Chapter 6: Shadow on the Flame
Raisen Port burned in silence.
The dragon had fallen—not by blade or spell, but by something unseen.
Rain fell gently over the smoldering ruins of Raisen Port. Ash drifted in the air like gray snow, and smoke curled toward the sky in fading trails.
The giant dragon—once a terrifying force of destruction—now lay still in the village square. It hadn't been killed in battle.
No wounds, no blood, no clash. It had simply… collapsed.
Villagers crept out from hiding, whispering, wide-eyed.
The guild captain lay unconscious nearby, barely breathing, his dented armor steaming from the earlier clash.
Shinra stood near the guild steps, eyes fixed on the dragon.
A small shadow flickered atop the dragon's head.
Someone murmured, "Is that a shadow?"
Another voice answered,
"No… someone's standing there."
A figure in a long black coat with a half-white, half-black mask descended slowly from the dragon's head.
A flicker of blue light flashed, and the dragon's body shimmered—shrinking until only a small lizard remained, blinking curiously at its surroundings.
The summoned minions vanished instantly, fading like smoke.
A guild officer recognized the masked figure and rushed forward.
"Sir Alex! Welcome, sir!"
Alex picked up the small lizard and tucked it gently into his coat pocket, then turned toward the guild.
As medics carried the unconscious captain toward the guild steps,
Alex paused.
"Who's that idiot wearing S-rank armor?"
The officer replied,
"Captain Ryken. B Rank 1st Class. Escort mission for Wisdom refugees."
Alex looked at him, unimpressed.
Just then, Samy passed by, helping with the wounded.
Alex glanced at him for a moment and said,
"Tell that boy—Samy—to meet me once the fool wakes up."
The officer nodded. "Yes, Sir Alex."
Without another word, Alex disappeared into the guild, leaving whispers and wonder behind him.
Something powerful had arrived—and it had changed everything.