Sera fell to her knees before the massive red dragon, tears she made no attempt to hide streaming down her face. This moment was harsher than any battle she had ever fought, because she was not facing an enemy. She was facing the loss of a companion who had stood by her side for so many years.
The red dragon looked at her with his enormous eyes, their light gradually fading, then opened his mouth and spoke in a deep voice that sounded like that of a wise old man.
"There is no need for you to cry, my King. I am old anyway. I have lived for a long time and seen much. I have witnessed the rise and fall of many kingdoms, and there is nothing left for me to regret. My time has come. Everything eventually ends, even a long-lived dragon."
The surviving knights gathered around them, forming an irregular circle. Most of them were wounded or injured, their armor broken and their swords battered, but they looked at their King as she cried, and at the red dragon, the protector of their kingdom, who seemed to be in his final moments. Everyone felt a deep sadness, their hearts filled with pain, because this dragon was a symbol and a part of the very soul of their kingdom.
Sera responded as she gently placed her hand on the massive dragon's head, speaking in a hoarse voice choked with tears.
"But my friend, you should not have died like this. You should not have sacrificed yourself for me. I was the one who was supposed to protect you. I should have been stronger and stopped this attack. I failed to protect my people, and I failed to protect my dearest friend."
The expressions of all the knights behind her changed into deep sorrow, and they lowered their heads, unable to raise their eyes to look at her. They held their King in extremely high regard, and hearing her words broke their hearts. It was not easy to watch their great leader break down like this, because they knew that this was the depth of her feelings and her loyalty toward those around her.
The red dragon looked at her with his dimming eyes and spoke in an accepting and happy tone.
"Do not blame yourself, my Knight King. The years I spent accompanying you were the best period of my long life. I did not know the meaning of friendship before I met you, nor did I know the meaning of loyalty and devotion. I was merely a dragon who lived to hunt and sleep, but you showed me the true essence of myself."
He fell silent for a brief moment, as though gathering the last of his strength before continuing.
"I also foresaw long ago that my end would be like this. In my dreams, I saw that I would die in battle while defending something more precious to me than my own life. And that day has finally come. So there is no need for sorrow. Fate cannot be changed. Even if we try to escape from it, it will eventually catch up with us."
Everyone fell silent as they watched the state of their kingdom's protector, who was breathing his final breaths. Even the sound of the wind seemed to mourn with them, while the sky, which had been clear moments ago, suddenly became covered by gray clouds.
Then, before the dragon's breathing disappeared completely, he raised his head one final time and turned his eyes toward Sera.
"My King, I have one final request."
Sera quickly raised her head, wiped her tears with the back of her hand, and tried to appear strong as she answered in a firm voice that still trembled slightly.
"Tell me. I will do everything I can to fulfill it. Whatever you ask, I will accomplish it. I swear it to you by my knights and by my kingdom."
The red dragon let out a soft laugh that was closer to a gasp and said.
"Hahaha, do not worry. It is not some kind of final testament. It is not what you think, nor is it some difficult or impossible request. All I want is for you to inherit my power, continue moving forward, and lead your knights as you always have. Do not stop here, and do not let grief hinder your path. You are the Knight King, and there are many people who depend on you."
Sera remained silent for a moment, then wiped away the rest of her tears. A serious expression appeared on her face as she answered.
"I agree. I will carry your strength with me, and I will continue fighting, not only for myself, but for you as well. This is my promise to you."
The red dragon slowly moved his head as though bidding her farewell, then spoke in a calm and satisfied voice.
"Very well. Prepare yourself, my King, for the inheritance transfer ritual. This is the last moment we will ever have together."
Then a radiant red light spread from the dragon's body, so intense that the knights were forced to close their eyes. It began gathering into a large circular shape rotating around the dragon before rising upward. The red circle then moved above Sera and began raining down upon her like fire, covering her entire body. She felt a heat penetrating through her skin, reaching her bones and eventually her heart.
The ritual continued for several minutes, the red light shining with tremendous intensity before gradually fading until it disappeared completely. The surroundings became quiet once again, and their vision returned to normal.
Sera emerged with every trace of exhaustion and fatigue gone from her face. Her strength had returned, and it had even increased. Her eyes had become sharper and brighter, and within her chest, she felt something different a new heartbeat beating alongside the original rhythm of her heart.
She placed her hand over her chest and felt that new heart. She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and whispered words that carried an eternal promise.
"You will keep fighting alongside me, my friend. We will never be separated."
----------------------
If you are enjoying this work , My P*atreo*n is more than 60 chapters ahead.
P*atreo*n :Aaron4dicard
Thank you to everyone who reads and supports the work .