Hell.That would have been the first thing that came to the minds of most as they looked at the battlefield around them.Rubble and debris of what used to be a flourishing kingdom spread out as far as the eye could see, with cinders and flames complementing the already hellish landscape.Corpses of dragons and humans littered the ground everywhere. It looked like every living thing around was either gone... or dead.All except for three.Two humans sprawled on the floor, slowly getting back on their feet.And a behemoth of a dragon. Larger than any other on the battlefield, beautiful dark blue scales covered the entirety of its body. Its wings alone seemed bigger than the greatest of castles.It was a true apex predator. But around its body were injuries and broken scales. The dragon itself seemed exhausted... worn out.Who could possibly be strong enough to make such a monster bleed?“Get up, before that ugly b*stard tries to sneak attack us again!” one of the two humans shouted. He

The dining hall of House Perde was a testament to generations of wealth and prestige. A long table of polished oak stretched through the center of the room, its gleaming surface illuminated by crystal chandeliers hanging overhead. Tall windows lined the walls, allowing the warm glow of the evening sun to spill across marble floors and richly woven carpets imported from distant kingdoms. Portraits of past members of House Perde watched silently from gilded frames, while silver cutlery, crystal glasses, and fine porcelain plates had been arranged with almost military precision before each seat. The aroma of roasted meats, fresh bread, and exotic spices filled the air, enough to distract even the most disciplined knight. Around the table were six seats, but only four of them were filled. Regald Perde sat at the head of the table, watching his children talk and laugh with a proud smile. On one side was Justin, chatting away happily to his brother and sister. His brother sat in the s

‘Humans...’ ‘...are cruel.’ Alex's head bobbed from side to side as he was continuously dragged through the streets. People lined either side of him, held back by an impromptu barricade of knights. The once-busy roads had been brought to a standstill. Market stalls stood abandoned, merchants peered over their counters, children sat on their parents' shoulders, and nobles watched from the balconies overlooking the streets. Every pair of eyes followed him as though he were some grotesque spectacle put on display. Most remained silent. They simply watched. Others were less reserved. “Murderer!” “Monster!” “He killed his own family!” “Kin slayer!” “He deserves worse than death!” The insults came one after another, louder than the last. Some spat in his direction, while others threw rotten fruit and pebbles that bounced harmlessly off his bruised body. Alex kept his head lowered. His filthy blond hair hung over his face, hiding his hollow eyes from the crowd. Whether he did it

The hall seemed untouched by time. Every inch was fashioned from flawless white marble, so polished it reflected the daylight like still water.Its sides stood completely open, supported only by long rows of graceful columns, allowing the endless gardens beyond to become part of the hall itself. Birds sang freely among the flowers as a cool breeze wandered through the corridor, carrying with it an almost sacred tranquillity.Tap, tap, tap...The steady rhythm of footsteps echoed through the marble hall, measured and unhurried. A tall young man emerged from between the rows of pillars, his dark skin catching the morning light as he strode forward.Plain black trousers and a loosely buttoned white shirt hung comfortably from his frame, exposing the toned chest and sculpted abdomen beneath. His curly black hair framed a face that most would have called handsome, yet there was something about the way he carried himself, his stern expression, sharp gaze, and effortless confidence that stri