The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 184

The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting golden shafts of light across the clearing. The air was crisp, charged with anticipation. Saphira walked beside Nikolas, her boots crunching softly over the damp earth. The others were already gathered, Anastasia, Zafira, Asher, and Jed, stretching, murmuring quietly, the tension of yesterday replaced by a quiet readiness.

Nikolas stepped forward, his presence commanding as always. Saphira watched the way the others straightened instinctively, eyes drawn to him.

“Today,” he said, voice clear and steady, “we train in dragon form.”

A ripple of energy moved through the group. Zafira’s eyes widened slightly. Jed tilted his head, intrigued. Anastasia folded her arms, her expression unreadable. Asher raised a brow.

Nikolas continued, “We’ll rotate partners. Everyone trains against different levels. No comfort zones. No predictability.”

Asher frowned, arms crossed. “Why train against each other? We don’t even know if there are other dragons out there.”

Saphira felt the question land in her chest. It was valid. But Nikolas didn’t flinch.

“That’s exactly why,” he replied. “We don’t know. The Elders could have created anything. Hidden anything. We need to be ready for it. No assumptions.”

Asher held his gaze for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Alright. Makes sense.”

Saphira glanced at Nikolas, catching the flicker of tension in his jaw. *He’s thinking ahead. Preparing for the worst. And he’s right, we can’t afford to be surprised.*

Nikolas turned to her, his voice softer now. “Ready?”

She nodded once, stepping back into the grass. “Always.”

The others followed suit, spreading out across the clearing. Saphira closed her eyes briefly. The shift came like a wave, heat rushing through her limbs, bones stretching, skin rippling. Her wings unfurled with a snap, scales catching the. The ground beneath her trembled slightly as her claws dug in.

Around her, the others shifted, Jed’s form dark and sleek, Asher’s wings wide and powerful, Zafira’s smaller but fierce, Anastasia glowing faintly with residual magic.

Saphira exhaled, smoke curling from her nostrils. *This is what we are. This is what they fear.*

Nikolas’s voice echoed through the group, steady and sure. “Let’s begin.” He then shifted, his dragon form towered beside Saphira, black scales glinting, eyes burning gold.

Nikolas stepped forward, his black form casting a long shadow across the grass. He raised his head, wings flaring once in silent command. The others responded immediately, shifting into motion, pairing off without a word.

Saphira’s claws flexed against the earth, her muscles coiling with readiness. She felt the familiar hum of the mind-link open between her and Nikolas, a quiet tether that pulsed with warmth.

*“You sure about rotating partners?”* she asked, her thoughts brushing his like silk.

*“They need unpredictability,”* Nikolas replied, his mental voice steady. *“We can’t afford to train in comfort.”*

Saphira didn’t argue. She launched into the air, wings slicing through the wind as she faced Jed first. His movements were sharp and calculated, his dark form weaving through the sky with practiced ease. He lunged, claws slicing through the air, and she twisted mid-flight, dodging with a burst of speed. Their clash was brief but intense, Jed’s precision against her agility. She landed with a thud, breath steady, heart pounding.

Next came Asher. His dragon form was broader, heavier, and his strikes came with brute force. Saphira kept her distance, using agility to her advantage. She dove beneath him, then shot upward, her claws grazing his flank before she veered off. He turned sharply, wings beating hard, but she was already gone, a shimmer of silver against the sky.

Below, Anastasia and Zafira trained together. Zafira’s form flickered with uncertainty, her wings trembled mid-turn, her balance uneven. Anastasia held back, her strikes measured, her body glowing faintly with residual magic. Saphira hovered nearby, concern tugging at her chest.

*“She’s trying,”* she sent to Nikolas. *“But she’s not stable.”*

Nikolas’s reply came with a flicker of tension. *“She’s pushing herself. I’ll keep an eye on her.”*

The next rotation paired Saphira with Anastasia. Their clash was graceful, almost elegant, Anastasia’s magic-infused strikes against Saphira’s speed. They circled each other in the air, wings brushing the wind, claws flashing. Saphira held back just enough, sensing the strain in Anastasia’s movements.

*“You’re holding back,”* Nikolas sent, watching from below.

*“She’s still recovering,”* Saphira replied.

Nikolas didn’t argue. He understood.

The final rotation came. Zafira rose into the air, facing Nikolas.

Saphira’s wings stilled mid-beat. *She’s not ready for him. Not yet.*

Nikolas kept his movements light, defensive, but Zafira pushed harder, her wings slicing through the air as she tried to match his speed. She twisted mid-flight, claws extended, but her balance faltered. Her wing clipped a gust Nikolas had stirred, and suddenly...

She dropped.

Saphira’s heart lurched. She dove instantly, wings folding as she plummeted toward the ground. The others followed, their bodies streaking through the air like falling stars.

Zafira hit the earth with a dull thud, her dragon form crumpling into the grass.

Saphira landed hard beside her, claws digging into the soil. She shifted back in a rush of heat and light, breath ragged as she knelt beside Zafira’s still form. The others landed around them, shifting one by one, concern etched into every face.

Zafira groaned, her body flickering as she began to shift back. Her skin was pale, her breath shallow, but her eyes fluttered open.

“I’m okay,” she rasped, voice hoarse. “Just winded.”

Saphira brushed damp hair from Zafira’s forehead, her voice gentle. “You pushed too hard.”

Zafira gave a weak smile. “I wanted to keep up.”

Nikolas crouched beside them, his expression grim but soft. “You will. But not by breaking yourself, you are still recovering from the spell.”

Jed offered water. Asher crouched nearby, silent but steady.

Saphira looked around at them all, her chest tight with something fierce and protective. This is our strength, she thought, glancing at Nikolas. Not just power, but how we catch each other when we fall.

Nikolas met her gaze, “I think that’s enough for today.”

Saphira nodded, doubt flickering through her mind. W*e won’t be able to defeat the Elders if we can’t survive a training session.*