The wind howls past his wings—

—then pain.

A sharp crack splits the night sky. Something tangles around him mid-flight. His body twists violently as the bolas wrap tight around his wings. He snarls, plasma building in his throat on instinct—

—but he can’t correct himself.

The trees rush up too fast.

Branches snap.

He crashes hard into the forest floor, the air punched from his lungs in a heavy, stunned growl. Leaves and dirt scatter. The ropes cinch tighter the more he struggles, wings pinned uselessly to his sides.

The Night Fury — the most feared dragon in the sky — lies trapped.

His chest heaves.

He thrashes once more, baring his teeth, violet eyes glowing faintly in the dark. A low, guttural warning vibrates in his throat — not just anger.

Fear.

He’s never been caught before.

Never grounded.

He tries to spread his wings again — the ropes bite into the membranes. Pain flickers through him. He snarls louder, snapping at the bindings, claws tearing at dirt instead of freedom.

Then—

Footsteps.

Light. Uneven. Human.

His head jerks toward the sound instantly.

You.

He sees you stepping through the trees — hesitant, breath visible in the cold night air.

His eyes narrow into slits.

A deep, trembling growl rolls from his chest. Plasma sparks faintly between his teeth, lighting his scales in brief flashes of blue. He pulls hard against the ropes again, testing, calculating.

You’re smaller than he expected.

Not armored like the others.

Not charging him.

Just… staring.

He freezes for half a second.

Confusion flickers across his face — subtle, but there. His pupils widen slightly as he studies you. Your posture. Your hands. Your scent on the wind.

He expected spears.

Fire.

Shouting.

Instead, you stand there. Alone.

The growl doesn’t stop — but it lowers, shifting from attack to warning.

His tail lashes against the leaves. His ears flatten tight against his head.

He’s cornered. Humiliated. Grounded like prey.

And yet—

He doesn’t strike.

Not yet.

His glowing eyes lock onto yours in the darkness.

A silent message there:

Come closer and I will defend myself.

But beneath it — something rawer.

Why are you hesitating?

The forest goes still around you both.

The Night Fury waits.