Slogan paused mid-attack, his gold eyes narrowing as he glanced skyward. Sunday, too, looked up, recognizing the presence of something ancient and powerful. The sky above them began to swirl with dark clouds, and out of the storm emerged a massive figure—Skrillex, the Ancient War Dragon.

The enormous wyvern descended with terrifying speed, his purple and black scales gleaming in the dim light. His long, black snout, adorned with a sharp unicorn-like horn, jutted out past his maw, and his blue teeth bared in a snarl as he let out another earth-shattering roar. Battle scars crisscrossed his body, a testament to his many victories in the past.

Slogan barely had time to react before Skrillex struck. The ancient dragon's black spikes along his back bristled with raw power as he swooped down, his claws aimed directly at Slogan's exposed wings. With a thunderous crash, Skrillex slammed into Slogan, knocking the wyvern off balance and sending him crashing towards the ground.

Slogan roared in fury, twisting beneath Skrillex's weight, but the Ancient War Dragon held firm. His razor-sharp teeth snapped at Slogan's neck, while his massive claws tore into the black scales of the Sun Dragon. Blood sprayed into the air as Skrillex's brutal assault continued.

Slogan thrashed beneath the onslaught, his white wings flapping wildly as he tried to break free. Flames erupted from his maw, but Skrillex was ferocious. He slammed Slogan into the ground with a powerful swipe of his tail, causing the earth beneath them to quake.

Sunday, still hovering above, watched the scene unfold with a sense of awe. Skrillex was no ordinary dragon; his power was legendary, and he had been a companion to the Emperor for centuries. The fact that he had come to aid in this battle meant that the situation was even more dire than Sunday had anticipated.

With a growl, Slogan finally managed to dislodge Skrillex, his massive wings beating furiously as he soared into the sky. He circled above, his crimson eyes burning with rage as he sized up the new threat.

Skrillex let out a low, rumbling snarl, his black spikes raised in a display of dominance. His horn gleamed with an eerie light, and for a moment, the battlefield stood still as the two dragons faced off, both ancient and powerful in their own right.

Slogan roared once more, his body engulfed in flames as he dove down, intending to crush Skrillex beneath his full might. But Skrillex was ready. With a mighty flap of his wings, he shot into the air to meet Slogan head-on, their clash reverberating through the skies like the roar of thunder.

The battle between Skrillex and Slogan was nothing short of apocalyptic, a fierce and brutal clash that shook the very earth beneath them. Fire, claws, and fangs tore through the air, with the night sky lit by flames and the crackling energy of lightning. Skrillex moved with a deadly precision that belied his massive form, his black and purple scales gleaming in the firelight.

Slogan roared in fury, retaliating with torrents of molten fire from his maw, the searing heat burning through the night. But despite his power, Slogan was no match for Skrillex's centuries of battle experience. The ancient dragon anticipated every move, dodging the worst of Slogan's fiery assaults with surprising agility for his size. Each swipe of Skrillex's claws left deep gashes in Slogan's scales, while his tail lashed out like a whip, sending the Sun Dragon reeling.

Slogan let out an annoyed growl, a thunderous bellow that shook the heavens, his massive white wings beating furiously as he struggled to stay aloft. His golden eyes burned with desperation, rage fueling every frantic movement.

Skrillex was only getting started. His purple-and-black form coiled in the air with lethal grace, the scars of past battles etched across his hide like badges of honor. His long, horned snout glowed with an otherworldly light as blue energy crackled from the tip of his unicorn-like horn.

Without hesitation, Skrillex unleashed a devastating bolt of lightning, its blue arc cutting through the night like a blade. It struck Slogan directly in the chest, the energy coursing through his body with a deafening crack. Time seemed to freeze for a split second as the wyvern's form convulsed under the sheer power of the attack.

With a final, pained roar, Slogan's wings faltered. His once-majestic figure plummeted from the sky, crashing into the earth with the force of a meteor. The ground quaked as his massive body collided with the scorched soil, sending a shockwave that rippled through the burning forest. Smoke billowed from the blackened scales where the lightning had struck, and the smell of burning flesh filled the air.

Slogan's massive body laid sprawled on the scorched earth. His once-proud form was broken, his body battered and burned. His mouth hung open, tongue lolling out as if the life had already drained from him. He nearly looked dead, his massive wings limp and motionless.

