The rain had stopped. The storm had moved on, leaving behind a gray, lifeless dawn. Mist hung low over the forest, clinging to the trees like a veil. The world was eerily quiet, the ground soaked and muddy, littered with shattered glass, twisted metal, and the smeared remains of a family once whole. Blue and red lights flashed through the trees. Sirens broke the silence, their howls cutting through the morning fog as the first squad car pulled to a stop near the ravine. Moments later, an ambulance followed. “Over here!” an officer called out, stumbling down the slick slope. Another cop gasped behind him as his flashlight illuminated the overturned car, the bodies strewn around it. One of the paramedics whispered a curse under his breath at the sight. Blood had painted the earth, soaked into the grass, dried on metal and skin. Then they saw him. Curled beside his mother’s body, caked in blood and mud, was a boy—barely nine. His face was pale, his eyes wide open but vacan

Red and blue lights pierced through the veil of night as an ambulance skidded to a stop outside the warehouse. Tires hissed on the wet gravel. Two paramedics jumped out, their boots splashing into the mud. “Over here!” one of them shouted, flashlight sweeping through the open space. They found him in seconds. Damian lay in a pool of blood, motionless—his body pale, his breaths shallow. One leg twisted unnaturally, his clothes shredded and soaked in crimson. But his eyes, barely open, flicked weakly toward the light. “He’s alive! Barely!” The younger paramedic dropped to his knees, immediately checking Damian’s pulse. “Lacerations to the abdomen and chest. Puncture wounds—deep. What the hell did this to him?” “No time to wonder, let’s move!” They worked quickly, slipping an oxygen mask over Damian’s face, securing his neck in a brace. His body convulsed slightly as they lifted him, pain slicing through the thin veil of his unconsciousness. “He’s hemorrhaging. I need pressure her

Damian’s breath caught. Because the face staring back at him in the photo was him. The man with the golden eyes. The very same man who tore his family apart all those years ago. The face burned into his nightmares. The face that haunted every quiet moment. The man whose existence defied logic, reality, and everything Damian thought he knew. He stared at the picture, his whole body going rigid, blood from his broken nose trailing down to his chin. His voice dropped to a whisper, barely audible. “…Where did you get this?” The woman said nothing—her expression cold, watching him tremble. She let go of his collar, the picture still in front of him, burning itself into his thoughts. His hatred stirred. But beneath it now… a growing sense of fear. Damian's breath grew ragged. His eyes locked onto the picture—those golden eyes staring back at him, that smirk like a phantom carved into memory. His fingers curled into trembling fists, the metal chains around his wrists rattling with a

“Incredible” Elian said to himself as he watched the dragon fly by. As the dragon flew by, Elian felt a rush of excitement and wonder. He had never seen anything like it before. The dragon’s scales glistened in the sunlight, and its wings beat powerful and slow, sending waves of air rippling through the grass. Tharros smiled, seeming to sense Elian’s awe. “This world is full of wonders, Elian,” he said. “But we must be careful. Not all creatures here are friendly.” Elian nodded, still gazing after the dragon. He felt a sense of longing, as if he wanted to follow the dragon and see where it would lead. Tharros touched his arm, breaking the spell. “Come, Alister,” he said. “We have much to do today. We need to gather supplies and gear for your training.” Elian nodded, following Tharros as they made their way through the rolling hills and grasslands. They walked for a while, the sun beating down on them, until they came to a small village nestled in the heart of a valley. The

As morning broke, the world awakened from its slumber, bathed in a warm, golden light. The sky transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors, a gentle blend of soft pinks, blush tones, and powder blues. The clouds, tinted with hues of coral and salmon, drifted lazily across the horizon, their wispy tendrils stretching out like ethereal fingers. The air vibrated with the sweet melodies of birdsong, as the morning chorus erupted from the treetops. A bright blue jay flitted between the branches, its iridescent feathers glimmering like sapphires in the morning light. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, releasing the fragrant scent of blooming flowers and fresh-cut grass. The atmosphere was alive with the promise of a new day, filled with possibilities and adventure. As the sun rose higher in the sky, its rays danced across the landscape, casting long shadows and illuminating the dew-kissed grass. The light was soft and warm, with a hint of crispness that hinted at the approaching dawn. The