Episode 12 — Trial of the Ice Titan
The Ice Titan charged.
Each step shattered the frozen ground beneath its feet.
Snow exploded into the air.
The canyon trembled violently.
Its colossal ice axe cut through the storm like a mountain falling from the sky.
"GET DOWN!"
Commander Vaelor roared.
Dragon Riders scattered instantly.
The axe struck the ground.
BOOOOM!
A shockwave ripped through the canyon.
Entire sections of ice cliffs collapsed.
Several dragons were thrown backward.
Kai crashed into the snow.
Nyrax rolled beside him.
For a moment—
Everything disappeared beneath flying ice and dust.
When the chaos settled—
The Ice Titan stood motionless.
Watching.
Waiting.
Its glowing blue eyes never left Kai.
The giant spoke again.
Its voice echoed inside every mind.
"The Blood Heir..."
"The Last Rider..."
"The Child of Kael Ravenwood..."
Kai froze.
The Titan knew his father.
The entire expedition fell silent.
Even Vaelor looked shocked.
Kai slowly stood.
Snow covered his clothes.
His hands trembled.
"You knew my father?"
The Ice Titan lowered its massive axe.
For a long moment—
The giant remained silent.
Then it answered.
"I fought beside him."
Everyone stared.
"I guarded the Northern Gates during the Last Dragon War."
"Your father carried the mark before you."
Kai's heart pounded.
More answers.
Finally.
After years of questions.
Suddenly—
The Titan pointed toward Nyrax.
"And that dragon..."
"Carries the blood of kings."
Nyrax growled.
Blue energy flickered beneath his scales.
The giant watched carefully.
Then nodded.
"Good."
"Very good."
Commander Vaelor stepped forward.
"What do you want?"
The Titan ignored him completely.
Its attention remained fixed on Kai.
"To continue north..."
"The heir must prove himself."
The giant slowly raised its axe.
Blue runes ignited across the frozen weapon.
Ancient magic filled the canyon.
The snow itself began glowing.
"Only the worthy may enter the Crown of Winter."
Suddenly—
The ground beneath Kai cracked open.
BOOM!
A massive circular arena emerged from beneath the ice.
Ancient dragon symbols covered the frozen stone.
Blue fire erupted around its edges.
The canyon transformed into a forgotten battlefield.
An ancient trial ground.
The Titan pointed toward the arena.
"One trial."
"One challenge."
"One truth."
Kai swallowed hard.
"What kind of challenge?"
The giant's glowing eyes brightened.
Then—
The world changed.
Blue light exploded from the arena.
Everything disappeared.
The canyon vanished.
The riders vanished.
Nyrax vanished.
Kai found himself standing somewhere else.
A battlefield.
Burning.
Destroyed.
Smoke filled the sky.
Dragon corpses covered the ground.
Broken banners fluttered in the wind.
The smell of ash surrounded him.
Then he saw them.
Hundreds of Dragon Riders fighting desperately.
Against an endless army of darkness.
Void Creatures.
Corrupted dragons.
Shadow Soldiers.
A war.
The Last Dragon War.
Suddenly—
Someone landed beside him.
A massive black dragon.
Larger than Nyrax.
Covered in blue glowing markings.
A Dragon King.
And riding atop it—
A man.
Black armor.
Blue eyes.
Dark hair.
Kai stopped breathing.
His father.
Kael Ravenwood.
Kael turned toward him.
For a moment—
Father and son stared at each other.
Across time itself.
Then Kael smiled.
The same smile Kai saw in the mirror every day.
"Hello, Kai."
Tears instantly filled Kai's eyes.
"Dad..."
Before he could move—
A deafening roar shook the battlefield.
The sky cracked open.
Darkness poured from the heavens.
And something enormous descended.
Larger than dragons.
Larger than castles.
A creature made entirely of shadow.
Thousands of crimson eyes opened across its body.
The Shadow Lord.
Every Dragon Rider immediately turned toward it.
Fear spread through the battlefield.
Kael looked at his son.
His expression became serious.
"This is your trial."
Kai stared at him.
"What do I do?"
Kael pointed toward the Shadow Lord.
Then toward the terrified Dragon Riders.
"Choose."
Kai frowned.
"Choose what?"
His father's eyes hardened.
"Save one person."
"Or save everyone."
Silence.
The battlefield froze.
The trial had begun.
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And Kai realized—
There was no correct answer.
