THE TOP OF THE STEEL DRAGON

The days of recuperation in the village came to an end. With their wounds almost healed and their supplies replenished, Asimil and Luce prepared to leave for Steel Dragon Peak. The villagers gathered to see them off, thanking them with small gifts and sincere smiles.

— Come back soon! — cried the little girl to whom Asimil had given the luminous berry. Then, with the overwhelming innocence of childhood, she tugged at her mother's skirt and asked aloud, — Mom, why is the bride and groom leaving? —

An awkward silence fell over the crowd. Asimil turned as red as a tomato, unable to articulate a word. Luce, on the other hand, let out a laugh so joyous and crystalline that it broke the tension, bent down and ruffled the girl's hair. —We have to go kick the bad guys so you can play quietly! — she said with a wink.

They left amidst the laughter of the villagers and with Asimil still mumbling and blushing. The two-day journey was surprisingly comfortable. The threat of the Void seemed far away in those quiet meadows. They took advantage of the time, and the solitude, to get to know each other better. Asimil, for the first time, talked a bit about his confused dreams, and Luce told him stories of her own "unexpected side adventures," forging a bond of camaraderie and trust at every turn.

At the end of the second day, they saw it. A mountain range rose into the sky, and one of its peaks, sculpted by wind or ancient magic, had the unmistakable shape of a dragon at rest. On its back, a fortress of obsidian and red crystal glittered in the corrupt sun.

Valerius' fortress was opulent, almost narcissistic, filled with statues of himself and banners bearing his emblem. They found him in a throne room, reclining lazily on a golden seat.

His appearance was as striking as it was arrogant. A young man of androgynous beauty, with snow-white hair streaked with blood-red locks. His skin was pale, almost translucent, and his mouth showed sharp teeth when he smiled. She wore black, elegant attire that looked more like that of a sorceress than a warrior, complemented by thigh-high boots. But it was her weapons that chilled the blood: her hands and back sprouted red crystal dragon claws and wings, almost holographic, that moved with a life of their own.

His eyes fell on them, assessing them.— So you're the survivors we hear so much about. I'm less impressed with you in person — he said, his voice melodious but cutting. Then, his gaze stopped on Luce, and his expression changed. — Although . you're an exception. You have the spark of a wild star. —

— We are Asimil and Luce. We have come in response to your message — said Asimil, stepping forward.

— Oh, yes. The message — Valerius yawned. — Look, I'll be brief. Your presence in my region disturbs the balance. People talk about you, divert attention from what really matters: me. — He smiled, a charming, vacant smile. — So I offer you a deal. You —  he pointed to Asimi. — turn around and disappear. And you — his gaze turned possessive as he looked at Luce, —you stay here, by my side. You would be the most exquisite ornament in my collection. —

The blood boiled in Asimil's veins. — What did you say? —

— What you heard, rookie. It's a generous offer. —

— I'm not going anywhere. And neither is she — Asimil replied, his hand on his dagger.

Valerius laughed, a high-pitched, sadistic sound. — I love the spirit, I really do. But stupidity has a price. —

In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Asimil. The battle began and ended in an instant. Asimil was brutally beaten, his attacks dodged with insulting grace, his green flames dispelled by a mere gesture of Valerius' dragon claws. A final blow sent him crashing into the other end of the room, leaving him in a sore heap.

— ASIMIL! — shouted Luce.

— An annoying insect. Now, about my offer... —

—Eat dirt! — Luce roared.

Unable to see any more, she threw herself into battle. A surprise blow, a punch charged with energy, managed to graze Valerius' cheek, surprising him. The fight was a dance of fury and elegance. Valerius' claws against Luce's fists and kicks. She was strong, incredibly fast, but her defense was low. For every blow she managed to connect, she received two shallow cuts from the crystal claws. It was a distraction, a valiant but losing battle.

Asimil, on the ground, pretending to be more wounded than he was, watched every move. He saw Valerius' arrogance, saw how he enjoyed the combat, how he exposed himself to show off. I need time, he thought. Just one chance.

Secretly, he began to charge his power. A green aura, invisible at first, began to swirl around him.

Luce, seeing his opportunity, launched an all-out attack, forcing Valerius into a defensive posture.

— NOW! — she shouted.

— TOO LATE! — Valerius scoffed, preparing to disarm her.

But the attack did not come from her. Asimil leapt to his feet, his whole body enveloped in a violent emerald aura. — MAXIMUM FLAME! —

A person-sized fireball, compressed and crackling, shot out of his hands. Valerius, surprised by the sudden burst of power, only had time to cross his claws in front of him.

The impact was deafening. The blast did not cause him significant damage, but the sheer force of the attack knocked him back. Two, three steps, his boots leaving scorch marks on the polished floor.

Silence. Valerius looked at the marks on the floor, then at Asimil. His expression of annoyance morphed into a slow, wide, disturbingly sadistic smile.

— Hahaha... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! — He laughed out loud, — Unbelievable! It had been years, years, since anyone had made me go backwards like that.  Wonderful!  —

He lowered his claws. — Very good. They passed the test. They're annoying, weak, but not boring. You're free to go. —

Confused but relieved, Asimil and Luce headed for the exit behind the throne, the way down the mountain to the next village. Just as Asimil passed him, Valerius grabbed his arm. He leaned down and whispered in his ear, his voice no longer mocking, but an icy hiss.

— That green flame of yours... it has the echo of a tragedy. The red-haired girl you lost in the ruins... I have seen her. The Void did not corrupt her. It has her. And they're turning her into a monster worse than I am. —

Asimil froze, his eyes wide with horror. Valerius released him, his sadistic smile back.