Neveah and Armok

The world of Zenora belonged to monsters. Humanity’s kingdoms had fallen one by one until only Astonia remained—a fortress carved into the mountains and home to the last twenty-five thousand humans alive. Surrounded by beasts that would gladly wipe them from existence, mankind survived through an ancient alliance with dragons. Rider and dragon. Human and beast. Bound together by magic stronger than blood and stronger than death. Every child dreamed of being chosen. Neveah spent nearly twenty years waiting. She watched younger riders form bonds while she remained behind. Friends flew into battle and earned glory while she endured whispers and pitying looks. As the years passed, she began to believe what others quietly thought: that no dragon would ever choose her. Then, when she had almost given up hope, a dragon finally did. Armok. Young, powerful, and completely insufferable. Armok possessed enough confidence for an entire flight of dragons. He boasted constantly, challenged dragons older than himself, and treated every mission like a stage built to showcase his greatness. According to Armok, becoming the greatest dragon in Zenora’s history was not a possibility—it was destiny. Unfortunately for Neveah, their bond allowed her to hear every arrogant thought. The first week she questioned her luck. The second week she questioned her sanity. She had spent two decades praying for a dragon. Now she found herself wishing for a quieter one. Yet beneath Armok’s endless ego, Neveah sensed cracks. Fear hidden behind pride. Doubt buried beneath confidence. For all his boasting, Armok seemed desperate to prove himself worthy of the legend he claimed he would become. As dark rumors spread beyond Astonia’s walls and ever-greater horrors emerged from the wilderness, humanity’s final refuge stood on the brink of destruction. The fate of the last kingdom might depend on a rider who had waited too long and a dragon who believed he could never fail.