Chapter 173: Dragons' Battle
**Avery**
Our bliss was interrupted when a rival dragon tribe descended upon us, their scales glinting like shards of obsidian under the moonlight. My heart pounds in rhythm with the beat of their massive wings, each thud a reminder of the impending battle. I stand tall, my mates—Cassius, Clint, Conner, Donn, James, and Vincent—forming an unbreakable circle around me. Their presence is my strength, their determination my shield.
"They’re here. I thought we knew all of the dragons who were left? How can they be here? Guys, don’t reveal too much. Let’s see what they know," I whisper, my voice steady despite the storm within me. The dragons before us are unlike any I’ve seen—their forms twisted, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light. But it’s their leader who catches my breath. There’s something familiar about him, a trace of me, of Jace, in his features. His scales shimmer with a faint iridescence, a hint of Altima Island’s magic.
"Stay close," Cassius growls, his hand tightening around mine. His dominance radiates, a silent command that calms the chaos within me. Clint steps forward, his eyes blazing with determination. "Be normal, but protect Avery at all costs.”
The leader of the rival clan lets out a deafening roar, the sound reverberating through my bones. "Avery, Queen of Dragons, your reign ends here. Surrender, and your mates may live."
I smirk, my confidence unshaken. "You’ve mistaken me for someone who surrenders. We’ll fight, and we’ll win. I might not know you, but you don’t know me at all. I don’t care that you know my name, as it appears that all of the In-Between do. There aren’t many dragons left. Don’t force my hand.”
The battle erupts in a frenzy of fire and claws. Conner shifts into Caleb, his wings slicing through the air as he takes to the skies. James transforms into Typhon, his roar shaking the ground beneath us. Vincent, his tattoos glowing with dark energy, lunges at the enemy with a ferocity that sends shivers down my spine. I doubt these dragons have seen anything like my group. I just wish that we could find out where they came from and not kill needlessly.
I feel the shift within me, Regina yearning to break free. But I hold back, my human form still useful in this chaos. I use my link. “Regina, protect our eggs. I love you and I will call upon you if I need you, I promise.”
Donn appears beside me, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Ready for some fun, my queen?"
"Always," I reply, my lips curling into a grin. They are in for a show because, to my knowledge, no one dragon has a Raven for a mate. We move as one, our attacks synchronized. Donn’s magic binds the enemy, while I strike with precision, my dragon-scale jewelry glinting as I deliver blows that would fell lesser beings. The battle rages on, the forest around us a blur of flames and shadows.
Amid the chaos, I catch a glimpse of the rival leader. He’s watching me, his gaze intense, as if searching for something. I feel a strange pull, a connection I can’t explain. But there’s no time to ponder it. A massive dragon lunges at me, its jaws snapping inches from my face.
Cassius appears in a blur, his sword slicing through the air. "Behind you!" he shouts.
I spin, my dagger flashing in the moonlight as I strike the dragon’s underbelly. It roars in pain, retreating into the shadows. “Run and stay away. My Dragon’s Blade is a part of me. I will kill if I must. Consider that your only warning!”
Cassius pulls me close, his breath hot against my ear. "You’re mine to protect," he growls, his dominance a balm to my frayed nerves and the boost that I needed.
The battle shifts, the enemy pressing harder. Clint and Conner fight back-to-back, their bond unbreakable. James’s fiery breath scorches the sky, while Vincent’s shadow magic ensnares the enemy in darkness. I feel the weight of their love, their strength fueling mine.
But the rival leader is relentless. He circles us, his eyes locked on me. "You can’t win, Avery. Your mates will fall, and you’ll be mine."
I laugh, the sound echoing through the chaos. "You’ve mistaken me for someone who fears you. I am far more than the Queen of Dragons, and this is my territory. I am the In-Between."
With a roar, I finally shift, Regina erupting from within me. My scales shimmer with the colors of my mates, a testament to our bond. I now understand why Regina is iridescent. She is what links us all together. I missed so much with her while she was recovering, but I will never miss another thing. Regina and I are one, and no one will ever separate us again. I take to the skies, my wings beating powerfully as I face the rival leader. Clint taught me tricks to flying, and I came up with some of my own. This leader is outmatched. I just hope he realizes it.
He lunges, his claws slicing through the air. I dodge, my movements graceful despite my size. We dance in the sky, our battle a blur of fire and fury. But I feel something strange—a hesitation in his attacks, as if he’s holding back.
"Why do you fight me?" I demand, my voice a thunderous roar.
He pauses, his eyes meeting mine. "Because I must. But know this, Avery—there’s more to this than you understand."
Before I can respond, a blast of fire interrupts us. James and Vincent have joined the fray, their combined strength overwhelming the rival leader. He retreats, his form fading into the shadows.
The battle begins to turn in our favor. The enemy dragons falter, their attacks becoming desperate. I feel a surge of triumph, but it’s short-lived. The rival leader’s words linger in my mind, a puzzle I can’t yet solve.
As the last of the enemy dragons flees, I return to my human form, my mates gathering around me. Their hands touch me, their presence grounding. I look at each of them, my heart swelling with love and gratitude.
"We did it," Clint says, his voice filled with pride.
"For now," Cassius adds, his gaze sharp. "But this isn’t over."
I nod, my mind already racing. The rival leader’s words, the trace of Altima Island’s magic—it all points to something bigger. But for now, I’m safe in the arms of my mates, their love a fortress against the darkness.
As we stand together, the forest around us slowly healing from the battle, I know one thing for certain: our bond is unbreakable, and together, we’ll face whatever comes next. The journey to Altima Island, the search for my missing sibling, and the truth about the rival leader—it all awaits. But for now, I’m exactly where I need to be. The night is ours, and the darkness has no hold here.
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