Chapter 5

My breath hitched.

"Take me to her."

I thought the bond between my sister and me had long since shattered.

Yet, hearing she was gravely wounded, the ache and worry in my heart were no less than in my past life.

The maid led the way, with Kian and I following behind her.

But after walking for a while, I noticed we were veering further and further off course.

I realized something was wrong. "Where are you taking me?"

The maid respectfully replied, "To meet the Crown Princess, of course."

I narrowed my eyes slightly. "Is that so?"

The next moment, I decisively struck, summoning my sword and thrusting it directly at the maid.

Just as my sword was about to pierce her body, a sinister black mist erupted from her, blasting my sword away.

When the black mist dissipated, the maid was gone, replaced by a dark-robed figure wreathed in menacing dark energy.

I was utterly shocked.

It was Archdemon Malakor himself!

A century ago, he had infiltrated the Dragonkin. My mother had perished by his hand, protecting Celeste and me.

My heart seethed with hatred, but I also understood the gravity of the situation.

I shoved Kian. "I'm no match for him. Even with all my strength, I can only hold him off for half a minute."

"Run! Go warn Father and Celeste!"

With that, I launched my attack at Archdemon Malakor.

He met my assault with a cold sneer. "Today, I will surely take you back to the Archdemon realm and destroy that thing inside you!"

I fought with everything I had, but alas, my body was weak, and my powers were woefully insufficient. I was defeated in just a few moves.

Archdemon Malakor struck me with a powerful blow to the chest, sending me crashing to the ground, barely clinging to life.

I turned my head and saw Kian still standing rooted to the spot, staring intently at Archdemon Malakor.

I was so furious I nearly coughed up blood.

The next moment, Archdemon Malakor's sinister gaze locked onto me, and a colossal hand formed of dark energy reached directly for my throat.

It seemed I wouldn't escape death today.

"Stop!"

With a furious roar, King Theron appeared with his guards, surrounding Archdemon Malakor.

Archdemon Malakor surveyed them, completely unfazed. "King Theron, you are no match for me."

"However, I only came to the Dragonkin today for Lyra."

"If you hand her over to me, I promise the Archdemons will not invade the Dragonkin for a thousand years."

"Lyra is a useless pawn; trading her for a thousand years of peace for the Dragonkin is a very worthwhile deal."

Father's gaze was heavy, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

I knew Father was swayed by the Archdemon's offer; he wanted to sacrifice me for a thousand years of peace for the Dragonkin.

A wave of desolation washed over my heart.

Archdemon Malakor sneered, his form shifting, and in an instant, he was before me, reaching for my collar.

Suddenly, Kian, the white snake, shot into the air. The next moment, dazzling golden light erupted, and dragon might pulsed through the air-a Golden-scaled Divine Dragon had appeared!

"How dare you insult my master!"