I Breathe Euro

The wind howled through the desolate plains as Jack and Katrina rode toward the Iron Dome. The ground beneath their horses trembled, the distant echoes of war rumbling through the land. Even before they arrived, the signs of battle were evident—smoke rising into the night sky, the faint clash of steel against steel, and the guttural cries of monstrous beings clashing against the walls.

Jack tightened his grip on the reins, his gaze sharp as he scanned the battlefield ahead. The fortress still stood, but just barely. The weakest wall, a once-reinforced section at the southern edge, was on the verge of collapse. Dark figures swarmed like a tide, their monstrous forms battering the structure relentlessly.

Katrina turned to Jack, her expression unreadable beneath her helmet. "I'll take the men in. We'll reinforce the defenses before they breach the wall. You stay back—make it seem like we have an entire army waiting in the shadows."

Jack nodded. "Understood. But be careful. These creatures are relentless."

Katrina smirked. "They'll regret ever stepping foot near the Iron Dome."

With a swift motion, she raised her hand, signaling the hundred warriors riding with them. The moment her command came, the force surged forward, breaking into a powerful charge toward the struggling defenders. Your next chapter awaits on My Virtual Library Empire

Jack pulled his horse to a stop atop a nearby hill, watching as Katrina led her cavalry straight into the fray. His mind worked quickly. If the enemy thought an entire army was waiting in reserve, they would hesitate. That hesitation could be the key to saving the Iron Dome.

The Battle Begins

Katrina's forces crashed into the dark horde like a hammer striking stone. Her soldiers, trained in precision and strength, tore through the enemy ranks. The sound of steel cutting through flesh filled the air as swords, spears, and arrows rained upon the monstrous invaders.

The creatures—grotesque beings of darkness, their eyes glowing with malevolent fire—let out inhuman shrieks as Katrina's forces struck them down.

Atop his hill, Jack made his move.

He positioned his torch strategically, using the flickering flames to make shadows dance across the landscape. His silhouette loomed large behind him, making it seem as though an entire regiment stood at his command. Then, he gave a simple but effective order—

"Hold the line!"

His voice carried through the battlefield, amplified by the still night air. The creatures hesitated. From their perspective, more forces were waiting just beyond their vision, ready to strike.

Jack kept up the act, moving swiftly along the ridge, ensuring that the illusion held. Every time the dark forces tried to gauge the true size of the reinforcements, Jack positioned himself to maintain the deception.

Then, it happened—

One of the monstrous commanders let out a guttural roar, signaling a retreat.

Jack exhaled slowly, watching as the dark tide began to withdraw. It worked.

The Aftermath

By the time Katrina's forces reached the wall, the battle had turned in their favor. The remaining creatures, realizing they were about to be crushed, fled into the shadows of the forest beyond.

The defenders of the Iron Dome stood breathless, their weapons still gripped tightly in their hands. Some of them, battle-worn and wounded, barely had the strength to cheer.

Katrina dismounted, her armor smeared with blood and dirt. She turned toward the towering gates of the Iron Dome, expecting them to open.

They didn't.

Instead, a group of dragons—standing tall in their humanoid forms, their golden eyes cold and wary—emerged from the shadows of the battlements above. Their leader, a massive dragonkin with emerald scales and a regal air, stepped forward. His voice was deep and unwavering.

"You have our gratitude for aiding in the defense of our fortress." His gaze flickered toward Jack, who had now joined Katrina at the base of the wall. "But gratitude does not mean trust."

Jack frowned. "We just helped you hold the line. Your wall was about to fall."

The dragon leader didn't blink. "And we will not forget that. But this is the Iron Dome of the Dragons. No outsiders are permitted entry, not even our saviors."

Silence stretched between them. Jack's fingers twitched slightly. He wasn't surprised, but it still irritated him. They had fought for these people, yet they were still being treated as outsiders.

Katrina crossed her arms, unfazed. "Then what now?"

The dragon leader let out a slow breath. "We will acknowledge your aid, and the dragons will not forget this day. But the gates remain closed."

Jack exchanged a glance with Katrina. This was a delicate situation. They had come here hoping to build an alliance—but if the dragons refused to even let them inside, how much trust could they truly have?

Still, they had no choice but to accept.

Jack gave a small nod. "Fine. But remember—next time you're under attack, we might not be here to save you."

The dragon leader's gaze darkened, but he said nothing.

