The grand marble hall, known as the Judgment Hall, was draped in the symbols of power. Intricate carvings of dragons and semi-dragons decorated the pillars, and the atmosphere was tense as the massive iron doors creaked open. Hydra, Phoenix, and Xenon stepped inside, their footsteps echoing through the chamber. Every eye in the jury—composed of aristocrats and military officers—fixed on them with suspicion and curiosity. The king, a towering figure with a dragon-like visage, reclined on his throne at the far end, his golden crown gleaming under the chandeliers.
From his elevated position, the king gazed down upon them, his red eyes narrowing. He gestured to the head soldier standing nearby.
"What do we have here?" the king demanded, his voice rumbling like distant thunder.
"They are from the Elementals, my lord," the head soldier replied, bowing. "They were sent here by Division C Commander."
"The Elementals?" the king spat, his disdain palpable. "The same ones who dared attack us because we understand the truth? Because we believe that humans are inferior?" He sneered, casting his gaze down on the trio. "Tell me, soldier, do these Elementals not realize that humans are good for nothing?"
"Yes, my lord," the soldier responded obediently, though there was a hint of unease in his voice.
The king's derisive laughter echoed through the hall, the jury murmuring in agreement. Xenon's silver eyes flashed with cold anger as he finally broke his silence.
"You're wrong, king," Xenon said icily, stepping forward. "Your arrogance blinds you. You're too discriminative to be a ruler, and the Elementals were right to challenge you."
The king's face twisted in rage. "How dare you speak to me like that? You, a mere human! You are no better than the vermin we hunt in the streets. You could never match the greatness of us semi-dragons!"
Xenon's hand drifted toward his sword, the Blade of Cosmos, his irritation bubbling over. "Say that again, and I will teach you the error of your arrogance."
Phoenix, ever the voice of calm in moments of tension, quickly stepped forward and placed a hand on Xenon's arm. "Not now," he whispered, his fiery gaze locking onto Xenon's. "We wait."
The king leaned forward, his lips curling into a sneer. "It seems the dog has a leash," he mocked.
Phoenix turned his attention back to the king, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "You speak of power as if it's a birthright. But power lies not in what one is born as, but in what one becomes. Even this young warrior, Hydra," he gestured to their companion, "who is a human, could easily defeat your strongest soldier."
Hydra blinked in surprise and looked over at Phoenix. "How can I do that?"
Phoenix's confident grin grew wider. "Trust me, you can."
The king's laughter filled the hall again, this time louder and more condescending. "You expect me to believe this human could challenge one of my elite soldiers? Very well," he waved his hand dismissively. "Take them to the arena. Let's see if this human can survive against a true warrior"
The arena was a colossal structure, circular and open to the sky, though no crowd was present to watch. This was no formal match—it was a spectacle for the king and his court. Hydra was ushered to the center of the arena, unarmed, while Phoenix and Xenon stood off to the side, observing. The king, the jury, and a handful of soldiers took their seats above the arena, the king still laughing as if the outcome was already decided.
Standing across from Hydra was a nine-foot-tall figure. His head resembled that of a dragon, his eyes glowing a deep crimson, and his massive, muscled body was humanoid. Two enormous horns curved from his skull, sharper than the finest blades, and steam hissed from his nostrils. The soldier, a semi-dragon, cracked his knuckles as he stepped forward.
"You should have stayed away, human," the semi-dragon growled, his voice like the scraping of metal. "Now, you've cut your own throat."
The trumpets blared, signaling the start of the fight.
The semi-dragon charged forward, his fist flying towards Hydra with the force of a boulder. But Hydra, to his surprise, found the creature's movements sluggish compared to those he had fought against, like Xenon. He sidestepped the punch with ease, leaving the semi-dragon off balance.
The jury gasped in shock. Phoenix, standing on the sidelines, winked at Hydra as if to say, I told you so.
Hydra's heart raced, but with it came an unfamiliar sensation—an immense power bubbling within him. The dark stone fragment inside him pulsed, feeding him energy. He glanced at Phoenix again, who nodded reassuringly.
"Go on, Hydra," Phoenix encouraged, his voice calm but firm.
Taking a deep breath, Hydra leaped forward, his fist connecting with the semi-dragon's chest. The impact sent the towering creature staggering back. The semi-dragon snarled, his anger flaring as he charged again, this time even more ferocious.
But Hydra's training, his latent powers, and the magic he had learned from Sera began to surface. He dodged every attack with precision, moving fluidly around the semi-dragon's clumsy strikes. The arena echoed with the sounds of their battle, dust rising as the semi-dragon unleashed his power—an icy frost coating the arena floor. Despite his red, fiery appearance, the semi-dragon wielded ice magic, attempting to freeze Hydra in place.
Hydra narrowly avoided the blasts of freezing wind and frost, countering with explosive spells he had practiced, careful not to tap into the full power of the dark stone. He knew it would draw too much attention.
The semi-dragon's horns clipped Hydra's shoulder, but as blood welled, it instantly healed. Hydra's regenerative powers, a gift of his transformation, astonished even the soldiers watching.
"Your Majesty," the head soldier leaned toward the king, his voice urgent. "This human... he's not what he seems. We should stop the fight before we lose our best soldier."
The king's smile faltered, but before he could respond, the trumpets sounded once more, signaling the end of the battle
Hydra stood victorious, breathing heavily but without a scratch. The semi-dragon lay defeated at his feet. Phoenix smirked and nudged Xenon.
"That was quicker than I expected," Phoenix remarked"
The king, now fuming, rose from his seat. His voice cut through the air like a blade. "This... is not over."
But as the Elementals turned to leave, Phoenix looked back over his shoulder, his smile never fading. "Oh, but it is—for now."