Dawn at the Wild Rift (Book IV)

Chapter 23

Zilong, Freya, Harith, and Lylia once again dared to enter the still unstable world of the Enchanted Forest. With their previous troublesome endeavor, each of them expects either a pair of vampire twins who rise from their deathbed and seek vengeance or a monstrous creature with a mixture of a lion, rhinoceros and a wolf, to appear before them. It could also be a pack of ruby-eyed zombies or the cursed Cinderella of Egypt might come at them.

However, their expectations are not met. Instead of a vampire or monster or even a cursed human, they are greeted by something far more dangerous that'll either make them stronger or wish for death.

Separated from each other, the four warriors are faced with their own selves—their evil selves.

Surrounded by a lake of boiling lava, Freya stands frozen in place on top of a crystallized magma. She couldn't believe her eyes as she stares at the eyes of someone she very well knows—a person she left years ago.

A woman with silver hair and eyes stands above her with her dragon wings creating a whooshing sound within the cavern. From her glowing purplish and black horns down to her scaly arms and fully armed bodice, Freya is convinced that the woman who wields the sacred dragon's sword is none other than her past self.

"Look at what you've become now, Freya."

Her deep and hoarse voice resonates, giving her the chills down her spine, and without much warning, she dives towards the present Freya and circles around her.

"Golden armor definitely doesn't suit you."

Freya's past self shakes her head in disappointment for she could feel the present her trying to be a goody-two-shoes.

Still entranced by the unexpected turn of events, present Freya isn't able to prepare herself for the attack of the female dragon. Receiving a kick from behind, she is sent flying in midair and when she comes back to her senses, it is already too late to defend herself.

The dragoness appears in front of her with lightning speed and with her weapon, she strikes Freya right across her chest, flying her back to the cavern's end.

"That golden armor you had chosen is nothing compared to this sacred dragon's power. Goddess of War, Freya, come at me whom you abandoned thousands of years ago!"

Freya could still remember her past, it was when she was not yet given the privilege of becoming a goddess. She was evil back then, she devoured black magic to acquire power and spread chaos whenever she felt like it. And that being said, she managed to absorb some of the Black Dragon's power before it was sealed away.

However, that is her past, a past she left and she would never change back into evil no matter what.

Freya clenches her fist and her sword materializes in her hand. She stands despite the stabbing pain she is feeling in her ribs. With her other hand, her shield materializes as well and when the female dragon comes right at her again, she is more than ready to take her on.

"Feel my wrath!"

Just when the dragoness is just a few yards away, she summons black magic that surrounded her entirety and suddenly puffs into black smoke, leaving no trace of her body anywhere.

But with Freya's current prowess, she could detect the presence of darkness. Without any seconds spared, she turns on her heels and holds her shield firm in front of her torso, blocking the dark sword that appeared. Still, her strength is not enough to fully equate the power of the dragoness that she is forced to slide over the ground, creating a spark of friction against the solid magma.

"You have to be better than that, goddess!" the female dragon screams. Her draconic wings flutter, giving her a strong push to make another direct hit towards Freya, and with just a little force, she will make her drown with agony in the boiling lava.