The King of the dragons and his brother clashed with such force that Meera was nearly thrown off her perch. The dragons all around her roared, and some even blew fire into the air in excitement. It wasn't much different from a crowd that was watching a wrestling match. But it wasn't just wrestling; this was a deathmatch between brothers who loved each other very dearly.

Down below on the rocky ground, dust and rock were blasted away from the brothers' clash. They were gripping each other's paws and struggling against each other. From their scales, it looked like it was a tiger against a panther, and the tiger was winning.

Ignis was pushing Tigris back ever so slightly. However, Tigris wasn't making it easy for his brother. They were so closely matched that a few levels wouldn't make the difference.

Then Tigris head butted his brother. There was a roar from those who supported him, but their excitement died when Ignis didn't falter. The hit had done something, but not nearly enough to throw the King off balance. He looked more angry than hurt.

Tigris tried again, and it had a similar effect. Finally, Ignis's patience was at an end. So, he headbutted his brother, and that had the intended effect that Tigris was hoping for. Tigris's head swayed a little, and his concentration wavered for just a second, and that was all the time Ignis needed.

He tightened his grip on his brother's paws, digging his claws deeper into his brother's scales. He leaned in and lifted Tigris clean off his feet, swung him over his head, and smashed him into the ground.

The dragons erupted with excitement. Many plumes of fire lit up the morning sky. Meera felt the heat on her exposed skin, and it was hot enough that if she were any closer, it would burn her eyebrows off. Her Healing skill wouldn't bring those back, she was sure. So, just to be sure, she willed her armor to form a helmet, leaving two slits open for her eyes, even though she didn't need to.

Down in the arena, Ignis raised his foot to smash it into his brother's head, but Tigris rolled off to the side before the foot landed, which caused a slight tremor, and many cracks arced out from the point of impact from Ignis's foot.

Tigris didn't wait for a single moment and went on the attack right away. He lunged for his brother, flames dancing around his mouth. He shouldered into his brother's midsection, pushing him back. Ignis was pushed back several steps, but he finally gained his footing and stopped the mad charge.

Tigris pulled back before his brother could retaliate and shot flames from his mouth, dousing his brother in redish fire.

Ignis blocked them with his wing, and when Tigris stopped, the King stood practically unharmed to the shock of many, Meera included. His wing was a little singed and smoky, but overall, it looked like the flames had little effect.

Ignis's lip twitched, and smoke trailed out from his mouth. Many murmurs went through the dragons. They were speaking in their own language, so Meera couldn't understand, but she got the gist of what they were saying. They were excited to see what the King was about to do. Meera wouldn't lie; she was too.

Tigris backed up several steps and readied himself to meet his brother's attack.

Ignis shot a column of red-hot flames from his mouth, and Tigris did the same. The two columns of fire collided in the middle, and the heat coming off them was so great that, even at this distance, she felt that it would melt her armor.

The flames struggled against each other for what seemed like eternity. Tigris tried with all his might to push back his brother's attack, but in the end, Ignis turned out to be the victor. He put everything he had in his attack. His column of flames nearly doubled in size as it raced forward, swallowing those of the black dragon and bathing the King's brother in the fire that lit the world up like day.

Tigris rolled on the ground until he smashed into the trees, setting them on fire. The great trees stopped the black dragon's roll. He roared as he stood, shaking the flames off him. It was something that even such an attack wasn't strong enough to bring this dragon down.

Meera could only stare, open-mouthed at the fury and decimation caused by these dragons. The trees were lit up like torches. The flames danced as if they, too, were enjoying this battle, as did the dragon horde.

It was hard to tell what this attack had done to Tigris, given his black flames, but many of his scales seemed damaged, and his whole body smoked. Even Ignis was breathing heavily.

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

"You can give up now, brother," Ignis said. "We can stop this madness."

"You've forgotten our ways, brother. When the challenge of the Dawndreamer has been issued, it only ends in death."

Ignis nodded. "Yes…"

He sounded sad, which brother wouldn't be, given what they were about to do. Tigris's claws glowed red, and he flew for Ignis, who stayed still, eyes on the ground. Many dragons roared, telling their King to move in their tongue, but he stayed rooted to the spot.

Tigris looked ready to skewer him through with those claws, with no hesitation. At the last moment, Ignis flapped his mighty wings and dashed to the side. Tigris went on the offensive, clawing with such speed that if it were Meera down there, there'd be nothing left of her that could be used to identify her. However, the King of the Dragons moved with such dexterity that nothing touched him, let alone grazed him.

