Yuki watched the battle unfold from his perch high above. His claws flexed in agitation as he observed Lumi and Elira fighting against the creature. His heart beat faster—not from excitement, but from a strange sense of concern.
They're so much stronger now… Yuki thought. But there was something else in him—a deeper, instinctual need to protect them, to shield them from harm.
For a moment, he hesitated. Should he intervene?
He felt Sylvaeria's eyes on him before she spoke. "You're not just a dragon, Yuki. You've always been more than that. Do you remember what you told me? About wanting to matter? Here's your chance. You can make a difference, not just in their lives, but in your own."
Yuki growled low in his throat. "I can't just throw away what I am. I'm a dragon. And I won't apologize for it."
"But you're not just that," Sylvaeria said softly. "You're the protector of this land, its spirit. You can be the man they need you to be."
His crimson eyes narrowed. Could he really show them more than just a beast? Could he show them the heart of the man he once was?
His wings unfurled, and he dove down toward the battle below, his massive form cutting through the air like a comet. The ground trembled as Yuki landed between Elira, Lumi, and the creature, his presence overwhelming the air with raw power.
"Elira. Lumi. Stand back," Yuki's voice rumbled, deep and commanding.
The two women turned, their eyes wide in shock.
"I've got this."