Withering Ambition

Empty Revenge

Scales flew through the air as the spell from the Necronomicon stripped the dragon of its protective hide. It cried out in pain as it collapsed to the ground. Kaeman was not done. Spikes of withered steel pierced the dragon's skin, while the tendrils of power that connected Kaeman to the Necronomicon strengthened and began to glow a deep purple.

The great beast looked into Kaeman's eye and for a moment, Kaeman understood. The dragon merely wished to protect its land. But Kaeman was unable to keep his composure, and with rage he conjured a blade of energy. With a great leap he drove the blade through the skull of the dragon, and the withering magic rotted away its skin and tissue, leaving only a harrowing skeleton behind. 

But Kaeman did not feel satisfied. With rage fueling his every move, he slashed and stabbed at the remains of the skeleton, cleaving the great bones into many pieces. He let out cries of pain, satisfaction, and anger. He kept going until he collapsed from exhaustion. 

A few minutes passed as he slowly got up and walked to the front of the skeleton. Kaeman stood in front of the skull and he spoke to it in a tone that could only be described as calamitous.

"My daughter..."

A long pause took place as Kaeman gathered his thoughts.

"Has been avenged."

And yet, Kaeman was still not satisfied. He felt empty. He had just taken another life. Was this really a price he was willing to pay? 3 things had now died by his hands. His friends, the mages, and now this dragon.

He stared back across the void to his home and began to weep. He couldn't put down the tome. It was now bound to his soul. He could never step foot in his home again without being ridiculed. His wife would never accept him. He would be hunted mercilessly for his theft. His daughter, despite being avenged, was still dead.

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