"DRACO! DRACO! DRACO!"
The roar of the coliseum was still thunder in Draco's ears when the instructor lowered his hand, officially closing the bout.
The dust hadn't even fully settled before the announcer's voice boomed again, amplified by resonant essence.
"Behold—the final trial of the Ceremonial Royale!"
The gates at the far end of the arena began to rumble. The chains groaned as massive iron doors shuddered and slid apart.
From the darkness behind them came the sound of claws scraping against stone.
The crowd erupted into a frenzy.
'Oh no… I forgot about this last part!' Draco turned his head toward the opening. A sick feeling already churned in his gut.
From the shadows, handlers emerged, dragging a creature bound in thick chains of gleaming silver—A Dragon.
It was young—barely the size of a carriage—its scales a glistening jade green, eyes wide and frightened as it resisted, snapping its head in confusion.
