Kirishima's PoV

I walked restlessly up and down my room. It was early in the morning and I had hardly slept. Had it really been right to accept the duel? But I had no other choice, had I? What was certain, however, was that there was no turning back without looking like a coward. One day had passed since my acceptance of the challenge and the news that Mashimo and I would fight for the succession had spread faster in the palace than I wanted.

A knock on the door ripped me from my thoughts. Was it finally the time to leave? I fought my nervousness down, went to the door and opened it carefully. In front of it stood Kurini. His slightly grayed scales looked almost inconspicuous in the twilight of the hallway.

Come with me, Eijirou, he said gently. A cold shiver ran through my body. Had he just sounded worried?

The old dragon led me along the corridors and crossed with me many of the bridges between the towers before we flew down to a lower tower. It had a much larger diameter than all the others and as we approached it, I saw why.

An arena. At the top of the building was a huge arena. The ring was big enough that two dragons of Kurini's size could fight with enough freedom of movement. Around it was a large stone tribune, on which numerous dragons with different scale colors had already come. I swallowed hard. I would not have thought that our fight would take place in such a public way.

As if the clan leader had guessed my thoughts, he gave me a reassuring look. Everything will be all right. But of course it's of interest to the whole city which of you two will succeed. One of you will be responsible for the welfare of the inhabitants in the future. The dragons know Mashimo, but they've probably never seen you before. You must expect them to be skeptical about you.

I nodded frowning. I realized that he had high expectations of me. He didn't take sides with me or with Mashimo, but it was important to him how his clan performed, and I wasn't allowed to embarrass myself. Not in front of so many dragons.

He flew with me to one of the platforms that was just below the arena. Go down the passage to the waiting room. Please stay there until the signal sounds. I'm looking for Mashimo now. With one beat of his mighty wings, he took off again and began to fly around the tower.

A breath of smoke came out of my nostrils as I exhaled with nervousness. As the clan leader had told me, I followed the passage and went into the adjoining room. The walls were sparse and the room was empty. It didn't offer any distractions that I really needed. But I had to concentrate. This was important.

The sound of heavy paws and claws scraping across the stone floor ripped me from my thoughts again. A little annoyed I turned around to see who was bothering me. But when I saw the silver scales of Tetsutetsu, I began to smile.

What are you doing here? I asked, pleasantly surprised.

The security guard remembered that we came to the palace together and therefore know each other. After I had talked to him for a while, he let me in, he said, breathing heavily, before he stopped in front of me.

How are you? I asked smilingly, happy for the distraction before the forthcoming fight.

But Tetsu frowned. That doesn't matter now. How are YOU? What were you thinking challenging Mashimo? he asked insistently.

I stared at him in surprise, stunned by the intensity of his words. I ... uhm. I didn't challenge him, he challenged me. I had no choice but to accept it when I wanted to fulfill my mission.

Is it really worth this mission for you to go out there and risk your fucking life? What if you get killed? There's always a different way! he says upset. The worry in his eyes could hardly be overlooked.

What makes you think I could die? Of course there are certain risks involved in a fight. But if he gains the upper hand over me, of course I give up, I asked in bewilderment.

You're a naive idiot! he suddenly scolded me. It's fucking Mashimo! If he gains the upper hand over you, you are dead! He won't give you enough time to give up. I don't know what you can do, but he's a damn good fighter!

I tensed and the nervousness that I had almost forgotten turned into fear. Are you serious? I asked almost whispering.

Tetsutetsu closed his eyes for a moment. Yes, Eijirou. Please promise me that you will give everything. Fight if you love your life, he said insistently.

But before I could give him my word, I heard the tinny sound of a gong being struck. Countless dragons began to roar in anticipation of the upcoming battle. My heart hammered against my ribs. Now it started. I took a last look at the worried silver dragon, then I walked past him.

When I flew into the arena, Mashimo was already waiting for me. I landed across from him and looked into his combative eyes. Only now, when we were directly facing each other, I noticed that he was much more broad-shouldered and certainly one meter taller than me. That may not be much for a dragon, but when it came to pure fighting power it could give him a huge advantage.

The crowd gradually calmed down and an almost disturbing silence lay over the arena as Mashimo and I watched each other. Then Kurini stepped forward, standing upright and demonstrating all his power. In today's duel, two members of the Kirishima clan will fight for the succession. Mashimo Kirishima! The clan chief nodded to the black dragon. Mashimo roared and behaved wing beating, and the crowd raged. Here and there I heard some dragons shouting his name.

I swallowed. Kurini had been right. The dragons knew Mashimo and I was just someone who had just appeared out of nowhere and suddenly interfered in the politics of the city. But I had to convince them of me! I couldn't give in now!

And Eijirou Kirishima! Kurini announced me and nodded to me. I roared with all my might and flapped my wings. No, I certainly wouldn't let them treat me as a loser before we even started fighting! The crowd was only half as enthusiastic about my name, but that didn't bother me.

My muscles were tense, waiting for the fight to finally start. And also Mashimo had gone into fighting position. Then Kurini stepped back and opened the fight.

Mashimo's first attack came incredibly fast and I only due my good reflexes did I avoid the paw stroke by a hair's breadth. But the black dragon didn't let go and attacked me with his teeth. But before his teeth could slit my shoulder, I took half a step back and hit his face with my claws.

He withdrew his head jerkily, but one of my claws caught him in the snout. Dark dragon's blood dripped hissing to the ground and the black dragon howled furiously. Now that I had struck him, he seemed furious with rage.

Mashimo was fast and despite the fact that he was pronouncedly wide built, he was also extremely agile and nimble. I had never fought anyone like him before. No, I had never even fought a dragon before and had no experience, unlike him. Could I win this duel at all? A short moment of uncertainty came over me and already it had happened: A targeted paw stroke and a turn of Mashimo, through which he got next to me, did not miss his target and the sharp claws of my opponent tore my side open.

The pain stunned my senses for a moment. Only when I closed my mouth again did I realize that I had roared. For a moment I heard only my own heartbeat and a muffled noise. My vision blurred a little and I blinked several times to see clearly again. Just in time I came back to my senses and jumped to the side to avoid the sharp teeth of the black dragon.

It had been my insecurity again. Again I had doubted myself for a moment and regretted it bitterly afterwards. I needed Katsuki. Katsuki had always given me the courage and strength to get the best out of me. The thought of him alone gave me the strength to continue fighting despite my pain. The warm blood ran down my side and every movement hurt. Fuck. Fuck!

I gritted my teeth and tried to concentrate. At the edge of my consciousness I noticed that I must have been hurt very badly and I lost more and more blood. But I didn't want to ... I couldn't give up now!

Then my hind legs were bumped into the border of the arena. My eyes widened when I realized that Mashimo had cornered me. And then the black dragon jumped. His mouth wide open, he targeted me from above and aimed at my naked neck. And I couldn't get away. Not to the right, not to the left. I was trapped.

At that moment, I knew I was about to die. No matter what I did, he would kill me. I closed my eyes and thought of Katsuki. My Katsuki. A wave of energy went through me as I thought of the man I loved above all else.

Then I felt the pressure of Mashimo's teeth on my neck.

Crack.