The air was thick with tension as Tai stood in the grand hall of the Serpent Palace, his heart pounding. The massive double doors creaked open, revealing a towering figure cloaked in shadow. Zarathiss, the Eternal Serpent King, stepped into the room, his scales shimmering like molten obsidian, his presence suffocating.
Tai's breath hitched as his father's deep, guttural voice filled the hall.
"You are my son," Zarathiss said, his golden eyes narrowing as they fixed on Tai. "And it's time you stood at my side."
Before Tai could respond, his mother, Seraphina, stepped forward, her emerald eyes blazing with defiance. "What are you doing here, Zarathiss?" she demanded, her voice steady despite the fear swirling in her chest.
"I've come to reclaim my kingdom," Zarathiss hissed, his words dripping with venom.
Seraphina raised her staff, her grip tight. "You'll never take it! Guards, seize him!"
From the shadows, armored serpentine warriors emerged, their weapons gleaming. They rushed at Zarathiss without hesitation. But Zarathiss merely laughed, a sound so deep and menacing it shook Tai to his core. With a flick of his massive tail, Zarathiss sent the guards crashing into the walls like ragdolls.
"You think your guards can stop me?" Zarathiss sneered. His gaze shifted to Seraphina, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "You should know better."
Seraphina grabbed Tai's arm, her voice urgent. "We need to leave—now!"
Tai's voice trembled as they fled through a hidden corridor. "Mom, where are we going? What about the kingdom?"
"We'll protect the kingdom another way," Seraphina replied, her tone strained. "But for now, I need to get you to safety."
They turned a corner and collided with two figures. Tai blinked, his fear momentarily replaced by recognition. "Shi? Sai? What are you doing here?"
Seraphina's eyes narrowed as she took in the two men. "You know them?"
Tai nodded quickly. "Shi is my master, and Sai is my best friend."
Shi dropped to one knee, bowing low. "Your Majesty," he said respectfully. Sai hesitated before mimicking the gesture.
Seraphina's posture remained tense, but her gaze softened slightly. "Stand up," she commanded. As they rose, she added, "Thank you for watching over my son."
"It has been an honor," Shi said solemnly.
The moment was cut short by a distant, ominous sound—Zarathiss's footsteps echoing closer.
"He's coming," Tai whispered, dread lacing his voice.
Seraphina turned to them, her expression resolute yet tinged with sorrow. "Listen to me," she said firmly, her eyes locking on Tai's. "Your father won't stop as long as I live. I have to confront him, or he'll destroy everything."
"No!" Tai shouted, shaking his head. "You can't! He'll kill you!"
A sad smile crossed Seraphina's face. "Perhaps. But if I can delay him, it will give you time to escape and grow stronger. One day, you'll defeat him."
Shi stepped forward. "Let me fight by your side!"
Seraphina turned sharply. "No. Your duty is to Tai. Protect him. Train him. Make him better than his father."
Shi clenched his fists but nodded, his face grim.
Seraphina turned toward the open balcony overlooking the kingdom. She raised her voice, her challenge ringing out like a war cry. "Zarathiss! If you want me, face me at the gates of the Snake Kingdom!"
The deep, guttural response came almost immediately. "I'll be waiting."
Seraphina looked back at Tai, her eyes glistening. "Goodbye, my son. Be brave." Without another word, her form shimmered, transforming into a colossal emerald-scaled serpent. With a powerful coil, she launched herself into the night sky, faster than the wind.
"Mom!" Tai screamed, his voice cracking as he ran to the balcony. Sai grabbed his arm, pulling him back.
"She'll come back," Tai whispered, his voice trembling. "She has to."
Neither Shi nor Sai could answer.
At the gates of the Snake Kingdom, Seraphina awaited Zarathiss. Soldiers lined the walls, their weapons ready, the air electric with tension. The ground trembled as Zarathiss approached, his massive obsidian form cutting through the shadows like a force of nature.
"You've made a grave mistake, Seraphina," Zarathiss hissed, his golden eyes gleaming.
"Over my dead body," Seraphina growled, lowering her massive head.
The two titanic serpents clashed, their attacks shaking the very earth. Venom dripped from their fangs as they bit and lashed at one another. Seraphina's soldiers rained arrows upon Zarathiss, but his armored scales deflected them.
Seraphina fought with everything she had, her venomous fangs sinking into Zarathiss's neck. He roared in pain, slamming her into the ground. Blood stained her emerald scales, but she refused to relent.
Far away, on a hill overlooking the battle, Tai stood with Shi and Sai, his fists clenched tightly. The distant roars echoed in his ears, each one a painful reminder of the sacrifice his mother was making.
"I'll make him pay," Tai said, his voice low and filled with fury. "For everything."
Shi placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then we begin your training. You'll become stronger than both of them."
As the battle raged on, Tai turned away, his resolve hardening with every roar that shook the earth. His journey was just beginning.