The Heir Of The Last Dragon

9. Choice between Fog

The air at the border of the Valtherion Valley felt incredibly thin, carrying the scent of pine mixed with the metallic stench of weaponry from thousands of soldiers. Atop the hills surrounding the only entrance, the torches of Axandra’s army looked like rows of bloodthirsty falling stars. They were not just waiting; they had built temporary wooden fortifications, cutting off all access to the heart of the valley.

Ethan crouched behind a thorny thicket, regulating his breath so as not to create vapor in the cold air. Beside him, Rion huddled low, his scales —now darker— merging with the shadows of the night.

"They have at least three cavalry detachments and a unit of sharpshooters at every corner of the cliffs," Bryan whispered, his eyes scanning the enemy’s movements through the gaps in the leaves. "We cannot just burst through, Ethan. That’s suicide."

Isyra examined the old leather map in her hand, then looked toward the massive stone gate shrouded in a transparent mantra in the distance.

"The valley's protective mantra will only open if there is a magical frequency from an approaching dragon. But the problem is, the moment Rion gets close, all of Axandra’s magical sensors will go off. We will be sitting ducks before that door opens even an inch."

"So what’s the plan?" Ethan asked, his voice low and strained. "My father doesn't have much time. Every minute we debate here, his life is at stake."

Isyra gave Ethan a flat look.

"We need a distraction. Something big enough to draw the main force away from the gate."

A moment of silence followed.

Ethan felt a grim foreboding crawl up his spine. He turned to look at Bryan. His uncle was wearing a small smile, the kind of smile he usually gave whenever Ethan made a silly mistake as a child.

"Nayana and I will do it," Bryan said calmly.

"No!" Ethan grabbed Bryan’s arm. "That’s insane. There are only two of you, and thousands of them!"

"We aren't going to fight them all, Ethan," Nayana interrupted while checking her bowstring. "We will lure them toward the eastern cliffs. There are plenty of natural traps and narrow corridors there that we studied earlier. We only need ten minutes for you and Isyra to reach the gate."

"This is an order, Ethan," Bryan looked at his nephew with a gaze that brooked no argument. "You are the bearer of hope. Our job is to ensure that hope reaches its destination. Do not let our sacrifice be in vain just because you want to be a sentimental hero."

Ethan clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. Anger and fear warred within his chest. Rion let out a sad chirp, coiling his tail around Bryan’s leg as if he knew what was about to happen.

"Go," Isyra whispered to Bryan and Nayana.

Without another word, Bryan and Nayana vanished into the darkness of the forest. Ethan could only stare at their fading shadows with a sense of emptiness.

Ten minutes later, an explosion of fire appeared on the eastern side of the hills. Warning cries and the sound of war trumpets echoed throughout the valley. Axandra’s forces began to move massively toward the direction of the blast.

"Now!" Isyra commanded.

Ethan and Isyra ran as fast as possible across the open meadow toward the stone gate. Rion flew low beside Ethan, his blue glow now shining brightly due to his peaking survival instincts.

However, just as they were a hundred meters from the gate, a massive shadow landed in front of them. It wasn't an ordinary soldier, but a Commander, armored in black plate with a giant axe infused with dark energy.

"Where do you think you’re going, Heir?" the commander's voice was heavy and mocking.

"Get past him, Ethan! Let me hold him off!" Isyra drew her slender sword, preparing for a lethal strike.

"No! You won't stand a chance against him alone!" Ethan shouted.

"Don't be stupid! Open the gate! If the gate doesn't open, Bryan and Nayana die for nothing!" Isyra pushed Ethan forward.

Ethan wavered. To the east, he heard the clash of weapons and the shouts of Bryan being surrounded. In front of him, Isyra began to trade blows with the commander in a fight that was clearly mismatched. Every time the great axe hit the ground, the earth trembled.

*Choices, always choices,* Ethan’s mind groaned.

Rion shrieked loudly, his voice echoing through the mist. The dragon suddenly flew toward the stone gate, pressing his claws against the surface of the mantra. The spell began to vibrate, emitting blinding ancient symbols.

"Ethan! Your blood!" Rion’s voice echoed inside Ethan’s head.

Ethan ran toward the gate, sliced his palm, and pressed it against the cold stone. The mantra slowly faded, granting them entry. However, as he looked back, he saw Isyra thrown to the ground, her sword tossed far away. The commander had already raised his axe for the final blow.

"ISYRA!"

Ethan had to choose. Step into the valley and close the gate for the safety of Rion and his father’s mission, or turn back to save Isyra and risk being captured or killed.

His human instinct screamed for the rescue, but his dragon bond demanded the continuation of the mission.

"Rion, forgive me," Ethan whispered.

Instead of stepping inside, Ethan turned around. He shot forward like a bolt of lightning wreathed in blue fire. His speed was now at the peak of synchronization. Before the commander’s axe could touch Isyra, Ethan’s rusted sword parried the massive metal with a deafening clang.

"You came back?" Isyra stared at Ethan in disbelief, blood trickling from the corner of her lip.

"I don't leave my family behind," Ethan replied coldly. "And you ... you’ve become part of it, like it or not."

Ethan attacked blindly. Each of his slashes now carried the weight of his guilt for Bryan and his fury at Axandra. Rion joined the assault from the air, spitting frost-fire that froze the commander’s feet to the ground.

With a powerful spin of his body, Ethan slashed the commander’s neck. The steel-clad head fell to the ground, followed by the collapse of his giant frame.

"Quick! Get inside!" Ethan pulled Isyra to her feet.

They managed to leap into the valley just as the stone gate automatically closed behind them. The pursuing Axandra soldiers could only bash their weapons against the mantra, which had now hardened once again.

Inside the valley, the atmosphere suddenly turned silent. Pure air greeted them, but Ethan’s heart felt heavy. He stood behind the stone door, staring at the invisible world outside.

"Bryan ... Nayana ...." Ethan murmured.

"They knew the risks, Ethan," Isyra stood beside him, holding his shoulder with a trembling hand. "And they haven't necessarily lost. Bryan is the best fighter I’ve ever seen."

Ethan did not answer. He looked at Rion, who was now sitting listlessly at his feet. Rion's transformation had temporarily halted, the dragon looked exhausted.

The Valtherion Valley stretched wide before them, crystal forests, holy water rivers, and high mountains holding the secret to his father’s antidote. Yet for Ethan, this place felt empty without Bryan’s presence.

"Let's go," Ethan said, his voice now sounding like steel that had been tempered in ice water. "We finish this. And after that, I'm going back for them. Dead or alive."

Isyra only nodded slowly. They began to walk along a path lined with glowing flowers, heading deeper into the heart of the ancient dragon power that had long been forgotten.