Legacy of the Dragon Lord

The air was thick with the scent of pine and fresh earth as Shira stepped outside her family's small cottage. The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of deep orange and violet. Laughter echoed through the village as children played in the fields, and the comforting murmur of parents calling them home filled the air. This was the only life Shira had ever known—simple, warm, and safe.

Then, the sky darkened unnaturally. A heavy silence fell over the village, pressing against her chest like an invisible force. Then came the first scream. It tore through the air like a jagged blade, sending birds shrieking from the trees. Shadows flickered along the edges of the village as monstrous figures emerged from the darkness, their eyes burning like embers.

Demons.

Legends spoke of them—ancient, malevolent beings that fed on fear, chaos, and human souls. Some believed they were remnants of a forgotten war between gods and mortals, creatures cursed to roam the land until the end of time. Others claimed they came from the Void, a realm of endless hunger that sought to consume the world. Wherever they hailed from, one truth remained—they were merciless.

Flames erupted from the rooftops as clawed hands tore through wood and flesh alike. Shira's heart pounded as she turned to run, but the horror of it all rooted her to the ground. Her father grabbed his sword, his eyes filled with a mix of love and desperation. "Shira—" he began, but before he could say another word, Elias appeared beside her, his hand wrapping tightly around hers.

"We have to go! Now!" Elias shouted, yanking her forward with desperate urgency.

Her mother pressed a trembling kiss to her forehead before shoving her toward the forest's edge. "We love you!" she whispered before turning back to face the oncoming horror. Shira screamed, reaching for them, but Elias held her tight, his grip unrelenting. The last thing she saw was her parents standing together, facing the monstrous horde with blades drawn before they were swallowed by fire and darkness.

She ran. She ran until her legs ached, until her lungs burned, until her home was nothing more than a flicker in the distance.

"We can't just keep running!" Shira gasped, stumbling forward.

Elias tightened his grip on her hand. "There's a place—an academy. Ardent Moon Academy. My brother trained there before he… before he disappeared. It's a sanctuary, Shira. They'll take us in. They'll teach us how to fight."

Shira hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. "And if they don't?"

Elias met her gaze, determination burning in his golden eyes. "Then we'll make them."