Page 72 of Prince of Blaze and Embers
Hunter and Bella swooped in on Talonor, their combined might lending crucial support. Talonor’s horns grazed Brigodon’sflank, leaving long scrapes on the monster’s armored scales. The Blaze Queen’s reaction was immediate and fierce, her whip crackling with a renewed burst of flames.
I felt the pain in my side intensify, but I pushed it aside, focusing all my energy on the fight. “Eden, help me,” I muttered under my breath, drawing on the deep well of power within me. The golden light intensified, enveloping me and Errax in a protective aura.
The queen, seeing the glimmering barrier, sneered. “Your tricks won’t save you, girl. You’re a mere insect compared to my power.” She hurled another bolt of fire, the torrent colliding with my protective shield. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, the force threatening to shatter the magical barrier. Errax pulled back, sending us diving down.
I gritted my teeth, my hands trembling from the strain. “We can’t keep this up,” I shouted to Cade and Hunter, who were engaged in their own battles against Brigodon’s relentless assault. “We need another plan.”Cade dodged a sweeping strike from the queen’s whip, his staff flaring with fire. “We need to outmaneuver her, use our agility to our advantage.”
Hunter nodded, Talonor veering sharply as another flame whip sang through the air. “But she’s too powerful. We need to find her weakness.”
I thought quickly, my mind racing. “Her battle armor—it might have weak points.” I focused on the queen, studying the intricate patterns on the black and orange armor. “The scepter and whip are her main weapons. If we can disable them…”
Cade’s expression hardened with resolve. “It’s risky, but it might be our only chance.” He turned to Hunter. “Hunter, flank her from the left. Ash, use your magic to draw her attention. I’ll make my move from behind.”
Hunter nodded, his eyes determined. “Let’s give it everything we’ve got!”
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of our plan settle onmy shoulders. “All right, Eden, let’s make this count.” I focused my magic, drawing on the deep reserves of power within me. The golden light intensified, swirling around my hands.
I directed Errax to rise higher, positioning us in full view of the queen. The Blaze Queen’s gaze locked onto her immediately, her eyes narrowing with malice. “Your pitiful magic won’t save you, Gold-Marked. Not against me. I've defeated all Gold-Marked that rose before you, and they all fell... Every... Single... One...”
I ignored the taunt, my focus unwavering. I thrust my hands forward, sending a surge of golden energy toward the queen. The magic collided with the fire whip, momentarily disrupting its deadly dance. The queen snarled, her serpent's head scepter blazing with renewed intensity.
At the same moment, Hunter and Talonor shot forward, their movements after the plan I'd devised with Cade were already synched up perfectly. But fate, unfortunately, rarely aligns with the best laid plans, and the day quickly turned to chaos.
Brigodon, sensing the synchronized attack, roared and turned sharply. His massive body slid through the sky, the momentum taking him and the queen clear out of range for my magic to reach.
I knew Bella had seldom seen battle, let alone the horror of the Blaze Queen. When Brigodon swiveled, swinging his tail, he clipped Talonor with such overpowering force that they were knocked back. Hunter tried to manipulate the stumble with flares of slope-gliding, but the impact was too massive. Talonor, taking the hit, chipped a horn so fiercely it broke right off his head. Hunter did his best to stay in flight, despite the pain and shock from Talonor’s injury that was palpable in the air.
"Hunter! Bella!" I screamed, trying to guide Errax toward them, but the battle had us separated, and we all needed to constantly evade Brigodon's assaults.
Riding on Errax, I tried to get closer, but the air was heavywith hazard and flames, creating a thick barrier. Krakos, with Cade on his back, banked hard around Brigodon, trying to locate an opening. The Blaze Queen laughed sadistically, her voice slicing through the chaos like a wicked blade. "Pathetic puppets," she hissed, "playing at being warriors. Your end is near. You cannot defeat me. I enjoy this game. I love the hunt!"
Cade and Krakos raged on in the battle with the queen as I sent Errax diving after Bella, Talonor still tumbling down from the shock of the queen's attack.
"Bella! Hold on! I'm coming!"
CHAPTER 35
Errax dove sharply, her massive wings slicing through the air with a ferocious intensity. The sky was a chaotic blend of fire and smoke, the air thick with the scent of brimstone and the crackling energy of the Blaze Queen’s dark magic. Below, Hunter’s dragon, Talonor, was tumbling through the air, Bella holding onto Hunter for dear life as they plummeted toward the ground.
“Bella! Hold on!” I shouted, feeling the desperation rise in my throat. I could see the terror in her eyes, her glacier-blue irises wide with fear. I reached deep within myself, drawing upon the golden energy that was the essence of my magic, Eden. The power surged through my veins, crackling with an intensity that sent the electricity surging through every nerve in my body.
“Errax, faster!” I commanded, my voice steady despite the chaos around us. The dragon responded instantly, her speed increasing as she swooped down toward Talonor. I extended my hands, the golden light of Eden radiating from my fingers like a beacon of hope in the midst of the inferno.
“Bella, I’ve got you!” I called out, focusing the energy into a spell that I hoped would save them. The golden light wrappedaround Talonor, a shimmering halo of power that pulsed with life. The dragon’s wings snapped back into consciousness, the golden magic waking the beast and restoring some of the dragon’s strength.
Talonor roared, a sound of renewed vigor that sent a surge of relief through me. Hunter and Bella’s dragon stabilized, its wings flapping powerfully as it regained control of its flight. Bella looked back at me, her eyes filled with gratitude and awe.
“Ash, you saved us!” she shouted, her voice filled with relief.
“We’re not out of danger yet!” I called back, turning my attention to the sky above. Cade and Krakos were engaged in a brutal fight with the Blaze Queen and Brigodon, their forms silhouetted against the darkening sky. The air was filled with the crackle of fire and the screams of dragons, the battle raging with an intensity that was almost overwhelming. Their dragons clashed in the air, fire and claws tearing at each other with a savage hunger. Cade's staff glowed with a fierce intensity, the phoenix head at its top now ablaze with fire, while the Blaze Queen's scepter crackled with dark energy, the serpent's head spitting venomous flames.
The queen's laughter echoed through the sky, a chilling sound that sent shivers up my back and deep into my head. "You are pathetic, Cade," she sneered, her voice filled with disdain. "You cannot hope to defeat me. I am the embodiment of fire itself!"
Cade growled, his eyes filled with determination. "You underestimate me, Mortriana," he retorted, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. "I am not the child you once knew. I have grown, and I will not let you destroy my kingdom!"
The Blaze Queen's eyes narrowed, a cruel smirk playing on her lips. "You are still a naive fool, Cade. You cannot hope to defeat me. I have the knowledge of the old world and its secrets. I've been honing my powers, preparing for the day when I would ascend to godliness. And you, a mere mortal, think you can stand in my way?"
Cade's response was a fierce burst of flame from his staff, the fire arcing through the air like a comet. The Blaze Queen raised her scepter, the serpent's head flaring with dark energy as she deflected the attack. The sky around them darkened, the clouds churning and roiling as if in response to the queen's malice.
