The Elementiels

The students gathered at the campsite. Commander Elijah stood tall before them, flanked by the captains, his steely gaze scanning the crowd of weary but determined students.

"Well done, students," he began. "We've swept the area, and there are no more dragons within this vicinity. But this is just the beginning. Tomorrow, we ride deeper into the South to finish clearing the dragon infestation. Make no mistake—what lies ahead will test you in ways today could not." 

The students murmured among themselves, a mix of excitement and nervous energy rippling through the crowd. Mike grinned widely, his confidence unshaken. "Now that's what I'm talking about! We're definitely going to ace this exam!" 

Elijah raised his hand, and the group fell silent instantly. "While your performance today was commendable," he said, his tone hardening, "the challenges ahead will be fiercer. Luckily for us, we haven't spotted any high class dragons yet. Brace yourselves. This is no time for complacency." 

Adam turned to his friends, his expression resolute. "Let's give it everything we've got!" 

"Yeah!" they all shouted in unison, the fire of camaraderie burning strong. 

The days that followed were grueling. The students faced wave after wave of dragons, each encounter pushing them to their limits. Villages in need of protection marked their journey southward, the students using every ounce of their training to fend off the relentless attacks. 

As the week dragged on, exhaustion began to creep in. That evening, under the starlit sky, the boys gathered around a crackling campfire. The warmth of the flames was a welcome contrast to the cool night air. 

Mike leaned back, stretching his arms. "These past few days have been insane. I mean, who knew the exam would be this intense?" 

David chuckled, poking the fire with a stick. "Honestly, I thought it would be smooth sailing. I didn't expect to be fighting this many dragons and coming out mostly unscathed." 

Ben sighed, staring into the flames. "I'm just glad it's almost over. I miss home." 

Adam, seated across from him, smiled warmly. "It's been tough, but thanks to everyone's efforts and teamwork, we've managed to pull through." 

David glanced around the campfire, his expression curious. "Hey, where's Frank? He's been wandering off a lot this week." 

"Oh, he went out for some air," Ben said, shrugging. "Probably reading again. You know how he is." 

Adam rose from his seat, brushing the dirt off his pants. "I'll go check on him. Just to make sure he's okay." 

As Adam made his way from the campfire, the soft crunch of footsteps on dried leaves drew his attention. Turning, he saw Victor and Cynthia approaching from the opposite direction. 

"Hey, you two," Adam greeted, his tone light. "Taking a stroll?" 

Cynthia's face flushed slightly. "Oh, something like that. We were just talking about… dragons." 

Adam chuckled. "Sounds like fun. I'm actually on my way to check on Frank. He's been a little distant lately." 

Cynthia tilted her head thoughtfully, a finger tapping her chin. "Yeah, I've noticed that too. But I'm sure he's fine. He just likes his space sometimes." 

Victor glanced at Cynthia and said, "Why don't you head back to your tent? I want to have a quick word with Adam." 

Cynthia hesitated for a moment but nodded. "Alright. Goodnight, you two." She waved, walking back toward the camp. As she left, she couldn't help but glance over her shoulder, watching Adam and Victor walk away together. 

Victor and Adam walked in silence for a while, the quiet between them stretching as they moved further from the camp. Finally, Adam spoke. 

"So… how's the examination been for you so far?" 

Victor kept his eyes ahead. "As expected. Exhausting, but manageable. I'm just relieved it's almost over." 

Adam smiled faintly. "Same. I'm glad we've all made it this far. No one's been seriously hurt, and soon, we'll be official knights." 

Victor stopped suddenly, turning to face Adam with a sharp gaze. "Hey, what's your deal, anyway?" 

Adam blinked, taken aback. "What do you mean?" 

Victor's voice hardened. "You. Always so perfect. Perfect grades, perfect strategies, always caring about everyone else's safety like you don't have a single flaw. It's just… unnatural." 

Adam frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion. "I don't understand. Isn't that what we're supposed to do? Look out for each other? Work as a team?" 

