I Only Tame Dragons

A collective shiver ran through the group, and even Trisha, who was still new to this life, felt a sense of dread at the mention of the Queen's wrath.

She had heard whispers of the Queen's punishment, but no one dared speak openly about it. The mere thought was enough to make her heart race with fear.

"It's not just about winning anymore," Aeloria continued, her voice steady despite the fear in her chest. "It's about survival. We can't back out now. Not unless we want to face the consequences of forfeiting this game."

Theron, Liora, and Trisha exchanged uneasy glances, their minds racing. Aeloria's words weighed heavily on them, but none of them could deny the truth of what she was saying. There was no turning back now. They were too deep in this to retreat.
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"It's either fight or face the wrath of Cedrick and the Queen," Aeloria said, her tone cold and resolute. "So we fight."

Liora swallowed hard, her eyes still locked on Von. "If we fight, we're not just battling a cursed creature. We're risking everything."

"And that's the reality of it," Aeloria replied. "But we have no choice." She turned to face her team, her expression hardening. "We win, or we lose everything. Now, gather yourselves. Prepare for what's coming."

The team fell into a tense silence, each of them contemplating the choice ahead. There was no easy way out of this. No matter what they decided, the consequences would be dire. But in the end, they had no option but to push forward, to fight with everything they had left.

As Aeloria's gaze met Von's again, she steeled herself for the battle ahead. She knew the dangers of facing a Nightcrawler, but she also knew that if they didn't act now, it would be too late. The cursed creature before them was powerful, unpredictable, and dangerous—but they weren't going to let fear rule them.

And so, despite the terror rising within them all, they gathered their strength. They would fight, for better or worse, and hope that it wouldn't be the end of them all.

"Looks like they won't be giving up anytime soon," Lydia muttered, her voice tinged with worry as her gaze remained locked on the opposing team. Her fingers tightened around her staff, betraying the unease she tried to hide.

Von's expression remained calm, but beneath the surface, unease churned. Despite his initial bravado, he knew the truth—this wasn't a fight he could take lightly.

The risk of using his vampiric powers loomed over him like a shadow, a double-edged sword he wasn't eager to wield recklessly. The curse carried a price, one that could rob him of his sanity if he allowed it to consume him.

He clenched his fists, feeling the faint hum of dark energy stirring just beneath his skin. Tap into it just a little, he told himself, just enough to keep them at bay without losing control.

But even a small slip could spell disaster—not just for him, but for everyone on his team.

"In this battle," Von said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air, "we don't need to overpower them. We just have to hold out. If we can stall long enough, Horizon will get their flag, or their weapons will break. Either way, this isn't about fighting to the death—it's about surviving until the end."

He turned to face his team, his crimson eyes gleaming with resolve. "Stay behind me. Frigid, focus on recovering your HP. You're no good to us in your current state, and we can't afford to lose you." His tone left no room for argument. "Silphie, Lydia—stay back and provide support. Don't overextend. Cover me with ranged attacks and focus on disruption."

Frigid frowned, clearly frustrated by the order, but he knew Von was right. His breathing was still labored, and his limbs felt heavier than they should. Charging into the fray now would only be a liability. With a reluctant nod, he backed off slightly, placing his trust in Von's leadership.

"Understood," Lydia said, forcing herself to steady her trembling hands. She glanced at Silphie, who gave her a curt nod of agreement. The tension between them was thick, but they shared the same thought—Von was their best chance at holding the line.

"Von," Silphie said quietly, stepping closer. Her voice was calm, but her eyes betrayed the concern she felt. "Are you sure you can handle this? You're already walking a fine line with that curse."

Von didn't answer immediately. He glanced down at his hands, where faint tendrils of dark energy flickered before vanishing into nothingness. "I'll manage," he said, his voice quieter now.

He then raffled Silphie's hair and grinned at her. "Don't worry, I will be fine. It's a promise."

Silphie nodded silently, choosing not to say anything more. There was something different about Von now, something that unsettled her. Compared to how he was before—calm, teasing, and often lighthearted—this version of him felt distant and serious, almost as if he were an entirely different person. Even his voice had changed, carrying a depth and crispiness that hadn't been there before.

She wasn't sure how to feel about it. This side of him, cold and commanding, felt unfamiliar, and it left her uneasy. Though she trusted Von, being around this new version of him—this darker, more dangerous identity—made it hard for her to relax. Still, she knew now wasn't the time for doubts. Whatever he had become, he was still their Von, and they had no choice but to follow his lead.

Von couldn't afford to let doubt creep in—not now, not when they were all depending on him. He had fought alongside these people long enough to know that trust was their greatest weapon, and he couldn't let his fears undermine that trust.

Taking a deep breath, Von shifted his stance, his muscles tensing as he prepared for the inevitable clash. The opposing team was already regrouping, their leader barking orders as they prepared for another assault.

Von's eyes narrowed, focusing on the movements of their front-liners. He didn't want to kill especially the women, but if push came to shove, he would have no choice but to do it.