Skrillex, towering over the defeated Sun Dragon, snorted, his one pink eye watching for any sign of resistance. But there was none. He had done as ordered—delivered enough pain to cripple Slogan without killing him. The ancient war dragon stood victorious, his chest heaving from the battle, but his gaze was calm, knowing his task was complete.

With a powerful flap of his wings, Skrillex landed beside Sunday, the earth trembling beneath his weight. His scarred, battle-worn body gleamed in the moonlight, and his pink eye turned to meet Sunday's.

"You have my thanks, Skrillex," Sunday said, his voice steady, though a thread of gratitude ran deep within. "I feared the worst. Slogan is far more powerful than I expected—if I'm being completely honest."

Skrillex let out a low, resonant rumble, his battle-scarred chest rising and falling with labored breaths. "I couldn't allow that fool to destroy everything," he growled, his voice carrying the weight of millennia, filled with the echoes of countless battles. "The Emperor sent me. He knew this would happen."

Sunday nodded, his gaze lingering on Slogan's broken form, barely clinging to life. "This isn't over," he muttered, his golden eyes narrowing. "When he recovers, he'll come back. And next time, it'll be with the full fury of Yruf behind him."

Skrillex snorted, sending a plume of smoke spiraling from his nostrils. "And we will be ready for him." His words carried a grim understanding—there was always another battle on the horizon.

———

The chariot soared through the dense fog, the celestial light from the mares glowing like a beacon in the gloom. Their radiant forms danced gracefully in the sky, cutting through the thick, ominous mist that clung to the air like a shroud. Visibility was nearly nonexistent—the fog so heavy that even seeing a few feet ahead felt impossible.

But as they pressed forward, the mares broke free from the haze, and the sky suddenly cleared. Before them, a magnificent Chinese palace floated in the heavens, surrounded by perfectly formed clouds. The palace stood as a beacon of serenity, suspended high above the world below. 

With a burst of speed, the mares shot straight toward the temple's entrance. A massive Chinese wall encircled the palace, towering and majestic, with five imposing red gates standing tall, barring entrance to all but the most expected guests.

The mares landed smoothly, hooves striking the ground with precision, galloping at full speed toward the center gate. As they approached, the gates swung open in perfect synchronization, as if welcoming them. The horses dashed through, their movements fluid and graceful as they passed into the heart of the Emperor's realm.

Tera gazed out of the carriage window, her fingers gently holding the curtain aside as she marveled at the surreal view. There was no life, no signs of the natural world that usually hummed with energy around her. It was as if everything here ignored her connection to nature, her calls unanswered by the very essence of the world. 

"Elara, do you see this? I think—" Tera turned her head to speak to her handmaiden, only to freeze in shock. Elara was no longer by her side. The queen's heart skipped a beat as she realized she was alone in the carriage with her children. A gasp escaped her lips, the sudden absence unnerving.

The carriage door creaked open, and a figure stood in the doorway. Tall, regal, and impossibly handsome, the elf before her was unmistakable. His presence exuded authority, every inch of him commanding attention. Tera's eyes widened as she realized she was standing before the Emperor himself. 

"Hello, Tera. Do not be afraid," he said, his voice deep and smooth, yet filled with an unspoken power. His hardened eyes bore into her, as though seeing straight into her soul.

Tera hesitated for a moment but then softly placed her hand in his. His touch was warm and steady as he helped her out of the carriage with her infants nestled in her other arm. Her heart pounded in her chest, not only from the awe of meeting him but from the unease that continued to swirl inside her. "Elara...my handmaiden," she began, her voice tinged with concern. "She was with me in the carriage."

The Emperor's gaze softened slightly as he placed a reassuring hand on her back. "She is alright," he said gently, guiding her forward. "The transition into this realm would have killed her, but she has been taken care of. You need not worry."

"Transition?" Tera repeated, her voice laced with confusion and a hint of fear. The unfamiliarity of the word, coupled with the strange, otherworldly nature of their surroundings, sent a shiver down her spine.

The Emperor nodded, his expression unreadable but calm. "Yes. Only gods and immortals can cross into my realm unharmed. Your handmaiden, being mortal, would not have survived the journey."