Here is the next chapter:
A Night of Rest and a Morning of Confrontation
After their dinner conversation, Kai and Zach headed to the inn to get a good night's rest. As they settled into their rooms, Kai mentioned that he needed to visit the High Lord Mayor's office the next day to thank him for saving him from the ice troll. Zach offered to accompany him, and they agreed to meet up in the morning.
Meanwhile, in a distant land, Ares, the God of Aura's proxy, stood before the Dragon King's domain, seeking another fight. He taunted Tharros, saying, "Let's have another go at it! I'm not tired of losing yet!"
Tharros, annoyed, replied, "We've already had over 1000 battles, Ares. You've only won two times. Don't you get tired of embarrassing yourself?"
Ares sneered, "No, I won 5 times! You're just too proud to admit it, lizard brain!" The other dragons nearby trembled at the pressure, but Tharros simply smiled and said, "If you want to die so badly, let's do it.
Ares and Tharros clashed in a fierce battle, their powers locked in a struggle that shook the land. Ares's Claymore sword flashed in the sunlight, striking true time and again, but Tharros's scales were like steel, and he would not be defeated easily. The Dragon King's roar thundered through the land, causing the earth to tremble, and his flames scorched the air, but Ares dodged and weaved, his aura shielding him from the heat.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, Tharros landed a crushing blow, striking Ares to the ground. The God of Aura's proxy lay there, defeated, as Tharros stood over him, his chest heaving with exhaustion.
As the two friends caught their breath, Tharros's wife, the Dragon Queen, appeared, her scales shimmering in the sunlight. She examined Ares's wounds, her expression softening in sympathy. "You fool," she said, "you know you cannot defeat my husband. Why do you persist in this folly?"
Ares grinned, wincing in pain. "I may not be able to defeat him, but I can certainly try. And besides, I have a score to settle with him."
The Dragon Queen sighed, shaking her head. "Men and their pride. Come, let me tend to your wounds."
As she worked, Ares's expression turned melancholy. "You know, I have a daughter who just turned 14. She's growing up so fast, and she won't even call me 'daddy' anymore. It's like she's ashamed of me or something."
Tharros and his wife exchanged a sympathetic glance. "Ah, Ares, you are a complex one," Tharros said. "You are both fierce warrior and doting father. How is your daughter faring?"
Ares's face brightened, despite his pain. "She's doing well, I suppose. She's still training, still learning. But she's growing up so fast, it's like she's leaving me behind."
Tharros nodded, understanding. Dragon queen say "Our daughter is also training, Ares. She is a fierce warrior, like her father."
Ares's eyes lit up with interest. "Really? How is she doing? I haven't seen her in ages."
Tharros smiled, pride in his voice. "She is doing well, Ares. She is strong and brave, and she will make a fine Dragon Queen one day."
The Dragon Queen finished tending to Ares's wounds, and he stood up, his movements stiff. "Well, I suppose I should be off. I have a long journey ahead of me."
Tharros nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, Ares. May the road rise up to meet you. And may our next battle be less... intense."
Ares grinned, clapping Tharros on the back. "I wouldn't count on it, my friend."