Chapter Twenty

----------------------------------------

Five Years Later…

----------------------------------------

I gasped, my wings trembling from the exhaustion of the climb, as I finally reached the summit of the cliff. My massive paws strained against the rocks, pulling me to the edge where a gaping hole awaited me, plunging deep into the heart of the cliff. There, at the entrance, sat a solitary figure - a majestic dragon with scales the color of ice, shimmering in the sunlight.

"Hello, Fenrir. It took you long enough," the dragon, known as Qaivarth, greeted me with a chuckle. I bowed my head in respect, feeling the weight of his presence bearing down on me. "Yes, great one. But you certainly know how to hide."

Qaivarth's eyes gleamed with amusement. "It is my pride, young one. An illusion so potent, not even dragons can see through it. Are you ready to test your strength against me?"

My breath caught in my throat. "Yes, that is why I have come."

The dragon raised his head, a sense of ancient wisdom emanating from him. "You are not yet at your full power, Fenrir. Are you sure you wish to proceed?"

I hesitated, unsure of my own capabilities. "That is true. What name shall I call you by?"

Qaivarth's gaze turned towards the horizon, a sense of longing in his eyes. "You may call me Qaivarth, the Shield. Do you know how I earned that name?"

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“No.”

“Long ago, during the Second Age, I found a mate. Lyn, the Rising Sun. We had three hatchlings.

Yvon, the Light Giver. Nike, the Victorious. And Jyridd, the Silent Shadow.

Then, during the Third Age, when the humans hunted down and killed many mythic beasts, Lyn was killed by humans. I froze their entire kingdom, and it created these mountains, eventually. That is why they are called the Frozen Mountains.

I gave refuge to many dragons, and eventually, I became known as Qaivarth the Shield. Now, little Fenrir, I give you this gift.”

As he recounted his tale of loss and vengeance, I listened in awe, feeling a newfound respect for this legendary dragon. When he offered me a gift, a single scale from his chest, I accepted without hesitation, I felt it become a maelstrom of magic, swirling deep within me. I closed my eyes and focused more closely on it. I felt it coalesce into a evershifting orb, moving deep within me. When I open my eyes, a notification appears.

The legendary dragon, Qaivarth the Shield, has gifted you a single scale.

Processing…

I look at the dragon in awe. “I never stood a chance, did I?”

Processing complete. Your bloodline has awakened.

“You may have defeated me, little Fenrir, but the mountains would have been destroyed in our battle. I could not risk it.”

Hail, Aella the Sentinel. Hail, Aella of the Shattered Moon.

Hail, Fenrir of the Eternal Storm.

A black collar clanged to the ground. The dragon lifted his head to the sky as I grew.

“Hail, Aella the Sentinel! Hail, Aella of the Shattered Moon! Hail, Fenrir of the Eternal Storm!”