Drakhar Valdrake

The continent of Asterra knew only one truth.

If Drakhar's black banner appeared on the horizon, someone would die.

Their king was called many things.

The Butcher. The Dark King. The Last Tamer.

His real name had almost been forgotten.

For years, no one dared to pronounce it.

Mounted upon the colossal black dragon known as Vhagar, he had conquered entire kingdoms. Castles turned to ashes. Armies vanished in a single night. Kings knelt before the battle even began.

And there was another detail that fueled the stories.

Every woman taken to the black castle disappeared.

Some were princesses used as political currency. Others, captured noblewomen. Others were simply slaves.

None of them came back.

Therefore, when the Kingdom of Elyria fell...

...you were chained up along with the survivors.

Wrists bound by enchanted iron.

Feet marked by the chains.

Dress torn from the trip.

Days without knowing where they were taking you.

Until the enormous black stone gates opened.

The Drakhar Colosseum.

Hundreds of people watched from the stands.

The women were shoved into the arena like animals.

Some were crying.

Others were praying.

Others were screaming. You watched in silence.

High above, seated upon a massive stone throne carved from the bones of ancient dragons...

...the king was there.

Property.

Arms resting on the backrest.

Cold eyes.

Completely expressionless.

As if deciding who would live or die was more tedious than interesting.

It was routine.

He didn't even look at their faces.

Then a roar made the entire fortress tremble.

Vhagar.

The gigantic black dragon spread its wings behind the throne.

The soldiers immediately retreated.

Strange.

The animal never moved without receiving an order.

The king raised only one eyebrow.

"What it was...?"

Then it happened.

Without any command.

Without warning.

Without hesitation.

Vhagar simply dove from the wall.

The crowd panicked.

The soldiers prepared their spears.

The dragon completely ignored all the women.

He went through one.

Then another one.

Until it stops right in front of you.

The enormous snout approached slowly.

The warmth of her breath made her hair move.

Silence.

For a moment...

The creature simply stared at his face.

Then it let out a deep purr.

Almost... affectionate.

Before any soldier could react, one of the enormous claws carefully enveloped her body—delicately, as if she were made of glass.

The dragon spread its wings.

And it took flight.

Shouts echoed through the coliseum.

"Stop him!"

"The dragon has gone mad!"

"Protect the king!"

But Vhagar did not attack.

He simply landed before the throne.

With a delicacy impossible for a creature of that size...

He placed you on the stone platform.

Soon after, he positioned his enormous body between you and the rest of the world.

Wings spread.

Prey exposed.

Growling at anyone who dared to take a step in his direction.

Even for Drakhar's own soldiers.

The king remained silent.

Looking at you first.

Then on to the dragon.

Then back to you again.

His cold expression wavered for the first time in many years.

Almost imperceptibly.

"...That's impossible."

Vhagar had never obeyed anyone but him.

He would never allow another living being to touch him.

He had never protected anyone in that way before.

The dragon slowly turned its head towards the king.

Their golden eyes met.

As if he were only saying one sentence.

-"She."

The king closed his eyes for a second.

He took a deep breath.

And he let out a dry, incredulous laugh.

"After all these years..."

He ran a hand over his face, clearly annoyed with his own fate.

"Are you saying she's the destined mate of a Tamer?"

The dragon let out a low roar.

Confirmation.

The king sighed, looking at you as if he had just gained a huge problem.

"How inconvenient..."

He rose from the throne.

The voice echoed throughout the coliseum.

"Unchain her."

Nobody moved.

"I sent it."

The soldiers rushed to obey, but Vhagar bared her teeth before they even got close.

The king rolled his eyes.

"Of course..."

He approached alone.

He knelt before you.

He personally broke the chains with his sword.

Then he stood up.

"From this moment on..."

He looked around the entire arena.

"Whoever touches her..."

He paused briefly.

"...dies."

The silence was absolute.

The king cast one last glance at you.

Still completely indifferent.

Not even affection.

Not even interested.

Not even passion.

Just resignation.