Hakuwa's smile widened, becoming almost triumphant."Want to know which dragon is sealed inside me?"His voice was eager now, like he was about to reveal something he was genuinely proud of."The dragon that the entire Molten Clan worships. The one they built their temples to. The one they pray to for strength in battle."He paused, letting the tension build.Then spoke the name."”Embera’’ The Crimson Flame Dragon. Sister to Loki, the Trickster Dragon."The reaction was immediate.Inside Asta's consciousness, the Emperor Dragon went completely still.His presence, which had been a steady warmth in the back of Asta's mind, suddenly became cold.Not angry cold, but Dangerous cold.The kind of cold that came before violence.‘’"No."’’The word was barely a whisper in Asta's mind.‘’"He didn't. He COULDN'T have. Embera was supposed to be safe. Hidden. Protected."’’Inside Jabber's consciousness, Loki's presence exploded.Not gradually, nor was it building up.Just EXPLODED.Pure and incan

Meanwhile, back in the woods where Roderick and Yuki lay...The hooded assassin stood perfectly still, his posture relaxed but alert.He wasn't looking at Roderick or Yuki.His head was turned slightly, facing the direction of the festival grounds.Through the trees, faint lights were visible,the festival lanterns, the flame techniques being thrown around.And he could feel it, the two auras.Massive. Ancient. Overwhelming.One red-orange, burning with controlled fury and one purple, wild and chaotic, barely contained.The assassin's lips curved into a small smile beneath his hood.He spoke quietly, almost to himself."It seems Hakuwa has gone too far this time."His voice was calm, almost amused."Well. If anything happens, Web is there. He'll handle it."A pause."Or at least he'll retrieve what's left of Hakuwa if it goes badly."Behind him, Roderick was moving, struggling and groaning with effort.His arms pushed against the ground, trying to lift his body.Once. Twice. Three times.O

More footsteps approached through the trees.Three more figures emerged from the darkness, all wearing the same combat gear, all bearing the dragon-and-sword symbol.The first was a tall man with broad shoulders and a scarred face that suggested he'd seen plenty of combat. His hands were already wreathed in orange flame, ready to fight.Garrett.The second was a man with silver-streaked hair despite being the older one in the squad, his scar eyes sharp and calculating as he held his big flame hammer and his eyes scanning the area for threats.Sera.They positioned themselves on either side of Diana-Kira, forming a defensive line between Roderick, Yuki, and the wall of white fire that was still burning.Then came the sound of whooshing air.A flame broom descended from above,not a simple construct, but an elaborate one, detailed and stable, glowing with steady orange light.It touched down gently, and the rider dismounted with practiced ease.‘’’Cassian Xavier.’’’He looked different f

Loki's voice cut through the night air, layered with those inhuman harmonics."After everything you've done..."The purple flame claw twisted slightly in Hakuwa's stomach.Hakuwa's body jerked, a strangled gasp escaping."After using my beloved sister's power for your own gain... after treating her like nothing more than a tool...".Loki leaned in closer, his face now inches from Hakuwa's pale features."Did you really think I would let you go even further? Draw on her power more?"Up on the abandoned candy stand, Web popped another piece of dragon candy into his mouth.Chewed slowly."Ohh. I didn't see that coming."His voice was quiet, talking to himself."Well, I wouldn't say I didn't know something like this would happen, but... I didn't expect it would be this soon. Huhuhu."A small chuckle escaped him.Loki's hand pulled back slowly, the purple flame claw slid out of Hakuwa's stomach,blood dripping from it, mixing with residual purple fire that sizzled as it hit the ground.Haku

Back at the academy, in the Empress's office...Cassian and his elite squad stood in formation before the Empress's desk.All three of them,Cassian in the center, Sera to his right, Diana-Kira to his left,stood at attention, their posture respectful but ready.The Empress sat behind her desk, her expression warm but tired.The night's events had clearly taken their toll, but her voice was steady when she spoke."A job well done, all of you."Her eyes moved across each of them."You responded quickly. Evacuated the injured. Confronted the assassins. The academy owes you a debt of gratitude."Cassian bowed,a proper, formal bow from the waist."We were just doing our work, Empress."His voice was respectful, carrying none of his usual arrogance."Protecting the academy and its students is our duty. We simply fulfilled it."The Empress smiled slightly."Even so. Thank you."She gestured toward the door."You may go now. Get some rest. You've more than earned it."Cassian bowed again, his