★185
NYXON'S POV
Being cornered in a cave while my name spread across the city as the Cannibal was not something I could tolerate for long. Even if it was strategic, even if it was temporary, it felt like hiding, and the longer I stayed, the more it grated against my pride. As a Star, that's unacceptable and unforgivable.
Through Essen's perception, I could already see the wanted notices circulating through Pyrral. They were hunting me openly now.
Staying put would only make it look like I was cornered. I need to make a move. And there was only one place left to go.
I stood.
"I'm leaving."
Vera blinked.
"We're about to move to the other Gate, and you're going now?"
"Continue without me. I have something to handle."
"Something more important than getting out of here?"
I didn't answer. Explaining would only slow things down, and hesitation was worse than disagreement.
Zar looked unsettled.
"You're leaving?"
I turned my head slightly, letting my gaze settle on him.
"Do you have a problem with that?"
He stiffened, then quickly shook his head.
"No."
He even forced a dismissive wave, though sweat betrayed him.
"Just be safe out there."
He said, as if he cared.
"Oh and, make sure you come back on time. Who knows what's waiting for us at the other side of the Gate."
He winked playfully before leaving.
'So he faked been nervous. That mood swing, it's...'
"Zar isn't what you think."
Vera said gently, glancing back at him as he spoke with the others.
"He's a good dragon."
"I don't have time for this."
I replied, already turning away.
"Just… don't misjudge him."
"Move. I'll return."
She studied me for a second, then nodded.
"Alright. Don't take too long."
She ran off to rejoin the group.
I opened a portal and stepped through, emerging at the forest's edge. From there, the city stretched before me. The palace stood tall at its center, gleaming even amid the chaos, untouched and imposing.
Wanted notices drifted through the air in certain districts, carried by patrols and messengers. Others were armed, ready to join the teams trying to surround us.
'If they wanted a monster, I would give them something worse.'
I remained at the forest's edge for a moment, drawing in a slow breath as the city smoldered before me.
"Let's go."
I rose and walked into the city unarmed. No repulsive aura, without masking or amplifying my presence. I entered simply as I was. Yet every Void Dragon recognised me.
Void Dragons along the outer districts stiffened the moment their eyes fell on me. Conversations died mid-sentence, patrols halted. Some instinctively stepped back; others stood rigid, uncertain whether to flee or engage.
Whispers followed in my wake, but I paid them no mind.
"T..the Cannibal!"
"It's the Outsider ,Nyxon. Run!"
One by one, they pointed at me in fear, scattering in a frenzy, fleeing as though Death itself had stepped into their streets.
The soldiers in both humanoid and draconic forms came in waves, surging from every direction. They approach in a storm of flame and darkness. But the moment they beheld me, the storm of fury died.
Wings seized, flames died off, their bodies refused to obey. None dared to advance. They had already understood the truth of what stood before them.
'Too bad I couldn't use a space goat.'
Those who were able to make a run for it left without hesitating.
Meanwhile, those who were paralysed in dread could do nothing but watch as I made my way into the Silver Palace.
The doors to the throne room burst open before I even reached them.
At the center of the hall, the massive silver Void Dragon that had once hovered near the ceiling now stood grounded, its enormous frame coiled with restrained violence. Lavender eyes burned with open hostility, fixed entirely on me.
I didn't slow down. Each step echoed across the polished floor as I walked straight toward it, unarmed and unshielded.
"Leave us."
I said quietly.
The dragon's response was a low, thunderous growl that shook the pillars, hot breath curling through the chamber. It didn't move aside and neither did I.
"How dare you?"
Voidflame gathered in its throat, building into a violent blaze, then abruptly corrupted. The fire thickened amd darkened mid-formation. The dragon choked, the energy collapsing inward as it let out a strained bellow.
"Too noisy."
An invisible force seized its massive body. Telekinesis struck without spectacle, lifting and hurling the enormous creature through the walls and out of the hall in a violent crash of stone and splintered pillars.
She stood before the curtain, lavender eyes glowing steadily, fixed on me. I stopped where the dragon had stood moments ago. Standing straight, no hands in pockets or any flashy stance.
"What do you want?"
She asked.
"You're searching for the Cannibal."
I replied evenly.
"I'm here."
I slowly spread my arms in surrender.
"I know you're not the Cannibal."
"Do you?"
"Velros is behind those flyers. He's preparing to crush you. He has armies all around Pyrral charging in on you."
"Since when does an Archduke have influence that surpasses the Queen's?"
"Only in Pyrral. He controls eighty per cent of Pyrral. Not to mention his own Pyrral, Nyrral, existing beneath your feet."
"I just arrived."
I said, lowering my arms but keeping my posture straight. "So tell me about the Cannibal. I already know what they are. I'm asking how it affects Pyrral."
Her lavender eyes remained fixed on me, perhaps trying to measure something immeasurable.
"It's been eons since it made a move. And yesterday, it took advantage of the explosion to feed on the city."
"Two rulers combined couldn't find a single dragon for millions of years? What a joke."
It didn't make any sense, at least not to someone like me.
"The Silverwing only have control over the central region of Pyrral. The rest belong to the Vaermithorh Blood."
"Set the legends aside."
I said, keeping my tone level.
"I don't have time for politics. I need to leave Pyrral immediately. Where's the Gate to the Howling Wastes?"
She studied me for a moment before answering.
"There are two Gates."
She replied.
"One in Pyrral and one in Nyrral. The lower Gate in Nyrral is currently unguarded because it's the Vaermithorh Family domain. The Gate here in Pyrral is under direct authority. It cannot be used without Velros' approval and mine."
Her lavender eyes did not waver.
"If you intend to pass through the one here, you will not do so without confronting him."
"What can I get if I eliminate the Cannibal? What can I get in return?"
I asked, not bothered about anything she'll chose.
Her eyes sharpened.
"You know where it is?"
"Answer the question."
I pressed. She held my gaze for a long second before replying.
"I'll make sure you get to Parvak."
"I'll pass. I can reach Parvak without assistance."
I said.
"Then what do you want?"
"That depends on what you can offer."
She considered it carefully.
"I will make me an official Silverwing Family."
Granting me status and protection so I would no longer need to live in concealment. Nice.
'Though I had no intention of staying long enough for titles to matter, and since she had answered, altering the terms again would only complicate things.'
"Fine."
I said.
"Where is the Gate?"
"To the west. Velros is waiting for you there."
That confirmed it. This was a funnel, not an offer. If he was waiting at the western Gate, I would not have time to return here afterward.
"No hard feelings."
I said.
Her expression shifted, but before she could respond, I released my aura in full. It surged outward in a controlled burst, overwhelming her defenses and swallowing the space around her long enough to disable any immediate retaliation.
I turned toward the exit.
"To the west we go."
A portal opened beneath my feet, carrying me back to the cave's outskirts. The moment I arrived, I locked onto Vera's signature and moved after it without hesitation.
I didn't need to hurry because he was waiting for me, so I moved forward with measured steps toward the designated location while noticing that some signatures have faded and others were on the verge of disappearing.
I smirked because it meant the process had already begun.
To be continued...