After leaping over a large bush, the horses finally emerged from the forest, revealing to everyone's eyes a beautiful reddish sunset on the horizon.
With constant, heavy breaths, the animals continued their gallop. However, as they approached the bridge marking the territories of the next town, they all heard the menacing roar echoing from all sides. Looking up as his body trembled, Pedrinho found himself being flown over by one of the terrible creatures that had put an end to his home.
"Stop!" he shouted, halting his horse's race. "We can't go there!"
"What..?" replied one of the children. "But my father..."
"That doesn't matter now." Looking at the horizon again, it became obvious that it wasn't just a simple sunset. "Look... that place is no longer safe."
The red in the sky sways, like a huge, intense flame, and black smoke rises amidst the light in the sky.
"So, what do we..." sniffing, the little boy clings to the horse with his hands and legs. "What will we do?"
"I don't..."
The roars echo, and the sound of the horses' hooves comes from the direction they came.
"Hide...!"
In the distance on the road, two children appear being chased by wolves whose fur is stained red. In the sky, covering the clear blue with their enormous wings and seeking the light to reach the ground, the ice dragons emerge roaring imposingly.
"Hide...? But where do we hide?!"
Their minds in panic and the horses neighing in fear, the children look around hurriedly, searching for a possible refuge.
"The bridge, quickly! Go under it!"
With the horses, the little ones descended towards the frozen river and hid under the stone bridge.
With their bodies trembling, a little boy covers his little sister's mouth so she doesn't make any noise.
Terror sets in, and as the horses approach on the bridge and the dragon roars recede in the skies, even the horses instinctively remain still and in absolute silence.
A nearby rumble is heard, and the horses on the bridge freeze as a huge dragon appears before them.
The neighs are heard by each of the children under the stone structure. Their hooves beating desperately on the ground they can even feel. And as their bodies and minds slowly succumb to despair, the constant pleas and sobs of their acquaintances they can hear.
A shrill scream echoes, and then, after the sound of bones being shattered repeats several times in their ears, silence is all that remains.
Amidst the terrifying sounds of approaching footsteps, the monstrous shadow looms over the ice, throwing something up and swallowing it immediately.
And, amidst the despair, it becomes absolutely impossible to contain one's own mind, which continues to seek what would normally protect them in such dangerous situations. However, it is not possible to express such feelings in words at such a decisive moment.
"Ma..." covering the girl's mouth quickly, Pedrinho turned his head in fear.
The creature approached the edge of the bridge. Its shadow, increasingly clear, evokes an instinctive tremor in his body and quickens his heart.
The cold air being expelled from its mouth and becoming visible to everyone's eyes. Lifting its head, the monster is gone after an intense roar echoes from the nearby town. But not before leaving something behind.
Rolling over the frozen river, something with an apparently spherical appearance narrowing at its base, emerges completely bloodied.
A roar echoes over the bridge, and the wind generated by the beating of its wings causes the object to turn, revealing the horrified face of one of the children. The pain and fear, all described in their expression.
Upon seeing such a scene, bringing his hand to his mouth, Pedrinho struggles to hold back the vomit, but his tears flow like crystals down his face and accumulate on his clothes.
The dragon had left, but it was not yet the end, for the steps of the white wolf persist on the stones.
A howl resounded above and the growls that followed quickly passed along with tremors on the bridge.
Moments after the bridge stopped shaking, knowing that it is necessary, but realizing that no one else would be able to do it. Pedrinho, still trembling, forced his own body to move and approached the surface of the stone base.
There seemed to be nothing around, but he had to confirm. To continue as his father had told him, it is necessary to know if passing through the town is still safe.
His body trembles and his legs give way in the first attempts to get out of the river. However, after managing to do so, any noise, no matter how small, was enough to make him hide in the trees, bushes, or even behind small rocks.
Smoke no longer rose towards the sky and the dancing red had completely disappeared.
Destroyed walls, ruined houses, and before his eyes, the creatures feasting on the few living beings that remained.
Once again, a small liquid tear ran down Pedrinho's face. The snow near his feet disappeared, and before he turned and left that place, a black mark from his palm was left on the tree trunk where his hand was resting.
The doors of the throne room opened, allowing Ethan and Elizabeth to enter.
"Welcome..., hero.."
There was no time for greetings or even introductions. Ethan walked up to the throne, startling all the guards and making them draw their swords immediately, and stopped in front of August.
"I didn't come here to make friends or make a deal with you." he said, looking directly into the king's eyes. "I came to warn you that the war is over."
"To warn...?"
"Yes, to warn." Drawing his sword, Ethan drove the blade into the throne right next to August's neck, causing the guards to rush towards him. "Whether by peace or by force, it doesn't matter. From this day forth, the war is over. Do you understand me?"