Fortunately, the rain was falling so hard that the watery veil falling from the sky blurred the outlines of everything around. Trees, houses, and even people's silhouettes were only vaguely discernible, like ethereal shadows in the fog. Dark, rain-filled clouds crawled across the sky like heavy leaden waves, touching the top of the castle tower. Everything around seemed gloomy as if the sky itself was thickening in anticipation of a thunderstorm, increasing fear and anxiety. Streams of water boiled over the pavement, mixing the blood of fallen soldiers with the mud, creating red rivers in the whirlpools.

My cloak was soaked to the skin, but I still pulled it over my back, trying to cover my wings. Pressed against the slippery stone wall, I practically merged with it, feeling the water flowing down my shoulders as if nature itself was trying to hide me from the enemy's sight. I had to wait for Cryonax to land on his landing pad and enter the castle.

The dragon's roar echoed across the area, causing the ground to shake. He was calling his servants to attention. As soon as his massive paws touched the stone platform, the heavy double doors swung open, sheltering Cryonax from the downpour. I froze, watching his every move, knowing that I would have to act soon.

Through the sound of the rain, I saw how the drops of water glittered on Cryonax's dark scales, flowing down like living creatures trying to leave his body. Each drop, striking the surface, left traces behind, as if emphasizing his majestic power. His skin was smooth and damp, shimmering in deep shades of blue and green, and the water, as if nature itself was trying to wash away the marks of battle, flowed down his muscular sides. Cryonax's hide seemed impenetrable, giving him the appearance of not only a ferocious predator but also a magnificent creature in which power and grace resided.

The double doors had not yet slammed shut when I covered the distance from the wall to the entrance in a few jumps and slipped inside the castle, trying not to attract attention. This time, my attention was focused not on the luxurious halls and majestic architecture, but on the master who had appeared - Cryonax.

Despite the storm outside, an oppressive silence reigned inside the castle, broken only by the sound of the dragon's heavy footsteps.

Cryonax was met by the majordomo - a tall and broad-shouldered man with a stony expression on his face, but with a noticeable shadow of fear in his eyes. He bowed respectfully when the dragon passed by, not deigning to even glance at him. An ursi, a small, fluffy creature with shiny fur, who looked surprisingly calm, as if he felt safe even in the presence of such a dangerous master, was comfortably settled on the majordomo's shoulder.

The servants, hidden in the shadows of the columns and behind massive curtains, exchanged timid glances, afraid to make an unnecessary move. Their faces expressed only anxiety and trepidation as if each of them was afraid of falling under the menacing gaze of his master. Cryonax walked forward confidently and unhurriedly, like someone in complete control of the situation, not expecting any threat. The servants froze in fear when the dragon passed by, respectfully bowing their heads and trying not to show emotions other than devotion and obedience.

The manager raised his hands, greeting his formidable master:

"Oh, my lord! You have returned home safe and sound, praise be to the Heavenly Father!"

I did not wait for the flow of laudatory speeches to dry up; My attention was drawn to the fluffy one.

n order to get hold of the little translator, I hooked the majordomo's leg and picked up the furry little animal in my arms, trying not to harm it. So that it wouldn't run away in fright, I quickly whispered:

"My name is Oris, I have a little friend, your tribesman, his name is Tush. But he is not with me now, and I need your help."

Ursi snorted in displeasure, and I realized that if I loosened my grip, he would immediately run away.

"I won't hurt you, I need to ask Cryonax something," I added, trying to calm the furry little animal.

"You could have asked anyway, why did you have to grab me."

His displeasure was obvious, and it seemed to me that the furry little animal was offended. If he doesn't cooperate with me, then there will be no frank dialogue between me and the dragon.

In addition, the majordomo, having recovered from my impudent act, began calling the servants, which significantly complicated the situation. Cryonax had not yet realized what had happened, my secrecy was at risk, and now I had to hurry.

I wanted Cryonax not to notice my presence for a little longer, but I hoped in vain. The servants, surprised by the manager's shout, stared at me, and this attracted the dragon's attention. Turning his terrible head in my direction, he became interested in the uninvited guest. The living room resounded with its roar.

