Waking up after what felt like an extremely bad hangover, I groaned and struggled to sit up.
I took in my surroundings—a simple inn room, plain and modest, probably somewhere in the lower level of the city.
I reached for my head as a terrible headache flared.
Trying to remember what happened, I pieced things together in fragments.
Kala was abducted.
I chased after her abductor.
Came head-to-head with two powerful dragons and then…
Used that…
Everything after that was hard to recall.
The door suddenly opened, and flames came to life in my hand.
I stopped.
Because I recognised the individual—and the one who must have brought me here.
He was smiling in a grandfatherly way, standing to attention.
"Vaxen?! Where the hell am I?"
"What? Wanting to rush off to save that commoner girl? Even if it means risking your life? What about your mother?"
His voice was respectful as always, but this time it carried the rebuke of an elder.
It irked me that he could act like this when Kala had been abducted, so I snapped back through gritted teeth.
"She is not some 'commoner girl.' We have… been through a lot. And I was already honest with my mother; she knows the path I walk."
Vaxen moved from standing at attention to a more relaxed posture, sitting on a nearby wooden chair. When he spoke again, it was like an elder offering advice.
"Oh yes, the path to the throne of the Dragon King—one that may force you to sacrifice a part of yourself, or in this case, a person you obviously love."
A hint of youthful longing laced his words.
I asked, taken aback by his casual use of the word, "Love? Isn't it a bit soon for that? I care for her deeply, but—"
Vaxen smiled knowingly, speaking with the confidence of a long life lived.
"Then why else would you be willing to give up your life for her? Love makes us do foolish things."
His gaze drifted, as if recalling memories from long ago.
"I know where they took her, and you're in no condition to fight—let alone go against Level 3 and Level 4 Evolved. That form you used appears to be a one-time thing for now, so rest."
I forced myself off the bed and argued.
"No. I can still help. I need to help—for Kala."
The words came out like an order.
"And how exactly are you supposed to deal with them? You're just a butler."
It was something I genuinely didn't understand.
Vaxen seemed the picture of a normal butler—no aura, no pressure, nothing remarkable.
"Oh, you know us old folk," he said lightly. "We have our ways."
Then he sighed and relented.
"Very well. Let's go. Oh—and Your Highness, I prepared some clothes over there. It would be best if you were decent before we leave."
I looked down.
I was completely naked.
"I swear I'm not flashing you on purpose."
_______
In an abandoned warehouse outside the city of Talon's Reach, the last remaining hooded figures prepared a trap.
The one who had brought Kala reported nervously to Kazzal, eyes wide with fear.
"It was terrifying. He transformed into something monstrous. I sensed it from a distance, but if that form had lasted even a second longer, I would've been dead."
Kazzal grunted in acknowledgement, hissing softly.
"It seems the prince was right to be cautious. Based on what you described, he can't use that form again for now—and he's weakened. That makes him easier to handle."
His eyes narrowed.
"But he won't give up. We lie in wait and deal with him when he arrives, just as planned."
Despite his wariness, confidence returned once the trap was set.
Using Kala as bait, they believed victory was inevitable.
______
Kala lay on the cold warehouse floor, her mouth stuffed with cloth and her hands restrained.
Yet even now, she refused to surrender.
She knew Caspian was coming for her.
Not maybe.Not hopefully.
She knew.
That was simply the kind of man he was.
Even if it meant overcoming the impossible.
And if he was risking everything for her, then she would do what she could in return.
She was done being a victim.
If he's coming for me, I'll help however I can.
Her resolve hardened.
She studied the hooded figures—their arrogance, their powerful auras, their certainty—as if the outcome was already decided.
Then she heard something.
"What about the girl?"
One of them spoke, eyes roaming over her.
"Not yet," Kazzal snapped. "She's an asset. If he has more surprises, we'll deal with them using her. Stick to the plan."
Another figure scoffed."This is already over. And it's not like Prince Vorgath would mind if we blew off some steam afterward."
"Exactly," another agreed. "Once the half-breed is dealt with, Prince Vorgath is spared his father's wrath. He owes us."
So it really is Prince Vorgath…
Kala's eyes dimmed briefly.
I knew nobles could be ruthless—even toward family—but seeing it firsthand is different from reading about it.
How painful must it be for His Highness… to be betrayed by his own blood?
______
Suddenly, the shadows inside the warehouse twisted violently.
The remaining Level 3 Evolved members were seized by tendrils of darkness, their life force drained in seconds, leaving behind empty husks.
Realising a true expert was present, Kazzal cursed and tried to flee.
An aged voice echoed through the warehouse, stopping him cold.
"Don't run. My old bones wouldn't be able to keep up."
A chill ran down Kazzal's spine.
With nowhere left to go, he lunged for Kala, yanking her close and coating his dagger in poison before pressing it to her throat.
Kala struggled violently, screaming behind the cloth, but the sound was muffled.
Then Kazzal's gaze locked onto the newcomer.
A silver-haired old man.
And beside him—
Caspian.
His eyes burned with such fury that, if looks alone could kill, Kazzal would already be dead.