The atmosphere shifted dramatically, tension thick enough to cut with a knife. The carefree banter that had filled the training grounds dissipated, replaced by a grim sense of urgency. Draco's instincts kicked in, his mind racing as he absorbed Hunter's words.
"Gather everyone!" he commanded, taking charge as the rest of the group rallied. "We need to assess the situation and come up with a plan. We can't let them catch us off guard." ["More than they already did."]
As he moved, Draco's gaze drifted toward Seventeen. He watched her as she shifted into a mode he recognized all too well—the one that stripped away her usual sarcasm and bravado, leaving behind a fierce determination. It was a side of her he admired, even if it was overshadowed by the chaos unfolding around them.
"Seven!" he called, drawing her attention. "We need to set up defenses. Your serpents can scout ahead."
Seventeen nodded, her expression resolute. "I'll send them out to see what we're dealing with."
As she summoned shadowstrike vineserpents¹, hellfire asps², purple death adders³, veil vipers⁴, and duskspine serpents⁵, two of each, the air shimmered with magic, and the creatures hissed, eager to obey. Seventeen's face was set with concentration, and Draco couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration. Despite the looming threat, there was something exhilarating about witnessing her harness her powers with such clarity.
["These serpents look nasty. I never want to taste their venom, she and the other Ophiucans may be immune to it, but we are not. They can definitely cause some crazy damage."]
"Let's make sure we have eyes on all sides," Claus said, stepping up beside Draco. "If they're coming from the Dark Zones, we need to cover the perimeter."
"Agreed," Draco replied, glancing at Hunter. "You're fast; you can relay messages between us and keep tabs on the scouts."
"On it," Hunter said, determination flashing in his eyes. "I'll be the first line of communication."
As the group sprang into action, Draco felt a sense of purpose settle over him. This wasn't just about training anymore; it was about survival. They had to protect what was theirs, and that included Seventeen.
※※※
Seventeen felt the weight of responsibility press down on her as she directed her serpents out into the woods. She watched it slither away, their scales blending seamlessly with the surroundings, the magic thrumming between them as it searched for any signs of the impending threat. The more control she harnessed, the better she could see through their eyes.
"Do you really think they'll attack?" she asked, her voice low but steady. "They know the risks of coming near the Dragonwoods."
Draco moved closer, his presence both reassuring and infuriating. "Desperation makes people do reckless things. We can't underestimate them. Especially when we don't even know who is attacking us."
"True," she conceded, crossing her arms. "But we have the advantage here. They won't expect us to be prepared."
"Let's keep that advantage," he said, a hint of challenge in his tone. "If they're coming, we should set traps. Maybe lure them into the clearing where we can control the fight."
Seventeen met his gaze, a mix of frustration and appreciation bubbling inside her. "Fine. But we need to work together, and I don't mean just with our powers."
"Agreed," he replied, a slight smirk appearing on his lips. "We can't let our… previous encounters cloud our judgment."
She rolled her eyes, unwilling to let him pull her back into that banter. "Let's just focus on the task at hand, okay, De Lavissaye?"
"Right. Focus," Draco said, though the glint in his ice-blue eyes suggested otherwise. "We'll keep it professional."
"Whatever helps you sleep at night," she shot back, turning her attention back to the task ahead.
As the serpents returned, Seventeen could sense the creatures' unease. They coiled around her leg, a low hiss escaping their mouthz, and she felt a chill run down her spine.
"Report," she commanded, and the serpents relayed images of shadows moving stealthily through the trees. They were not alone. "Looks like we have company," she said, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. "From Scorpion."
["Corvos would never do this, I don't his uncle Cassius would either. His dad isn't really the type to attack without knowing everything, and he also isn't the type to work entirely with the other rulers. Which means,"] she clenched her jaw, anger boiling in her veins, ["this is Cornel's doing, that piece of shit. Given how much of psychopath he is, he must be working with the rulers."]
※※※
The moment Seventeen relayed the information from her serpent, Draco's instincts flared to life. "Scorpios?" A nod. "How many?" he asked, scanning the treeline for any signs of movement.
"Hard to tell," she admitted, her brow furrowing. "But there's definitely more than just a handful."
"Let's prepare for a fight," Draco said, adrenaline pumping through him. "We need to gather everyone and finalize our strategy."
["It gotta be the psychopath's doing,"] he concluded, stressed.
As the team regrouped, Draco felt a surge of energy in the air. He looked around, seeing the resolve in everyone's eyes. This was it—the moment they had been training for, albeit sooner than expected. They were going to have to band together, relying on their combined strengths to face whatever threat was approaching.
Noah arrived, his expression grave. "I heard the report. We need to act quickly. Seventeen, I want you and Draco to lead the defense. Use your serpents for intel, and Draco, keep the perimeter secure."
"Yes, father," Seventeen said, her voice steady despite the intensity of the moment. Draco could see the fire in her eyes, the determination that fueled her.
