A few days later — Location: Texas
A man with brown hair and golden eyes looked at his phone. He was currently on a FaceTime call with his leader.
"Your mission is to eliminate and subdue all the humans in North Carolina. Do you understand, Ryan?"
He nodded.
"Yes, Sire."
"Take 200—no, 300 men with you. I'll send someone to take over your post."
"I could understand 200, but why 300?"
"My sources tell me that Cyrus Black is in North Carolina at the moment."
"What?!"
"Don't underestimate him. He injured me on multiple occasions during our battle one year ago."
Ryan looked shocked, his eyes wide. Someone was able to injure Cade, not once, but multiple times?
"Look, Ryan, your main mission is to get rid of Cyrus. He'll try to stop you. After you deal with him, then you can make North Carolina ours."
"Right."
"I can't stress this enough: don't underestimate him. He wouldn't just stand around after all this time—he's been training, getting stronger."
"Yes, Sire. I'll head out immediately."
Cade nodded before ending the call.
Ryan sighed and walked to the nearest window. Right now, he was in a five-story tower: its walls a fiery red, a flag at the top depicting a red dragon breathing flames, swaying in the wind. This was Texas Draco HQ, located at the Houston airport.
The airport was a wreck—planes reduced to rubble, and the surrounding structures nothing but ruins. The only stable structure was the Draco Tower.
Ryan looked down at the army of 6,000 below, wandering aimlessly. No doubt they were bored.
He opened the window and jumped down.
"Ryan?"
"Sir?"
"300 of you, line up. Now."
Without question, 300 dragons formed ranks. Not all were men—some were women.
"Here's the deal. In a few hours, someone will come take my post."
"But sir, where are you going?"
"I was getting to that," he replied flatly. "Cade wants us to invade North Carolina and subdue the humans. But more importantly, he wants the Lightning Prince dealt with."
"He's in North Carolina?"
Ryan nodded.
Some of the dragons grinned—fools.
Ryan thought about warning them not to underestimate someone who had injured their King, but decided against it. They'd learn. Even if it cost them their lives.
He knew Cyrus had wounded Cade multiple times—and had surely grown stronger since then. But Ryan wasn't just anybody. He had fought at Cade's side for two centuries.
He was no pushover.
He'd finish this mission—without fail.
Two hours later, Ryan was relieved of duty, and with 300 warriors at his side, he took to the skies.
An Unnamed Bar — Germany
Cade sipped his scotch, a grin spreading across his face.
"I hope you've gotten stronger, little Prince. Ryan isn't stronger than me, but there's a reason he's fought at my side for two centuries and still lives."
Cade didn't expect Cyrus to win.
He had to focus on his plan: world domination. And Cyrus… had to die.
Anyone in his way would be crushed. He took another sip.
Such fine liquor.
"Maybe I'll keep a few of these humans alive."
Approximately 8 hours later
Ryan narrowed his eyes at the house in front of them. He didn't sense Cyrus inside, but he did sense his Core a few miles away.
"What do you want to do, sir?"
He slipped his phone away. He had been checking to ensure this was the right place.
"Kill the humans in the house," Ryan said. "Then spread out and eliminate the rest—but the majority of you, stay with me."
All the Draco members nodded.
Several unleashed their breath attacks.
Flames engulfed the house—it exploded. Screams pierced the air as the residents burned alive.
150 dragons then took off, spreading destruction across the region.
Ryan stayed back.
He knew Cyrus would return. This was his territory. And Lightning Clan dragons were protectors—not just of their own kind, but of humans.
A few miles away
Cyrus was about to coat his fist in lightning when he froze.
He hadn't sensed the Dragon Cores near the Evan's residence until now?
Wings of lightning flared from his back as he launched into the sky. What he saw stunned him.
The house was burning. Tanya and Anna's scents were inside. They were burning alive.
"Ah, Dragon Prince. It's so nice to meet you," said Ryan.
Cyrus glared at him—but then spotted movement near the flames.
A figure leapt out, holding someone.
It was Tanya, carrying Anna. Both were charred beyond recognition.
