The night was no longer quiet.
From the horizon, dozens of torches flickered like an army of stars crawling closer. Elior stood at the heart of the ruined village, the Paladin's blood still warm on his lips. His new wings glowed faintly in the smoke, the fused scales of crimson and shadow radiating heat.
The Silver Order was coming.
---
The March of Torches
Horns blared in the distance. Boots hammered the earth in unison. Sigils of silver light bloomed on the ground as squads of clerics and knights advanced, their chants reverberating through the air.
> [Detection Warning: Multiple Tier 3–4 Enemies Approaching]
Estimated Survival Chance: 12%
The systems' voices filled Elior's mind:
Dragon Protocol: "Too many. Withdraw. Grow stronger."
Vampire Protocol: "Slaughter them all. Their fear will taste sweet."
Overflow Engine: [Quest Item Detected: Silver Order Crest. Trigger Condition Met.]
---
Quest Triggered
> [Quest: Fugitive of the Silver Order]
Objective: Escape pursuit and survive the Order's ambush.
Rewards: Unknown.
Failure: Permanent death.
---
The Choice
Elior's claws clenched around the Silver Order Crest torn from the Paladin's chest. His body still burned from wounds that hadn't healed. His bloodfire was strong, but not endless.
The torches drew nearer. He could already see their armor—rows of silver helms reflecting moonlight.
Elior's instincts warred. Part of him longed to turn and consume, to unleash his Bloodfire Breath and paint the night red. Another part—the dragon—whispered of patience, of survival, of evolving beyond prey and predator alike.
He spread his wings. With one heavy beat, embers scattered through the air, and his body lifted above the ruins.
---
Into the Night
"Monster!" a knight cried, pointing up at him. Arrows of light streaked through the sky, grazing his wings, but Elior rose higher, fire curling from his claws.
He looked down once—at the village that had been his home, now ash and ruin. At the Paladin's corpse lying broken in the dirt. At the torches spreading like wildfire across the land.
"Let them come," he whispered, eyes glowing like molten gold. "The more they chase me, the stronger I'll become."
With a roar that split the heavens, Elior vanished into the night.
---
System Update
> [Title Earned: The Silver-Blooded Fugitive]
Fear spreads. The Order has marked you.
Reputation: Infamy +100
> [Hidden Condition Met: Blood-Dragon Protocol – Stage 2 Unlocked]
New Ability Acquired: Wings of Convergence (short-range flight & enhanced evasion).
---
Far below, the Silver Order lit their banners and raised their swords.
A hunt had begun.