Siveth chuckled, his voice echoing through the night. “That was exhilarating. Next time, let me glide alongside you.” I returned his smile, although my body was weary. “We’ll see about that. For now, I need rest.” As the evening sky darkened, a wave of fatigue washed over me. I sought solace in the comforting embrace of the hammock, surrendering to sleep's call.

A cacophony of frantic voices jolted me from my slumber. Juno and Luna, my daughters, were reaching out to me through a vision connection. “Dad, Dad, can you hear us?” Their voices intertwined in a desperate chorus. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, confusion clouding my thoughts. “What? Who is this?” Their identities were swiftly revealed. “It’s us, Juno,” the first voice claimed, followed swiftly by the second. “And Luna,” she added. “We see you’re not a bird anymore, are you?” I sighed, a hint of amusement creeping into my tone. “Kids, I’m fine. Back to normal. Don’t worry. Thank you.” Their urgency was palpable as they interrupted with alarming news. “A thunderstorm is brewing, and some dragons are demanding Leo,” they reported. I gasped, my mind racing. “Electric dragons?” Their affirmative response sent a shiver down my spine. “They’re heavily armored and menacing.”

“Stay within the palace walls. Stay safe. I'll be there shortly,” I instructed, ending the vision connection. Roused from the hammock, I quickly established a new vision connection with Leo. Recognizing me, he greeted, “Nox?” His surroundings were unfamiliar, which was a good thing. He wasn’t in our kingdom. “Stay wherever you are, Leo. Electric dragons are searching for you in our kingdom,” I warned. His response was a resigned groan. “They don't really want to let me live, do they?” I replied, “Guess not. Be careful,” before severing the connection.

A surge of anger and frustration welled up within me. I reached out once more, forging another vision connection. This time, I didn’t hold back. I yelled, “ZAIN! What are you doing!?” His confusion was evident. “What the fuck is this voice?” I ignored his question, focusing on my own. “Why are you attacking my kingdom?” He denied any involvement, confusion etched in his voice. His surroundings confirmed he was in his own kingdom, innocence reflected in his eyes. I countered, “There are dragons from your kingdom on my lands searching for the usual goddamn wyvern. And there’s a thunderstorm brewing. I bet it has something to do with your elements.” His denial was instant. “What? I know nothing, I swear. I’d never attack you. We've got a deal.”

The ensuing chaos was almost palpable. Zain leaped from his throne, barking orders. “Call the others. Everyone.” Servants scurried off to summon the nobles. As they arrived, Zain demanded, “Where is the general?” The answer chilled me to the bone. The prince said, “He left a week ago. He said that he was going to do special army training.” Zain was furious. “A week? I wasn’t told about this. He’s attacking a kingdom!” The room erupted into arguments, except for the prince. He confessed to his father, “Sir, please don’t kill me. I heard him say he’d return with the head of the wyvern.” Zain roared, “Silence! Everyone!” The room fell silent. “You disappoint me, son. Secrets like these can turn into a plague.”

The prince was understandably confused. “Sir, why are you so afraid? How do you know he’s attacking a kingdom?” I decided to intervene, establishing a vision connection with the prince. “Because I’m King Nox and I’m telling him about it, and you just confirmed it, prince.” His reaction was priceless. “Shock me, Nox can talk in my head!” Zain sighed, “He’s someone you shouldn’t mess with. Now make yourself useful and stay here while I’m going to kill the fucking general.” I reassured him, “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it,” but he was adamant. “I’m coming anyway. I'll be there in about an hour.” His confidence sparked my curiosity. “Wow, are you so fast?” His answer was cryptic. “I’ve got my ways. The general is experienced. I was the only one who could beat him in a duel. But since you could beat me, maybe there’s hope that you can do the same to him on the field.” With a newfound determination, I replied, “Great, I’m on it,” and severed the vision connection.

As urgency gripped me, I dashed outside, scanning the surroundings for a swift path to my kingdom. The flight would be too lengthy, days long, and time was a luxury I couldn't afford. My choice fell on the portal, despite the darkness that made visibility a challenge.

As I attempted to arrange the stones into a pattern, converting the leftover crystals from our last encounter into wind crystals, Siveth joined me. "I heard you shouting. What’s the matter?" she asked. "I have to go. My kingdom is under attack," I responded curtly.

She was taken aback, "How do you know?" I quickly explained, "My daughters have the ability to create vision connections and they've informed me about the situation. I don’t have the luxury of time for a detailed explanation."

