CHAPTER 35: BATTLE IN FIRE

Heat shimmered around its limbs, distorting the air as if it carried a furnace within its bones. Jagged dorsal ridges ran from its hunched shoulders to the whip thick tail, which dragged across the sand with a searing hiss, leaving scorched furrows in its wake. Its legs were bowed and muscled, ending in talons like molten iron, each claw gouging half moon craters with every step.

Its head was wedge shaped and brutish, eyes like burning coals sunk deep in ridged sockets, unblinking and cruel. From its half open mouth, thin threads of smoke curled, followed by a low, guttural hiss that scraped across the arena like the groan of shifting earth. When it opened its jaws wider, a line of glowing orange spit dripped to the sand and hissed on contact, leaving a blackened stain behind.

The crowd shifted uneasily, the mood darkening. This wasn’t just a beast, it was a walking ember pile, a creature forged in the belly of the earth.

Zephyr felt the heat from across the pit and instinctively stepped back..Star’s wings twitched beside him, already tensed but excited. This was the Ash Scale Monitor, and it had come to burn.

Crowd tittered; odds chalked eight-to-one now. The sound of slate sticks scraped harshly as the scribes updated the boards, drawing mocking snorts from nearby gamblers. Coins clinked in open palms. A few spectators jeered from the lower rows.

"A hatchling against that furnace-lizard? I’ll take that bet!" Guy number one comment.

"Poor kid’s gonna get melted with his tiny beast." Guy number two comments.

"Should’ve bought marshmallows and watched ’em roast!" Guy number three comment.

The laughter grew, sharp and dismissive, as Zephyr stepped forward. High above, hawkers shouted over the buzz, waving tokens for sale, adjusting prices in real-time. The Hollowback nickname had stuck like tar, and now it dripped with irony in the mouths of doubters. But it’s a good thing, people will never doubt Star as a dragon species. There is also a risk, if he showed too much power people will raise questions. It’s a double edged situation.

Fenna’s jaw tightened from her seat near the sidelines. She gripped the armrest, knuckles white.

Zephyr ignored them. He knelt beside Star, pressing a steadying hand to the Star’s shoulder. The dragonling twitched, nostrils flaring as the scent of scorched air and blood soaked deeper into his senses. But his eyes gleamed, not with fear, but with fire.

"Let them laugh," Zephyr whispered. "They won’t laugh for long."

A ring bell chimed overhead. The announcer’s voice echoed again, rhythmic and ritualistic: "Combatants ready? The match begins on signal flare!"

A handler approached with a red stick of fireglass and struck it against the basalt gate. A blinding flash lit the pit. And then the crowd fell silent.

The arena was no longer a place of jest. It had become a crucible. Stone, fire, sand, and shadow. Only one beast would walk out unscathed.

Zephyr bowed. "Let’s dance, Star."

Ash Scale charged at him with terrifying force, its hulking form blurring into motion. Each stomp cracked the sandstone floor beneath it, molten drool flinging from its mouth like falling embers. The beast’s eyes gleamed molten red as it barreled straight toward Star. It was fast for its size, like an avalanche on legs.

Star flared his wings. Zephyr’s voice rang out sharp and full of confidence. He command,

"Use Spark Dash!"

In an instant, the young drake vanished in a streak of fire. He left behind a glowing Ember Trail, the sand beneath it blistering in its wake. Ash Scale bit into the space where Star had been, its massive jaw snapping shut with a bone crunching crack! But found only flame and air.

The monitor hissed and skidded around, smoke curling from its nostrils as it swiveled with unnatural speed.

Zephyr didn’t hesitate. He ordered, "Trail circle!"

Star zipped back into view, circling with dizzying speed. He sketched a blazing ring around the larger lizard, the Ember Trail flaring brighter with each lap. Flames whipped up from the sand like dancing snakes. Heat shimmered in the pit.

Ash Scale recoiled, momentarily confused. Its pupils narrowed. Then Star dived.

With a screech that echoed off the basalt walls, he plunged down and raked his small claws across the soft underbelly joints, the weak spot between the lizard’s cracked chest plates. Ash Scale shrieked, its tail lashing out in rage. Star retreated before the counterstrike could land him.

Up in the stands, gasps rippled through the crowd.

"Did you see that dive?!" Guy one comment.

"Fast little devil... he drew blood!" Guy two replied.

Odds boards clattered as the scribes scratched madly, slates clicking as the numbers shifted. Eight to one turned to four to one. Then three. Wagers changed hands with urgent fingers.

Fenna rose halfway from her seat, heart hammering. "Stay sharp," she whispered, knuckles white on the rail. "Don’t get cocky..."

But down in the ring, Ash Scale roared, a terrible, liquid sound. Its chest glowed hotter now, like a furnace under pressure. Then it spat a glob of molten saliva, the glob arcing through the smoky air bright and blistering.

"Star, move!" Zephyr yelled command.

Zephyr’s cry came just a second too late. Star veered, but a fleck of molten spit clipped his flank.

The smell of burning scales filled the arena.

Star yelped and faltered mid air. Zephyr felt the pain across their bond like a white hot needle driven into his side. His hands clenched into fists, jaw locking, but he held steady.

Down near the betting pit, one of the earlier hecklers cupped his mouth, grinning. "That’s it! The runt’s cooked!"

Another gambler elbowed him. "Shut up! He is still flying."

Zephyr forced his voice steady. "Roar of Courage!"

A ripple surged through his body and through their bond unleashing Command Aura: Tier 2.

The air thundered. A deep boom rolled across the arena, low and resonant like a war drum buried in the earth. Fire vents around the ring responded, flaring taller, flames licking higher toward the blackened sky.