Elira was patrolling through the dense forest that wrapped at the edge of Astrael City—the heart of the Emberheart Kingdom. Her lantern's yellow glow cut a narrow path through the darkness, pushing back the shadows that clung to the ancient trees.

The night was quiet.

Too quiet.

Suddenly, birds exploded from the branches above, wings beating wildly as they fled into the sky in panic. Elira halted. Her fingers tightened around the lantern as she scanned the forest.

"Who's there…?" she called, lifting the light higher.

No answer.

She moved forward, each step cautious. Why does the forest feel different tonight? she wondered. Every sound felt sharper—too clear, too close.

Then she saw it.

A small red spark fell across the sky.

Elira frowned and looked up. "A shooting star…?" Too bright. Too wrong. The spark didn't fade. It grew—swelling into fire as it streaked downward. The trees reflected its burning light. "Wait—That's—"

Something crashed through the treetops, wrapped in flames. Branches snapped. Fire tore through leaves. The ground shook beneath her feet. Elira dropped the lantern, her mouth wide open in shock. "What in the—?!" Smoke billowed upward as flames licked at broken trees. The scent of ash filled the air. Heart pounding, Elira pulled the bow from her back and slowly approached the burning crater.

"Dra… dragon?" she whispered. Questions swirled in her mind. She had hunted dragons before—that was what hunters in Astrael do. To keep the city alive. But she had never seen anything like this.

Inside the crater lay a man. His shirt was torn, his skin glowing faintly red as steam curled into the night air.

"H-he's alive?" Elira gasped.

She stared at his face—and froze. "Why is he… beautiful?" The thought slipped out before she could stop it.

She knelt beside him and reached for his neck to check his pulse. "Hot—!" She flinched back instantly. "He's burning… How is he alive at this temperature?"

His veins glowed faint gold beneath his skin, like fire flowing through blood.

"Is he cursed?" she whispered.

Then—

Voices. Distant, but unmistakable.

"Did you see that light?"

"It fell near the forest edge."

"Hurry. If it's a dragon, we kill it."

Hunters. Elira's breath hitched. She glanced around—the forest still glowing red, smoke curling through the trees. If they see him, he will die. Her jaw tightened. I shouldn't do this.

But she grabbed his arm and tried to lift him. "Dammit… you're heavier than I expected."

As she dragged him with everything she had across the scorched ground, his fingers twitched.

Elira froze. Her heart slammed against her ribs. "He moved…"

The hunters voices grew closer. She swallowed hard and dragged him deeper into the forest, branches tearing at her cloak, sweat dripping down her spine. Why am I helping a stranger? This is a mistake.

Her lantern flickered as she pulled him through the trees—and then she saw it.

Faint dragon scales, glimmering across his neck.

"Was that...real or had my mind made it up?"

But it was happening again. Her hands began to shake.

"What are you…?"

"Over here— I smell smoke."

"Spread out. It can't have gone far."

Voices drifted through the trees, closer now. Elira's heart slammed against her ribs. They're close. She tightened her grip and pulled harder. Her boots slipped on ash and dirt, her arms shaking with the effort. He was dead weight—too hot, too heavy, too dangerous. Leave him, her mind screamed. Run. But she didn't.

Just a little farther. Another step. Then another. The forest swallowed them as she pulled him off the path, deeper into the shadows, until at last the outline of her hidden cabin emerged between the trees. She kicked the door open and hauled him inside, slamming it shut behind her.

Inside, she laid him on a bed of furs and staggered back.

She sat beside him, brushing dark hair from his forehead.

"Who will fall from the sky like that?" she murmured.

Behind his closed eyes, images flickered.

Burning wings.

Fire and pain.

A woman's voice, desperate and fading.

"Nyxen… survive."

His fingers clenched the blanket. Outside, the forest fell suddenly silent. Elira felt it—like the world itself was holding its breath. The lantern's light flickered, casting a golden glow across the cabin.

Then—

His eyes snapped open for a blink of second.

Gold.

Burning.

Inhuman.

Elira gasped and stumbled backward.

"You are not human."