The Battlefield of Shadows,
Samuel's breathing was ragged. Blood dripped from his lip, but his eyes never left the Shadow Tamer. The man stood tall, his blue eyes glowing ominously as the last remnants of his broken army writhed in pain. The battlefield was in ruins—cracked stone, scattered weapons, and the distant groans of those still regaining their senses.
Jason struggled to his feet, his greatsword broken in half. Elaine and Marianne stood behind him, their magic nearly drained. Lyra knelt beside Sylvia who got freed from the shadow magic, checking the unconscious girl's pulse.
Samuel, however, had no time to rest.
The Shadow Tamer's body trembled with fury. His monstrous wings of darkness flared open, casting a suffocating void across the battlefield. His fingers twitched, and black tendrils coiled around his arms like living serpents.
"You… freed them." His voice was low, almost a whisper, yet it carried rage. "You stole what was mine."
Samuel wiped the blood from his mouth. "They were never yours."
The Shadow Tamer's lips curled into a snarl. "Then neither will your life be."
Before Samuel could react, the Shadow Tamer vanished.
A blur of darkness shot toward him—faster than before. Samuel barely raised his arms in time before a black fist slammed into his gut.
The impact sent a shockwave through his body.
Samuel's vision blurred as he felt himself lifted off the ground, crashing through the air like a ragdoll. His body struck the ground hard, rolling across the rubble before coming to a painful stop.
Jason and the others barely had time to react before the Shadow Tamer continued his assault.
Samuel forced himself to stand, his arms shaking. The Shadow Tamer reappeared before him, his glowing blue eyes filled with cold fury.
A punch crashed into Samuel's face. His head snapped back, but he gritted his teeth and countered with a burning fist to the Shadow Tamer's ribs.
The Shadow Tamer stumbled back—only for a second—before retaliating with a vicious elbow to Samuel's shoulder, nearly dislocating it.
Samuel gasped in pain, but he refused to fall.
They exchanged blow after blow. Every strike cracked the ground beneath them, sending shockwaves across the battlefield.
But Samuel was slowing down.
His body was reaching its limit. His muscles screamed in agony. His vision blurred at the edges.
Yet, the Shadow Tamer remained relentless.
A shadowed tendril lashed out, coiling around Samuel's throat. He struggled as the dark energy tightened, lifting him off the ground.
"You think you can stop me?" The Shadow Tamer's voice was cold, merciless. "You are nothing."
Samuel clenched his fist. His dragon fire had nearly burned out, but he still had one last chance.
He gathered the last remnants of his strength, forcing his hand forward.
A pulse of red fire erupted from his palm, scorching through the tendril around his neck.
The Shadow Tamer growled, momentarily thrown off balance.
Samuel didn't waste the opportunity.
With everything he had left, he lunged forward and drove his fist into the Shadow Tamer's chest.
A burst of fire exploded from his knuckles, sending the Shadow Tamer flying backward.
But Samuel collapsed to one knee, his vision swimming. His entire body felt like it was tearing itself apart.
Jason rushed forward, standing protectively in front of him.
"Samuel, we have to go!"
Elaine and Marianne ran to his side, their faces pale with exhaustion.
Lyra's voice cut through the air. "Samuel, look at Sylvia—she's still unconscious! We can't fight anymore!"
Samuel turned his head. Sylvia's body remained limp in Lyra's arms, her face peaceful but frail. She had once been under the Shadow Tamer's control, and even now, she had not fully recovered.
They had freed the people.
But if they stayed any longer, they would all die.
Samuel looked up at the sky.
There was only one thing left to do.
Calling the Dragon
His eyes burned with resolve.
The dragon.
Samuel reached deep within himself, summoning the ancient bond.
A low rumble echoed across the sky.
The Shadow Tamer slowly rose to his feet. His eyes narrowed as he sensed the shift in the air. The battlefield trembled beneath them.
Samuel took a deep breath.
And then, he ran.
Straight toward the Shadow Tamer.
"Samuel, what are you doing?!" Jason shouted.
Samuel didn't answer.
He threw his arms around the Shadow Tamer, locking them both in an unbreakable hold.
The Shadow Tamer stiffened in shock.
"What—?!"
Samuel took one last breath.
"RUN!" he shouted to his party. "NOW!"
Jason's eyes widened.
Lyra cursed under her breath.
"MOVE!" she grabbed Sylvia and bolted.
Elaine and Marianne hesitated for a split second before Jason pulled them along.
The ground shook violently.
The air turned scorching hot.
The sky turned red.
A Burst of Flame from the Heavens
A deafening roar shattered the air.
And then, it came.
From the sky, a massive column of fire descended.
The temperature surged in an instant. The sheer force of the flames obliterated everything in its path.
Samuel held on tightly to the Shadow Tamer as the world was engulfed in red-hot flames.
The last thing he heard was the Shadow Tamer's enraged scream before everything turned to fire.
The Aftermath,
Silence.
Ashes drifted through the air like falling snow. The battlefield was unrecognizable—charred ruins and melted stone.
The party had barely escaped.
Jason coughed, his lungs burning from the heat. He turned back toward the flames, eyes searching desperately.
Elaine and Marianne stood beside him, their faces pale with fear.
Lyra held Sylvia close, shielding her from the heat.
The flames crackled in the distance.
Then, a single figure stepped forward.
Covered in soot and blood, his clothes torn, Samuel emerged from the inferno.
He was alive.
But his arms were empty.
The Shadow Tamer was gone.
Samuel took a shaky breath, his body barely holding together. He lifted his gaze toward his friends.
And then, without a word, he collapsed.
The battle was over.
But the war was just beginning.