"No. You're our only sister, Azhurla," Phynyx said at last, breaking the heavy silence. His voice was steady but his eyes betrayed a storm of emotions.
"Then why do you guys always hide everything from me?" I snapped, my chest heaving. My voice cracked as frustration spilled out of me in waves. "Why do you treat me like I'm some kind of imposter… a stranger in my own family?"
No one answered. The silence burned me worse than fire ever could. Rage and heartbreak clawed at my chest until I couldn't breathe.
"Fine!" I screamed, tears blurring my vision. My body trembled as I spun away from them. "If I don't belong, then I don't care anymore!"
I stormed off, my footsteps echoing in the cavernous halls of Kaururse. My tears streamed hot down my cheeks as I ran toward the Jarion — the ancient gate that led into the Chamber of the Last Dawn.
Every step felt like a punishment. My mind replayed every cutting glance, every whispered insult, every moment I had been reminded that I wasn't one of them. Not really. A family, yet not a part of it. An outcast. An empty vessel. The thought tore through me like blades.
"Azhurla! Watch out!"
The shout came from behind me.
I whipped around — too late.
Two wind dragons spiraled downward, their wings slicing the air as they roared toward me like living hurricanes. Panic seized me. I tried to leap out of their path, forgetting about the injury I'd sustained at the Cove. Pain shot like lightning through my ankle. My foot buckled beneath me, twisting sharply as I collapsed onto the cold stone ground.
A scream ripped out of my throat as tears poured from my eyes, raw and uncontrollable.
And then — shadows.
From above, an earth dragon plummeted like a thunderbolt, its massive body blotting out the sky. The ground cracked beneath its descent. My heart stopped.
This was it. The end.
I lay there, trembling, my arms limp at my sides. A bitter sigh escaped my lips. Maybe giving up was easier. Maybe my life wasn't worth this endless struggle. Maybe they were right all along — I was useless.
---
When my eyes opened again, I wasn't staring at death.
I was staring at a ceiling. My ceiling.
My chest rose sharply as confusion gripped me. The soft glow of lantern light, the familiar silken drapes, the scent of rosewood and lavender — this was my room in Kaururse Castle.
My room. My home.
I blinked rapidly, rubbed at my eyes, and sat up with a start. My heart thundered against my ribs.
"No… no, this isn't real," I whispered. My voice shook. "This can't be—"
The door creaked open.
And there they were. Phynyx, Sapphire, Labyrinth… and my mother.
I gasped and slapped a trembling hand over my mouth. "No—how… how can I—?" Tears welled and spilled as my mind spiraled. Was I transported? Dreaming? Dead?
"Azhurla!!"
The voice wasn't my mother's. It wasn't soft. It was urgent.
I blinked. The image shattered like glass.
My world flipped upside down — literally. I dangled in the talons of a dragon, my body suspended, my hair whipping in the wind.
"Azhurla!!!!"
The beast screeched and released me — hurling me straight through the air.
"Got you!"
Phynyx's arms locked around me in a fierce embrace. I clung to him, trembling as he cupped my face in his calloused palm. Tears streaked down his cheek as he whispered hoarsely, "You good?"
I nodded, too stunned to speak.
Sapphire was there in a heartbeat, scooping me up like I was weightless. His lips brushed my forehead, lingering in a tender kiss that seemed to burn into my skin. My breath caught. For a fleeting moment, the world faded away — only his warmth existed.
When he lowered me back down, he pressed his palm to mine. A golden light flared between us, swirling and solidifying until a blade shimmered into existence — a golden sword, radiant and alive.
I stared, wide-eyed, and smiled despite myself.
Phynyx stepped forward, his fire flickering to life as he infused the blade with flames. The sword pulsed in my hands, alive with heat and fury. I gripped it tightly, feeling unstoppable, untouchable, finally something.
With a cry, I charged toward the Jarion.
The earth quaked — an earth dragon erupted from below, snarling as it lunged. My leg should have failed me, but it didn't. Maybe the healing. Maybe sheer adrenaline. I didn't care.
I spun, leapt into the air, and with a single blazing strike, severed the dragon's neck. Its body dissolved into ash.
Behind me, Labyrinth's voice rose in a cheer. "That's my sister!"
My chest flared with pride. My heart beat like war drums.
But the path wasn't clear. Forest dragons made trees burst from the ground like spears, thunder dragons hurled bolts that split the skies, the very earth trembled beneath me. Yet still, I ran. Still, I fought.
Phynyx's fire cleared the way ahead. "Go get that ball, sissy!!" he roared from above.
I grinned through the chaos, sprinting harder.
The Jarion loomed before me, massive and unyielding. My fingers scraped against its ancient surface as I tried to push it open. Nothing. It was heavier than mountains.
"I can't—!" I panted, punching it in fury. My forehead slammed against the cold metal. Tears spilled hot and furious. "I'm not strong enough!"
"Stop crying and get in there."
The voice was sharp, irritated — unmistakable.
I turned around fast!
"Blinx—?!"
He was there, standing in the shadows like he had never left. Before I could process it, he seized my wrist and hauled me through the Jarion, tossing me onto the ground.
I pushed myself up, scowling, blowing hair out of my face. My glare burned holes into him.
Moments later, Labyrinth and Sapphire tumbled in after me, wings folding, breathless.
"Phynyx!!" I screamed, rushing back to the gate. The Jarion was closing, its massive doors grinding shut. My hands braced against the heavy metal, straining. "Run, Phynyx! I'll hold it!"
He shook his head, fire clashing with fire as he wrestled a dragon outside. "Go get the ball, Azhurla! I'll catch up!"
"No!" My arms ached as I fought to keep the Jarion open. Panic consumed me. My throat burned as I cried out. "Please—just come inside!"
Labyrinth grabbed me by the waist, dragging me back. "Let it close! We can't lose you too!"
And then — wings, fire, and a final desperate push. Phynyx burst through the Jarion just as it sealed shut behind us.
"Phynyx!!" My voice broke as I threw myself at him, wrapping him in a trembling embrace. His groan of pain only made me hold tighter. He smiled faintly, even as Labyrinth muttered about his slow healing.
But the tension in the room snapped again when Labyrinth coughed and turned his eyes to Blinx.
"Ask him why he's here."
I turned slowly, cautiously. My steps echoed as I walked toward my third brother, my eyes narrowing. "So… Blinx?" My voice was low, cautious, almost trembling with anger. "Why are you here?"
Sapphire's voice cut sharp. "You said you didn't care if she died. Why now? Why show up now?"
Blinx only rolled his eyes, lips curling in his usual nonchalant frown. The silence dragged on, stretching into minutes. My fists clenched.
"Blinx—" I began.
"It's fine," Phynyx interrupted hoarsely, forcing himself upright. "Let him be."
Blinx gave a short laugh, tilting his head as his gaze flicked upward. His tone was almost mocking when he finally spoke.
"You should worry less about me," he said, smirking darkly. "And more about the Masphins watching you."