Eclipsed

Chapter 66

Alric staggered through the dense forest, his body battered and broken from his brutal fight with Yoruzen. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, staining his armor and dripping onto the ground with every unsteady step. His left arm hung limp at his side, and a deep wound on his torso leaked crimson, the pain radiating through his entire body. His breathing was ragged, each inhale a sharp reminder of how close he'd come to death.

A faint roar cut through the silence, and Alric's eyes lit up with recognition. Emerging from the shadows was Tiberon, his massive black dragon. The creature's onyx scales glistened under the moonlight, and its piercing golden eyes glowed with primal intelligence. Smoke billowed from its nostrils as it lowered its immense head, allowing Alric to climb onto its back. Tiberon let out a low rumble, sensing his master's weakened state.

"Let's go," Alric whispered hoarsely, gripping the dragon's reins. Tiberon spread its enormous wings, each one stretching wider than the tallest towers of Mizugan, and leaped into the sky. The force of its takeoff sent dust and leaves swirling below as they ascended rapidly.

The cold night air stung Alric's wounds, and he winced, clutching his side. Blood seeped between his fingers as he frantically pulled a cloth from his pack and pressed it to the gash, grimacing at the pressure. He fumbled to secure it, tying it tightly around his torso to slow the bleeding.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, his voice filled with frustration and exhaustion. "That other guy was still there... I should've taken him out while I had the chance. What was I thinking?"

Tiberon flew with incredible speed, the vast expanse of the darkened landscape below blurring as they approached Mizugan. The city's lights shimmered like tiny stars on the horizon, starkly contrasting the chaos Alric had just left behind. Despite his physical pain, his mind churned with thoughts of Yoruzen.

As the dragon soared, Alric's brow furrowed. Yoruzen's face lingered in his mind, etched with a strange familiarity. "He looks like someone I know..." Alric murmured, his voice barely audible over the howling wind. His eyes widened as realization struck. "Ren. That's it. He mentioned something about being related to Yoruzen."

A wave of uncertainty washed over him. "Man... I don't even know where Ren went. He disappeared with that other guy," he muttered, his frustration mounting.

As Tiberon descended, the majestic palace of Mizugan came into view. Perched atop a cliff overlooking the city, the palace was an architectural marvel. Towering spires reached for the heavens, their tips glowing faintly under the moonlight. The walls were crafted from pristine white stone that seemed to shimmer in the dark, adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and ancient symbols. Torches burned at the gates, casting flickering shadows across the grand courtyard.

Tiberon landed softly on the palace grounds, its claws scraping against the polished stone. Alric slid off its back, stumbling as his legs nearly disappeared beneath him. He glanced around warily, scanning the area for any sign of danger. Everything was eerily normal.

"Kaiser didn't do anything?" he muttered, his voice laced with disbelief. "And Yoruzen... he's not here either?"

Relief flooded him, and he exhaled shakily. Keeping to the shadows, Alric made his way toward the palace's entrance, avoiding the patrols and staff that roamed the grounds. The massive doors loomed ahead, ornately carved with depictions of dragons encircling the emblem of Mizugan—a glowing orb held aloft by clawed hands.

Alric pushed the doors open just enough to slip inside. The grand hall stretched before him, its polished marble floors reflecting the light of the chandeliers hanging above. Stained glass windows lined the walls, depicting legendary battles and the city's rich history. His footsteps echoed faintly as he moved through the corridors, his hand brushing against the smooth stone walls for support.