Chapter 161: Dragon Form
The eastern wall of the stronghold erupted in flames as the loyalist assault reached its peak. Lin found herself pressed against the volcanic stone, her escort squad of three rebel dragons forming a protective line in front of her. The loyalist forces had broken through the outer defenses faster than anyone had anticipated.
"Princess, stay behind us!" the squad leader shouted over the roar of dragon fire. His sword lit up as he parried a strike from an attacking loyalist dragon.
Lin watched the rebel dragon’s technique—a horizontal slash aimed at the loyalist’s neck, followed by a quick pivot to avoid the counterattack. The loyalist responded with a burst of water magic that turned the air around them into scalding steam. Both dragons moved through the mist, their weapons creating sparks where they met.
Another loyalist dragon descended from above, its claws extended toward one of Lin’s guards. The rebel twisted away, but the claws scraped across his shoulder, tearing through his armor and drawing blood. He stumbled, leaving an opening that the loyalist immediately exploited with a thrust toward his heart.
Lin created a wall of ice between them, the barrier six feet thick and reinforced with her magic. The loyalist’s sword struck the ice and penetrated three feet before stopping. Steam hissed where the heated blade met her ice barrier.
"We can’t hold this position," one of the other guards called out, his voice strained as he fought off two loyalists simultaneously. He moved his sword so fast he was able to parry both of them at the same time. But he was being pushed backward step by step.
Through the smoke and chaos, Lin could see the broader battle. The rebels were losing badly. Their defensive positions were being overrun, and loyalist dragons were advancing through the corridors. But something about their tactics bothered her—they moved too efficiently as if they knew exactly where to strike.
A loyalist dragon broke through her ice wall, its sword wreathed in a fire that melted through the barrier like it was normal ice instead of her enhanced magic. The blade swept toward her in a downward arc that would split her from shoulder to hip.
Lin rolled to the side, the sword missing her by inches and striking the volcanic stone floor. Sparks flew as enchanted steel met ancient rock. She came up with ice forming around her hands, but the loyalist was already pursuing, its next strike a horizontal slash at her midsection.