Episode 4 — The Hunter in the Storm
The storm continued through the night.
Kai and Nyrax moved carefully through the frozen forest beneath towering cliffs.
Snow crunched beneath their feet while icy winds howled through dead trees.
Nyrax walked beside Kai silently.
The newborn dragon had grown slightly stronger since the battle against the Snow Wolves.
Blue energy pulsed faintly beneath his black scales.
But Kai could still feel exhaustion inside the bond.
Nyrax was hungry.
Very hungry.
Kai placed a hand gently against the dragon’s neck.
“We’ll find food soon.”
Nyrax growled softly.
The dragon trusted him completely now.
And somehow…
That terrified Kai.
Because he still had no idea what he was doing.
He was only seven years old.
Yet now an ancient dragon had chosen him.
Hours later—
The storm finally weakened.
Through the snowfall, Kai spotted smoke rising between distant trees.
A village.
Small.
Hidden.
Hope returned instantly.
“Come on.”
Nyrax followed closely behind.
But as they approached the village…
Nyrax suddenly stopped moving.
The dragon growled low in his throat.
Kai turned back.
“What’s wrong?”
Nyrax’s glowing eyes focused toward the village gates.
Fear.
The emotion rushed through the bond.
Then Kai saw them.
Mounted beside the entrance stood three armored men wearing black fur cloaks.
Each carried dragonbone weapons.
Massive spears.
Chains.
Hooks.
And beside them…
A dead dragon head hung from a wooden cart.
Kai’s blood froze.
Dragon Hunters.
Nyrax immediately backed away into the trees.
The dragon trembled slightly.
Kai had never seen him afraid before.
One of the hunters laughed loudly near the gate.
“Still no sign of the black hatchling.”
Another hunter spit into the snow.
“The Order says the creature must be captured alive.”
“And the boy?”
The hunter’s voice became colder.
“Kill him if necessary.”
Kai’s heartbeat stopped.
They were hunting him.
Suddenly—
SNAP.
A branch cracked beneath Kai’s foot.
The hunters instantly turned.
Silence.
Then—
“There!”
One hunter pointed directly toward the forest.
Kai grabbed Nyrax immediately.
“RUN!”
The hunters mounted giant armored wolves and charged into the snowstorm.
Kai sprinted through the frozen forest while Nyrax raced beside him.
Arrows exploded through nearby trees.
One barely missed Kai’s head.
“Don’t let them escape!”
The hunters pursued aggressively through the storm.
Nyrax growled fiercely.
Blue energy glowed beneath his scales again.
But Kai shook his head.
“No fire. Too dangerous.”
The dragon obeyed reluctantly.
The forest became steeper as they climbed higher into the mountains.
Then suddenly—
Kai slipped.
The snow beneath him collapsed instantly.
“KAI!”
Nyrax roared inside his mind.
Kai fell violently down an icy slope.
Snow and ice exploded around him.
He crashed hard against frozen rocks near the bottom of a cliff.
Pain shot through his arm.
Above him—
The hunters were getting closer.
Nyrax leaped down beside him protectively.
The dragon snarled aggressively toward the approaching enemies.
Kai tried standing.
His arm hurt badly.
Too badly.
One of the hunters appeared at the top of the ridge above them.
“There they are!”
Another hunter raised a massive dragonbone crossbow.
Nyrax stepped in front of Kai immediately.
The dragon’s glowing blue eyes narrowed with rage.
The hunter fired.
THUNK.
The bolt slammed directly into Nyrax’s shoulder.
The dragon screamed in pain.
“NYRAX!”
Blue blood spilled across the snow.
Rage exploded through Kai instantly.
The storm around them suddenly intensified.
Snow began swirling violently through the forest.
The hunters hesitated.
“What is this?”
Kai’s glowing blue eyes brightened.
Wind exploded outward from his body.
Trees bent violently beneath the force.
The snowstorm itself seemed alive.
Nyrax slowly stood again despite the injury.
Blue flames escaped his mouth.
The hunters finally looked afraid.
One whispered quietly—
“The Blood Heir…”
Then the mountain shook.
A deep roar echoed across the cliffs.
Everyone froze.
Even the hunters.
Far above the battlefield—
A gigantic shadow moved through the storm clouds.
Wings.
Massive wings.
The hunters panicked instantly.
“DRAGON!”
Lightning flashed across the mountains.
And descending from the storm itself—
Came a colossal silver dragon.
Upon its back stood the hooded rider from before.
The armored dragon landed between Kai and the hunters with terrifying force.
Snow exploded everywhere.
The silver dragon’s glowing eyes locked onto the hunters.
Then—
It roared.
The sound shook the entire mountain.
The hunters fled immediately in terror.
The hooded rider slowly looked down toward Kai and Nyrax.
For several seconds…
Nobody moved.
Then the mysterious rider finally spoke.
“You should not exist.”
Lightning illuminated the rider’s mask.
“And yet…”
May you like
The silver dragon growled softly beside Nyrax.
“…the prophecy has returned.”
