Xileris

"Stop," Horei Kreton gasped, his forearm bleeding profusely. He ceased his flight, turning instead to face the two ancestral warriors pursuing him. "Your chieftain is dead. I am now the new leader of the Bloodfang Tribe. Whom do you serve, Hali, or the tribe?"

The ancestral warriors looked around. The Rhino Peninsula had become a chasm on earth, with flames, poison fog, and thunderous lightning. The forces of the elements screamed wildly, and the ground was littered with gruesomely dead bodies. The dragons had undoubtedly achieved a decisive victory, annihilating human poachers.

"Tell me you're not thinking of avenging Hali. Against dragons, you stand no chance, and it would be pointless."

Seeing the warriors hesitate, Horei continued, "You fulfilled your duty while Hali lived, owing him nothing. Now that he's dead, there's no need to throw your lives away too."

He slowly lowered his spear, walking forward with no intent to resist, and spoke sincerely, "We grew up together, Polie, remember? Before you were baptized, you even wove dragonflies out of grass for me."

"Anuno, Fiela waits for you in Fang Valley. You know she still loves you deeply, even though you've dedicated your life to the god Azeema. When I left the tribe, I saw her making straps for shin guards for you."

Belron Kwo approached, looking impatient, "Are you done? Yongrong is waiting."

"Just a moment longer, I'm trying," Horei responded respectfully, watching Belron turn and leave before addressing the warriors again, "The dragons don't give me much time. If I can't persuade you, they will take action."

"I know the warriors of the trolls never fear death, but to die like this would render your lives meaningless."

Horei took a deep breath, "The Bloodfang Tribe is weak compared to the major tribes of the wilderness. We're like grass in the valley, insignificant, but even grass wants to live and grow. The tribe needs you; we can't afford more losses."

"My words are spoken."

He looked into the warriors' eyes and slowly backed away, "Life or death, it's your decision."

The warriors, having undergone ritual baptism, possessed strength and size far beyond their former selves, but this also affected their minds, making them reserved and simplifying their thought processes.

"From now on, you are Horei Bloodfang, correct?" one of the warriors asked, lips pursed.

"Yes, I will become the new leader of the tribe," Horei declared without hesitation.

"Very well, we follow the will of the great god Azeema."

The warriors kneeled, gazing at the ground, swearing loyalty to the Bloodfang Tribe's new leader. Horei, unable to rejoice, allowed them to kneel and strode towards the dragons, understanding that it wasn't he who truly commanded the warriors' lives, but these impatient dragons.

"It's over."

Like the warriors, Horei knelt down, looking up at the blue dragon surrounded by dragons, "Once I return to Fang Valley and make some arrangements, I can offer the loyalty of the Bloodfang Tribe, my... master."

"Hmm."

Yongrong was somewhat uncomfortable with the title, needing time to adjust, but was pleased. Despite some surprises, the trip to the Rhino Peninsula had been smooth, "Since the issue is resolved, let's prepare to return."

The young dragons had scouted; no powerful creatures were active near the Rhino Peninsula. Caution was advisable, as this wasn't a region ruled by Dragonfort, and he had sneaked out with his companions. It was better not to linger.

"We heed your will," Horei stood.

"Shall we take these weapons?"

Hel returned, picking through the corpses with dissatisfaction, "Aside from poison, water, and moldy food, these humans had nothing of value."

"Just a bunch of poor creatures."

Aisaria sneered, "Anyone interested in a change of taste?"

The young dragons shook their heads. Compared to other prey, humans had little meat, mostly innards and bones, with blood being the only decent flavor. However, dragons had no interest in blood; they preferred to chew and tear flesh.

"See if the trolls need any weapons."

Yongrong shook his head, "The rest, burn it all."

Before the order could be executed, the black dragon Posa's ears twitched, alertly saying, "Something is approaching."

Yongrong looked up, the scorching summer noon sun briefly obscured, casting large shadows over him as if a cloud of darkness swept over from afar.

