The Plant Dragon's body trembled under Draco's command.
The glow of her pulsing Dragonheart dimmed as the last threads of resistance snapped under the weight of his will. His word—Submit—had bound her, not through mere force, but with a sovereignty that came from his ever-growing dominion over dragonkind.
Her vines slumped, her roots loosened, and the emerald light in her eyes flickered before stabilizing in quiet recognition of her new master.
The great Dragon of Verdant Life lowered her head, her antler-like horns bowing in acceptance.
"Huu… glad that's done."
Draco exhaled slowly, his chest rising and falling with measured calm.
His body was bruised, scratched, and tired, yet the sheer power of victory left him exhilarated. But before he could even fully bask in the satisfaction of his conquest, a strange sound rippled across the lake's surface—an odd cracking, like the snapping of delicate shells.
He turned.
