Kael looked at the king.
"If I don't kill her, the Second Dragon will use her."
Mira shook her head.
"Use me for what?"
Kael pointed toward the sky.
"The Crown needs a living vessel."
Leo's face changed.
"No."
Kael nodded.
"The Crown's power has been searching for someone capable of carrying it."
"And it found Mira."
"Yes."
The dragon laughed.
"Bring me the girl."
Its voice shook the city.
"Give me the vessel."
Mira stepped backward.
"I don't want this."
Leo turned toward her.
"You don't have to."
"But what if I can't stop it?"
Leo placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Then we will face it together."
Mira looked into his eyes.
"You really believe I can do this?"
Leo smiled.
"My father believed in me when I was younger than you."
He looked toward the dragon.
"And I believe in you."
Suddenly, Kael stepped forward.
His sword appeared in his hand.
Leo raised his own.
"You made your choice."
Kael shook his head.
"You don't understand."
He looked at Mira.
"I'm not here to kill her."
Everyone froze.
Kael turned his sword toward the dragon.
"I'm here to protect her."
The Second Dragon roared.
"TRAITOR!"
Kael smiled.
"Finally."
He raised his sword.
"I can choose my own future."
The dragon opened its mouth.
Darkness exploded across the city.
Kael charged.
Leo charged beside him.
And the battle began.
The Second Dragon lifted one enormous claw.
Kael jumped.
Leo followed.
Their swords struck the dragon's scales.
CLANG!
The impact sent sparks into the air.
The dragon swung its tail.
Both warriors were thrown across the square.
Leo landed hard.
Kael rolled across the ground.
The dragon roared.
Dark energy spread through the streets.
People fled.
Soldiers formed defensive lines.
Mira stood at the center of the square.
The golden symbol on her hand grew brighter.
She could hear the voices again.
Choose.