XENDAYA. “This is a pleasant surprise.” His voice is as calm as any predator before they strike. He steps forward with his cold murderous eyes on Leinaar, yet there’s something in them that makes me want to run in the other direction. ‘Agnarr!’ I shout through the link. We need help. There is magic around us, and I don’t think in my current exhausted state that Leinaar and I will be able to take him. Why do I feel like this? What magic has Elzan done on me? “Stop the fruitless cries, no one but I can hear you. And after our last meeting, there is much I need to settle with you,” he whispers coldly to me, his eyes not leaving Leinaar. “Now step aside, you useless whore.” “No,” Leinaar shouts, her aura surging around her. “Xendaya, now is not the time for heroics. Run!” With those words she transforms into her dragon, but I’m not leaving her alone, and as much as I want to protect my child, I know we won’t be able to get out of here, even if I ran. Agnarr and I both struggled again

I push open the doors to the Hall of the Dragons. The echo as they bang off the stone walls rings through the silent halls. Once again, here I am, to call on them to protect my queen. This time I do not have the will to say anything, simply bending the knee before the dragon in the centre. I simply lower my head, hoping they can hear and understand. Witness exactly what is happening… But will they? Am I losing faith in them already? No, I cannot, not when they have shown they are on our side. All I must do is have faith and give it my all. My Dragonette wore the crown of the true ruler. Nefzaan cannot touch her! Protect her. That is all I ask of you. I look up at the magnificent statues. They say silence speaks louder than words, so today I am silent. Praying that you hear me. Grant her strength and protection in this time. I know she is brave, and right now, it is her strength that is keeping me sane. To believe that she will hold on for me. The doors open and I turn seeing

XENDAYA. I see his eyes widen and I raise my hands, defying the powers of the enchanters as I break into a run. A run that feels like I’m trying to wade through tar, but even then, it’s fast- faster than they thought. I reach the Enchanter that’s closest to me as Nefzaan roars and lunges at me, just as the other three enchanters' powers grow around them. Too late! Now… come on. Breathe… Focusing with everything I have I unleash my aura, forcing them all back before I bite into the neck of the man I’m holding, tearing out his jugular vein with my hand as I gulp down his blood, allowing it to fuel the hunger within me, to give me the strength that I need. “GET HER!” Nefzaan snarls, and I hear the thundering footsteps of more dragons approaching. No. Not today. I glare at the door, slamming it shut before a blast of wind throws me back. “You will pay for the crimes you have committed!” I snarl, throwing the body to the ground as I focus on Nefzaan, and ice spreads beneath us at

XENDAYA. I watch as Agnarr’s wings spread behind him, his eyes blazing, those sharp slits fixed on Nefzaan whose rage clashes against Agnarr’s. But power reigns supreme. ‘You should never underestimate the Kingslayer!’ Nefzaan snarls as he spreads his wings, his voice reverberating around us. I can see smoke in the distance, see the battle commencing, and Shayara snarls, her anger and power radiating through me. ‘We must be ready to rejoin the battle,’ she growls. I nod. Even if Agnarr expects me to stay out of the way, it will not happen. He has fought alone before and even now when it feels he will succeed, Nefzaan is too calm and that is why we are partners… This is our battle to be fought as one. Together. I just need energy… and a little time to heal. I look down at Liya, who is alive but unconscious, much to my relief. Taking a deep breath, I stretch my leg which is healing, feeling the throbbing pain slowly ease up. Just a little while longer… Nefzaan is not a reckless

ORRIAN. We have succeeded in securing the front, breaking through the castle walls and watching the walls come down. The roar of victory fills the air, and I raise my hand. “Wait! We will not enter until we have the signal.” I say loud and clear, watching the dragons in the air. There’s something strange around the two of them… a dark energy that makes me hesitate. “In that time, take care of the injured.” Someone passes me water and I gulp it down as I search the darkening skies before observing those dragons. There’s some kind of barrier swirling around the area. I watch as several dragons try to hammer against it, but it’s as if there’s an invisible wall… “King Orrian! King Remiel is injured! We are the closest to them. Our soldier has begged for assistance!” I turn sharply, gazing at the wolf who had spoken. Remiel has not signalled… but I can see the truth in the eyes of the man before me. “Hold your position. I want fifty of the strongest with me!” I say, “Khalen, I want