouth. A blazing sphere of fire formed within. And it unleashed its breath. The flames struck the rune circle, creating a violent clash of energy

  BOOOOOOOOMMM !!!

  A massive explosion shook the heavens, lightning-like flashes bursting around Mount Levuskan. Sveanna was thrown out of the rune circle, crashing into Elisabeth. Both women were sent flying, and Sveanna fell unconscious. Elisabeth, barely able to stand, looked at her fallen companion… then up at the dragon, which now seemed victorious. Staggering forward, her clothes stained with dirt and blood, she faced the cursed beast.

  “I am the one you seek…”

  “Please… stop raging.”

  “I beg you… let my friends live.”

  “They have nothing to do with this.”

  The dragon seemed to obey her words. It spread its wings, reached down with its claws, and lifted Elisabeth into the air. With a powerful beat of its wings, it flew away, carrying her into the darkness. Dust and debris swept across the mountain from the force of its flight.