Leyla and her people stopped before the diversion. Luckily, they had not encountered many enemies. However, the detour would cost them time—and if they were unlucky, it might not even lead them to the White House.
“My lady,” a woman said as she approached Leyla, “don’t you fear something might happen to your son? We could stay on this path while you hurry to him!”
“It’s okay. It doesn’t matter where I am. As long as I’m alive, he’ll be safe.”
The Third Group
The soldiers had only encountered minimal resistance so far. However, that might soon change. An army of ghouls was approaching—and leading them was a dark priest. Worse, he wasn’t alone. Other priests—both light and dark—tagged along. The one in command of the soldiers was a black-haired man from Special Force Alpha.
“Seems like we picked the wrong street. We’ve lost contact with our commander and Nicole. Most of us are dead. But luckily, the ones still here are the elite of the elite. Still, my brothers and sisters, I fear this battle won’t end beautifully. Are you ready?”
“Yes!”
“Then let’s go!”
They had barely taken a step when the sky lit up. A sea of flames came crashing down. When the smoke cleared, Seraphina appeared—still wounded from her previous battle.
“Where is Dean?” she asked.
The man in command replied, “We decided to split into three teams to take the three routes leading to the White House. Your son is not with us, ma’am.”
“I see. Well, he won’t die that easily. And it seems you’re in trouble. I’ll lend you a hand.”
“Thanks, ma’am.”
“No need to thank me.”
She transformed into her dragon form. The beating of her wings signaled the start of the battle. Both sides clashed. Because Seraphina was the only one who could fly, they held the advantage—until a group of priests gathered beneath her and shot chains tipped like blades into the sky. Most missed, but one chain pierced her leg. Ghouls and priests grabbed it and yanked her down.
Realizing that resisting would only make it worse, Seraphina let herself fall. She cloaked her body in flames and accelerated her descent with her wings. It was as if a meteorite had hit the earth. The impact obliterated everything around her.
Seraphina had taken damage, but the enemy had suffered more. The soldiers used the moment to push forward. Still, one priest—their leader—remained unbothered. He lowered his hood, revealing eyes dark as coal. Seraphina froze. She turned to the soldiers rushing toward the long black-haired man and shouted:
“Retreat!”
But the chaos drowned her voice. She had no choice—she had to get to them. The soldiers attacked the dark priest, who merely raised one arm with a sinister smile.
“Be honored to die by my hand—the High Priest!”
Fire exploded from his palm, growing in size as it shot toward the soldiers. But what truly horrified them was not its heat, but its color: black.
Seraphina arrived just in time and shielded the soldiers with her body.
BOOOOOM!
As the smoke cleared, a wounded Seraphina emerged—alive, and the soldiers unharmed. The others quickly surrounded her.
“Ma’am,” the commander asked, “do you know that person? You looked shaken.”
“I don’t know the person, but I know the one possessing him. He’s Bellrion—one of the strongest dragon monarchs, a king candidate. His flames burn everything. People call them Hellflame or—”
“Amaterasu,” the High Priest cut in. “You’re also a dragon monarch, so you know you stand no chance against Bellrion and his flames. Surrender, and I might let you live. It would be a pity to lose a comrade.”
“You talk too much. Right now, you can’t fully channel Bellrion. In my state, I might lose a limb, but I will take you down. Your joy won’t last long.”
“Hahaha! You’re right. Or… you were right.”
The High Priest took a seat and began chanting. Seraphina barked out an order:
“Stop him—even if it costs your life! If he summons Bellrion to this world, we’re all dead!”
The soldiers charged, but ghouls blocked the way—abnormal ghouls, some massive, some mutated animals. Their advance slowed. And with the soldiers gone, the remaining priests surrounded Seraphina, attacking her every time she tried to lift off, targeting her wings. She was injured—but still a Noble.
One soldier finally reached the High Priest and attempted a strike with a dagger. But just before the blade touched his chest, it melted. Black flames erupted, engulfing both the dagger and the soldier. His screams echoed like a death knell.
“We’re too late,” Seraphina whispered. “Bellrion has descended.”
A figure shot out of the flames and hovered mid-air. It was Bellrion—in humanoid dragon form. His scales were darker than the abyss, and his violet eyes glowed with menace. His claws, fangs, and wings shared the same eerie violet hue. When he spoke, his voice pressed down on every soul present like a crushing weight—friend and foe alike.
“To think I’d meet another dragon monarch here. You’re far from home, Seraphina.”16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhQvjc0tkV
