ACROSS THE DEPTHS OF THE UNIVERSE

THE REALISATION

***AUTHOR'S POV***

Ancalagon's massive wings flapped, creating gusts of wind that swept across the icy surface, blowing snow into swirling patterns. His eyes, molten gold and burning with ancient knowledge, locked onto Valeria. The dragon’s lips curled back, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth, and a deep growl rumbled from his chest, shaking the ground beneath him. His voice, low and resonant, filled the air like a thunderous echo.

Ancalagon growled ,  his voice filled with suspicion “How can this be? A mere woman wielding the Destroyer, the blade of my master? Only those of immense power, chosen by the darkness itself, can lift that sword.”

Valeria felt the weight of his gaze, the intensity of his scrutiny. The Destroyer in her hands felt alive, pulsing with energy that responded to the dragon's presence. She raised the sword, positioning it in front of her defensively. The blade shone brighter, casting a blue light that cut through the darkness like a beacon.

Valeria voice steady, meeting Ancalagon’s eyes “I may be more than what I appear. The Destroyer chose me, and I will not be cowed by you. If you are a guardian of this sword, then you know it would not come to just anyone.”

Ancalagon’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. Yet, doubt lingered. To him, Valeria appeared nothing more than a human, not one to wield such power. The dragon’s growl deepened, and he reared back, his chest swelling as he took a deep breath. Flames danced at the edges of his mouth, a fiery inferno building within him. With a roar that shook the heavens, Ancalagon unleashed a torrent of fire, orange and red flames spewing forth from his massive jaws, racing towards Valeria.

Emilia (gasped , her hand outstretched):** 
“Valeria!”

But Valeria did not flinch. She held her ground, her grip on the Destroyer firm. As the fire surged towards her, she instinctively raised the sword higher, its blade gleaming in the darkness. A barrier of blue light erupted from the sword, forming a protective shield in front of her. The flames collided with the barrier, swirling around it, unable to penetrate its magical defense. The clash of fire and light created a mesmerizing spectacle, sparks flying, casting dancing shadows on the snow-covered ground.

Ancalagon’s roar turned into a growl of frustration. The dragon circled lower, his eyes fixated on the sword, seeing the barrier it had created. His wings stirred the air, causing snow to swirl around Valeria and Emilia. Ancalagon landed with a thunderous impact, his massive body blocking out the stars, his head lowering to Valeria’s level.

Ancalagon voice boomed , filled with disbelief “You wield the Destroyer as if it were an extension of your own soul. How can this be? What are you?”

Valeria’s heart pounded, but she stood her ground, facing the immense dragon with unwavering resolve. The sword felt like an old friend in her hand, its power flowing through her, giving her strength. She could feel its connection to her past, to the darkness within her that she was only beginning to understand.

Valeria spoke aloud voice calm, yet firm
“I don’t know who I truly am yet, but I know that this sword chose me for a reason. I can feel its power, and I know it’s connected to my past and to Zelerious. If I am to learn the truth, I must embrace this power, not fear it.”

Ancalagon’s growl rumbled through the night air like a thunderstorm, shaking the very ground beneath their feet. His eyes, glowing with molten gold fury, locked onto Valeria. The dragon’s wings spread wide, casting a shadow that enveloped the area, making the cold night feel even darker. With a snarl, he lunged forward, his enormous body coiling with muscle, his jaws snapping open to unleash a stream of fire.

Valeria’s instincts kicked in. She raised the Destroyer, the sword’s blue light intensifying as if responding to the danger. A shield of glowing energy formed around her, deflecting the flames. The heat was intense, and she could feel the pressure of Ancalagon’s power pushing against her barrier, but she held firm, her eyes narrowed in concentration.

Valeria gritted  her teeth, shouting over the roar of flames  “If you think you can scare me with fire, think again, beast! I will prove my right to this sword and to my destiny!”

Ancalagon roared in frustration, his flames dying down. He lunged again, this time swiping his massive claws at her, intending to break through the shield. Valeria sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the strike. She swung the Destroyer, the blade humming with energy, and slashed at the dragon’s claws. Sparks flew as the blade met scales, a sound like metal clashing against metal ringing out. Ancalagon pulled back with a roar, more out of surprise than pain. Valeria had drawn the first blood—a thin line of black ichor oozed from a cut on one of his claws.

Emilia screamed from the sidelines, voice tense but supportive
“Stay focused, Valeria! Use the sword’s power! Remember what I taught you!”

Valeria nodded, her grip tightening on the Destroyer. She could feel the sword’s energy flowing into her, enhancing her senses, sharpening her reflexes. She lunged forward, her movements swift and precise, aiming for Ancalagon’s vulnerable underbelly. The dragon twisted away, his tail whipping around to strike her. Valeria leapt back, raising the Destroyer to block, the impact sending a shockwave up her arms. She gritted her teeth, holding her ground, refusing to be thrown off balance.

Ancalagon growled, rearing back on his hind legs, preparing another attack. His eyes glowed brighter, and the air around him shimmered with heat. He opened his jaws wide, and this time, instead of fire, a wave of darkness poured forth—a tangible, inky blackness that swallowed the light. The darkness surged towards Valeria, threatening to engulf her.

Valeria muttered to herself, focusing 
“I can’t let this consume me… I have to fight it with my own darkness…”

She closed her eyes, feeling the pulse of the Destroyer, feeling the darkness within her resonate with the blade. She drew on that power, letting it flow through her, into the sword, and then outwards. The blue light around her turned black, forming a barrier that absorbed the incoming darkness, repelling it. The two forces clashed, the air crackling with energy, as light and dark battled for dominance.

Ancalagon (growled , his voice echoing with both frustration and respect
“You wield darkness like a true heir of my master… but you are still untested, unworthy! Prove yourself, or perish!”

With a deafening roar, Ancalagon charged again, his claws outstretched, his jaws snapping. Valeria met him head-on, the Destroyer slicing through the air, striking at his vulnerable points. The clash of dragon and blade sent shockwaves through the ground, shaking the ice and snow. Valeria dodged, parried, and struck back, her movements a dance of grace and power. She could feel the rhythm of the fight, the connection between her and the sword growing stronger with each strike.

Suddenly, Ancalagon’s tail whipped around, catching Valeria off guard. The force of the blow sent her flying, slamming into the ice wall. Pain shot through her body, but she gritted her teeth, pushing herself back to her feet. The Destroyer still glowed in her hand, its power coursing through her, keeping her upright. Ancalagon loomed over her, his eyes glowing with a mixture of anger and admiration.

Valeria panted , but defiant, raising the Destroyer high “I will not be defeated! I carry the strength of the Destroyer, and I will unlock its full power, no matter what!”

In a final, desperate move, Valeria summoned all her strength, all the darkness within her. She swung the Destroyer in a wide arc, the blade glowing with intense blue light. The energy shot out from the sword, striking Ancalagon in the chest. The impact was like an explosion, sending the dragon reeling back, a roar of pain and surprise escaping his lips. The darkness that had surrounded them shattered, light flooding back into the space.

Ancalagon fell back, his massive form crashing into the ice, the ground shaking with the impact. For a moment, everything was still. Valeria stood, chest heaving, the Destroyer held out in front of her. Her eyes locked with Ancalagon’s, seeing a flicker of something new—respect, acceptance, perhaps even fear.

Ancalagon spoke , his voice low, filled with grudging respect “You are strong… stronger than I expected. You have proven your worth, for now. But the path ahead will be even more perilous. Do not falter, Valeria, for there are greater forces at play than you realize.”

.
.