Veridian paused at the cavern's entrance, the cool, oppressive air clinging to his skin. He had used a teleportation spell to visit Melinoe under the false pretense of retiring to his chambers. He cast a final glance back at Queen Melinoe, who lay bound and seemingly defeated. He smirked, certain of his triumph.
But as he turned to leave, a sharp, cracking sound echoed through the chamber. His eyes widened as he turned back to see Melinoe, her emerald eyes blazing with newfound strength. The seal and chains that had held her captive shattered, and she rose, her presence formidable and terrifying.
"You underestimated me, Veridian," Melinoe said, her voice a low, dangerous growl. "You should have known better."
Before he could react, she lunged at him, her emerald tail striking with the precision and force of a whip. The air around her crackled with energy as Veridian stumbled back, raising his arm in a futile attempt to shield himself.
"Najas, now!" he commanded, his voice echoing through the cavern like a thunderclap. His guards poured into the cavern, weapons drawn, their armor clinking ominously.
Melinoe's rage was a palpable force. She fought with the fury of a cornered beast, her Naga powers manifesting in a flurry of blows, blasts of emerald energy, and powerful strikes from her tail. The cavern reverberated with the sounds of battle—the clash of weapons, the thud of bodies hitting stone, and the grunts of effort and pain. She disarmed one guard, flinging him into the stone wall with a sickening thud. Another she rendered unconscious with a single, devastating blow.
But the Najas were relentless, their numbers overwhelming. Melinoe knew she couldn't hold them off forever. With a final, fierce effort, she broke through their ranks and sped towards the cavern's exit. As she fled, her form shifted; her serpentine tail transformed into human legs, allowing her to run faster. Her footsteps echoed sharply against the stone, a rapid, desperate rhythm.
Veridian, recovering from her initial assault, saw her escaping and grabbed a bow from a fallen guard. He notched an arrow, his eyes narrowing with determination. "You won't escape, Melinoe," he hissed.
He released the arrow, and it flew true, slicing through the air with a deadly whistle. It pierced her back. She cried out in pain, the sound echoing through the cavern, but did not stop. Her body shimmered and twisted, growing larger and more feral as she transformed into a dragon, her emerald scales glinting in the dim light of the subterranean realm.
With a roar that shook the cavern, she surged forward, her powerful wings propelling her towards freedom. She burst through the entrance to the subterranean realm, soaring into the sky, leaving everything behind.
The pain from the arrow was excruciating, but Melinoe pushed through it, her focus on one goal: reaching Kragnir. She flew with desperate speed, the landscape below blurring into a haze of greens and browns. The wind rushed past her, cool and sharp against her scales, carrying the scent of pine and distant mountains.
As she neared the mountain Kingdom of Kragnir, her strength began to wane. The transformation back to her human form was involuntary, her dragon form unable to sustain itself any longer. She plummeted towards the ground, unconscious before she even hit the water below.
King Eothis, standing outside his palace on his observation platform, saw a figure falling. His keen eyes recognized the Naga Queen. Without hesitation, he launched himself into the air, wings beating powerfully as he raced to intercept her. He caught her just before she hit the river, cradling her limp form carefully. The water below shimmered in the moonlight, its surface rippling gently as they descended.
Landing gently on the riverbank, King Eothis examined the unconscious Melinoe. Her breathing was shallow, and the arrow wound in her back bled steadily. He tore a strip of cloth from his tunic and pressed it to the wound, trying to staunch the flow of blood. The scent of blood mixed with the earthy aroma of the riverbank, a stark reminder of her peril.
"Hold on, Melinoe," he murmured, his voice filled with urgency and concern. "You're safe now." His words were soft, almost a whisper, as he lifted her effortlessly and flew back to his palace, the night air cool and soothing against his skin.
He would summon his healers and ensure that the Naga Queen received the care she needed. The conflict that lay ahead was uncertain, but for now, Melinoe was out of Veridian's reach. The stars above twinkled like distant beacons, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.