The cavern trembled.
A low rumble rolled through the mountain, so deep it shook their bones. Then two golden eyes cracked open in the dark. They burned with amusement, not malice—like a predator savoring the sight of prey too foolish to realize they had walked into its den.
"Mortals," the dragon said, its voice deep and resonant, each word like stone grinding against stone. "So eager to die that you climb into my bed uninvited."
Arlo froze, sword halfway drawn, "Shit!, so much for our sneaking plan." Tessa's breath caught in her throat. Even Sari, whose tongue never stayed still, clamped a hand over her mouth.
The dragon uncoiled itself, wings scraping the cavern walls, scales shimmering like molten bronze. Coins and jewels slid down its body as it rose, clattering like rain.
For a heartbeat, no one moved.
Then the dragon laughed. The sound was like mountains splitting apart.
"At last," it thundered, "entertainment. Do you know how dull centuries become, with no challengers left? Kings once sent armies, sorcerers hurled storms, paladins swore oaths before the gods—and still they fell. Until no one dared try again. And now... three children with steel, rags, and empty hands."
Its massive head lowered, smoke curling from its nostrils. "Tell me—do you have what it takes to entertain me?"
Tessa's fingers trembled against her dagger. Her voice was soft but steady. "We came for an heirloom. We won't leave until we have it!."
"Try!" the dragon scoffed, smoke flaring. "You stand in the tomb of centuries. Every blade, every shield, every relic here was torn from the hands of those who thought themselves worthy. Your 'heirloom'—like all the rest—is mine now. A trophy of conquest."
It plucked a rusted helmet from its hoard with two talons, lifting it like an insect. "This belonged to a knight who swore his order would outlive me. Now his bones are dust. His promise lies forgotten."
It dropped the helmet. The clang echoed through the cavern.
"You want my treasure?" the dragon rumbled, eyes glinting with cruel delight. "Then take it—if you can."
And it lunged.
The cavern exploded into chaos.
The dragon's claw smashed down, stone shattering like glass. Arlo shoved Tessa aside as debris rained around them. Sari dove behind a pillar, dust choking her lungs.
"MOVE!" Arlo shouted, voice lost beneath the beast's roar.
The dragon's tail whipped around, a wall of muscle and scales. It slammed Arlo across the chamber, sending him crashing into stone. His vision swam, ears ringing.
"Weak," the dragon mocked, towering above them. "You break too easily."
Its chest glowed—white-hot fire building in its throat.
"FIRE!" Sari shrieked.
They dove. A torrent of flame tore across the cavern, melting gold into rivers, charring stone black. The heat alone seared their skin, blistering even from cover.
Arlo staggered upright, dragging his sword. Blood trickled from his temple. "We're not winning this," he hissed.
Tessa dropped beside him, her hands already glowing as she pressed them against his wounds. Radiance poured into torn flesh, knitting it together. Her face was pale, sweat running down her brow. "Then we endure," she whispered. "That's all we can do."
The dragon's laugh rumbled, shaking the ground. "Endure? None endure. Not kings. Not gods. What hope have you?"
It prowled closer, each step scattering coins.
Desperate Gambit
Arlo's grip tightened on his blade. He thought of that strange tug in his chest, the way fate sometimes bent when he willed it.
"Alright," he muttered, "just once... let this count."
He charged. Sliding beneath the dragon's body, he thrust upward at a joint where the scales thinned. The blade snapped in two with a scream of metal, but a line of black blood welled from the wound.
"Did I just hit a weak spot?" Arlo muttered.
The dragon roared, staggering back. Its eyes narrowed, no longer amused. "You dare—"
It inhaled, throat glowing with heat.
Tessa flung herself forward, snatching Arlo just in time to avoid the attack. Fire crashed down, the cavern filling with a hurricane of heat and ash. The dragon's attack melted the cave floor leaving behind smoke and lava.
The two of them tumbled aside, coughing, alive only by inches.
The dragon sneered, molten eyes locking on them. "Interesting. Perhaps not entirely worthless after all."
It raised its claw to crush them—
"HEY!"
The word rang out, sharp as thunder.
The dragon turned. Sari stood atop a rock, hair whipping in the heat, arms spread wide.
"You think you're scary? You're just a fat oversized gecko with a jewelry addiction!" Her voice rang like a bell, sharp, cruel, unrelenting. "All those heroes, and armies—you didn't win because you're strong. You won because you're too damn big to swat down!"
The dragon froze.
Its molten eyes fixed on her, something dangerous flickering within.
Sari's voice cut through the cavern, every syllable a dagger. "Yeah, look at me! The 'Tyrant of Fire,' great devourer of kings. What did it get you? Nothing but a cave full of junk and no one to talk to. You're not a terrifying beast—you're just a hoarder with nothing going on for him!"
Sari hurled insults and profanities to the dragon.
For the first time, the dragon's pride wavered.
Its wings twitched. Its teeth bared.
The cavern fell into silence, broken only by the crackle of molten gold.
Then the dragon's voice rumbled low, no longer amused—only furious.
"You will regret those words."