Kael and Riven stood at the threshold, the gate towering behind them like the jaws of some great beast. The air beyond shimmered with colors that didn't exist in their world—blues tinged with silver fire, greens that pulsed like veins. Every breath was heavy with raw magic.
They stepped through.
And the world changed.
One moment they were in the mine. The next—they stood atop a cliff of black glass, overlooking a sky torn in ribbons of starlight and storm. Below, vast forests floated on chunks of land suspended in midair. Rivers of molten light cut across the horizon, and distant mountain ranges drifted like ships through clouds of thunder.
And flying between it all—
Creatures.
Winged beasts twisted by magic. Some with too many eyes, others made of bone and fire. And above them all, gliding through the chaos like a dark god:
A dragon.
Not just any dragon.
The Dragon King.
Massive. Ancient. Cloaked in shadow. His wings blocked the sun as he soared. His scales shimmered with magic too powerful to name. Wherever he flew, the land twisted behind him—forests rotted, rivers froze, light dimmed.
"This is what the mine was guarding," Riven whispered, stunned. "A sealed world. A prison. And it's… breaking."
Kael stared at the sky-beast. His hands clenched around his sword.
"Then we stop him."
Riven looked over, a slow grin growing on her face. "You just fought two monsters, almost died twice, and now you want to take on that?"
Kael smirked. "I don't want to. I have to."
A roar echoed across the floating valley. The Dragon King turned, distant but watching.
He knew they were here.
And Kael and Riven?
They weren't running anymore.