The wooden door swung open and four men stepped into the hut one after another each person presence looking intimidating than the other.The first was a broad-shouldered man with a thick brown beard that reached his chest. A massive battle axe rested across his back, and a long scar ran from his forehead to his jaw. His sharp eyes instantly took in every corner of the room.Beside him walked a lean man dressed in dark leather armor. Two curved daggers hung at his waist, and he wore a permanent grin that made him look more like a gambler than a hunter.The third was tall and heavily built. His bald head reflected the morning light pouring through the broken roof, while a giant war hammer rested on one shoulder as if it weighed nothing.The last man entered with slow, confident steps.He wore a long black coat trimmed with silver fur. His short silver hair was neatly combed back, and a thin beard framed his jaw. Unlike the others, he carried no visible weapon.Yet the moment he entered.

"Raya!"The name escaped Daniel's lips before he even realized he had spoken.His eyes widened."I left her...""I left her with those hunters."Panic quickly replaced the confusion on his face."No..."He threw the blanket aside and struggled to climb out of bed."I have to find her.""I have to go back."His legs barely touched the floor before they gave way beneath him.Sarah rushed forward and caught him before he could collapse."Easy!"She wrapped one arm around his shoulder to steady him."You're in no condition to save anyone."Daniel tried to pull away."You don't understand.""She's out there alone.""She could be hurt."Sarah gently pushed him back onto the bed."And if you run out there like this?"She folded her arms."You'll only give whoever's chasing you another prisoner."Daniel clenched his fists."I can't just sit here.""You'll have to."Sarah's voice softened."For now."Silence settled between them.After a while, Sarah smiled."You know...""We've been talking a

Night had long fallen over Noctharis.The palace gardens were unusually quiet.A cool breeze drifted through the trees, carrying the scent of blooming flowers across the moonlit courtyard the air refreshing and somehow comforting for Scott as he stood alone beneath a stone pavilion, staring at the silver moon reflected in the pond before him.His thoughts refused to settle.Everything King Aurelius had revealed earlier continued to echo inside his mind.The Dragon King's bloodline...My mother wasn't an ordinary slave.She was chosen as a vessel...Scott slowly clenched his fists.His nails dug into his palms.Part of him wanted revenge.Every time he remembered the fate of the Dragon King's family, anger rose inside his chest like an uncontrollable fire.Entire bloodlines had been wiped out.Children had been hunted.Pregnant women had been forced to flee while carrying lives that powerful kingdoms feared.And somehow...He had survived.Scott took a slow breath."But why my mother?"

Back in the royal palace of Drakenhold...Prince Kael's private chamber echoed with laughter.Expensive wine flowed freely.Several beautiful maidens sat around his massive bed, chatting and laughing with the two princes.Prince Kael lounged comfortably across an enormous velvet couch, a golden goblet lazily spinning between his fingers.Beside him, Prince Lucien leaned back with his boots resting on a polished table, looking completely carefree like he was going to be crowned king the next day."You know," Kael said proudly, taking a sip of wine, "Father should really start preparing the throne for one of us."Lucien burst into laughter."Which one?""You?"Kael smirked."Obviously.""I'm the better-looking brother."Several maidens giggled.Lucien scoffed dramatically."Better looking?""You're confusing confidence with imagination."One of the maidens covered her mouth as she laughed."I think His Highness Lucien has a point."Kael placed a hand over his chest as though deeply woun

The carriage rolled steadily along the dusty road as the forest slowly disappeared behind them.For the first few minutes...No one spoke.The only sounds were the steady rhythm of the horses' hooves and the creaking of the wooden wheels.Raya sat quietly beside Daniel.Or at least...She tried to.Every few seconds, her eyes drifted toward the young woman sitting close to him.Sarah had greeted both Raya and Jessica the moment they climbed aboard.But after that...She had remained unusually quiet.Her hands rested neatly on her lap as she avoided making eye contact with anyone.Raya narrowed her eyes.She looked at Daniel.Then back at Sarah.Then at the small gap between them.Too close.Finally, she couldn't hold it in anymore.She forced out a polite smile that looked anything but friendly."Sorry..."She tilted her head."Who are you again?"The carriage suddenly became awkwardly quiet.Sarah blinked before lowering her head slightly."I..."Before she could answer...Daniel spo