As the three of them stood in reverent silence, Atlas shifted again, a low rumble rolling from his chest like distant thunder. Their attention snapped back to the center of the valley. Drogo moved first. From the sidelines, they saw the flare of his chest expanding, heat rippling in the air before a blazing fireball erupted from his jaws—bright orange and gold, lighting the valley floor in a violent glow as it streaked toward Lutu. From Drogo's perspective, there was no crowd. No valley. Only the opponent. Claim your place. The instinct burned hotter than the flames he launched.
Across from him, Lutu did not panic. From the outside, it looked effortless—one smooth pivot of his powerful frame, wings folding just enough to shift his weight. The fireball roared past, scorching the earth where he had stood. From within Lutu's gaze, Drogo's aggression was raw, youthful. Strong, Lutu assessed. But unrefined. With a thunderous stomp, Lutu drove his weight into the ground. The Avalon answered. Thick, twisting branches burst upward, splintering through soil and stone alike. They writhed like living serpents, coiling toward Drogo with startling speed. Gasps rippled through the watching dragons. Drogo reacted on instinct. He leapt, wings snapping outward for lift, claws tucking in as one heavy tendril whipped beneath him.
His tail lashed midair, slicing through a rising branch in a spray of splinters. He landed hard—then lunged forward. From the sidelines, Starfania felt her pulse spike as Drogo slammed into Lutu's shoulder with a forceful strike that echoed through the valley. For a split second, he had the advantage. From Drogo's vantage point, he felt the impact connect. Now. But Lutu was ancient in battle. A single branch, thinner and faster than the rest, shot upward from behind. It coiled around Drogo's hind leg and yanked. The world tilted. Drogo hit the ground, the air rushing from his lungs.
His vision blurred, and in that fleeting moment of imbalance, Lutu exhaled. Blue-violet flames poured forth, not wild, but precise. The blast struck true. From the sideline, the glow was blinding. When it faded, Drogo lay still. Silence swallowed the valley. Then Lutu lifted his head and released a victorious roar that rolled through the cliffs like a proclamation. Aeron didn't wait.
" Drogo!" he shouted, sprinting forward and dropping to his knees before his fallen dragon. For a heartbeat—
Nothing. Then Drogo's light brown eyes flickered open. Relief crashed through Aeron so hard he nearly laughed.
" Really?" Aeron muttered, exasperation bleeding into affection. " You're out here fighting while the rest of us were locked in cells. I'm starting to think you enjoy that vacation of yours way too much."
Drogo gave a low huff, turning his head slightly away as if offended. The movement of his tail thumped once against the ground. Not my fault you took long. Aeron narrowed his eyes. " Oh, don't you start."
Drogo shifted again, attempting to sit up with exaggerated effort, wings flexing dramatically.
" Yeah, yeah," Aeron continued, crossing his arms. " Big alpha challenger. Very impressive. Still doesn't explain the timing."
Drogo's nostrils flared. The playful bickering continued—Aeron doing all the talking while Drogo's body language delivered his rebuttals with pointed flicks of his tail and head turns. Meanwhile, Lyam approached Lutu.
" Exceptional job, Lutu," he said warmly. At the sound of his master's voice, Lutu's long tail began to sway—once, then twice—an unmistakable sign of satisfaction. The imposing Seraphithorn trotted toward Lyam with surprising eagerness. Lyam lifted a hand, fingers brushing along the elegant curve of Lutu's head. The dragon lowered himself slightly, releasing a deep, contented rumble.
" You truly are exceptional," Lyam murmured. " My loyal friend."
Then his gaze shifted toward Starfania and the others.
" Lutu," he said gently, " I'd like you to meet some people."
Lutu's head lifted. His piercing brown eyes locked onto them. The warmth vanished. His stance stiffened, wings adjusting subtly. The air thickened as if the valley itself held its breath. His gaze was not curious now—it was measuring. Warning. Starfania felt the tension coil tight in her chest. Then—Atlas stepped forward. No hesitation. No challenge. Just calm. From the sidelines, it seemed bold. From Atlas's perspective, it felt inevitable. He closed the distance with fluid, unhurried steps, sapphire eyes steady on the Seraphithorn. Lutu looked down at him at first with indifference—another dragon, nothing more. But something shifted.
Atlas did not posture. He did not flare his wings. He simply stood. The rigid line of Lutu's shoulder eased—just barely. His gaze sharpened, not in hostility, but intrigue. Ancient recognized ancient. Encouraged, Starfania and her friends stepped forward together. A quiet show of unity. Their hearts pounded, but none of them retreated.
" Lutu is undeniably magnificent," Starfania said softly. Lyam chuckled. " I couldn't have said it better myself."
" Without a doubt," Violet added, awe bright in her voice. After a moment, Violet gently tugged on Lyam's sleeve. He glanced down. " How can I help you?"
She hesitated. " What made Lutu and Drogo fight in the first place?"
Lyam smiled faintly and ruffled her hair. " Dragons are far more complex than we give them credit for. They don't battle out of hatred. They test each other's strength—determine who is worthy to lead."
Aeron looked up from Drogo's. " Then who's the current alpha?"
Lyam's smirk returned. " That honor belongs to Lutu."
Understanding dawned across Aeron's face. " Ah. So that's why Drogo challenged him. Draconis are notoriously prideful."
Violet frowned slightly. " But isn't it dangerous? What if one of them gets seriously hurt?"
" Injury is part of their world," Lyam replied thoughtfully. " They know the stakes. Only the strongest can lead."
Aeron tilted his head. " If they're always testing each other…are they ever truly at peace?"
Lyam glanced toward the two dragons—Drogo now upright, Lutu watching him calmly.
" In a sense, no," Lyam said. " But there's beauty in it too. A rhythm. Power and restraint intertwined."
Out in the valley, Drogo finally pushed himself upright. Across from him, Lutu gave a single, measured nod. Not enemies. Not friends. But something understood. And as Atlas stood between them, watching with those starlit eyes, Starfania couldn't shake the feeling that this valley—this kingdom of dragons—was about to witness a shift none of them yet understood.