“Very well.” Skie snaps her wrist with a harsh flick, signaling the guards in the arena below. “My mother always knew that mouth of yours would cause trouble.”
My gaze locks in on the five guards, their spears menacingly aimed at the chosen, and I explode with rage.
“Get away from them!” I shriek, my voice ripping through the air as I sprint across the gritty sand to reach them.
But as I charge forward, a sudden, searing pain slashes through my leg. A familiar pain, reminding me of the sharp jabbing in my spine with each movement I take. I crash to the ground instantly, squirming. I cry out in agony, clutching at my leg where an arrow is penetrated through my thigh. Its tip glistens with the same toxic liquid Koen showed me.
Koen must be right. They are using this to weaken me.
And it’s working.
“I have more archers ready to release!” Skie grips the railing, leaning over wickedly as she beams a smirk. “You are not in control!I am!”
My fingers dig against my leg, pressing against the rage and pain that is shooting through me. I try to rise, pausing as I catch the sudden movement of the archers pulling back on their strings.
“No!” Theon shouts, shaking his head. “You can’t fight against this Ren!”
My hands beat against the sand, screaming at those who cheer for our deaths.
The guards make their way to Pyreon at the end of the line, gripping his arms as his body yanks against their firm grip. The guards carelessly drag his body towards the golden dragon, the chains tightly wrapping around its enormous legs. Its mouth is slightly clamped together by more chains, but wide enough to breathe fire through it.
“Please don’t!” Tears blur my eyes as I beg to Skie.
“You did this. You killed him!” Skie snaps her finger.
The guards jab their spears against the dragon, and I watch bright, cherry-red fire begin to flame inside its wide mouth.
I crawl, pulling my body as blood smears across the sand.
Pyreon nods towards me. A soft smile forms along his lips. “It’s okay,” he mouths out.
“Please stop!” Tears stream down my cheeks, smearing in with the dried blood from my split lip. “Please! I beg you!”
But as I do everything in my power to crawl my way to him, the dragon breathes fire and scorches him right in front of us.
I sob, clenching my chest as I watch a man who did not deserve this death, slowly become nothing more but ash and bones in the sand.
My lips part, feeling the rage burning against my throat as I scream. The veins against my temples and neck pulse rapidly as I realize, either Koen or I die. Or the chosen will be scorched to their deaths, one by one.
The guards move behind the rest of the chosen, pointing their spears directly towards the back. I heave, the sand curling between my fingers as I force myself to rise.
Despite the pain. Despite the fear.
I will die,strong. I will die, showing them all they won’t weaken me.
They will never be able to.
My death shall be from the hands of the man I love.
And we shall meet again, in the sky above.
And I shall rain fire on them all for what they have done.
War is coming. And these foolish people brought it upon themselves.
Chapter 48
“The one chosen, scorched by the God of Fire, will be forever protected unless the Gods choose to forge her into a huntress. The marks along their skin will protect them.” - Book of Azure