These were true young dragons, slightly larger than Yongrong and his group, recklessly flying low, their wings beating and sharp cries piercing the air.

"These arrogant fools," Hel muttered under his breath.

The dragons of the wilderness were from the Barne family. The leader, recognized by Yongrong, was related to Aisaria, offspring of family leader Barne and the green dragon Sivia, named Xileris Klangmo.

When Yongrong was still a hatchling, Xileris was already nearing adolescence. At that time, among Kazan Yongrong's generation of dragons, Xileris was the absolute dominator, proclaiming himself a descendant of the "Klangmo brothers," oppressing the young dragons of the central court.

"Aisaria, my dear sister."

Xileris landed in the Rhino Peninsula with the young dragons, his appearance markedly different from Aisaria's, with deep blue scales and emerald pupils, stretching twelve meters in length, exuding a powerful presence.

"I remember the rule that young dragons aren't to leave the central court; this is a family regulation. How come you're here?"

"Damned Xileris."

Aisaria bared her teeth fiercely, blood relation not equating to fond feelings. She had often been bullied by Xileris as a child, enduring theft of food and physical abuse.

Seeing the green dragon's response, Xileris didn't care, turning his gaze towards Yongrong and Kazan in the center of the dragon group, then casually raising his neck, displaying his larger body and the shimmering scales on his chest.

"Thunder Prison and Flame Prison."

He pressed his lips together, not smiling, but his voice carried a hint of amusement, "I've heard the new young dragons praising you. If not for being tied to the battlefield, I would've liked to see the central court myself."

Respect for one's dignity is paramount among evil dragons. In dragon thought, hearing peers discuss others breeds discontent, so Xileris had beaten those young dragons severely, determined to demean the so-called "Twin Kings" upon meeting them.

This encounter, Xileris's words carried provocation, seeking to assert his dominance.

Kazan twisted his neck, eyeing the provocatively toned Xileris, slowly grinning.

"You've seen us now."

Yongrong remained expressionless, his tone even, "Any thoughts?"

"Nothing."

The dragon of mixed blue and green lineage scoffed, "Just bigger than the average young dragon, that's all. Alright, let's set aside these matters. We've received scout reports of humans escaping from the territory of the stone giants. I'm here for a blockade and pursuit. Where are the humans?"

"You see them."

Yongrong gestured around, the bodies yet unburned, "They're at your feet."

"You've spoiled my plans. I intended to interrogate these humans."

Xileris squinted, arrogantly saying, "Also, I haven't received an answer to my earlier question. How come you young dragons are here, who gave you the authority?"

"Don't cause trouble, Xileris."

Aisaria frowned, "I'm kindly warning you."

"Are you threatening your own brother?"

Xileris opened his mouth wide, leaning back dramatically, laughing with his companions, "My fault for not teaching her properly."

"Xileris... maybe, let it go."

Voices from among the young dragons, looking over, it was Kaiso hesitantly speaking up, having been overturned by Yongrong's orb lightning in the arena. Even now, in his adolescence, he remained fearful of the "Twin Kings" of the central court, unwilling to provoke conflict.

"Shut up!"

The mixed-blood blue dragon turned, roaring, "I've said it a thousand times, outside, call me leader!"

Yongrong ignored his roar, turning to Horei waiting by the side, "Troll, head back to Fang Valley first. We might still have a conversation here."

"Who allowed them to leave!"

Xileris growled fiercely, "These trolls are my prisoners. I intend to capture them and take them to Lord Galadan for interrogation."

"No can do."

Yongrong shook his head helplessly, patting Kazan, "Why are you so quiet? Not like your usual self."

"I'm thinking."

Kazan huffed, glaring at Xileris, exhaling white mist from his nostrils, "Tell me, if we kill him here, would the consequences be severe?"

"They would."

Yongrong moved aside slightly, making room, "So you can only cripple him at most."

His gaze swept over Oser, Posa, and Aisaria, "The same goes for you."