Noona's eyes flickered as she saw the shadowed wings appear in the corner of the room. Before she could react, a small black dragon emerged from the darkness. It let out a faint roar and spewed a small burst of violet fire, warning, "Don't come near me!"
Suddenly, the demon from her dreams appeared for real. The walls cracked under the force of its presence. Towering, horned, and with blazing red eyes, it left deep scratches across the wooden floor as it moved. The baby black dragon soared into the air, spreading its small wings. It flapped with tremendous power, sending gusts that rattled the windows.
Noona was startled but felt an unshakable pull in her heart. She stepped forward, raising her hand—her mind echoed, "Help it! It is your friend!"
The baby dragon breathed fire at the demon, which retaliated with sharp claws. The two clashed violently in the room. Noona had to dodge flying shards of glass and scattered books. It was like her dream—but now it was real.
With courage and determination, the baby dragon lunged, wrapping its tail around the demon and slamming it against the wall. Noona grabbed a full glass of water and hurled it at the demon's face. The fire from the water made the demon recoil. The baby dragon roared with all its might, then the shadowed wings faded and vanished. The room was left in ruins, and Noona's heart pounded wildly.
She looked around, still breathless, yet already feeling a bond with this small dragon.
The sun dipped low over the jagged peaks of Lorb, casting long shadows across the valley. The Black Dragon Hatchling crouched atop a rocky ledge, its scales gleaming like onyx in the fading light. For a moment, silence reigned—a deceptive calm that made the hatchling's heart beat faster.
Without warning, a dark shape lunged from the shadows. A demon, twisted and writhing, with eyes like molten embers, crashed onto the ridge with a deafening roar. The hatchling's wings snapped open instinctively, gusts of wind scattering loose stones into the abyss below.
The battle began with a clash of claws and teeth. The demon struck first, sharp talons scraping against the hatchling's black scales. Pain shot through its side, but the hatchling's fury blazed brighter than fear. It leapt into the air, wings slicing through the sky, and let loose a blast of dark fire. The flames hissed against the demon's form, lighting its twisted body in flickering shadows.
The demon countered, its shadowy tendrils lashing toward the hatchling. With a swift roll and a flap of its powerful wings, the young dragon avoided the strike, letting the tendrils crash into the rocks behind. The hatchling's tail lashed out, sweeping the demon off balance. It seized the opportunity to sink its claws into the creature's shoulder, shaking it violently.
The battle raged across the ridge and down the mountainside, a whirlwind of fire, shadow, and steel. Each strike left scars, but also taught the hatchling—every movement, every reaction, honed its instincts and courage.
Finally, the demon let out a final, shrieking howl, retreating into the darkness it had come from. The Black Dragon Hatchling landed heavily on the rocky ground, wings trembling, scales scorched and bloodied. But in its chest burned a fierce triumph—the knowledge that it had survived its first battle, and grown stronger because of it.
Above, the first stars of night shimmered, bearing silent witness to the rise of a new force on Lorb.