Next, Fafnir approached the orb. He placed his hands firmly on its surface, and once again, the orb pulsed briefly before fading to darkness. Frustration flickered across his features, and I felt a knot of worry form in my stomach.When it was my turn, I stepped up hesitantly. I placed my hands on the orb, hoping for a different outcome, but again, the same result followed. The orb did not respond as expected, its surface remaining stubbornly dull.
Eldrin ran a hand through his silver hair, deep in thought. "It seems that something is unusual about your auras," he said, his voice a mixture of intrigue and concern. "You may be more powerful than I realize."
In the Netherlands
Astaroth's demonic form trembles as he feels the pressure of the distorted voice bearing down on him. The shadows within the vortex twist and coil, forming vague, menacing shapes that seem ready to strike.
The distorted voice coming from the bottom of the Netherlands : (echoing from all directions) "Astaroth, you have failed me. The human and his companion still draw breath, mocking my power and your existence. I should cast you into the abyss for your incompetence."
Astaroth's head bows lower, his fiery eyes flickering with fear and fury. He grinds his teeth, the sound like grinding stone, before speaking with a voice laced with desperation.
Astaroth: "My lord, I beg of you, grant me one final chance. I have cursed the dragon Fafnir with a stigmata. Through it, I can sense their every move, their every breath. I will not fail again!"
The shadows surge forward, enveloping Astaroth in suffocating darkness. His body convulses as he feels the immense power of the distorted voice, threatening to tear him apart.
The distorted voice coming from the bottom of the Netherlands :"You dare speak of another chance after your disgrace?!" The voice seethes, causing the very ground to tremble. But then, it pauses, as if considering. "The stigmata... a clever trick. It may yet prove useful."
The pressure eases slightly, though the vortex still crackles with ominous energy.
The distorted voice coming from the bottom of the Netherlands : "Very well, Astaroth. This is your final opportunity. Fail me again, and not even the deepest pit of the abyss will be enough to contain my wrath."
Astaroth feels the oppressive weight lift from him, though his body is left bruised and battered from the encounter. He slowly rises to his feet, his form casting a long, dark shadow on the chamber floor. His eyes blaze with a renewed, vengeful intensity.
Astaroth: "I will make them suffer. The human, the dragons... they will know the true meaning of despair!"
The distorted voice fades, the vortex of shadows dissipating into the air, leaving behind an eerie silence. Astaroth clenches his fists, the flames in his eyes burning hotter as his anger and hatred for the human and Fafnir swell within him.
Astaroth whispering to himself."I will tear them apart, limb by limb, and deliver their souls to the depths."
Meanwhile, on the Surface:
Eldrin ran a hand through his silver hair, deep in thought. "It seems that something is unusual about your auras," he said, his voice a mixture of intrigue and concern. "You may be more powerful than I realize."
He turns his gaze to Fafnir, Ingi, and Craig, assessing them with a mix of curiosity and concern. "You three are what we call 'irregulars'—beings whose power lies beyond the standard measures of our tools. But I may have another way to assess your magicores. Wait here. I will create another orb, one that may have the capacity to measure your true power. It might take some time, but it's our best chance."
As Eldrin turned to leave the room, Fafnir spoke up, his voice carrying a note of urgency. "Before you go, I need to ask—do you know the whereabouts of Zarathorak, the Blood Dragon?"
Eldrin paused, turning back to face us, his expression one of cautious curiosity. "Zarathorak, the Blood Dragon? Why do you seek him?"
Ingi stepped forward, his presence commanding. His voice was deep, resonant, filled with the authority of ages. "My son, Fafnir, has been cursed by a demon. We have reason to believe that Zarathorak possesses the power to lift any curse. That is why we seek him."
Eldrin's eyes widened slightly, and he considered Ingi's words carefully. "And what makes you so certain that Zarathorak can lift this curse? The Blood Dragon is not easily found, nor easily persuaded."
Ingi's gaze hardened, and he spoke with absolute certainty. "Because Zarathorak is my son."
The revelation hung in the air, the weight of Ingi's words sinking into the silence of the chamber. Eldrin blinked, momentarily taken aback, but before he could respond, Fafnir stepped forward.
"And he's my younger brother." Fafnir Added
Eldrin shook his head slowly, trying to absorb the information. "A family of dragons... That may be the reason as to why orbs cannot measure your magicores. This is more than I expected. If Zarathorak truly is your kin, then you may indeed have a chance to lift this curse. But finding him will not be simple. Wait here."
Eldrin reenters the room, his expression serious as he approaches Fafnir, Ingi, and Craig. He unrolls the scroll on a nearby table, revealing a detailed map marked with various regions and mystical locations.
"I've consulted my resources and the arcane records. Zarathorak's location is known to a select few, but I can tell you that he resides near the border of Asnor and Westeros."
He points to a specific area on the map, where the borders of two regions converge. His finger hovers over a rugged, mountainous terrain.
"Westeros is a vast and diverse land, home to elves, dwarves, and giants. It's a place where these races coexist, though not always in harmony. The area where Zarathorak is said to be found is remote and treacherous, making it difficult to reach." Eldrin added
Fafnir studies the map, his eyes narrowing as he absorbs the information. Ingi's gaze is thoughtful, while Craig remains silent, taking in the details.
"And how do we find him in such unfamiliar place?" Fafnir questioned
Eldrin: "Zarathorak's exact location is shrouded in secrecy, even among those who might know of him. However, the border regions are known to have a network of ancient trails and hidden paths. Locals and travelers in Westeros may have knowledge of these routes, but they are often guarded by powerful beings."
Eldrin: "There is one more critical piece of information you should be aware of before you set out on your quest." His voice carries an edge of urgency. "A raid has been scheduled to take place two months from now, targeting Zarathorak, the Blood Dragon. "
The announcement hits like a thunderclap, and Fafnir, Ingi, and Craig exchange alarmed glances.
Fafnir: "A raid? Who is leading it?"
Eldrin: "The raid will be led by some of the most formidable individuals on the continent. They will return soon as they have already accomplished what they had to do. Their team consists of:
Chad, the Dragon Hunter, renowned for his prowess and unwavering determination. He has a reputation for taking down the mightiest of wyverns and dragons.
"Ronan, the Death's Whisperer, the most agile assassin known. His skills in stealth and assassination are unparalleled. He is a ghost in the shadows, capable of striking from the unseen.
"Adrian, the Arcane Sovereign, the greatest mage in the continent. His mastery over arcane arts is unmatched, making him a formidable force in any confrontation."
"Cedrick, the Iron Vanguard, known for his unparalleled strength and defensive prowess. His impenetrable armor and steadfast bravery make him the perfect frontline defender in any battle."
Ingi nodded. "If they are willing to help us locating him, it will give us a boost on finding him right away."
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The Unrivaled Holder: Rise of the Dragon Monarch
FantasyCraig Luis lived an ordinary life until he was stabbed to death-only to awaken in a new world filled with magic. Reincarnated as the last human bearer of the Dragon Soul in the world of Norkiya, he found himself in Silver Lake-a feared resting groun...