The battlefield was a graveyard of devastation. Smoke rose in thick plumes, obscuring the horizon. The remains of Shenlog's dragon lay crumpled at the edge of the Free World gates, its once-mighty form scorched and broken. Fires born of Greyjoy's black flames burned endlessly, their unnatural heat keeping the air heavy and suffocating.
The team arrived at the scene, racing over the rubble-strewn landscape. Seiji led the charge, his usually calm expression replaced with one of sheer desperation. Mengi, Jin, and Madagascar followed closely, their faces grim as they took in the destruction around them.
When Seiji spotted Shenlog's dragon in the distance, his heart sank. "No… please no…" he whispered, picking up speed.
The others stopped when they saw what lay ahead. Shenlog's broken body rested at the base of his dragon's corpse, blood pooling around him. His dragon scales, usually radiant and impenetrable, were cracked and charred.
Seiji dropped to his knees beside Shenlog. "General!" he shouted, his voice breaking. "Stay with me! We're here now—" and so seiji marks glowed as he tries to heal shenlog.
Shenlog's eyes fluttered open, faintly glowing with the last embers of his strength. His voice came as a weak rasp. "Seiji… you made it…"
Jingwei stumbled forward, his face pale. His giant toad landed beside him, silent for the first time. "Father…" he whispered, his voice trembling. "I … I should've helped you!"
Shenlog smiled faintly. "No, my son… you stayed to protect the Free World. You did… what I taught you."
Mengi knelt beside him, his usually calm demeanor replaced with sorrow. "Shenlog… your fight saved everyone here. You held them back long enough for us to regroup."
Shenlog's lips curled into a faint grin. "Not… long enough. But you… you must finish this."
Shenlog's gaze shifted to Jin, his dragon eyes narrowing slightly. His voice grew weaker, but there was a gravity in his tone. "Jin… come here."
Jin approached cautiously, kneeling beside him. For once, his cold demeanor softened as he looked into Shenlog's eyes. "What is it?"
Shenlog struggled to lift his hand, placing it on Jin's arm. "Promise me… you'll watch over the Free World. My family… my son… they'll need someone strong."
Jin's gaze flickered to Jingwei, who was frozen in place, fighting back tears. "Your family has their strength," Jin replied firmly. "And I'll make sure we end this war."
Shenlog's faint smile returned. "Good… good. But know this… my power… the strength of the Dragon King…"
He turned his head slightly toward Jingwei. "It was always meant for …..…"
Jingwei's eyes widened. "Meant for ? Father?"
Shenlog coughed weakly, blood staining his lips. "when the time comes, you must guide ...."
Mengi leaned closer, his brow furrowed. "What are you trying to say —"
Shenlog interrupted, his voice barely above a whisper. "… the dragons… will find his way."
As his breathing grew shallower, Shenlog looked at Jingwei one last time. "Be strong…"
Jingwei clenched his fists, his tears finally spilling over. "I will, Father… I swear it."
With a final exhale, Shenlog's body went still. The faint glow in his dragon eyes faded completely, leaving only silence.
The weight of the moment settled over the team. Seiji rose slowly, his expression a mix of grief and determination. He placed a hand on Jingwei's shoulder. "We have to move. His sacrifice can't be in vain."
Mengi stood, his face set with grim resolve. "He bought us time. Now it's on us to finish this."
Jin's crimson eyes glowed faintly as he turned toward the horizon. His voice was cold, yet steady. "The Shadow Council will pay for this."
The chapter ends with Jingwei kneeling beside his father's body, silently vowing to protect and carry on Shenlog's legacy. The team begins their march back to the Free World, the loss of Shenlog fueling their determination m.