Episode 10 — The Road to the Dragon King
The blue pillar of light remained visible for three days.
Day and night.
Without fading.
Without weakening.
It rose beyond the northern mountains like a beacon from another world.
Every dragon inside the Sanctuary could feel it.
Every Dragon Rider could hear its call.
And at the center of it all—
Kai.
The voice of Veyrath echoed through his dreams every night.
"Come to the Crown of Winter."
"The truth awaits."
Inside the war chamber of the Sanctuary, Commander Vaelor stood before a massive map carved into stone.
Ancient dragon routes crossed mountains, forests, and ruined kingdoms.
Several Dragon Riders gathered around him.
Seraphine stood nearby with folded arms.
Kai and Nyrax waited silently.
Vaelor pointed toward the far north.
A place beyond the known world.
"The Crown of Winter."
Kai frowned.
"What is it?"
Vaelor's expression darkened.
"The oldest dragon sanctuary ever built."
"The first Dragon Kings ruled from there."
He paused.
"And nobody has entered it for over a thousand years."
The room became silent.
Then Seraphine spoke.
"If Veyrath is truly awakening there, we have no choice."
Another rider shook his head.
"It could be a trap."
Vaelor nodded.
"It probably is."
Everyone stared at him.
"The Shadow Lord will know about the beacon."
"The Void Dragon knows."
"And every enemy hunting the Blood Heir knows."
Kai slowly understood.
The journey itself would be a war.
That evening—
Kai sat alone atop the fortress wall.
The northern lights danced across the sky.
Nyrax rested beside him.
The young dragon had grown stronger every day since his evolution.
His wings were larger.
His scales harder.
His blue crystal veins brighter.
But Kai could feel something else through the bond.
Excitement.
Nyrax wanted to fly.
Not glide.
Not jump.
Fly.
Suddenly—
A familiar voice interrupted them.
Seraphine.
She sat beside Kai quietly.
For a few moments neither spoke.
Then she handed him a small object.
An old silver pendant.
Kai examined it carefully.
A dragon surrounded by blue flames.
"My father's?"
Seraphine nodded.
Kai looked up immediately.
"You knew him well."
For the first time—
Sadness appeared in her eyes.
"We fought together."
Kai's heart raced.
"What happened to him?"
Seraphine stared toward the distant mountains.
"He saved us."
"All of us."
Her voice became quieter.
"Then he disappeared."
Kai lowered his gaze.
He had hoped for answers.
Instead he received more questions.
The next morning—
The entire Sanctuary gathered in the main courtyard.
Dragons filled the sky above.
Hundreds of riders stood in formation.
Commander Vaelor stepped forward.
"The journey begins today."
Massive gates slowly opened.
Beyond them stretched endless frozen wilderness.
Danger.
Mystery.
Destiny.
Suddenly—
Nyrax walked forward.
The young dragon stared at the sky.
Then spread his wings completely.
The courtyard became silent.
Kai felt the dragon's determination through their bond.
Nyrax wanted to try.
Right now.
The dragon crouched low.
Then jumped.
For one terrifying second—
Nothing happened.
Then—
WHOOSH.
His wings caught the wind.
The dragon lifted from the ground.
Higher.
Higher.
Higher.
The entire Sanctuary erupted into cheers.
Kai laughed.
The first genuine laugh in days.
Nyrax roared proudly from above.
Flying for the first time.
Free.
But the celebration ended quickly.
A scout dragon suddenly descended from the sky.
Fast.
Too fast.
The rider crashed into the courtyard.
Injured.
Bleeding.
Everyone rushed forward.
Vaelor caught him.
"What happened?"
The scout struggled to breathe.
His eyes filled with fear.
"The northern pass..."
"Destroyed."
Silence.
The rider pointed toward the mountains.
"They're waiting for us."
Vaelor's face hardened.
"Who?"
The scout whispered only two words.
"The Shadow Legion."
Then he collapsed unconscious.
Far away—
Beyond the frozen world.
Beyond the northern mountains.
An army gathered beneath black banners.
Thousands of soldiers.
Hundreds of beasts.
Dozens of corrupted dragons.
And standing at the center—
The Void Dragon.
Beside him stood a figure cloaked entirely in darkness.
Only crimson eyes glowed beneath the hood.
The Shadow Lord smiled.
"The heir is coming."
The Void Dragon lowered his head.
"What are your orders?"
The Shadow Lord turned toward the distant blue beacon.
May you like
And spoke one word.
"Prepare."