Her expression darkened, "That’s indeed bad news." I nodded, "I agree, I need to get moving," but she interjected, "Wait, I’m coming with you. I can be of assistance."

"No, stay here," I said, moving towards the portal. But she insisted, "Wait, you’re not doing it correctly. Let me help." She nudged me aside and adjusted a couple of stones, activating the portal.

Surprised, I admitted, "I didn’t realize you knew how to operate a portal." She smirked, "There are many things Erebus taught me, eheh."

Pausing at the edge of the portal, I requested, "One moment, please." And I established a vision connection with our general. I had a strategy in mind, and his cooperation was crucial.

"Greetings, general. This is King Nox speaking. I apologize for the abrupt vision connection. Do you have a moment?" He recognized me instantly and saluted, "Your Majesty. You have communicated with me in this manner before. What are your orders?"

I wasted no time in briefing him, "You're aware of what’s about to transpire, aren’t you?" He nodded grimly. "We are prepared. The soldiers are armed and ready to deploy on the battlefield."

"Order them to take cover, along with any civilians in the kingdom. I’m about to rain down a hailstorm of ice stalactites from the sky," I instructed. He frowned, "Sir, that sounds exceedingly risky." I reassured him, "Trust me. It’s the best course of action. Don’t question, just execute." He saluted again, "Yes, sir. As you wish."

After severing the vision connection with the general, I attempted to contact Freya next, but she was unreachable. I switched to Akira and got through. She greeted me with a smile, "Hey, Nox."

"Akira, this is urgent. You must find shelter for yourself and your family and warn everyone else to do the same. Where is Freya?" I asked. She responded, "Freya is busy conjuring a thunderstorm to fend off another one."

"Please ask her to cease and return to the palace immediately. She needs to take cover too," I insisted. But she refused, "I can’t risk getting struck by lightning."

 

I snapped, "This is not a request, Akira. Do it now." She retorted, "Nox, I can’t survive a lightning strike like you. I’m not immortal yet." Realizing my insensitivity, I apologized, "Alright, sorry. But please, take shelter and spread the word. An icy storm is approaching."

After ending the vision connection with Akira, I moved on to the last two people I needed to warn: Vesper and Zephyrion.

Vesper had already reached the palace safely. My son, Zephyrion, however, was in grave danger. Through the vision connection, I saw the world through his eyes. He was outside the walls, captured by enemy dragons, and lying on the blood-soaked ground. I reached out to him, "Zephyrion, can you hear me?"

His surprise and relief were palpable. "Dad? Is that you?"

"Yes, it’s me. What’s happening?" I asked urgently.

Before he could respond, another voice interrupted. A harsh, mocking voice that made my scales bristle. The owner of the voice was a black and orange-scaled dragon, electricity crackling around its horns. It glared at Zephyrion and demanded, "Where is the wyvern, Prince?"

"I don’t know. I swear," Zephyrion pleaded.

The Electric dragon snarled and struck him with a bolt of lightning. Zephyrion screamed in agony and convulsed on the ground. A surge of anger and fear for my son welled up within me. The Electric dragon leaned closer and hissed, "Next time I won’t be so merciful. I’ll sever your head from your neck. Where is the wyvern? Last chance."

In a hurried whisper, I instructed Zephyrion, "Tell him that it’s at the palace. They’ll believe it."

 

Zephyrion, in his pain and fear, stammered out, "It’s at the palace, somewhere."

The Electric dragon seemed satisfied with his answer. "Good boy," it said smugly before it turned and flew away with its companions.

Zephyrion sobbed quietly as he confessed, "I can’t feel half my body, agh."

Alarmed, I asked, "What? Can’t you heal?"

He replied with a blood-spattered cough, "It’s too painful."

I tried to soothe him, "Hold on, keep breathing. Whatever happened, it will heal. I’ll be there soon."

He pleaded weakly, "Please, be quick."

With a heavy heart, I severed our connection. A pang of guilt and worry swept over me. I wondered what they had done to him. His screams when they struck him and the sound of snapping bones still echoed in my head. Had they paralyzed him? I had so many questions and reprimands for him for being outside the kingdom, but time was not on our side. And he was already suffering enough.

Turning to Siveth, who stood patiently by the portal, I expressed my gratitude. "Thank you for keeping the portal open. I'm now prepared to proceed."

She nodded, her tone earnest as she responded, "Good luck. Are you certain you don't require my assistance?"

I shook my head decisively, "No, please remain here. I'm hoping this time the portal won't morph me into something unrecognizable."

