In the skies, thunder and lightning clapped in unison as if cheering the ongoing war. Two fiery dragons versus one blazing man, who would win? Fire decorated the already dull weather creating an even more ominous feeling. "Where is my husband?" Isadora enquired. Stunned by how his daughter had turned rebellious, Marcus alighted his horse and placed his hands softly on her wet shoulders. "Your husband is not fit to stay with humans." "And you are?" Isadora asked throwing a look at the witches standing behind her father. "I’m just doing my best to protect my people. Did you forget how many Crescians he had killed?" "And he only did that because they attacked." And looking sideways, "Where is he? I want to see him." Sigh. "Why are you making this hard for me?" "I’ll never forgive you if you’ve inflicted a scratch on him," she said giving him that menacing look that made him doubt she was the daughter he had brought here, one who swore to do whatever it takes to distance from the devil. Now she had been manipulated! "I’m afraid I’ll do this the hard way Darling." He stepped back and signalled two knights to get hold of Isadora. Surprise was written on her wet face. How could her father do this to her? "Don’t you dare touch me!" She warned but it fell on the knights’ deaf ears. Then she did what she had to do. Catching one of them by his hand, she kicked the other in his gonads with her foot. He let out a groan, veins instantly popping on his face. She landed a fist on the other’s stomach who doubled over kissing the wet ground. And with one last glance at her surprised father, she ran in the opposite direction, holding the hem of her dress. The Valorians were clearly losing the war. All their hopes now were placed on Alexander who was busy dealing with the dragons. Powerful spells were being cast upon them by the witches weakening them and giving the Crescians an easy task. Alexander dodged an incoming fire ball from the golden scaled dragon. Landing on its back, he drove his sword through its rough skin earning a groan from it. Thunder clapped as if resonating with its pain. It shook violently almost throwing Alexander off balance but fortunately, he could stay airborne.The rain was a disadvantage to him. Unlike the dragons who had it as a natural gift, Alexander’s blazing technique drew energy from nature especially the sun, which was completely masked by the clouds. He had to act fast before all his energy got depleted. He hovered higher towards the black dragon. This one looked bigger and more dangerous. They locked eyes with it before they charged at each other. Alexander was so fast that one couldn’t see his movements with the naked eye. In what could be termed as a blur, he effortlessly dodged the dragon’s fire and slid to its back. He cut its tail with his flaming sword but he was shaken off, being sent to the ground. Thud! A blazing man landed in front of Isadora. Those eyes, she could never fail to recognize him. "What happened?" She asked crouching to his level. He looked smitten, the drops of rain putting him off with each passing second. How she wished she’d touch his face but in his current condition, she’d definitely get burnt. "We’ve lost wife," he said looking at her apologetically. "I’ve failed you... everyone!" He let his gaze travel around and saw his men being killed. This was fighting a losing battle. "Don’t say that," she cajoled, tears threatening to fall anytime. And thinking that her father was the cause of all this brought a rage like no other! "It’s the truth."He looked at her eyes and said, "I love you Isadora. You’re the best thing that have ever happened to me. The little time we’ve stayed together was the happiest in my life. Believe me when I say I cherished every second." Isadora shook her head vigorously. "You are not going to die you fool!" She almost screamed at him. "I’ll get you out of here." She looked sideways to call a knight to help her carry him but Alexander was quick to place his hand on hers. Fortunately, it wasn’t on fire. The fall had dealt him a bigger blow. He could already see the dragons setting Valoria ablaze. "It’s too late wife," he said. And before Isadora could say something, she was harshly grabbed by two Crescian knights. "Well well well! Look what we have here?" Marcus said alighting his horse. The mighty Alexander, on the ground and looking helpless! Lady luck was on his side then. The final task would be as easy as driving a sword through his belly. "Don’t you dare touch him father," Isadora yelled. She tried to free herself but these were not the frail knights she had effortlessly fought before. An iron grip was what it’d be called!Marcus crouched low at Alexander’s level and looked him in the eye. A smirk escaped his lips. Still, he couldn’t believe. "Such a pity you are going to die in a disgraceful way." "Don’t you dare Father. If you lay a finger on him, I’ll never forgive you!"Marcus threw a furtive glance at Isadora and continued disinterested. "Give me the sword." "Father?" Isadora’s heart was racing She tried to free herself but it was all in vain. Her hands became sore due to the fighting but she didn’t care. The fear of losing Alexander was poignant in the sky. The witch leader gave him the sword and folded his hands to see the events unfold. "I’m sorry dear," Marcus told a fearful Isadora. "If you kill him Father, I’ll kill you. I swear!" That made Marcus halt in his tracks. Since when did his daughter get so stubborn to even dare him, not as a father but as a king! "Oh! I had forgot," the witch leader said. "Our part of the deal sire." "The floor is yours then," Marcus said gesturing him to step forward. Panic kicked in Isadora’s forlorn heart. "What are you going to do to him?" She asked but the witch leader said nothing. "What is he going to do to him Father?"