9 A GAME OF THRONES (1/2)

Cold. Valfern shivered as he plummeted to the sea of flames.

The sore in his stomach numbed as if he dove in a tub of ice. Then the temperature changed.

A thin blue fiery aura coated Valfern's body, keeping him and his sack from catching fire. Warmth then flooded his blood vessels, renewing his strength.

”Kill!” a primordial voice said inside Valfern's head. All the pent-up frustrations in his life—the missing loved ones, the abusive kingdom, and the violence he sustained—burst out of him. It was then that the surrounding flames blazed blue in the shape of a dragon's head.

Everyone gaped in awe.

”Monster! Save your lives!” Mayhem ensued as the crowd ran from their seats.

Valfern flapped his way out with a pair of fiery blue wings. His eyes also blazed in the same color. He was like a beast unleashed from hell.

Even King Egbert stood from his throne and gulped.

”King Egbert is that-”

”A Dragon Hunter! Yes! The last of them,” King Egbert said, cutting off Mister Piorquee.

”Come to me, angel of death! I've been waiting for your arrival all my life! Come!” Doug howled in laughter as he pounded his chest.

Valfern landed on the platform, splitting the surrounding floor.

Doug pounced, unmoved by Valfern's transformation. He greeted him with a fist.

Valfern blocked the strike with his palm. He then ripped out Doug's hand in one pull.

”Yes! Just like that!” Doug grinned as blood spurted out of his torn shoulder.

Valfern snatched Doug's head and raised him. With a squeeze, he crushed his skull. Blue flames then engulfed the headless body.

”No wonder his kind was exterminated! Th-They're the children of destruction!” Mister Piorquee said. Horror filled his eyes.

Doug's body turned into ashes in just a few seconds. Valfern then fell on the floor. The fiery blue aura around him hissed as it vaporized into black smoke.

”Sir, what do we do?” The man in a crimson scale armor reappeared on the top-most level of the eastern tower.

”Talos. Lead all the Reapers and kill him!” Imogen said. He then spoke through the horn. ”All citizens of Soden, please leave the coliseum now! We won't take responsibility for any casualties. For the members of the royalties and noble families, stay in the towers!”