chapter 3: Confrontation in Dove kingdom

(meanwhile, within Dove kingdom)

That night, in a secret lookout, post, the squirrel team kept a vigilant watch over the kingdom. Harvester, one of the scouts, rushed over to their captain, Brial with urgency. " Captain! Captain! Come and look at this."

Brial quickly moved to his side. " What is it?" He asked sensing the anxiety in Harvester voice.

Harvester pointed out into the darkness." They are the black dragons, sir....."

Before he could finish, Brial grabbed the binoculars his face going pale as he confirmed the sight. " Shit! Quickly, send the signal," he ordered his voice tight with fear.

Harvester nodded, drawing an arrow and realising it high into the air, sending a flare toward the temple _a warning of the impending attack.

****

(Inside the temple)

Takeshi saw the flare through the window, his expression hardening."As expected, they're already here, This is going to be a drag," he muttered, turning to Allen.

Allen, another of Takeshi's trusted allies, frowned." It seems it was a trap," he noted grimly.

Takeshi nodded, his mind racing. " Yes, there must be a mole in this temple. Who did you leave the boys with?" He asked urgently, already moving toward where the boys were supposed to be hiding.

Allen's eyes widened with realization. "The boy who joined in last week," he replied, quickly following Takeshi.

(Inside the temple with the boys)

In hidden corner of the temple, Nathaniel and Uzah were startled by the sudden appearance of Tony a young boy with nervous expression. " Hi," Tony greeted them, his voice strained.

Nathaniel frowned." Who are you?"

Tony quickly replied, " I'm Tony, but right now we need to hide."

Uzah looked around, fear creeping into his eyes. " Where is uncle Takeshi?" He asked.

Tony tried to reassure them." He will find us where we're going. Come on, let's go."

Trusting Tony's urgency, the boys followed him. But as they moved through the dimly lit halls, they suddenly encountered one of the black dragons. Tony Pushed the boys behind him and drew his sword to fight, but he was no match for the black dragon's strength. Within moments, Tony was overpowered and killed, leaving the boys defenseless and terrified.

By the time Takeshi reached the hiding spot, he found Tony's lifeless body and realized the boys were gone."tch!" He hissed in frustration, his heart sinking.

Outside, chaos had erupted. The Black dragons unleashed their fury on the kingdom, mercilessly attacking everyone in their path _children, the elderly and women alike. Screams filled the air, and the street red with blood. The peaceful kingdom of Dove was plunged into a nightmare of violence and death.

Mercy is a rare gift, found only in the deepest hearts. But for the black dragons, there is no room for mercy_ only destruction.

(Somewhere else in Dove kingdom)

After the initial attack, Takeshi managed to track down the boys, finding them huddled and terrified but alive. "Are you two okay?" He asked urgently, his eyes scanning them for injuries.

Nathaniel nodded, though his face was still pale with fear."yes," he whispered.

Takeshi sighed with relief." Let's go. We need to get out of here,"he said, guiding them away from the burning ruins and the screams of the dying.

They moved quickly through the kingdom dodging the marauding black dragons. Finally, they reached a cliff overlooking the sea, where a small boat was waiting below." There's our boat!" Takeshi pointed out.

But just as they were about to descend, a sudden attack came from behind. Shauwa and Azdal, grinning with malice blocked their path.

"Well!,Well!,Well! Who do we have here?" Shauwa sneered " Now is my time to get my revenge, Takeshi!"

Azdal cracked his knuckles, his grin widening. " I'm boiling up!" he laughed, a crazed look in his eyes.

Shauwa held up a hand to stop him."hold your horses, Azdal. You'll get your chance. But first, take the kids."

Azdal nodded, stepping forward." Okay, sir"

Takeshi's eyes narrowed, recognizing the intent in Shauwa's stance." It was a fair fight, Shauwa," he said calmly, his grip tightening on his weapon.

Shauwa sneering, voice dripping with bitterness. " Fair? You call that fair? Look at what you did to me! This scar you gave me..... you were my friend, my master! I adored you. Takeshi! But now....now am going to make you pay for betraying me!" He touches the scar on his face, his eyes flashing with mixture of pain and fury.

Takeshi sighing, resigned but ready

"Huh… What a drag… You've let your hatred consume you, Shauwa. But if this is how it has to be… then so be it."

He readies himself for the inevitable fight, his eyes hardening with resolve.

Azdal grinning maniacally, eager for the fight.

"Yes! Let's see if you're as tough as they say, Takeshi! I'm going to enjoy this!"