"Who is this?" - the fluffy one translated his question. Addressing me, the little translator added:

"My name is Roko, I will help you today."

From the question I understood that Cryonax did not recognize me, and I had to introduce myself:

"I am Oris, the Dragon Slayer! You and I met in the village of Yellow Roofs, where I won the village tournament."

Back in the village, the dragon nearly killed me and my friend Tush. I don't know if he remembered our meeting, but like last time, he wanted to grab me with his powerful clawed paw.

But this time I was better prepared. Snatching the Righteous, I lunged forward and with one powerful blow cut off Cryonax's clawed paw. The sword, like a hot knife, cut through the dragon's thick armor, and for a moment, time seemed to stop. I heard a dull crunch and felt his flesh give in to the blade. Blood gushed from the wound, flooding the floor in thick, scarlet streams.

Cryonax roared, piercingly and furiously, clutching the stump at his elbow, desperately trying to stop the gushing blood.

His eyes filled with rage and pain, they sparkled like fire in the darkness, expressing both hatred and unexpected weakness. I saw his huge muscles tense, preparing for a counterattack. The servants stood in horror, frozen in place, afraid to make even a move, not knowing what awaited them. The dragon's first reaction was to swing his tail at me, but he immediately thought better of it. He realized that if he tried, he would lose it too.

There was no doubt that a counterattack would follow immediately. The dragon swelled up like a bullfrog, preparing to pour a stream of freezing liquid on me. Our clash took place in a hall filled with golden moldings, statues, and decorations that shone, reflecting the light. The magic of gold acted equally on both me and the dragon. Instead of freezing ice, the hall was filled with white fluffy snow, covering expensive furniture, and dishes, stunned servants and me with Roko.

When the dragon's mouth opened, I suddenly realized that my wings, soaked by the rain, could easily be covered with ice under the influence of Cryonax's breath.

"Gehenna! Hellfire!" - these words burst out of me like an involuntary prayer. The magic spell that I thought useless suddenly popped into my consciousness at the most opportune moment. Perhaps Oceania reminded me of it?

At that very moment, I was engulfed in flames, which prevented the cold air from turning me into an ice statue. My clothes, cape, and feathers on my wings dried instantly, but I had missed something.

The dragon, realizing that in the open area, his strength would undoubtedly be greater than in this golden hall, jumped out of the castle in one leap.

He puffed up again, and I saw his powerful wings spread out, preparing for another attack. I knew that this could be a fatal blow for both me and Roko because the dragon was not called Cryonax for nothing.

A moment later, his thunderous roar echoed through the hall, and I felt the ground beneath me tremble with his anger, foreshadowing the coming of a storm.

I instantly went through all the spells I had ever thought up in my head, realizing that there was almost no time left for a counterattack.

To somehow confuse the dragon, I spun several snow whirlwinds, hiding in one of them. The whirlwind spun me around like a mad dance, and I tried to keep my balance when Roko screamed in my ear:

"Stop this carousel! I'm going to puke right on your beautiful clothes!"

Cryonax looked at the round dance of snow whirlwinds, this crazy dance of snowflakes, in confusion, but I noticed a flash of rage in his eyes. The screams of the servants caught up in the crazy whirlpool, the noise of falling furniture, and the clink of golden dishes merged into a continuous cacophony, creating an atmosphere of chaos. Every moment of waiting increased the tension: the dragon was not going to leave me alone.

The whirlwinds rolled out of the castle one after another, settling at Cryonax's feet in sugary snowdrifts. He waited patiently for the snow to finally fall and for the impudent little man who dared to chop off his paw to appear before his eyes. Hatred was visible in his gaze, and on his lips - a hint of a smile full of menace.

When only three of the dozen snow whirlwinds remained, Cryonax decided not to hesitate. He opened his mouth, intending to turn the recently luxurious hall into an eternal glacier. The first drops of freezing liquid began to ooze from his mouth, sparkling in the dim light like poisonous stars. The dragon took a step forward, and at that moment, breaking free from the dizzying snow carousel, I dealt him a fatal blow.

