Liam – POV
The darkness of the forest closed in around me, but I kept chasing the man ahead—he moved like someone who knew this place well. Thanks to my dragon blood, my vision cut through the shadows with ease. Soon, the mountains loomed into view, and a small cave appeared, lit by a campfire. A team of soldiers surrounded it, and the man in the cape came to a stop.
The soldiers stepped forward, taking formation as guards. A grave, bitter voice rang out:
"Engage."
With a cry, the soldiers charged.
I shifted into my semi-dragon form. Scales covered my arms, claws replaced my hands, and massive black wings burst from my back. One heavy flap sent a gust of icy wind tearing through the camp, freezing half the men in their tracks—turned to ice and snowstone mid-charge.
The others hung back, launching magical attacks from a distance. But my focus stayed on the caped man, who was desperately trying to open a swirling vortex—some kind of escape portal.
