The cavern buzzed with energy as the fledglings gathered, their claws scraping against the stone floor in anticipation. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and mana, a palpable tension radiating from the walls. At the center of the gathering stood Tazerith, his crimson scales glinting like molten steel under the light of the mana-crystals embedded in the cavern's ceiling. His sheer size and commanding presence were a stark reminder of why he had no rivals in his own clutch—because none had survived him.
Drakaryn kept to the edge of the crowd, his golden eyes narrowing as they followed Tazerith's every move. Tazerith wasn't just older by a week; he was a towering figure of raw power, each muscle coiled and honed through years of brutal dominance. But beneath the bravado, Drakaryn could sense the same hunger that burned within himself—the relentless drive to prove oneself.
"Drakaryn!" The bark of an elder snapped him from his thoughts. Vraxia's molten gaze cut through the room, fixing on him with a challenging glint. "Step forward."
The other fledglings parted as Drakaryn moved to the center of the cavern. He could feel their eyes on him, some curious, others disdainful. Tazerith's lip curled in a sneer as Drakaryn approached.
"About time," Tazerith growled, his voice a low rumble. "I was beginning to think you'd hide behind your tricks forever."
Drakaryn ignored the jab, focusing instead on the ground beneath his feet. His claws flexed, scraping against the stone. The faint echoes of his first hunt flickered in his mind—the crystalline wolves, the surge of power that had left him reeling. He could use the Dragon Tongue again. One word, and Tazerith would fall. But what would happen afterward? The elders would see it. They would know.
"Enough chatter," Vraxia snapped, her tail striking the ground with a sharp crack. "Begin."
Tazerith wasted no time. He charged with a roar, his massive form bearing down on Drakaryn like a living avalanche. Drakaryn leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike, but the force of Tazerith's attack sent cracks spidering through the stone.
"You'll have to do better than that!" Tazerith snarled, pivoting with surprising speed for his size. His tail lashed out, catching Drakaryn's flank and sending him sprawling. The fledglings around them roared their approval, their voices a cacophony of jeers and cheers.
Drakaryn scrambled to his feet, his mind racing. Tazerith's strength was undeniable, but his attacks were straightforward—brute force, without finesse. Drakaryn's only advantage was his speed and cunning, but neither seemed enough to bridge the gap.
The duel continued, Tazerith driving Drakaryn back with relentless strikes. Each blow chipped away at Drakaryn's defenses, both physical and mental. He couldn't keep this up. He needed an opening, something to exploit. His claws dug into the dirt beneath him as an idea formed.
When Tazerith lunged again, Drakaryn ducked low, sweeping his tail across the ground. A cloud of dust erupted between them, blinding Tazerith momentarily. The crimson dragon roared in frustration, his claws swiping wildly at empty air.
Drakaryn didn't hesitate. He surged forward, his claws raking across Tazerith's face. A deep gash opened from the corner of Tazerith's eye to the edge of his maw, blood spraying across the ground. The crowd fell silent as Tazerith stumbled back, his roar of pain echoing through the cavern.
For a moment, Drakaryn thought it was over. But Tazerith's fiery eyes burned brighter than ever, his fury palpable. "You'll pay for that," he snarled, his voice thick with rage.
"Enough!" Vraxia's voice cut through the tension like a blade. She stepped between them, her molten gaze sweeping over the two combatants. "This is not the place for grudges," she growled, her words directed at Tazerith. "You've both proven your mettle. Save your strength for what lies ahead."
Drakaryn stepped back, his chest heaving as the adrenaline began to fade. His eyes flicked to Tazerith, whose face was now streaked with blood. The gash would heal, but the scar would remain—a permanent reminder of their duel.
As the fledglings dispersed, murmurs filled the cavern. Some whispered of Drakaryn's cunning, while others spoke of Tazerith's unyielding strength. But the elders remained silent, their expressions unreadable.
Later, as Drakaryn tended to his wounds, Vraxia approached him. She studied him for a long moment, her molten eyes piercing. "You fought well," she said finally, her voice low. "But speed and cunning will only take you so far. Greater trials await, and you will need more than tricks to survive."
Drakaryn met her gaze, the weight of her words sinking in. The duel with Tazerith had been a test, but it was only the beginning. Whatever lay ahead, it would demand everything he had—and more.
That night, Drakaryn lay awake, his chin resting on the cold stone, an ever watchful eye on his peers, the events of the day replaying in his mind. The rush of the fight, the taste of the slim victory, the lingering fear of what could have gone wrong. He had survived, but the cost of his tactics weighed heavily on him. The scar he had left on Tazerith's face was a mark of his victory, but it was also a promise. Their rivalry was far from over.
In the distance, the elders' voices echoed faintly, their words too soft to discern. But Drakaryn caught fragments—mentions of a trial, of challenges that would shape their future. He felt the weight of their gaze, even in the dark.
Whatever lay ahead, he would face it. With strength. With cunning. With the will to survive.