The sun had yet to rise.
A cold wind swept past them, but none of them flinched—no one dared to pause, not even for a second.
Their steps were silent and deliberate, each one carefully placed as they scanned the ground beneath them.
Hades led the group, with Cedric just behind him.
To their left walked Taylor and Jasmine—the latter visibly tense. This was the biggest mission of her life, and the pressure was sinking in.
Bringing up the rear was Graham, acting as a wall against any ambush from behind.
They moved in formation—each step synchronized, each movement calculated. Every one of them was ready to protect the other if danger struck.
GRUOOGH
"Halt."
Hades raised his fist, and the team froze instantly. The silence was so thick, even their own breathing felt muted.
Hades turned to Graham, who understood immediately. The big man stepped forward and lowered his shield.
Hades climbed onto it, and with steady strength, Graham lifted him up—higher and higher—until Hades gave a soft signal to stop.
They were moving along a steep slope, with the minefield perched above it. From his elevated position, Hades could now see the terrain clearly, scanning for threats and planning their next move.
Hades tapped Graham's head lightly, signaling him to lower the shield. The leader stepped back onto the ground with a quiet thud.
"I only saw fifteen up there," Hades reported. "I think the rest either flew off or were hiding inside the cave."
Graham frowned. "No way they flew off—we'd have heard it."
Given how close their base was to the minefield, and the fact that no one had truly slept all night, it was hard to imagine the dragons leaving without being noticed.
"So they're hiding? But why?" Taylor asked, puzzled.
Dragons usually preferred to stay out in the open unless threatened. With no visible danger nearby, it was odd—unnatural—for them to suddenly retreat.
"Maybe… we should wait another day?" Taylor suggested, doubt creeping into his voice. "Just to be sure nothing's wrong?"
For a moment, uncertainty flickered in Hades' eyes.
But then—
Tch.
"And give the Capital a chance to take the credit?" Cedric scoffed. "We've got today. If we delay, this mission slips from our hands and stains our record."
Taylor went quiet, the reality of those words sinking in.
Graham smirked. "You could just admit you don't want our dear Leader missing his shot at a license."
Taylor chuckled under his breath while Hades could only smile, a little helplessly.
Cedric rolled his eyes. "Can we focus now?"
Every eye turned to Hades, waiting for his word.
The redhead no longer hesitated. His voice was calm, clear, and resolute.
"We stick to the original plan. If something unexpected happens, we retreat. Don't worry about our pride or my license. Understood?"
Everyone gave a firm nod.
....
More than a dozen gray-scaled dragons lay curled around the nest, shielding the eggs three females had laid nearly two years ago. They basked in the land's warmth, their massive bodies coiled protectively, their breathing slow and steady.
The only sound that stirred the air was the wind howling through the rocks.
Until something else stirred it.
GRRRRR
One of the dragons growled low, ears twitching. It heard something—movement. Its eyes flicked to the eggs, then to the slope below.
Then suddenly—
A figure spun into the air from the hillside, landing in full view.
All at once, more than a dozen reptilian eyes snapped open. Their slit pupils dilated, and bloodlust flooded the field in oppressive waves.
But Hades didn't flinch.
Not after coming this far.
"CEDRIC!"
A sharp sound sliced through the air.
From behind, a crystal burst toward him—large, gleaming, and perfectly aimed. It struck his back... and vanished, absorbed instantly.
Jasmine gasped, but Taylor and Graham remained still.
Hades raised his glowing left hand, already charged with ether. His eyes locked onto the nest.
He whispered,
"Release."
A spike of ice tore from his palm, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle—
and a split second later—
BOOOOOOM
The explosion roared across the field, shaking the ground. Birds screamed into the sky. The blast engulfed the nest in white fire and smoke.
The dragons froze, stunned—
until they saw it.
Shattered eggs. Bloodied fragments. The mangled remains of their younglings.
For one heavy breath, silence reigned.
Then—
Hell broke loose.
*GHUOOOOOO*
The dragons roared in agony and rage.
The other four members also jumped to stand beside their leader, their eyes focused on the dragons—ready to engage
However, Taylor's eyes caught an unusual sight.
Hades was clutching his chest and looked in pain, urging the tactician to ask, "You good?"
Hades nodded, biting his tongue, he relayed, "Let's slay these bastards."
°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Should I increase word count? Thanks for reading. Drop a comment.