As they moved into position, Draco felt the weight of the responsibility settle on him. He had always thrived in chaos despite his nature, but this time it felt different—more personal. It wasn't just about protecting their new home; it was about protecting Seventeen, about ensuring she was safe.
"Stay close to me," he whispered to her as they took their positions. "I won't let anything happen to you."
"I can take care of myself, De Lavissaye," she replied, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"I know you can," he said, his tone serious. "But together, we'll be stronger. I need to make sure you'll be okay."
She met his gaze, and for a brief moment, the tension between them shifted. There was an understanding there, a connection that went beyond their banter and past encounters.
Then, without warning, the air around them grew still, as if the forest was holding its breath. Draco's heart raced as he felt the ominous approach of the enemy, a sense of dread settling in the pit of his stomach.
"Get ready," he commanded, drawing on his magic as he felt the first stirrings of energy in the air. "They're coming."
※※※
As the first figures emerged from the shadows, Seventeen's heart raced. She summoned her serpents again, ready to command them to strike at a moment's notice. This time she summoned blightfang cobras⁶, bloodshadow adders⁷, and soulstealer najas⁸, five of each, taking herself to her own current limit of control. The group fell into formation, each member readying their powers.
["I need to hold them for longer. I can't fall. This is more than just a test of our synchrony and ability to work together, I need to do everything to protect my people. We don't have that many warriors, I can't let our people die, I can't!"]
"Remember your training," Noah called out. "We fight together, and we watch each other's backs. No heroics."
Seventeen nodded, locking eyes with Draco once more. She could see the determination in his gaze, the same fierce resolve that surged within her. Whatever came next, they would face it together.
As the enemy drew closer, a cacophony of chaotic energy filled the air. Seventeen could feel it pulsing around them, an electric tension that heralded the battle to come.
"Let's show them what we're made of," she said, her voice strong and unwavering. She raised her hand, feeling the magic coursing through her, ready to unleash her powers against whatever threat lay ahead. Together, they would fight, and they would win. ["Whatever it takes."]
※※※※※※※※※
¹Shadowstrike Vineserpents are slender, vine-like snakes that lurk in the high branches of dense forest canopies. Their bodies are dark as pitch, but their scales shimmer with an oily sheen that shifts between violet and blood-red. They are ambush hunters, striking down at anything that passes beneath them. Their venom doesn't kill directly; instead, it puts the victim into a drowsy, disoriented state, which the serpents exploit to drag them up into the trees, where they feed.
²Hellfire Asps are medium-sized, fiercely territorial snakes that radiate a scorching heat when angered. Their scales are an intense red with obsidian-black spots down their spines, and when threatened, their skin can emit a phosphorescent purple glow. Their venom causes intense, fiery pain and leaves red burns at the bite site. These snakes use their heat to melt their way through frozen regions in search of warmth, making them a true danger to those unprepared for their wrath.
³Among the deadliest serpents, the Purple Death Adders are short and thick, with scales that shift in the light from a dark, glossy purple to near-black. Found in barren, rocky lands, these adders lie still for hours, awaiting prey. Their venom is both hallucinogenic and paralytic, causing victims to experience terror-inducing visions before the paralysis sets in, leaving them conscious but unable to escape. Once paralyzed, the adders swallow their prey whole, often while the victim is still alive.
⁴Veil Vipers have deep violet and pitch-black scales that shimmer like silk, blending perfectly into the misty valleys they call home. These nocturnal serpents are known for their strange ability to become nearly invisible in fog, creating an effect where their outline is merely a faint shadow. Their bite injects a potent venom that puts victims into a trancelike state, making them wander aimlessly until they collapse.
⁵Duskspine Serpents are long and slender with spiny ridges along their backs. Their scales are an iridescent mix of black, violet, and dark red. Found in shadowy forests, they are excellent climbers, and their venom contains a strong neurotoxin that causes instant paralysis. Once bitten, the victim is left immobile, often preyed upon by other creatures or the Duskspine itself.
⁶Blightfang Cobras are large, hooded serpents with scales that shift from a bruised purple at the base to a dark, blood-red near the head. They're known to inhabit poisoned rivers and corrupted wastelands. Their venom is corrosive, capable of rotting flesh around the bite site within seconds. When threatened, they rear up and flare their hood, releasing a poisonous mist that saps the life from anything within its reach, killing smaller creatures on contact.
⁷These adders are compact yet incredibly dangerous, with scales that appear black in daylight but glint with dark crimson under moonlight. Bloodshadow Adders are found in the deepest forests and caves. Their venom has anticoagulant properties, causing victims to bleed profusely from any wound. Even the slightest scratch becomes life-threatening after a bite, as the blood loss continues uncontrollably.
⁸Soulstealer Najas are hooded serpents with scales that blend purple and red in intricate patterns resembling ancient runes. They are found guarding ruins and relics of a dark past. The bite of a Soulstealer injects a venom that drains both physical strength and willpower, causing victims to fall into a deep, deathlike sleep. Legend says that these snakes consume the souls of their prey, and their nests are often strewn with relics of the unfortunate.