I Only Tame Dragons

"That went better than expected," Horizon muttered, scanning the endless expanse of sand before them. "Looks like we've landed in the desert this time. Nyx, can you pick up on the exit's energy?"

Nyx circled above, her wings slicing through the dry air. "Not sensing anything unusual here," she called down. "But I can pinpoint the monolith's location."

"Seriously?"

"Ever since I picked up on the monolith's energy back there—both its dormant and active states—I can track it now," Nyx explained, voice confident.

Horizon nodded, considering. "But what if the exit needs to be triggered like the monoliths? That might explain why you don't sense it right now."

Nyx shook her head. "The exit's connection leads directly to the outside world, so it operates independently of this dimension's rules. It should stay accessible, radiating a distinct energy that I'd easily detect. I'll know it the moment we're close."

"Good. Then let's keep moving," Horizon said, eyes narrowing as he gazed into the arid horizon.

=== 🐲 ===

Meanwhile, before, Seraphina and the others were stunned when, out of nowhere, a small group of strangers emerged, seemingly from thin air, and made a beeline for the monolith that loomed like a pillar of dark stone.

The men touched its surface, and just as quickly, they vanished.

"Who the hell are they?" Dawnfire growled, her fiery eyes narrowed with suspicion and frustration.

Aria's voice shook slightly as she murmured, more to herself than anyone else, "Did that guy just . . . disappear into the monolith?"

For a moment, Seraphina felt a surge of anger and disbelief—had those strangers really used them as bait to distract the guardian?

But she pushed those thoughts aside; there was no time for blame or questions. What mattered now was that they had a way forward, a chance to escape this nightmare of relentless battle and reach the next region. Without hesitation, she snapped into action.

"Everyone! I'll hold off the guardian. Fiora, summon your beast and get the rest of the team out of here. Don't wait for me!" she commanded, her voice resolute, cutting through the noise and tension like a blade.

Fiora nodded, though she was still hesitant. She took a step back, raising her hands in a swift, practiced gesture, and murmured a chant under her breath.

As she finished, the ground around her began to tremble, and the air shimmered with a surge of ethereal energy.

With a flash of blinding light, her guardian wolf emerged—a towering, majestic creature with sleek fur the color of midnight and eyes that glowed with an inner fire. Its powerful muscles rippled under its coat, and an aura of primal strength surrounded it.

The wolf let out a low, rumbling growl as it turned its massive head to regard Fiora and the others, awaiting her command. She moved swiftly, urging the others to climb onto the creature's broad back.

"Everyone, get on!" Fiora shouted, her voice barely audible over Eldergrove's furious roars in the background.

One by one, the team scrambled onto the wolf, gripping its fur and each other tightly, bracing themselves for the sprint to the monolith.

As the last of them settled on the wolf's back, Seraphina stood alone, sword drawn, her gaze locked onto the Eldergrove as it bore down upon her with fury.

Roots and vines thrashed around her, lashing out in all directions as if the forest itself sought to ensnare her. The ancient guardian roared, its voice echoing like thunder through the trees, as it charged.

"Seraphina, what about you?" Velvet called out, her voice filled with worry as she clung to Fiora's summoned beast.

"Go!" Seraphina shouted back, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I'll catch up with you!"

She turned her attention back to the guardian, steeling herself for the onslaught. Every fiber of her being was focused on buying them the time they needed.

If anyone could hold the line and buy them enough time to reach the monolith, it was her.

With a swift, fluid motion, Seraphina sidestepped the guardian's massive arm as it swung down, striking the ground where she'd just stood.

Dirt and shattered roots exploded upward from the impact, yet Seraphina held her ground, undeterred.

The wolf, sensing Fiora's command, let out a thunderous howl before launching forward, its powerful legs propelling it across the forest floor with incredible speed.

The team held on tightly as the beast bounded over roots, leapt over fallen branches, and dodged debris scattered across the forest. The monolith loomed in the distance, an ominous beacon calling them forward.

Back at the battlefield, Seraphina danced around the Eldergrove's attacks, her blade flashing as she struck where she could.

Though each strike left only the faintest scratch against its stony exterior, she pressed on, refusing to give ground.

"Come on," she muttered, eyes narrowing. "You want a fight? Then fight me!"

The guardian lunged at her, but she twisted away at the last second, her blade slicing through one of its extended roots. The severed piece thudded to the ground, writhing for a moment before falling still.

The Eldergrove let out a furious bellow, its eyes flaring with anger as it turned its full attention onto her.

Meanwhile, Fiora's wolf raced across the forest, the monolith drawing closer with each powerful stride. Dawnfire, Velvet, and Aria kept glancing back, their faces filled with worry and guilt as they watched Seraphina holding off the monstrous guardian on her own.

"She's . . . really doing it," Aria murmured, awe in her voice.

"Of course she is," Velvet replied, gritting her teeth. "She's Seraphina, after all."

"Is she going to be alright?" Fiora asked, worried.

"She will be, don't worry," said Dawnfire.

As they neared the monolith, Fiora tightened her grip on the wolf's fur and prepared herself.

Everyone could feel the pulsing energy radiating from the stone as they approached, its power almost tangible.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

With one final bound, the wolf brought them within reach of the monolith, and Fiora and the others extended their hand, touching its surface.