How was she even moving?
Suddenly, they collapsed.
"Cy…rus… I…"
Tanya stopped moving. Tears in her eyes.
Anna wasn't moving either. Cyrus reached out a trembling hand.
But it was too late. They were dead.
Anna—the first friend he ever had. Tanya—always so kind, so motherly.
Cyrus's pupils narrowed to slits. Blue scales covered his skin. With a roar, he launched an attack.
The earth tore apart. At the center of the crater: Ryan and his troops.
Most of the 150 dragons were gone—only 50 remained.
Ryan sighed.
"You didn't even let me introduce myself. Are you really in such a rush to die? My name is Ryan—Cade's right hand."
Cyrus's eyes widened. He knew that name.
'Cyrus, listen… Ryan is a very dangerous man. Just as evil—and just as strong—as Cade. If you ever encounter him… run.'
Cyrus stared at Ryan.
"Sorry, Theo… but I can't just run. Not now."
He had to stay calm. No emotion. No mistakes.
Cyrus landed. Ryan's cold gaze met his.
"Men! I warned you—do not underestimate the prince! You'll die if you do!"
"Yessir!"
"End it already. If we're lucky, I won't have to use my power."
"Of course."
"As you wish."
The remaining 50 grinned—and charged.
Cyrus met them head-on.
He was on the defensive, blocking and evading punch after punch, kick after kick—some normal, some enhanced with flame.
He leapt into the air as flame bullets fired his way, then reappeared behind one attacker and slammed a fist into his back.
A blast of lightning erupted from his strike. The dragon coughed blood.
Still alive, of course. It took more than that to kill a dragon.
Cyrus stayed in the air.
"We got him on the defensive!"
"Don't let up!"
Cyrus frowned. He hated killing. Every time he did, he felt like scum.
But they wouldn't back down. Wouldn't surrender.
"Walk away," he said. "This is your only warning."
They laughed.
"Lost your mind?"
"Why don't you run, little boy?"
"To your mommy and daddy!"
"Oh wait—didn't Cade kill them?"
Cyrus's fists clenched.
"Last warning."
They began to inhale for their breath attacks.
Crackles of lightning sparked across Cyrus's body. He raised a hand glowing with raw electricity. With a grunt, he unleashed it.
A massive bolt struck down—then expanded, crashing through the mountainside and flattening it.
Screams—male and female—ripped through the chaos.
The land collapsed to street level.
Cyrus hovered silently. No one else lived up here—it was why he trained here.
Still, he felt guilty for the damage.
But he couldn't hold back.
From the dust, he sensed Ryan's Core. Still full of energy.
But his men? Gone.
As the smoke cleared, only burnt clothing remained.
And Ryan, his arms crossed.
"Hm. Impressive," he said.
He was genuinely impressed. Cyrus stared at the man who led Texas Draco HQ.
"Well now," Ryan said. "You ready to die, little prince?"
"The only one dying here today… is you," Cyrus replied. "Prepare yourself."
Four Months Ago
Tiana stared at a photo of her, her father, and her brother.
"Cy…" she whispered. "Daddy…"
It had been less than a day since she'd been admitted to the orphanage.
She wasn't angry with Cyrus—just lonely.
She understood why he left. To avenge their father. To destroy Draco. She just wished he had taken her with him.
"Tiana!"
She turned to see a boy her age with dark hair and blue eyes.
"Want to go to the movies? Some of the caretakers are coming."
Tiana smiled.
"I'd love to, Alex."
"Then let's go!"
She walked to the door and opened it.
The Present
The ground between Ryan and Cyrus was scorched flat. Ash and ruin surrounded them.
The two clashed, fist to fist. Neither landing a hit.
Each punch sent shockwaves into the air.
Cyrus grunted as Ryan landed a kick to his chest—enough to knock him back.
"You're good, kid. But let's see how you handle this!"
Ryan gathered flames in his core—and unleashed them in a spiraling vortex.
Cyrus tried to counter with a breath attack, but he was too late.
Flames engulfed him. He cried out in pain.
To be continued