She chuckled reassuringly, "Pff, the chances of that happening again are minuscule. You're safe."

With that assurance, I plunged into the portal.

 

Emerging from the forest shadows on the fringe of my kingdom, I was greeted by the uproar of a severe thunderstorm brewing overhead. Glancing up, I was met with the sight I had dreaded: hundreds of Electric dragon soldiers, flying in formation under the command of a formidable general. He had just been informed by the scouts who attacked my son. His voice resonated across the sky, “Soldiers! We have located the audacious wyvern who dares to challenge us. We will hunt him down, tear him apart, and reduce this kingdom of betrayers to ashes.”

A surge of anger and defiance swelled within me. I stepped out from the storm’s shadow, revealing myself to the enemy. Behind me, Freya’s storm mirrored my action. Raising my hands, I summoned a barrage of ice shards. I roared, “No one invades my kingdom and lives to narrate the tale!” The general spotted me and sneered, “I will, you insignificant worm. Come and face me!” He charged at me with his army in tow. The battle had begun.

Despite the lightning bolts striking the sky and ground around me, I remained unfazed. All the Electric dragons had their focus on me, which was part of my strategy. I unleashed thousands of ice shards at them, targeting their wings, heads, and hearts. My rage was so overwhelming that the lives I was claiming became inconsequential. One by one, the Electric dragons plummeted from the sky, impaled by my icy arsenal. Some fled in panic, while others, including the general, persisted. I summoned another wave of ice shards, now glowing with a cold light. More dragons retreated, but the general and his loyalists remained. My attention turned to them, aiming with precision and malice. I was determined not to let them evade my wrath.

Despite inflicting critical injuries, his special armor deflected my attacks. We were locked in an intense duel. I summoned the same trident that had served me well in my battles with Freya and challenged him. We clashed in midair, shards flying from our weapons. He was a formidable opponent, but not formidable enough. He tried to shock me with a bolt of lightning, mimicking Zain's previous attempt. But it was in vain. My shield deflected the Electric charge, leaving me unscathed. Aware of the urgency, I unleashed a barrage of elemental attacks: wind, ice, and fire. I transformed the sky into a raging inferno, and then I drove my trident through his armor. The metal was so hot that it melted around the blade. He screamed in agony, then spat out, “You bastard!” He mustered his last bit of strength and summoned one final thunderbolt, hitting us both. He plummeted to the ground, lifeless. I looked around at the gruesome sight. Hundreds of Electric dragons lay scattered on the earth, their weapons and armor stained with blood and ice shards. Some writhed in pain, others had died on impact. The luckiest ones had been killed instantly by a blow to the head.

Amidst the horrific carnage, I frantically searched for Zephyrion. Establishing a vision connection with him, I found that he was alive but in severe pain. His wounds were healing, but at a sluggish rate. I located him near the site of my ice shard attack and was relieved that I hadn't inadvertently harmed him. I reached him and began to heal him with my powers, but then Freya’s thunderstorm struck. A bolt of lightning tore through the field, incinerating both the dead and the living. The Electric dragons, despite their ability to summon lightning, were not immune to its deadly force. Their element's peril lay in a careless strike proving fatal. The scene was engulfed in flames and smoke. Freya’s power was astounding, causing more destruction than the enemy army ever could. She accidentally aimed another bolt, unfortunately at me, but I was protected by my shield. Zephyrion was not so fortunate. He shrieked in pain as the electricity coursed through him. He collapsed and lay motionless. He looked dead. I cried out, “Zephyrion, please, Zephyrion!” and poured my healing energy into him, but he remained unresponsive. I tried to shock his heart back to life. I was proficient in this technique and was certain I was doing it correctly, but he still didn't awaken. In a panic, I yelled again, “Please, come on, work!” The fear of losing my son was overwhelming. Then another bolt hit us both. This time, I felt it too. My shield was gone; I couldn't maintain it while attempting to revive him. I staggered and fell to the ground next to Zephyrion, struggling to heal myself.

He woke up and pleaded, “Don’t close your eyes, please!” I kept them open and urged, “Please, son, escape from here and return to the kingdom before another bolt hits you or both of us.” He responded, “I’m not leaving you here. You’re coming with me.” His words filled me with hope and strength, and I saw him use his healing element on me as well. He had learned to wield his element just like me. We lifted off the ground and tried to flee, but a third bolt hit us both. This time, I lost consciousness instantly.

"Damn you, Freya," I thought. "You were killing me and your son, and I forgot to summon my shield again. A missed opportunity."