The freezing winds howled through the Northern Tundra, rattling their small campsite. The bitter cold was unbearable, forcing Li Ran, the Darkmoon Dragon Princess, and Nina to huddle together beneath the thick fur blankets.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Darkmoon Dragon Princess shot a sidelong glance at Li Ran, her crimson eyes gleaming.
"Hey, survival comes first," Li Ran said with a smirk, though he could feel the warmth of both Nina and the Princess pressing against him.
Nina chuckled, pulling her cloak tighter. "You two are clearly made for each other. I'm just here to not freeze to death."
Darkmoon Dragon Princess blushed slightly but said nothing, instead leaning her head against Li Ran's shoulder with a quiet hum of satisfaction. Even in this frozen wasteland, there was warmth.
Arrival at the Frost-Dragon's Lair
After several grueling days, they reached the Frost-Dragon's lair—a vast, ice-bound valley buried beneath an eternal blizzard.
Towering spires of ice jutted from the earth like frozen fangs, and at the center of it all, curled around an ancient glacial throne, was the beast itself.
The Frost-Dragon.
Its body was massive, its scales shimmering like diamond ice, reflecting the pale light of the tundra moon. The ground around it was littered with bones—remnants of fallen knights, shattered weapons, and frozen banners of failed expeditions.
Li Ran clenched his fist around the Fire Dragon Sword. "This is it. No turning back."
The dragon stirred, its eyes—two piercing shards of cerulean blue—snapping open as it let out a deep, bone-chilling growl. The battle had begun.
Battle Against the Frost-Dragon:
Frost Breath vs. Fireburst
With a deafening roar, the Frost-Dragon exhaled a blizzard of pure frost. The temperature dropped in an instant, freezing the ground solid and sending ice shards flying in all directions.
"Shadow Barrier!" Darkmoon Dragon Princess summoned an expanding veil of darkness, halting the breath's full force.
Li Ran lunged forward, activating "Fireburst"—a surge of fiery energy erupted from his blade, clashing against the dragon's breath. The ice cracked, steam hissing into the frigid air.
Claws and Shadows
The dragon lashed out with its massive claws, aiming to crush them underfoot. Li Ran barely dodged, rolling away as Darkmoon Dragon Princess countered with "Shadow Chains", attempting to bind its limbs.
The beast, however, shattered the dark restraints with brute strength.
Tail Strike vs. Spatial Shift
The dragon spun, its tail slicing through the air like a guillotine.
"Watch out!" Nina cried.
Li Ran activated "Dimensional Step", vanishing and reappearing midair just before the tail could hit. Twisting his body, he swung the Fire Dragon Sword, sending a fiery arc slashing into the dragon's back.
Ice Spikes vs. Infernal Slash
Howling in fury, the Frost-Dragon slammed its wings into the ground, summoning massive ice spikes that shot toward them.
Darkmoon Dragon Princess retaliated. "Dark Void!" A swirling abyss of shadows devoured the spikes before they could reach Li Ran.
Taking advantage of the opening, Li Ran unleashed "Infernal Slash", embedding his fiery blade deep into the dragon's shoulder.
Frost Howl vs. Flame Shield
The dragon roared, its cry sending waves of freezing energy outward. The sheer force knocked Nina off balance, frost crawling up her boots.
Li Ran planted his sword into the ice. "Fire Shield!" A dome of swirling flames engulfed them, melting the encroaching frost just in time.
Void Cleave – The Killing Blow
"This ends now!" Li Ran gathered every ounce of his strength. Flames coiled around his blade, turning white-hot.
With a powerful leap, he soared toward the dragon's head, executing "Void Cleave"—a dimensional slash infused with pure fire.
The attack cut through the dragon's crystalline scales, slicing deep into its core.
With one final earth-shaking roar, the Frost-Dragon collapsed, its enormous body shattering the frozen ground beneath it.
A New Era of Glory
The kingdom erupted into celebration upon their victorious return. Bards and poets immortalized the moment, spreading the tale of The Guardians of the North, the dragon slayers who had saved the kingdom from the Frost-Dragon's reign of terror.
Li Ran and the Darkmoon Dragon Princess were summoned to the royal court, where nobles, knights, and guildmasters alike praised their bravery. As a symbol of their heroism, the king himself conferred upon them the prestigious title "Guardians of the North."
At the grand banquet held in their honor, the finest wines flowed freely, tables were adorned with the richest feasts, and the entire hall resounded with music and song.
A Song of Fire and Shadow
A hush fell over the banquet as a bard stepped forward, his lute resting against his hip. With a dramatic flourish, he strummed a haunting melody, then sang:
In lands of ice, where shadows creep,
A beast of frost lay wrapped in sleep.
Yet from the south, with blade and might,
Came two who swore to end its blight.
One bore fire, a sword of flame,
A warrior bold, a whispered name.
The other, wrapped in midnight's grace,
A dragon's queen, with crimson gaze.
They clashed with ice, they danced with death,
Defying fate with bated breath.
The beast roared high, the flames rose fast,
Till frost gave way to fire at last.
Now Carosso sings, the banners rise,
For heroes crowned beneath the skies.
The North stands strong, the dragon's slain,
And legends live in song's refrain.
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause, raising their goblets in a toast. Nina, standing among the revelers, beamed with pride as her name, too, had been woven into the melody.
"You've truly become legends," she said with admiration, lifting her glass to Li Ran and Darkmoon Dragon Princess.
Li Ran smirked. "Legends, huh? Feels like we're just getting started."
A Night of Warmth and Serenity
After the grand celebration, Li Ran and the Darkmoon Dragon Princess retreated from the revelry, returning to their sanctuary—the finest inn in Carosso, a luxurious estate reserved only for high-ranking adventurers and nobles.
The fire crackled in the grand hearth of their private chamber, casting golden hues against the velvet drapes and polished marble. The scent of warm spices lingered in the air, and outside the balcony, the moon hung high over the capital, illuminating the snow-kissed streets.
Darkmoon Dragon Princess sighed softly as she nestled into Li Ran's chest, her silver hair cascading over his arm.
"Tonight was quite the spectacle," she murmured. "Songs, feasts, titles… but none of that matters to me as much as this moment."
Li Ran chuckled, his fingers absently running through her hair. "So, what does matter?"
She tilted her head up, her crimson eyes gleaming with quiet certainty. "That I'm here. With you."
For a moment, silence filled the room—comfortable, warm, unbreakable.
Li Ran closed his eyes, resting his chin lightly against her hair. "Then that's enough for me, too."
Outside, Carosso's festivities continued, but within the soft glow of their chamber, their world was peaceful.
The legend of the Guardians of the North had only just begun. But for tonight, they simply were—two souls entwined in warmth, far from the cold of the battlefield, resting before the next great adventure.