The battle in the village had reached its brutal peak. Half the goblins already lay dead. The air rang with the endless CLANG–CLANG! of steel on steel and had grown so thick with acrid, choking smoke from the burning huts that every breath felt like swallowing ash.
Rion and Bren's duel burned hotter than the fires around them. Rion's legs completed their transformation into powerful draconic limbs. The instant his clawed feet touched the ground, a thunderous SHUDD! exploded outward, the earth itself trembling beneath the impact.
He drove a devastating kick into Bren's stomach. Bren crossed his sword with both hands and blocked, but the sheer force hurled him backward. His boots carved two deep furrows through the dirt; dust billowed into the sky.
Bren flashed a thin, defiant smile.
"So you really are a dragon…"
Rion cast a brief glance at Bren's companions, then locked his glowing eyes on Bren once more. When he spoke, a low draconic rumble vibrated beneath his words.