Victor looked away, clenching his fists. "Never mind. Just…" He hesitated, his tone softening slightly. "Just keep away from Cynthia tomorrow. She needs to focus, and I don't want her getting hurt." 

Without waiting for a reply, Victor turned and strode back toward the camp, leaving Adam standing alone under the vast expanse of stars. 

Adam watched him go, his expression puzzled. "What was that about?" he muttered to himself before continuing his search for Frank. 

At the commander's tent, Elijah sat across from John Stone, the rugged leader of the southern army. His weathered face and grizzled beard spoke of countless campaigns, yet his eyes carried a spark of admiration as he addressed Elijah. 

"I must say, Commander Elijah, your students are remarkable," John began, swirling the wine in his goblet. "Their skills have been a tremendous asset in pushing back these dragon incursions." 

Elijah allowed a rare smile to cross his face. "Thank you, John. Their training has been rigorous, but nothing prepares you quite like real combat. This isn't what we usually do for their examinations, but I felt this experience would teach them lessons no classroom ever could." 

John chuckled, his deep voice filling the tent. "Well, they've certainly risen to the occasion. If this is what they're capable of now, their futures will undoubtedly be bright." 

Behind Elijah, Beatrix stood silently, her posture straight and her arms crossed. She observed the exchange with a keen gaze, her presence unyielding. 

Elijah leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. His tone grew serious. "Speaking of the mission, have you found anything about why the dragons are converging here in the South? It's highly unusual for so many to gather in one region." 

John's expression darkened, and he set his goblet down with a soft clink. "Unfortunately, no. My scouts have scoured the surrounding lands, but we've come up empty. It's as if the dragons are being drawn here by something… or someone." 

Elijah frowned, his fingers tapping the edge of the table. "That's troubling. Dragons are territorial by nature; this level of organization isn't in their nature. If there's a force driving them, we'll need to uncover it before the situation worsens." 

John sighed and leaned back in his chair. "I agree, but time isn't on our side. Every day they grow bolder, and the southern villages are paying the price. Still, I trust your students will be prepared for whatever comes their way." 

Elijah nodded. "Tomorrow marks the final day of their examination. After that, they'll be eager to return home, but I'll make sure they stay sharp until then. They've done exceptionally well, but I want them to finish this mission strong." 

John laughed heartily, the tension in the room easing slightly. "Ah, the enthusiasm of youth! They've earned their rest, no doubt. If they've managed so far, I have no doubt they'll see this through to the end." 

The midday sun could barely break through the darkened clouds when the final day of the examination began. The students spread out across the battlefield, fighting off waves of dragons with a determination forged over days of relentless struggle. 

Adam and David stood side by side, their swords dripping with the blood of a defeated beast. Adam clapped David on the shoulder, smiling through his exhaustion. "Nice strike, David. That was flawless." 

David grinned, flexing his fingers around the hilt of his sword. "Thanks. I'm just glad today's the last day. I can't wait to get back home and finally rest." 

Adam's expression softened as he placed a steady hand on David's shoulder. "I'm certain she'll be just as excited to see you." 

David's grin faltered for a moment, replaced by a softer, more vulnerable smile. "Yeah. I hope so." 

Their brief moment was shattered by a sudden rustling in the trees behind them. Before they could react, a large dragon lunged from the shadows, its jaws gaping wide. 

An arrow whistled through the air, piercing the dragon's skull with a thunderous explosion. The beast collapsed, smoke curling from its lifeless form. 

"Focus, you two," Cynthia called out as she stepped into view, lowering her bow. "The exams aren't over yet." 

David let out a shaky breath, chuckling nervously. "Yeah, yeah. You're right. Thanks for the save, Cynthia." 

Before Adam could respond, the ground trembled as another dragon descended from the skies. Its massive wings blotted out the sun, casting a shadow over the trio. 

Cynthia nocked another arrow and grinned. "Let's bring this one down together." 

Adam and David nodded, their resolve renewed. "Let's do it," they said in unison, charging alongside her toward the towering beast. 

