The massive wings of the dragon unfurled, creating a tremendous gust as it soared through the sky with incredible speed. The air around it seemed to crackle with energy as it cut through the clouds, heading for its destination.
Before long, Veronica, the Duchess of Viroka, rode high on the back of Viviane, her golden dragon. Together, they reached the western border of the Moira Great Forest, where the waiting confrontation with the cunning Silver Dragon, Tensilon, was about to take place.
From above, Viviane's sharp eyes immediately locked onto the enormous figure of Tensilon. The dragon was easily as large as Viviane herself, confirming Veronica's earlier suspicion: the Silver Dragon had indeed entered its full-grown adult form.
Tensilon, sensing their presence, rumbled lowly in his throat, sending a deep, resonant growl echoing through the sky. The sound carried with it a certain force, reverberating across the air as if it were not just a roar, but a command.
Viviane answered with a growl of her own, her deep voice booming through the skies. It was as if the two dragons were communicating, their voices an ancient and mystical language—one that only those who understood dragonkind could fully comprehend. This language, known as the "Dragon Tongue," was something every aspiring dragon rider learned to master, for without it, a true bond with these majestic creatures was impossible.
As the two dragons exchanged their battle cries, their riders understood the significance of this moment.
"Why are you trespassing on my territory, golden dragon?" Tensilon's voice echoed across the forest as he locked eyes with Viviane. "I've already made my position clear before: I won't attack your lands, but in return, I expect you to respect my domain. If you leave now, I won't follow you."
Tensilon, despite his size and strength, still showed signs of caution. Even now, as an adult, he knew that in a direct fight with Viviane, especially with Veronica at her side, the odds were not in his favor. The best he could hope for was a 40-60 split, with Viviane and her rider having the clear advantage.
It was evident that Tensilon had no desire to fight unless absolutely necessary. If the battle could be avoided, he would gladly accept it. If Viviane and Veronica were willing to negotiate, he would yield the eastern portion of the forest without resistance.
Veronica, hearing his proposition, hesitated. After all, she had not anticipated a smooth victory. She had come here expecting to claim the territory, but her confidence had been shaken. If she could secure the eastern forest without further bloodshed, it would certainly be a victory. However, the outcome of this battle was still uncertain, and she was not one to back down easily.
But to everyone's surprise, Viviane rejected Tensilon's offer outright.
"No," she declared. "There is only one way to settle this: on the battlefield. You may surrender the territory, but that decision will only come after we fight. Only then will we discuss terms."
Tensilon's expression darkened, but he nodded in agreement. He was no stranger to the brutal ways of dragons. It was better to fight and settle the matter once and for all than to drag it out. Veronica, too, understood the logic. The battle had already begun, and there was no turning back now.
Viviane stretched her golden wings, shimmering with light, before diving toward Tensilon with a fierce roar. The Silver Dragon countered with equal ferocity, his silver scales catching the light as he unleashed a blast of breath that struck like a force of nature.
The battle had begun in earnest.
In the forest below, the trees swayed violently as the two titans collided. The roar of dragons shook the very earth, and the very air seemed to burn with their power. Viviane and Tensilon clashed in midair, exchanging powerful blows with claws and tails. Their dragon breaths filled the air, each blast a wave of destructive force.
Viviane's golden breath lit up the forest like a fiery tide, sweeping over the ground below. Tensilon, nimble and fast, twisted and turned in the air, narrowly avoiding the worst of the attack, before retaliating with a deadly sweep of his tail. The blow landed with a thunderous crack, shaking Viviane to her core.
The two dragons were evenly matched, but each had their own strengths. Viviane was larger and more powerful, her golden scales impervious to most attacks. Tensilon, on the other hand, was far more agile, his movements quick and unpredictable, making him a difficult target. Each time Viviane closed in for an attack, Tensilon was already out of the way, his reflexes as sharp as his cunning.
The forest animals and smaller creatures scattered, terrified of the two massive creatures battling overhead. Even the powerful monsters that roamed the depths of the forest fled, sensing the danger of this unprecedented clash.
The battle raged on, each dragon taking and dealing blows with a relentless determination. Tensilon's sharp claws slashed through the air, while Viviane's massive wings created gusts strong enough to uproot trees. The ground trembled beneath them as their fierce battle tore through the landscape.
But as the fight wore on, both dragons began to show signs of exhaustion. Their movements slowed, their roars less frequent as their immense energy reserves began to dwindle. Still, neither dragon was willing to concede. Their rivalry had lasted for years, and neither side was prepared to back down now.
After what felt like hours, the two dragons finally paused, circling each other warily. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, there was a silent understanding between them. Neither could overpower the other.
Tensilon, breathing heavily, was the first to speak. "I've had enough. This battle is pointless. You've proven your strength, golden dragon. But know this—if we meet again in the future, I will not be so merciful."
Viviane growled in agreement, her golden eyes flashing. "So be it. But know this, Tensilon—your territory is ours now. The eastern forest is under our protection. Do not cross us again."
With a final glare, the two dragons slowly began to withdraw, their wings beating the air as they soared back toward their respective territories. For the moment, the battle had ended in a draw, but there was a clear victor: Viviane and Veronica had successfully secured the eastern forest without losing a single soldier.
Veronica watched the dragons depart, her heart still pounding from the adrenaline of the battle. It had been close—far closer than she had anticipated—but in the end, they had succeeded. The land was theirs, and Tensilon, for now, had been subdued.
The aftermath of the battle was met with mixed reactions. The ground was scorched, the trees broken, and the air thick with the scent of dragon fire. The clash had been monumental, but the true consequences of the fight would be felt in the days to come. The eastern forest was now firmly under the control of Veronica and Viviane, but at what cost?
For the nobles and soldiers who had fought alongside the two dragons, there was a sense of unease. The battle had been fierce, but it had also been a reminder of the fragile balance of power in this world. Those who held the strength to command dragons could shape the fate of entire kingdoms, and they had done so today.
As for Tensilon, the Silver Dragon, he had been humbled but not defeated. His defeat in this battle meant little in the grand scheme of things. He would retreat, regroup, and when the time was right, strike again.
But that was for the future. For now, the war was over, and Veronica and her forces had emerged victorious. But they knew that the peace they had fought so hard to win could be just as fleeting as the wind. The game of power was far from over.