Dragon fire is a central symbol in the novel, representing the duality of rage: its capacity for both destruction and transformation. In Sangratha, dragon fire is the ultimate weapon, a force of nature that highblood tyrants like Viktor seek to control to enforce their brutal rule. The destructive potential of dragon fire is most evident when Blake, possessed by the spirit of the ancient dragon Vorago, incinerates large portions of Veilmar. Viktor commands Blake to “Rain fire down upon the infected city, and burn it clean” (359), revealing his desire to use this immense power not for cleansing, but for purging his political rivals and consolidating control under the guise of stopping the plague. In this context, the fire symbolizes the catastrophic and indiscriminate violence that underpins Cruelty as a Tool for the Ruling Class.

However, dragon fire also functions as an agent of purification, justice, and change. When Professor Allenvale is being devoured by an infected Bloodguard, Blake as Vorago ends her suffering with a blast of incandescent heat. Similarly, Nyxaris uses his flame to annihilate the corrupt Professor Hassan and, later, to attack the infected dragon form of Viktor. In these moments, the fire is not an act of wanton destruction but a form of righteous anger, a cleansing force that ends torment. This duality highlights a central tension in the novel: Power itself is neutral, but its wielder determines whether it is used to dominate and destroy or to purify and protect.