The forest was alive with the clash of steel and the roar of fire. Junior sprinted through the trees, his heart pounding in his chest. He could hear the cries of battle ahead—Elena's voice, strained and desperate. He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his legs burning as he pushed himself faster. He couldn't be too late. He wouldn't be too late.
Breaking through the thick foliage, he saw her. Elena, the half-dragon warrior, was pinned against a massive oak, her golden scales glinting in the dim light. A monstrous troll loomed over her, its club raised high, ready to crush her skull. Elena's fiery breath had faded to faint embers, her strength nearly spent. Her amber eyes widened as she saw Junior, and in that moment, he didn't think—he acted.