Tigris growled in frustration and thrust a claw at rapid speed, and Ignis jumped aside at the last moment. Tigris's claw smashed into the mountain, shaking it to the very tip. Snow shook off the peak and fell.

Ignis used that moment to attack. He stepped in close and whispered. "I'm sorry."

Then he punched his brother's elbow so hard that Tigris's arms bent the wrong way, making him roar, as he yanked his claws out. He cradled it, as it hung limp by his side.

Ignis could've gone on the attack, but didn't. He waited for Tigris to recover and come for him again. The dragons had gone crazy with excitement. Meera couldn't see a single dragon that was seated still. They were all either roaring or blowing flames, and some were even in the air, showing off their excitement.

It was the greatest match they had seen. She was sure that there were cries for the King to finish off the challenge, and Meera agreed with them. Ignis was the more agreeable of the two brothers. She shuddered to think what would happen if Tigris were to become an archdragon. His rage mirrored his father's, and given that sort of power, he would only get worse.

Yet, Ignis didn't stir. Didn't meet his brother's eyes. Meera wanted to scream at him to do something, but she was sure the dragons' roars would drown out her screams. But she could also see why it was difficult for Ignis to act. If she were in the same situation, her hands wouldn't listen to her.

Ignis finally looked up, and the sadness was apparent in his eyes. The other might not have caught it, but Tigris definitely did. He didn't say anything, but he drew a deep breath and nodded. Something had passed between the two brothers. Something that couldn't be said with words.

Tigris took to the air and roared as he burst forth. Ignis did the same, and they clashed in the middle—fist against fist, and released a shockwave that could be felt by all. Then they separated and took off high into the air.

They flew at such high speeds that if it weren't for Mirrorbound Sight, she wouldn't be able to track them at all. They smashed against each other again and again. Some of the smaller dragons and Meera fell off their feet from the resulting shockwaves.

They didn't clash with their fists, but flames erupted in some clashes. They were like two massive fireballs that smashed against each other, exploding into flames. Seeing this made Meera realize she was nowhere near their level.

Then one of the flames gripped another and spun around in a circle, once, twice, thrice, picking up speed with each spin. After that, Meera lost count. The brothers' flames were so bright that it was nearly impossible for her to see who was spinning whom.

Then the spinning slowed. Meera finally got a glimpse of what had happened. Ignis was the victor, and he had Tigris by the throat. Her heart elated. It was almost as if time slowed, as they began to fall.

But something else happened. Tigris was struggling to free himself from his brother's grip, and then Ignis's grip slackened, just a bit. Meera wasn't sure if the other dragons could tell, but she was sure of it. He gave his brother a slight nod. Tigris slapped Ignis's hand away and gripped his brother's throat, and they fell.

At the last moment, Tigris disengaged, saving himself, but Ignis didn't. He let himself fall. He crashed headfirst into the ground in a fiery explosion of such magnitude that it scorched the ground black and shook the earth so violently that Meera feared the cliff she was standing on would crumble.

Meera activated Mirror Tower Shield to protect herself, and she wasn't the only one who took such a measure. Many dragons beside her had the same idea. They made shields of their wings to protect themselves.

Meera was one of the first on her feet, aside from the ones who had never fallen. She took to the air to see what had happened, and the result was not good.

Ignis lay on the ground. His body was broken so brutally. It was a surprise that he was still breathing. His neck was broken, and his body supported many cuts and burns. One of his wings had twisted under him and was damaged beyond repair.

It was hard to see such a majestic dragon reduced to this state, and she wasn't the only one who thought so. Many dragons hung their heads in disappointment, while others flew away, as if they couldn't watch the death of their King.

Tigris landed beside his brother and whispered. "Why?"

Ignis smiled, despite the pain wrecking his body. "I told you…I could never kill you…and you deserve this. You…were always…more decisive than me."

Meera hovered down to their level, but said nothing. She wasn't happy with the outcome, but she would have to keep her word and hoped Tigris would as well.

Ignis gave Meera a look and turned to his brother and said something in their tongue that made Tigris's eyes water.

He was looking down towards his brother, so she doubted any of the other dragons noticed. Then Tigris replied in their own tongue, and his eyes glowed red.

His tears evaporated, but still one tear fell onto his brother's chest, as red lasers shot from his eyes and penetrated his brother's chest, ending the reign of King Ignis Sunbreath.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.