30

"Catori, your father--"

She pushed Rydstorm away when he tried to comfort her. "My father is dead. Just leave me alone."

Fang let out a laugh. "Trust me when I say that the old man isn't dead. It takes a lot to kill such an ancient dragon. Obviously, the youngling didn't know that."

Catori was about to tell him off until she heard her father coughing, then saw that the hole in his chest was closing fast. There was a gasp from him before he sat up with a laugh.

"Dad?"

Lucian gazed at her with almost vacant eyes. "My child, my sweet, sweet child. Sorry if I had you worried." He got to his feet and stretched. "That was a workout, I have been out of shape for so long." He groaned.

Catori hugged him without saying a word.

"Aww, my youngling, no need to cry. I'm not going anywhere for a long time." He then turned his eyes to Rydstorm. "You did a good job, boy."

At his words, Rydstorm got down on one knee and bowed his head to show his respect for Nightwing. His fellow dragons did the same.