I Only Tame Dragons

Meanwhile, back at Horizon's base, Von's grin never wavered as the battle began in earnest.

Fire, wind, and lightning clashed against Frigid's icy barrier, creating a spectacle that lit up the battlefield. Despite the overwhelming firepower of the Kingdom of Stars, Frigid held strong, his shield glowing with frost magic as cracks began forming beneath his feet.

"Hold the line!" Von shouted, his guns flashing as he deflected an incoming bolt of lightning from Theron.

Silphie continued casting her barriers, reinforcing Frigid and the others. Sweat dripped down her brow, but her focus never wavered. Lydia, trembling but determined, unleashed bursts of mana to disrupt their enemies' spells.

"They're pushing harder than I thought . . ." Von muttered, his expression tightening slightly. Still, his grin didn't fade.

Despite the chaos, they held firm. Against all odds, they refused to give ground.

Aeloria's expression darkened as the battle dragged on.

"They're better than I expected . . ."

If only they had three more members with stat ranges above 400, breaking through Frigid's defenses would have been a breeze.

Unfortunately for the Kingdom of Stars, the reality was far from that. Among them, only Aeloria and Theron could deliver any real damage. Trisha and Liora, standing at the back, focused entirely on support—boosting their allies' strength and sustaining them through spells and enchantments. Yet, despite their efforts, the battle dragged on with little progress.

The problem wasn't just Frigid's impenetrable defense; it was the nature of his unique ability. The more damage he took, the stronger his defenses grew, creating an unyielding barrier that absorbed every blow with increasing resilience. Find your next adventure on empire

Adding to their frustration, Silphie's continuous reinforcement of Frigid's health and defensive magic ensured he remained an unbreakable wall. At this rate, Aeloria and her team wouldn't even get close to Von and the others, let alone their flag.

"Looks like we'll have to get serious," Aeloria muttered under her breath, a hint of annoyance creeping into her otherwise calm voice. Her sharp eyes flicked toward Theron, who immediately understood her unspoken command. "Plan A, now!"

Theron gave a curt nod, and without hesitation, both mages retrieved gleaming medallions from their inventory. These medallions weren't ordinary tools; they were powerful relics capable of instant-casting devastating spells without the usual time delay.

Aeloria gripped hers tightly, her aura flaring as arcane energy swirled around her. Theron mirrored her movements, lightning sparking around his hands, crackling with destructive potential.

Von, standing behind Frigid, felt the sudden spike of magical energy. His eyes widened in alarm. "Oh, shit. Frigid, now!" he barked, urgency lacing his voice.

Frigid needed no further prompting. His massive frame tensed, and with a guttural grunt, he slammed both fists into the ground. In an instant, an ice-blue dome erupted around him, encasing their flag and everyone in layers of thick, reinforced ice.

The dome wasn't just solid—it shimmered with defensive runes, each glowing faintly as Silphie's magic intertwined with Frigid's, further amplifying its strength.

"They're going all out!" Lydia exclaimed, her voice quivering slightly. She took a hesitant step back, her instincts screaming at her to flee. "Von, do we really have to stick around for this? They're about to blow us to pieces!"

"Relax," Von said, though even he sounded a bit unsure. "Frigid's got this. Besides . . ." He glanced toward the forest behind them, where Horizon had long since vanished. "We just need to buy a little more time."

Aeloria raised her staff high, the medallion glowing brighter with each passing second. "Theron, synchronize with me!" she commanded, her voice ringing across the battlefield.

"On your mark!" Theron replied, his eyes locked onto the icy barrier. His hands moved in fluid, practiced motions, gathering a swirling vortex of wind and lightning. Together, they prepared to unleash a combined spell powerful enough to obliterate anything in its path.

Liora and Trisha stood at the ready, channeling their magic into defensive wards around Aeloria and Theron. They knew this was a gamble—an all-or-nothing move—but if it succeeded, they could end the battle in one decisive strike.

Von clenched his jaw. He could feel the overwhelming magical pressure mounting as the two enemy mages prepared their attack. "Frigid, brace yourself! This one's going to hurt!"

Frigid didn't respond. His focus was absolute, his expression like stone as frost spread across the ground beneath him, fortifying the icy dome with every second. Silphie hovered beside him, her small hands glowing with soft green light as she poured more healing and protective energy into him.

"This is it . . . ," Lydia whispered, clutching her staff tightly. "If they break through . . . ,"

"They won't," Von said firmly. His grin returned, though it lacked its usual playfulness. "If they think they can blast their way through Frigid, they're in for a rude awakening."

Aeloria's staff pulsed with radiant light as she completed the final incantation. "Now, Theron!"

"Tempest Surge!" Theron roared, releasing a massive torrent of wind and lightning aimed directly at the dome. At the same moment, Aeloria unleashed a catastrophic wave of arcane fire. The two forces merged midair, forming a spiraling vortex of elemental destruction that hurtled toward Frigid's defenses.

The audience gasped in unison, eyes glued to the massive screen displaying the battle. Even those who had dismissed Horizon's team earlier leaned forward in their seats, unable to tear their gaze away from the unfolding spectacle.

A deafening explosion rocked the battlefield as the combined spell struck the icy dome. Energy rippled outward in violent waves, shaking the very ground. Smoke and debris obscured the view for several tense moments.

When the dust began to clear, the result became evident.

Frigid stood tall, his icy barrier cracked but unbroken. Faint tendrils of steam rose from the surface where the spell had struck, but the defensive runes continued to shimmer faintly, indicating that the barrier still held. Silphie, though visibly drained, continued to channel her magic, ensuring Frigid's endurance.

Aeloria's eyes narrowed in frustration. "Impossible . . . J-just how . . . how high is that giant's defenses?"

The audience was equally stunned—despite the devastating attack, the giant still stood, and Horizon's team remained alive and intact. Even more surprising was that the Kingdom of Stars, with all their overwhelming firepower, still couldn't capture the flag.