Ex rank talent Awakening: 100% Dodge rate

Drakonix, cloaked in the illusion of his human form, moved with the silence of a seasoned assassin. Shadows clung to him like a loyal veil as he slipped past the guards stationed around the king's palace. With graceful precision, he weaved between torchlight and marble pillars, scaling the walls with ease until he found himself standing at the entrance of the princess's chamber.

Within the warm, moonlit room, the gentle laughter of a child echoed faintly. Seated beside her was her father, King Alfred, a rare sight considering his ceaseless burdens.

"Drakonix," the king said in a low voice, though a faint smile betrayed his scolding tone, "you have to stop coming like this. Your actions put not only me and my daughter at risk, but yourself as well."

But despite the warning, warmth radiated from his expression. Over time, the king had grown accustomed to Drakonix's visits—had even come to cherish them. The presence of the dragon prince had brought joy and life back into his daughter's heart, something he himself had been too burdened to provide.

Rebecca had suffered a mother's loss too young, taken by either celestial hands or demonic claws—no one knew for sure. And Alfred, consumed by endless war, had scarcely been able to offer the child the comfort she needed. She had grown up in the lonely corridors of the palace, a princess surrounded by wealth, yet deprived of affection.

But then came Drakonix.

He had met the young girl by chance—just ten years old and playing all alone on the fringes of a battlefield, far from where any child should have been. Her escape from the palace that day had nearly cost her life. Soldiers were too preoccupied with the clash of steel to notice the lone girl hiding behind broken stone.

Drakonix couldn't turn a blind eye. He had shielded her from danger, carried her home, and stayed until she had stopped crying. That single act of compassion marked the beginning of an unlikely bond between a child of royalty and the prince of dragons.

"Alfred," Drakonix said gently now, "I couldn't convince my father. He plans to strike with everything he has. This might very well end with your entire race being wiped out. Please—throw down the towel. Surrender. Survive. I swear, when I become king, I'll avenge you. No matter how long it takes."

The king sighed, shaking his head with a weight that no crown could carry.

"That choice is no longer mine. My people have chosen to fight, to die standing. They won't heed my voice anymore."

"Daddy! Stop stealing my friend and go already!" Rebecca's small voice broke through, pouting as she hugged Drakonix's arm protectively.

King Alfred chuckled bitterly, amused despite the situation. "I'm your father, you know. You can't just toss me out because of a friend."

"I don't care!" she shot back without hesitation, her eyes fierce with childish jealousy.

The king raised his hands in defeat, laughing heartily. "Alright, you win."

He leaned down and planted a tender kiss on his daughter's forehead before walking out of the chamber, casting one final glance at Drakonix. There was gratitude in his eyes—and sorrow.

Left alone with the princess, Drakonix smiled softly. "Alright, Reb. What shall we play today?"

He asked with the ease of a guardian, his voice wrapped in affection. He had come to care for her deeply. Her laughter brought light to the darkest corners of his heart. And tonight, more than ever, he needed that light.

---

Drakonix spent the evening by Rebecca's side, playing and talking until her eyes could no longer stay open. When the princess was finally tucked into bed, she refused to let go of his hand until he promised he would return soon.

Only then, with great reluctance, did he take his leave.

But upon returning to his quarters, he found a figure waiting for him.

The Dragon King—his father—stood at the center of the room, arms crossed, gaze piercing like twin blades.

"Where have you been?" his voice was cold, authoritative.

Drakonix didn't flinch. "Out to catch some fresh air. And what are you doing in my room?"

"I was waiting," the Dragon King replied, eyes narrowing. "But it seems your stroll took longer than expected."

He turned, his voice dropping into a tone that made the air grow heavier. "Prepare yourself. We strike tonight. The humans will be completely eradicated."

Drakonix froze.

"…What did you say?" he asked, voice cracking as his face darkened.

"Exactly what you heard," his father said, unbothered. "You will lead the vanguard."

Then, without another word, the Dragon King walked past him, the echo of his footsteps like the beat of a war drum.

Drakonix remained still, breath caught in his throat. The vision of Rebecca's lifeless body flashed before him—her soft laugh silenced, her tiny frame buried beneath rubble and flame.

He wanted to vomit.

His mind wouldn't stop replaying the image—her eyes open, empty… her small hands cold.

"No," he whispered, stumbling out of his room like a man on fire. He didn't care about consequences anymore. He had to reach the palace. He had to save her—her and as many others as he could.

But before he could take flight, a familiar presence blocked his path.

"Move," Drakonix growled. Leviathan, his cousin, stood defiantly in his way.

"I'm sorry, cousin. But I can't let you walk straight into a trap."

"I said move!" His voice was laced with fury, and his aura flared like a storm cloud gathering heat.

"Damn it, wake up!" Leviathan snapped back. Water bullets formed around her, shooting toward him like hailstones. One struck before he could dodge, knocking him to the ground.

"Think for once! You're rushing to your death!"

Drakonix slowly got back on his feet, trembling—not from pain, but from the weight in his heart. Tears spilled from his eyes, unrestrained.

"I can't," he whispered.

"I can't let her die, Leviathan. She's too precious to me."

The proud prince, once so distant and cold, wept before his cousin without shame. His tears fell like rain on scorched earth.

Leviathan froze, her anger melting away.

"…Is she really that important to you?" she asked quietly.

"Yes," he said, wiping his face. "She is."

Leviathan cursed under her breath and rubbed her temple in frustration.

"Fine. Go. I'll stall them. But don't get yourself killed."

"Thank you! You're the best, cus!" he called, already soaring into the night sky, wings stretched wide, cutting through the clouds like a streak of desperation.

Leviathan watched him go, a sigh escaping her lips. But that sigh slowly curled into a small, amused smile.

"So that's what it looks like… when the Ice Prince finally cares."

But the warmth in her heart froze at the sound of another voice.

"How disappointing," said the Dragon King, emerging from the shadows. "To think he would fall so low… over a human. I was right to decide their extinction."

Leviathan's blood ran cold.

"My lord—"

"Silence." His voice cut like a blade. "Seize her."

Elite dragon guards materialized instantly, surrounding her before she could react. She was shackled with enchanted chains, her power suppressed.

"How dare you enable his weakness. Treason through sentiment."

With one last disdainful glance, the Dragon King shifted into his true form, scales glittering like black obsidian under the moonlight. With a thunderous roar, he took flight.

"Lock her away. Then follow me," he commanded the guards. "Let him watch the death of that girl. Maybe then… he'll become a true dragon."

And with that, the sky itself trembled as war approached.