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My sword, imbued with magic, sank into his neck with a crunch, and Cryonax's head rolled across the platform, his body trembling in agony, tearing the silence with a cry of pain.

I jumped to the side to avoid the blow of the still-fluttering tail, which, like a snake, thrashed in agony.

Roko said sadly:

"You deprived me of work."

"Not only you and not only work," I answered, barely containing my emotions. "Don't worry, I will introduce you to my friends, they will not let you perish."

Dragon blood drenched the landing pad, flowing in dark streams that mixed with the golden decor, turning the opulent hall into a scene from a nightmare.

The rain from the sky had subsided, but the clouds still obscured the sky, creating a gloomy atmosphere in which even the air seemed thick and tense. Cryonax's head, with its eyes dull and its tongue hanging out, lay on the floor, and I couldn't help but think that it would make a good trophy - a reminder of victory, but also that fear and death always walk side by side.

At the same moment, when I was considering my next steps, my heart began to beat faster. I understood that in this world, victories are never final.

The dragon's head, stained with its blood, lay motionless, but its body continued to walk, staggering, as if not wanting to submit to fate. The neck was no longer bleeding, and the tail, like a whip, was lashing from side to side, not allowing anyone to come closer.

"Why are you hesitating?" Roko shouted, looking around anxiously. "Finish him off!"

I stood there, watching this agonizing creature. It was a strange feeling. I felt no pity for the dragon. He was an accomplice in Perina's murder. And yet, a dragon without a head seemed more terrifying than one with a head. I looked at his mangled body and tried to understand why this contradictory feeling arose within me now, at a moment when victory was almost mine.

It is human nature to show mercy, isn't it? Enemies must be defeated, but should they be destroyed? Mercy is what distinguishes us from them, from those who inflict pain for the sake of strength or power. But wouldn't it make me the same as them if I plunged my sword into his chest now, depriving him of his last breath? Killing out of fear or revenge would turn me into a monster. To be human is to have a choice. The choice to spare.

But did Cryonax spare the dragoness's mother when she fell to his fangs? And his brother Pyronax, did he feel sorry for Chiquita? The little, innocent dragoness who never learned to fly? How many children have dragons taken from people? How many houses have they burned to the ground? The house where my beloved Ulia lived turned to ashes because of their breath alone. The terrible dragoness Laverna ate only young people.

Maybe this dragon does not deserve a second chance, but my hand still does not rise to finish him off. What drives me? Fear? Or is it still the belief that sometimes mercy can change the outcome of a fight? Sometimes forgiveness is stronger than the sword.

"You are playing with fire," Roko said quietly, but I just nodded.

Perhaps I was stalling for time, thinking about the best way to act.

"Look, he has grown a severed paw. I warned you!" Roko said, snorting excitedly.

I carefully lowered the fluffy creature to the ground and said:

"If you've been to the central part of the city, then you probably know where Tomtom's tavern is. Wait for me there. And tell those who live in the castle that the owner doesn't need to be fed today and that he'll be spending the night away from home."

Roko looked at me incredulously, as if he couldn't believe his ears:

"What do you mean, not spending the night at home? The dragon just returned, and you think he'll ignore all this?"

His voice was full of doubt.

I didn't have time to explain. I saw two new heads growing in place of Cryonax's severed head, and their sizes promised that the dragon would soon recover.

I assumed that Cryonax, armed with two heads, would try to attack me again. Clutching my sword tighter, I spread my legs, preparing for a collision. It seemed that he was about to turn around, and one head would shower me with cold, and the other with scorching fire. But the dragon decided to do it his way. Spreading wide, leathery, bat-like wings, he soared upward, towards the dying rain.

I had to wrap myself in the fire again to dry my wings. I had chosen a very unfortunate model for this. Drying the snow-white feathers took only a few minutes, and when I finally soared into the sky, I managed to pierce the heavy rain clouds and rise above them. Cryonax flew away, heading west, and I rushed after him without delay, which I soon regretted very much.

