Thank you for reading on ! We provide free access to all our stories, but maintaining this platform requires ongoing costs. To keep the site running and continue offering free content, we display advertisements. You can close the ads anytime, or upgrade to premium membership ($5/month) for an ad-free reading experience while supporting our mission. You can also earn premium for free by completing simple tasks. We truly appreciate your understanding and support!What he regretted... The first attack had come as a surprise to Tarik, but when the dragon unleashed its alien magic, Tarik countered by creating a barrier that the creature could not breach. He smiled mockingly at Liona as he prepared for the next move. "You think you have the upper hand? We'll see about that." Liona intended to attack in every possible way, but Tarik seemed to be enjoying himself, which only fueled her anger. "Damn brat, I'll kill you slowly.You'll beg for your life." "To do that, you'll have to get past me first, but I doubt you can manage it." Tarik appeared behind Liona, launching himself forward for a moment before falling from the dragon's back. He repeated the maneuver, each time infuriating her further. But after several attempts, Liona managed to anticipate his movements. She stopped him as he tried to attack from behind, grabbing him by the neck. A dark mist began to envelop him, constricting around his throat. "Don't think you're a big shot, do you? You should have blocked my path today if you wanted glory.Instead, you'll meet an early death, for I have been challenged." Tarik struggled to break free, but the mist paralyzed him. He realized too late why the queen always emphasized the need for certainty in one's attacks; he should never have toyed with her during a fight. That woman had him pinned down, her grip so tight that he could barely breathe. It felt as if she were killing him. In that moment, as his vision blurred, he found himself teetering on the edge of death. He regretted not having seen Lissana one last time, lamenting that he had never revealed his true feelings.As he prepared to exhale his last breath, Liona taunted him, driving a dagger into his side, eliciting a scream of agony. "Tell me, you can't make me angry. This will be your end." What he regretted... In that moment, Tarik heard a familiar voice calling his name. It wasn't the voice of his priest or anyone else he had wished to see. It was Lissana's voice. Even in that fleeting moment of unconsciousness, he couldn't be sure if he was truly hearing her or simply longing for her presence. Lissana rode through the city on her horse, Imperion, desperate to help.When she arrived, she was met with an unimaginable scene-her heart felt as if it were being ripped from her chest. Tarik was fighting a woman and losing. The woman had plunged a dagger into his side while tightening her grip around his throat. Lissana screamed his name as she leaped from the mountain, using her wind magic to propel herself toward them. In that moment of fear and confusion, she lost control of her powers. A tornado of fire and air enveloped her, her body glowing with a brilliant white light.The strength of her magic surged forth, overwhelming the woman who had pinned Tarik down. What he regretted... As Tarik's body fell limp, Lissana regained her senses. She dove forward just before he hit the ground, catching him in her arms and using her wind magic to cushion his fall. The woman's grip on Tarik was relentless, her strength draining the life from him. Lissana felt a wave of despair wash over her, believing she had arrived too late and that she had lost him. With trembling hands and a broken voice, she whispered his name."Tarik." For a fleeting second, Tarik regained consciousness, his beautiful gray eyes fluttering open. Seeing him awake, Lissana reacted instinctively, channeling her magic to heal his wounds. In her desperation, her powers surged uncontrollably, and Liona, still hovering on her dragon above them, was struck by a blinding light. Liona recognized that power; it was the same magic Abril had once used against her in Laios. But the pain coursing through her was unbearable, as if her entire being were shattering into a thousand pieces. The dragon beside her seemed to suffer the same fate.The creature writhed in agony, and the darkness that had once surrounded them began to dissipate. Tarik's wounds healed almost instantly, and as he opened his eyes again, he saw Lissana, her power spiraling out of control. He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her tightly. "Lissana, I'm fine. I'm fine." When she felt his warm embrace, Lissana regained her composure, regaining control over her magic. She returned his hug, tears streaming down her face. "You idiot! I thought I had lost you." Tarik released her momentarily, cupping her face in his hands before kissing her gently."You haven't lost me. I'm here." "Will you fall with me?" He kissed her again, whispering against her lips, "Always." Liona lay on the ground, having lost all her power and her dragon. She grunted, her once-black eyes now devoid of warmth and life, transformed into a hostile yellow. She knew she had to escape if she wanted to survive. As Lissana and Tarik were distracted, she took her chance to flee. Lissana turned to Tarik, her hands trembling as she asked, "Are you really okay?" "Yes, you saved me." The dragon's anguished cries broke through the moment, and Lissana pulled away from Tarik."Tarik, now is not the time to be distracted." The dragon looked disoriented and frightened. "We must kill it." Lissana's gaze met the dragon's, and just as Tarik was about to bind it, she stopped him. "Don't kill it; it's not a threat. It's just scared." Lissana approached the dragon, reaching out to touch it, but Tarik shouted, "DON'T! It's dangerous!" "Trust me, it won't harm us. It's just frightened."noveldrama