Jack turned away, his mind already racing toward the next step. This battle was won, but the real war was only beginning.

Jack stood atop the fortress walls, his eyes fixed on the distant silhouette of the Iron Dome. The air was thick with tension, but a smirk played on his lips. The dragons had refused his envoy.

As expected.

Katrina stood beside him, her gaze sharp. "They didn't even give your envoy a second glance."

Jack let out a chuckle. "That's fine. Dragons are creatures of pride and tradition. If they accepted an offer so easily, I'd be worried. But their gratitude still lingers—that's something I can use."

Katrina arched an eyebrow. "Use how?"

Jack turned away from the walls, a plan already forming in his mind. "We're not going to ask them for anything anymore. If they won't acknowledge us as allies, we'll make them acknowledge us as something else."

Katrina's lips curled into a knowing smile. "You're planning something bold again, aren't you?"

Jack only grinned in response.

Back in the fortress's grand war room, Jack unfurled a map over the massive table. His closest advisors—Katrina, her top generals, and several elven commanders—gathered around as he laid out his strategy.

"The dragons declined our envoy, but that doesn't mean they'll decline a favor." Jack tapped the Iron Dome on the map. "We're going to make ourselves indispensable to them. We'll station troops near their domain—not as invaders, but as defenders. Every time the forces of darkness attack, we'll repel them."

One of the elven generals frowned. "You mean… act as their unpaid guards?"

Jack shook his head. "No. We won't fight for them. We'll fight with them—whether they acknowledge it or not. Every time they see us on the battlefield, every time we save one of their own, that debt of gratitude will grow. And when it grows big enough, they'll have no choice but to recognize us."

Katrina crossed her arms. "And if they don't?"

Jack's grin widened. "Then we make sure their pride won't allow them to ignore us. We'll help them so much that rejecting us would make them look ungrateful."

The room fell into silence. Then, one of Katrina's generals let out a low whistle. "This… might actually work."

Jack clapped his hands. "Good. Then let's get to work."

The fortress was alive with movement as Jack's plan was set into motion. Troops were being dispatched, supply lines established, and scouts sent ahead to monitor dragon activity. The Iron Dome was being encircled—not by enemies, but by silent protectors.

And then came the most unexpected turn of events.

The Elven Queen arrived.

Jack had expected her, of course. She had been an invaluable ally, and her forces played a crucial role in reconnaissance. But it was who she brought with her that left the entire war room speechless.

The Goblin King.

A hunched figure wrapped in dark robes, with cunning eyes that gleamed under the torchlight. His presence alone sent waves of unease through the fortress.

Katrina's expression darkened. "Jack… why is he here?"

The Goblin King let out a raspy chuckle. "A pleasure to see you again, Lady Katrina."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "I take it you two have history?"

Katrina scoffed. "If you call slaughtering my men during the Goblin Wars 'history,' then yes."

The Goblin King smirked. "That was business. Now, however, I come as a friend."

Jack glanced at the Elven Queen, who remained calm despite the clear tension. "I assume you have a good reason for bringing him here."

She nodded. "The Goblins hold a crucial piece of information. Something you'll want to hear."

Jack leaned in, intrigued. "Then speak."

The Goblin King's grin widened. "We know of a way to force the dragons to recognize you."

The Secret of the Dragon's Oath

Jack listened intently as the Goblin King revealed a long-forgotten truth.

"Dragons are bound by an ancient code of honor. If a mortal saves their life three times, they must swear an oath of loyalty in return. This law is so old that even the proudest dragon cannot break it without shaming their entire lineage."

Jack's eyes gleamed. "So you're saying… if we rescue the dragons three times, they'll have to acknowledge us?"

The Goblin King nodded. "Exactly."

Katrina remained skeptical. "And how do you know this?"

The Goblin King chuckled. "Goblins have long memories. We may not have the strength of elves or humans, but we remember the old laws. This one has been forgotten by most—but not by us."

Jack leaned back in his chair, a slow grin spreading across his face. "That changes everything."

The Elven Queen placed a hand on the table. "This means we must be strategic. We can't waste any of our chances. We must ensure that when we do intervene, it is undeniable that we saved their lives."

Jack nodded. "Then we'll wait. We'll stay close, watch their movements, and strike when the moment is perfect."

A plan had been set.

Now, all they needed was the right opportunity.