Far away, Frida felt the disturbance in the air, a dark presence she knew all too well, realizing Nidhogg had found her.


He’s attacking the villa. What have I done?


A cold shiver ran down her spine, as the weight of impending doom settled over her.


With a mighty roar, Frida revealed her true form, her body shifting into that of a magnificent dragon. Her purple iridescent scales shimmered in the moonlight, her eyes burned with righteous fury.


She was in a race against time, as she headed back to the villa, her heart pounding with urgency. Her wings pushing her past new speeds as the wind tore at her face, time was of the essence.


She flew in low altitude skimming above the treetops where the wind was least resistant. Taking advantage of her experience in racing the dragon circuits, she used the terrain to her favor, skimming the mountain side, allowing the thrust from the g-force to help boost her speed. She was determined not to lose this race.


As she neared the villa, the sight that greeted her filled her with horror and rage.


Nidhogg towered over the broken form of Njal, who stood protectively over the little girl, Ivy.


Frida’s fear transformed into a fierce resolve.


Sprinting toward her final destination, she let loose a massive salvo as she launched herself at Nidhogg, her power unleashed in a torrent of flame and fury.


The battle between the two dragons was on, and it was titanic.


Their roars echoed through the night, as Frida fought with a ferocity born of desperation and love.


She drove Nidhogg back, her claws and teeth tearing into the ancient dragon.


With a final, deadly strike, she wrapped her fangs around Nidhogg’s throat, defeating the vile dragon as it fell to the ground in a lifeless heap.


Returning to the villa, Frida shifted into her human form. Breathing heavily, she rushed to Njal’s side.


He was gravely injured, but alive. She knelt beside him, tears mingling with the dirt on her face.


“Njal, I’m so sorry,” she whispered, her voice trailing off into nothingness.


He smiled weakly, his hand reaching up to touch her face. “You came back,” he said, his voice filled with relief and affection.


“Always,” she replied, her heart full of gratitude and newfound love.


Frida looked around and saw there were many casualties.


Nausea filled her throat with a rancid taste of bile as she felt responsible for the lives lost tonight.


As she surveyed the courtyard, she saw Ivy leaning over to help her mother up and deal with her injuries. A momentary sigh escaped her mouth.


Njal looked at Frida, lifting his hand to move a strand of hair past her ear.


“I’m sorry, Frida. It looks like we’re going to have to delay our duel a little bit longer.”


Frida, eyes now full of tears, was able to laugh at Njal’s remark. “I think we’ll forego the duel in favor of something more fulfilling, eh?”


Njal’s eyebrows raised in surprise, “Oh.”


Frida leaned in close to his face. “Njal, I almost lost you tonight. No more talk of duels, I want to stay, help you heal, help you rebuild the villa.”


Njal smiled, then grimaced as remembered his injuries. “I’d love for you to stay, Frida, but would there be another reason?”


Now it was Frida’s turn to smile. “Yes, Dragon Slayer, there is,” she said, as she leaned in and planted a soft kiss on Njal’s lips.


His smile curved ear to ear. “You know? I almost had to die, to get that kiss, but it was worth it!”


Frida laughed as she looked down at Njal. “I love you.”


Njal smiled, raised his hand again, and brushed her cheek, “I love you too. So much. Frida, will you be my wife?”


Without hesitation, she answered, “Yes!”