He cracks his neck, preparing to charge at Takeshi.

Shauwa calmly, but with a deadly edge

"Remember, Azdal, the kids are yours. I'ill take care of Takeshi, and don't screw it up."

He steps back, letting Azdal take the lead, his eyes never leaving Takeshi.

Takeshi glancing at the boys, determined

"Stay close to me. I won't let them take you."

He tightens his grip on his weapon, every muscle in his body tensed and ready for the battle.

Shauwa charges at Takeshi with a roar, his weapon swinging wildly. Takeshi meets him head-on, their weapons clashing with a loud, metallic sound. The boys watch in fear, huddling close to each other.

Shauwa grinning wildly as he swings his weapon

"Is this all you've got, Takeshi? I thought you were supposed to be strong!"

He laughs, trying to taunt Takeshi into making a mistake.

Takeshi focused, voice steady

"You're underestimating me, shauwa .That's your first mistake."

He counters Shauwa's attack with precision, his movements fluid and controlled.

Meanwhile, Azdal watches the battle with a cold, calculating gaze. His eyes flicker between Takeshi and the boys, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Azdal in thought, planning

"Takeshi is strong… but even he can't protect the boys and fight at the same time. All I need is one opening…"

Shauwa relentless attacks start to wear on Takeshi, but Takeshi remains focused. Suddenly, Azdal sees his chance—Takeshi's attention momentarily shifts to the boys.

Azdal seizing the moment, rushing towards the boys

"Now's my chance!"

He lunges towards the boys, his weapon raised.

Nathaniel panicked, trying to shield Uzah

"Uzah! Stay behind me!"

He steps in front of his brother, his heart pounding with fear.

Takeshi realizing too late, shouting

"No! Leave them alone!"

He tries to block Azdal, but Shauwa stops him, their weapons clashing again.

Shauwa sneering, his weapon inches from Nathaniel

"It's over, Takeshi. You can't save them this time."

He swings his weapon towards Nathaniel, but just as it's about to strike—

A loud noise suddenly interrupts the fight. A burst of light blinds Shauwa and Azdal momentarily, giving Takeshi the opening he needs to push Azdal back.

Brial arriving just in time, his weapon drawn

"Not so fast, You'll have to get through me first!"

He lands beside the boys, his eyes blazing with determination.

Shauwa snarling, retreating slightly

He pulls back, reassessing the situation, his eyes narrowing.

Takeshi breathing heavily, grateful for the backup

"Brial… I owe you one… but we're not out of this yet."

He moves to stand beside Brial, ready to continue the fight.

Brial smirking, ready to fight

"Let's take them down together, master. They won't know what hit them."

He glances at the boys, giving them a reassuring nod.

Nathaniel, wide-eyed, watching the two warriors

" One day I' I'll be strong like them."

He clutches Uzah's hand tightly, his fear momentarily forgotten as he watches the two men he admires most prepare to face their enemies.

Takeshi calm but firm, eyes locked on Azdal and Shauwa

"Stay close to Brial and don't move. We'll get you out of this."

He steps forward, his weapon gleaming in the light.

The battle resumes, fiercer than before. Takeshi and Brial fight side by side, their movements perfectly synchronized, like they've fought together for years. Shauwa and Azdal, though powerful, struggle to keep up with the combined strength of the two warriors.

Shauwa growing frustrated, realizing he's losing ground

"Damn you, Takeshi! This isn't over!"

He signals to Azdal, and the two begin to retreat.

Azdal grinning, even in retreat

"We'll be back, Takeshi! And next time, you won't be so lucky!"

He laughs as they disappear into the shadows, their figures fading from sight.

Takeshi putting his weapon away, sighing with relief

"It's over… for now. But you need to move Brial with the boys quickly. I'll follow them, then I'll catch up with you.

He gently takes Uzah's hand, leading the boys towards the boat.

Takeshi nodding, helping Nathaniel

"go… before they come back."

They start to climb down the cliff, towards the boat waiting below.

Takeshi watching Nathaniel, silently proud

"You're stronger than you know, Nathaniel… And one day, you'll realize just how much power you truly have...."

The group reaches the boat and quickly sets sail. As they leave the shore behind, Nathaniel stares out at the water, his mind heavy with everything that's happened.

Nathaniel in thought, holding Uzah close

"Mother… I'll make you proud. I won't let them hurt anyone else… I'll protect Uzah… I'll protect everyone…"

He clenches his fists, determination filling his heart.