Gideon's POV

Sweat was pouring down his face as he took another blow to the face. The impact of the punch nearly knocked him down. He managed to steady himself and kicked them in the stomach. They stumbled back, holding his stomach as he gasped. His opponent ducked down and ran after him. As he jumped, his legs hit Gideon's neck. His eyes widened as the air in him was knocked out. He gripped the legs that were squeezing him and kicked him in the face. As they let go, he took that opportunity to reach for their legs and pull him up on his back. He slammed them down on the ground and heard a sickening crack. Gideon started to throw punches until their face became raw and bloody. Once the bell went off, it indicated that he had won. His heart filled with pride, he threw out a fist in the air as the crowd cheered. Even after he walked out of the stadium arena, everyone was still chanting his name.

Once he unlocked his front door, he was expecting to be greeted with his younger sister, Cecile. Instead, it was unusually quiet as he started to hang his coat on the rack. "Cecile, where are you," he called out as he searched for her in the house.

"Cecile, come out, it's just me."

He found nothing in her room except for dolls and coloring books. His heart started to ache as his search led him nowhere. After their parent's death from the war with the humans years ago, Cecile was the only person he had left. A sudden burst of a door, nearly made him tumble over. A guard with an armor of steel stood before him and said, "Gideon Crawford you are to come with us as we escort you to the palace."

He glared at them," You aren't taking me anywhere! Where is my little sister?"

"It is under Mighty Brixius' orders, you must come with us."

"Like hell I will," he spit.

He kicked them in the stomach and ducked under. He slid past them as he went for the door. He didn't make it far, the guard's shoulder punched him in the face. The guards smirked as Gideon groaned in pain as he held the bruising wound. He was cuffed from behind his back and was forced to get on a horse as they rode to the palace.

The castle itself was made out of fine rubies and gold. It was glorious to look at, the castle stood tall and proud. The sunlight reflecting on the gems, it looked like a thousand stars. As they reached the gates, the guards stationed on either side of it, let it open. Walking in, he was in awe. The ground was made of glass that had black lines intersecting it. Painted glass panels were set up on every part of the wall. It had shown the beasts devouring the humans, Gideon stepped back disturbed. Blue lit up lanterns were in every corner of the room which gave an eerie vibe to it. The guards grabbed his shoulders and forcefully dragged him to the corner of the room which led them to the halls filled with paintings. "Your highness, Brixius, as you requested we have bought him," the guard said as they entered a room. Gideon looked up gasped at what he saw. The devil himself was sitting on the throne, hand resting on a stoned dragon head. He shuddered, Gideon heard tales of people saying how the king was Lucifer, reborn. He would laugh at them, but now he almost started to believe it was true. Large horns that were made of fire sat on his head. His eyes were hollow and black, it was as if death was staring right at him. He had flames going down each end of his black armor and gold that wrapped around his waist.

"Guard Torrion, I am pleased with your efforts on bringing him here. You may leave now," the king said.

"Thank you, your highness," Torrion said bowing as he left the room. When the door closed behind them, the king turned to him.

"What a pleasure to meet you Gideon, I've heard you that you had quite the reputation back in your town."

Gideon stiffened, "What does that have to do with anything?"

"As you may have heard, the prince became the next king of Oprathia."

He rolled his eyes," That's common knowledge. What I do want to know is where my sister is being kept."

"Patience, boy. You will see her again if you complete my task," He leaned forward. "Kill the prince for me young dragon and I shall let your sister out."

Gideon's heartbeat squeezed, "W-what? And if I don't?"

"Then I kill you and your sister, as simple as that," he chuckled.

"Fine, but promise me that my sister will get out of this safely once I do."

"You have my word."

He drew a breath, "Okay, deal," he walked up the steps to the king and firmly shook his hand.

The guard, Torrion, took Gideon back to the horses that were waiting for them in the cobblestone streets. Brixius gave him a toxic herb in case he was to poison king Johnathon like he had done to his father. He ordered his guard to ride with Gideon, to ensure the king's death. When they rode, silence fell over them. Gideon's thoughts were in jumbles, he wishes not for Johnathon's death. He believed that he would save them from centuries of cruel treatment from their king. No more useless executions and tortured weaklings. It was wishful thinking, too good to be true. As if reading his thoughts, Torrion said, "I don't want him dead either."

Gideon's head snapped towards his, "What?"

"I have served Brixius for all my life. I've seen his hands bloodied by the evil he's done. I believe it's time we stop his madness from creating further chaos."

They crossed the bridge which connected them to the kingdom of Vrizar and Oprathia. Oprathia had a more natural look to it, but in Vrizar their land had been glamoured to look beautiful with the help of magic. It was more artificial, the colored trees and the purple grass. It was like stepping into a different realm entirely. The Gideon pulled the reins back to make the horses come to a stop. Torrion eyed him from behind, "what are you doing?"

"We still have a long way to go, perhaps a 3-day journey on a horse," Gideon said. "I have another way of transportation."

"And what exactly will that be?"

"Just you watch."

Torrion began to open his mouth to reply but snapped it shut as he saw Gideon's shoulder blades starting to stretch out with golden-skinned scales covering its bone structure. His feet became those of dragons and his nails to talons, yellow like the sunflowers in spring. Torrion could only watch in bewilderment as Gideon's human body changed into a beastly dragon. He was blinding to look at, the sunlight reflected off his scales. Dragons weren't common in Vrizar, most were either enslaved or killed and dissected for their organs to use in witchery.

"Are you going to stand there like a fool or will you get on already," Gideon said irritated.

"Right, right. To the palace we go."

Torrion gripped his scales as he seated himself on Gideon's back. Large wings flapped around him as they soared over the horizon, purple and blue hues starting to break into dark pitch black.