Promise of violence

Amidst the chaos of the flying menace, a young girl, scarcely seven or eight years old, darted through the chaos. Her small frame was jostled by the frantic crowd, each person consumed with their own survival, leaving her to navigate the sea of bodies alone. She stumbled, her foot catching on an unseen obstacle, and fell hard to the ground. There, amidst the surging throng, she lay helpless and forsaken, trampled underfoot by those too terrified to notice her plight.

She struggled to rise, but the relentless tide of humanity pressed her back down. Panic surged through her, tears streaming down her cheeks, as the reality of her situation sank in. Above the din, a bone-chilling roar pierced the air. Her wide, frightened eyes turned skyward just in time to see the monstrous wyvern, its massive wings beating a malevolent rhythm, as it descended. The beast's maw gaped open, a fiery glow emanating from its throat, preparing to unleash its deadly breath.

The girl's heart pounded in her chest as she watched the inferno build. She shut her eyes tight, bracing for the searing heat, for the end that seemed inevitable. But instead of flames, a sudden, biting cold enveloped her. She opened her eyes in astonishment to find herself encased within a shimmering dome of ice, the barrier gleaming with an ethereal blue light. The temperature plummeted, and she shivered violently, her breath fogging in the frigid air.

The wyvern's flames struck the ice, sending shards flying but leaving the girl unharmed within her icy sanctuary. The contrast between the roaring inferno outside and the icy stillness inside was surreal. She glanced around in wonder, her fear momentarily forgotten, as she marveled at the miraculous shield that had saved her.

Despite her shivering, the girl's curiosity overcame her fear, and she reached out to touch the wall of the icy dome. Before her fingers could make contact, the entire dome shook and cracks began to snake through the ice, spreading rapidly like a spiderweb. Under the impact of wyverns fierce breath, With a sudden, thunderous burst, the dome finally shattered, transforming into a cascade of glittering shards, raining down around her like snowflakes.

Her awe quickly turned to horror as she took in the scene before her. The ground, once bustling with life, was now a blackened wasteland, charred and desolate. Corpses lay strewn about, their bodies twisted and broken, still smoldering from the wyvern's flames. The stench of burnt flesh and death permeated the air, overwhelming her senses. She gagged, unable to hold back the bile rising in her throat, and vomited onto the scorched earth.

Gasping for breath, the girl lay there, too terrified to take in her surroundings. The weight of the devastation pressed down on her, each breath a struggle against the crushing reality of the massacre. She squeezed her eyes shut, wishing she could unsee the horrors around her.

A sudden gust of cold wind brushed against her face, snapping her from her despair. She opened her eyes in surprise, and to her astonishment, the world around her had transformed. The once-blackened ground now glistened under a thick layer of ice, reflecting the silver moonlight like a vast, icy mirror. The corpses, previously burning and grotesque, were now encased in ice, their fiery torment halted, leaving them with little of dignity, every human deserves.

The scene was both beautiful and tragic, a haunting juxtaposition of serenity and sorrow. The ice sparkled like a field of diamonds, but the bodies trapped within it were a stark reminder of the recent carnage. It was as if the entire battlefield had been transformed into a massive, glacial tomb, preserving the dead in a cold, eternal stillness.

Amidst the frozen landscape, the girl's gaze was drawn to a figure moving through the ice. A tall, cloaked individual came into view, his back turned towards her, a dark red cloak fluttering wildly in the wind. She blinked, trying to clear her dizzy vision, but when she opened her eyes again, the figure had vanished. Confusion clouded her mind—had she really seen someone, or was it a figment of her overwhelmed senses?

Her attention shifted to the wyvern, still a looming menace over the city. It hovered, spewing fiery breath upon anything unfortunate enough to catch its eye. Its massive wings cast dark shadows over the city, which was now crumbling under the relentless assault, reduced to mere rubble. The beast roared in victory, a sound that reverberated through the ruins.

Suddenly, the wyvern's triumphant roar was cut short by a piercing shard of ice that shot through the air, striking its open jaws like a fierce arrow and freezing its maw shut. The beast writhed in agony, thrashing violently in an attempt to dislodge the frozen spear embedded in its flesh. Another deafening roar erupted from the wyvern, filled with rage and pain, as it turned to face the source of the attack.

There, standing resolute amidst the chaos, was the mysterious figure. His dark red cloak billowed in the wind, creating a striking contrast against the icy backdrop. His face was obscured by a white mask adorned with intricate golden-red patterns, lending him an air of enigmatic arrogance.

The girl's heart skipped a beat as she watched the confrontation unfold. The figure stood tall and unwavering, his presence commanding and fearless. The wyvern's furious gaze fixated on him, recognizing him as the one who dared to challenge its dominance. The beast's eyes burned with vengeful fury, but the man remained unflinching.

With deliberate calm, the figure raised his hand in the air, and the wind crackle around it with raw energy, forming an icy spear at his fingertips, shimmering with a cold, deadly light. The wyvern, sensing the imminent threat, roared once more, the sound echoing through the desolate city.

The man's eyes, visible through the slits of his mask, glowed with an intense, red radiance that locked with wyvern.

Orion had come to face the beast.

______________________

Orion had never left the invaded region of the city, and simply observed from the sidelines, contemplating whether to intervene or let it be. After all, the wyvren wasn't a simple beast, it was called the duke for a reason and he wasn't sure of his chances of victory against it. Wisdom dictated that he wait and don't get involve.

But his thoughts changed, when he overheard the guards discussing about backup, how it will arrive in span of few minutes. The beast's fury was restless, something that can easly raise ruins in those short minutes. So even if he can't garentee his victory, He can atleast atleast prevent the futher devastation. So with long sigh, he finally decided to keep the menace occupied until the help arrives.

The wyvern's attacks grew more violent, Orion's decision only hardened. He had grown fond of this city and it's spirit. Moreover, He can't just stand by and watch, as the first human region he had ever visited fall into ruins, right? So, here he was, standing before the beast, ready to face its raging wrath alone.

The wyvern unleashed another inferno into the sky, melting away the ice that had sealed its maw. It turned to face its attacker, eyes blazing with fury and hatred, now solely focused on the lone man before it. Yet, under the wyvern's murderous gaze, Orion stood his ground, his fearless stare unyielding against the monster's wrath.

The two adversaries remained locked in a fierce stare-down, the air thickening with tension, heavy with the promise of inevitable violence. the city's destruction a silent backdrop to their impending clash.

Raising his hand, Orion summoned a spear of ice, which formed within his grasp, glinting under the warm rays of the sun. He locked eyes with the wyvern, his gaze unflinching, daring the creature to attack if it dares.

Strong as he was, Orion was well aware, that in terms of sheer strength and magical prowess, he was no match for the wyvern. Yet, he possessed something far more potent: intelligence and strategy. With these ti as his weapons, he had hunted countless creatures mightier than himself, and he understood that provoking a mindless beast only fueled its savagery.

Taking a deep breath, Orion steadied himself, mentally preparing for the imminent clash. His eyes narrowed as he watched the wyvern, every muscle in his body tensed for action. He had already calculated his moves, anticipating the beast's every reaction.

The wyvern, infuriated by his defiance and challenging gaze, let out a thunderous roar that shook the very foundations of the city. It charged at him with renewed ferocity, its massive form a blur of scales and fire. Orion stood his ground, his expression unwavering.

He had provoked the creature, and it had taken the bait.