When I reached the height where the rain gave way to a light cloud of fog, the wind hit me in the face, and I realized that I was alone. Cryonax was already far away, his shadows merging with the cloudy sky. I sped up, but with each passing minute, I realized that the distance between us was growing.

Suddenly, a sense of unease washed over me. I wasn't just chasing a dragon; I was heading toward a danger I couldn't predict. Cryonax was probably looking for cover, and I knew that his power in the open sky was undeniable.

Every cell in my body screamed that I was making a mistake, but there was no stopping. I had to find out where he was going, and the sooner the better.

Cryonax had flown away not because he wanted to, but because I had let him go.

A memory of my younger brother Serge, who, when he was bullied by older, stronger children, ran to me, crying out for help, came to me. If this scheme works for people, then perhaps it will work for dragons, too.

By breaking into the castle, I had seriously offended Cryonax, and, not daring to fight me "one on one", he seemed to have decided to resort to the help of his older brother, Pyronax.

I understood that in this regard, dragons are not so different from people. They also seek protection from the strong when they feel threatened. My assumptions were correct when I saw the dragon flying away, leaving behind only a trail of fog and a mysterious tremor in the air.

My heart began to beat faster. I knew that only one outcome would follow him: Pyronax would not forgive what I did to his younger brother. I had to be careful because confronting two dragons at the same time would be sheer madness. My mind was leaving me, but the desire to stop the flying monsters and protect those who could suffer from their wrath only grew stronger.

I rose higher, above the clouds. From this height, I could see Cryonax flying below, looking over his shoulder, occasionally belching out either ice streams or fiery flashes from his two heads. His roar reverberated across the area, frightening the civilians. Below, the peasants were running around in panic, their faces turned to the sky, where a threat was hovering. In desperation, mothers took their children to basements and hid them in closets, and the men, armed with everything that came to hand, prepared to defend themselves, not understanding who or what.

I flew after him, keeping enough distance to stay out of his sight. I even found the so-called "blind spot" between his two heads, where Cryonax could not notice me.

The dragon moved confidently, heading north, his massive wings rhythmically flapping, piercing the air.

I soon realized that I had made an unforgivable miscalculation. In my eagerness to follow the dragon, I forgot about one important factor - my own body. I had not slept for more than a day, and before that, my flights were short and rare. Now it was a real marathon, in which I had to compete with a creature for whom such distances were a common thing.

After an hour of exhausting flight, I felt my back begin to ache, my muscles burning from the unusual load. With each flap of my wings, the pain became more and more intense, as if my body was reminding me of its

I realized that it was impossible to continue the flight at the same pace. The pain in my muscles prevented me from concentrating, and I decided to resort to cunning. Remaining in a blind spot, I began to descend sharply, heading for the dragon's tail. My goal was clear: to get to a place where he would not feel me. The fall lasted a few moments, but they seemed like an eternity until I grabbed the bone ridge at the base of the tail. Now I could fold my wings and give them a break.

Cryonax didn't notice my presence. He continued to fly forward as if nothing had happened, filling the sky with his roar. I, clinging to his body, looked down.

The clouds beneath us dispersed, revealing an incredible view before me. Below stretched the blue mirrors of lakes, the winding lines of rivers, and a little further rose the majestic snow-white mountains. Their tops were covered with snow that seemed to never melt.

I noticed that this was not just snow - the mountains looked as if they were carved from white marble or another shiny mineral. They resembled huge frozen sugar ridges created by nature.

But this did not distract me from the main thing. In the distance, gaining altitude and rapidly approaching, I finally saw what I had been waiting for so long. Cryonax's calls were answered by his older brother - Pyronax.

The massive fire-breathing monster that was rapidly approaching was twice the size of its little brother, its silhouette against the clear sky looking terrifying, and its wings were bringing it closer to us with each flap.

Ursi Roko [https://i.imgur.com/r5VF1o1.jpeg]