On another part of the battlefield, Frank, Mike, and Ben stood amidst the carnage of several slain dragons. Mike leaned casually against his sword, a cocky grin on his face. "This is just too easy. Honestly, we're making history out here." 

Frank suddenly dropped to his knees, clutching his head as a sharp, piercing sound echoed in his ears. "Argh!" 

"Frank! What's wrong?!" Ben shouted, rushing to his side. 

Frank's voice was strained, his words barely audible. "Something… something big is coming…" He forced himself to look up, his wide eyes fixed on the sky. 

Dark clouds swirled ominously overhead, crackling with unnatural energy. 

At the commander's tent, Captain Will leaned casually against the table, observing the battlefield through a spyglass. "So far, so good. Honestly, do we really need to supervise them? They've got this handled." 

Elijah didn't take his eyes off the horizon. "Yes, we do. They've done well, but they're still students. It's our responsibility to ensure their…" 

Before he could say more, a deafening roar split the air, shaking the ground beneath their feet. All heads turned skyward as a massive black dragon descended from the swirling clouds. Its scales glistened like obsidian, and a crimson crystal pulsed ominously on its forehead. 

"What… is that?!" Captain Sasha exclaimed, her hand instinctively reaching for her sword. 

The dragon roared again, its sound so loud that a shockwave rippled across the battlefield. Students and knights alike stumbled as their armor's crystals flickered, then went dark. 

Elijah's face tightened. "The crystals… they've lost power. This isn't good. We need to get to the students—now!" 

Cynthia loosed an arrow at an oncoming dragon, but it bounced harmlessly off its scales. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "What's happening?!" 

Adam inspected his sword as it felt heavier in his grip. "Our crystals… they've deactivated. The enhancements are gone!" 

David stared at the beast bearing down on them and shouted, "Without the Griff armor's strength, we can't take this thing! We have to retreat!" 

They turned to flee, but the dragon unleashed a bolt of lightning toward a nearby hill. The resulting explosion sent massive boulders tumbling down. 

Cynthia gasped as a shadow loomed over her. Before she could move, David shoved her aside, taking her place beneath the crushing weight of a falling boulder. 

"David!" Cynthia screamed, scrambling to his side. Adam was already there, his hands desperately trying to lift the massive stone. 

"Hold on, David! We'll get you out!" Adam shouted, tears streaming down his face as he strained against the immovable weight. 

Cynthia grabbed Adam's arm, her own tears falling. "Adam, we don't have the strength anymore! It's impossible!" 

Adam turned to her, his voice breaking. "I don't care! We can't leave him like this!" 

The dragon loomed closer, its jaws crackling with energy. David coughed, blood staining his lips. "Adam… Cynthia… you have to go. Please…" 

"No!" Adam's voice cracked as he continued to push against the boulder. 

David smiled weakly, his voice barely a whisper. "Her name… is Isabel. Tell her for me… Adam." 

Cynthia tugged on Adam's arm, sobbing. "Adam, we have to go! Now!" 

With a scream of anguish, Adam let himself be pulled away. As they fled, David's vision blurred, a small smile lingering on his face. "So this is it huh? I should've told her… how I… felt." 

The dragon's lightning struck, obliterating everything in a devastating explosion. 

When Adam and Cynthia reached the others, the battlefield was a nightmare. Knights and students lay scattered, blood pooling on the ground. The southern army's cannons fired relentlessly, but the dragons overwhelmed them from all sides. 

"Hold the line! Stay together!" Elijah's voice roared above the chaos as he and the captains fought valiantly. 

Cynthia clung to Adam, her voice trembling. "What… what do we do?" 

Before Adam could answer, a blinding flash of light erupted nearby. The force sent them sprawling to the ground. As the dust settled, they saw a figure standing on top a massive, slain dragon. Lightning crackled around him, flames licking at the ground beneath his feet. 

Adam's breath caught in his throat. "Is that… Jason?!"