Book of Ellagar

Chapter 13: Abyss

As the whirlwind of flames and ash died away, the wall of the chamber shimmered, revealing a hidden cavity and a set of stairs that spiraled down into the darkness. She coughed and sputtered. Found her breath. 

Her heart pounding in her chest, she took the first step down, the stone cool and slick beneath her feet. The presence in her mind grew louder now, a jumble of incoherent words that seemed to hint of ancient secrets and the fate of the world. Her breath was shallow, the air thick with the scent of mold, decay and smoke. She descended. 

The staircase led her to a vast circular chamber, its high arched ceiling lost in shadow. Hundreds of niches lined the walls, less than half containing an egg. Each egg perfectly preserved and identical in texture, and in scent, to those she had once guarded as her clutch. The clutch from which Verak and Ardvek both emerged. The eggs thrummed with life and magic. The air was stale and heavy, as if it had not been disturbed for an eternity. Each egg hummed with a latent power that resonated through her very bones. A cold sweat broke out on her brow as the voice in her mind grew clearer, confirming what she had feared. Egg-mother now had meaning. 

The eggs were not just any dragon's clutch but those of the ancient black dragon that had ruled this swamp. She had stored her eggs for a future time. Why thought Ellagar, why lay eggs and never hatch them? The air around them was charged with a dark, hungry power that whispered of ritual manipulations. The numerous random empty niches stood out like gaping wounds, stark reminders of the theft that had brought her into this cursed place.

As Ellagar approached the center of the chamber, the shadow, the spectre, grew tangible, coalescing into a form that was both terrifying and pitiful. The ghostly specter of the black dragon hovered over her clutch, her eyes burning with the fury of a mother denied her young. "You," it hissed, its voice like the rustle of dead leaves. "You dare to come to my sanctum to take more of what is not yours."

Ellagar felt the full oppression of the creature's judgement and malice, but she stood her ground. "I am no thief," she declared, her voice strong despite the tremor that ran through her. "I seek only knowledge, to understand the task that has been laid upon me."

The specter's eyes glowed in narrowed slits, its form pulsing with an eerie energy. "Knowledge," it repeated, the word a sneer. "You reek of her deceit, druid. You are her pawn, her plaything. I smell her upon you. Do not deny it. "

Ellagar felt the anger flare within her, her scales rippling with the intensity of her emotions. "I am no one's pawn," she said firmly, raising her staff. "I am the guardian of the prophecy, and I will not be swayed by fear or manipulation."

The specter of the black dragon coiled around her, its eyes burning with a cold, malicious amusement. "Ah, the prophecy," it hissed, a sound that seemed to carry the chill of a thousand winters. "How quaint. Your Grandmother, as she calls herself, is a master of lies, druid. She weaves a tapestry of deceit, painting over the truth with her own twisted desires. Tell me, do you truly believe that your fate is to be her puppet?"

The truth of the specter's words hit Ellagar hard. She felt a deep, sinking dread, as if the very earth beneath her was giving way. She reached for the comfort of the swamp and it remained beyond her power. Her heart echoed of doubt and anger in this dark hole. Was it all a lie? Had she been manipulated into believing she had a purpose, a destiny, when she was just a pawn in an ancient dragon's game? Her mind reeled, trying to reconcile the warmth of Grandmother's guidance with the cold reality of the words spoken by this spiteful spirit.

The warmth from Ardvek's bracelet grew stronger, a beacon in the cold chamber. It was a reminder of the love and trust that she had for the younglings. Ellagar clung to that warmth, drawing strength from it. This was not just about prophecy or power; it was about love and caring. She knew that, regardless of Grandmother's intentions, she had to ensure the safety and future of Verak and Ardvek.