I Only Tame Dragons

As he moved swiftly through the forest, Horizon's mind remained sharp. He knew the odds weren't in their favor.

The Kingdom of Stars was a top-tier guild, well-equipped, experienced, and known for their magic and scrolls. But that didn't matter. Horizon thrived in situations where others counted him out.

The forest was eerily quiet, save for the sound of leaves rustling in the wind. Horizon didn't slow down. He knew there was a low chance of encountering the enemy on his way to their base—they would be focused on their own spell to get to their base faster. Still, he kept his guard up, ready to react at a moment's notice.

Meanwhile, back at Nyx Guild's base, Von stretched lazily, casting a glance at the hill where their flag waved gently in the breeze. "Well, here we go. Time to defend the hill."

"Just stay focused," Frigid muttered, his eyes scanning the forest ahead. "They'll come soon."

"And when they do, we'll hold them off," Von said confidently, a grin playing on his lips. "It's not like we haven't faced worse odds before." Find your next adventure on empire

Silphie remained quiet, standing slightly behind the two. She was hungry for dessert while Lydia remained uneasy and nervous for what was about to come.

The calm before the storm lasted only a moment as four radiant figures materialized one after another, each cloaked in shimmering mana. Aeloria, the Archmage. Trisha, the Elemental Sorceress. Theron, the Stormcaller. Liora, the Enchantress.

Their arrival through teleportation magic was as dramatic as it was intimidating, with arcs of elemental energy crackling around them.

"They're here," Von muttered, though his eyes were glued more to the beautiful women of the Kingdom of Stars than to the threat they posed.

Lydia's face paled as recognition dawned. Her voice trembled slightly as she whispered, "T-this is bad . . . That's Aeloria. Her stats are rumored to be in the 400-500 range. She's said to have the most devastating spells in Eternia at her level!"

Aeloria stepped forward, her long, flowing robes fluttering unnaturally as if stirred by invisible winds. She gripped her ornate staff, which pulsed with a cold, azure glow. At first glance the weapon was at least Gold Tier. With a regal, unyielding expression, she issued a single warning, her voice carrying an almost melodic yet menacing tone.

"I offer you one chance to surrender and forfeit. Though you may leave humiliated, you will keep your lives."

Von, ever the rogue, chuckled softly, unphased by the danger before them. With a playful grin, he bowed slightly and said, "The only thing I want to keep right now . . . is you, my lovely lady."

Before he could say more, smack! Lydia's palm collided with the back of his head.

"Be serious about this!" she hissed, exasperated by his antics.

Von rubbed the back of his head and winked at her. "No need to be jealous, my sweet Lydia. I'm yours forever."

Lydia groaned, shoving him aside as her legs shook slightly, though her face showed unwavering determination. She took a deep breath, gathering her courage. With her head held high, despite her obvious nerves, she declared, "Let's not waste our breath here. If you want our flag—come and take it, if you can!"

Beside her, Silphie and Frigid gave firm nods, their expressions steely with determination. Von's grin only widened, showing no sign of fear. Lydia might have been trembling like a leaf, but they all knew she was reliable when it mattered most. She always came through when things got serious, even if she acted like a nervous wreck in times like this.

Aeloria's eyes narrowed, her grip on her staff tightening. The aura around her flickered dangerously as she let out a slow, measured breath.

"So be it."

The tension exploded into action. Lydia ducked behind Frigid instantly, calling out nervously, "Frigid! We're counting on you!"

Frigid responded with a firm nod, his massive hands already braced in front of him, gleaming with enchanted reinforcement. The ground beneath his feet seemed to shudder as he planted himself firmly, ready to be the immovable wall between his team and the enemy.

Meanwhile, Von, Silphie, and Lydia quickly shifted into formation. Silphie's delicate hands moved gracefully as she began weaving defensive spells, thin layers of protective barriers forming around them. Von unsheathed his guns, while his mischievous grin remained ever-present.

Lydia clutched her bow and daggers, her hands trembling slightly but her resolve solid.

"Remember the plan!" Von said, his voice unusually steady. "We just need to hold them off long enough for Horizon to get their flag."

On the other side, Aeloria raised her staff high, and a shimmering glyph appeared above her team, glowing with raw magical energy. Without hesitation, Trisha began conjuring a swirling vortex of fire, her fingers tracing intricate runes mid-air. Theron called upon the wind, a gust gathering around him as his eyes flickered with stormy intensity. Liora, with an almost serene smile, began chanting in an ancient tongue, her aura growing denser with every word.

"They're prepping a big spell!" Lydia squeaked, her instincts screaming at her to run. But she didn't move. Instead, she gathered her own mana and prepared to counter.

Von glanced at her and grinned. "Relax, Lydia. We've got Frigid. Nothing's breaking through him."

Frigid slammed his hands into the ground, and a crystalline layer of ice began spreading outward, fortifying their defenses. The ground beneath them hardened into an icy bastion, creating a solid line of defense.

Aeloria's voice rang out like a bell.

"Advance!"

The Kingdom of Stars didn't hesitate. With their spells charged and ready, they began their assault, moving in unison like a well-oiled machine.

=== ===

Back at the enemy base, Horizon crouched low behind dense foliage, watching the hill where the Kingdom of Stars' flag fluttered proudly atop a small stone pillar. The wind rustled the leaves around him, masking his presence as he observed his surroundings. His heart beat steadily, his mind sharp and focused.

"So they left one defender . . ." he murmured to himself, his eyes locking onto a lone figure standing guard at the base.

It was Cedrick, the Warlock, clad in dark robes, his fingers glowing faintly with the aura of necromancy. He seemed relaxed but alert, his sharp eyes scanning the area for any sign of intruders.

"Just as I thought," Horizon muttered. "They sent four of their strongest to attack us, leaving only one behind to defend. They're betting on overwhelming my team quickly."

A small smile crept onto his face. "Looks like they leave one behind who have all the fancy Artifacts with him."