Conqueror Of The Dark Soul

Chapter 16 - Luth The Lightning

While spreading its giant wings, the Silver Dragon spewed fire from its mouth, aiming at Alden like a waterfall.

“Ice Shard.”

“Vires Magicae.”

Combining the Ice Shard and Dark Dimension spells to enhance his magical power, Alden directed a chunk of ice, twice the size of his own body, toward the Silver Dragon, or more precisely, towards the stream of fiery breath.

Certainly, spells at that level wouldn't be very useful at a time like this; the fiery breath instantly melted the ice shards.

Alden knew it wouldn't be enough, so, while throwing another ice shard, he continued to retreat further.

"Can you tell me the creature's weakness?" Alden asked amidst the desperate cries.

Black Orb fell silent for a moment before answering, "Dragons naturally submit to creatures stronger than them. That's why Emperors or stronger Dark Souls often become Dragon riders."

At that moment, Alden suddenly remembered something. The giant winged creature was undoubtedly powerful, but in Alden's veins flowed the blood of an Emperor.

"Do you think you can subdue the Dragon with your current strength? Don't be naive. Even if you have my blood flowing in your veins, you're still a novice," Black Orb emphasized each word clearly.

"Okay, that might indeed be a bad idea. But is there any other idea?" Alden leaped to the side as the fire burst rained down on him again.

Burning buildings surrounded him, and he still didn't understand why the Silver Dragon targeted him specifically. Unlike other Dragons that indiscriminately destroyed everything, this one seemed different.

Despite Alden's continuous running and using various types of spells, the Dragon showed no signs of stopping the pursuit. With the flapping of its giant wings, it could easily catch up with Alden.

"Silver Dragon..." Black Orb suddenly spoke softly, as if realizing something.

"I think this is bad," Black Orb said.

"It's been bad from the beginning. It would've been nice if someone noticed that strange guy before it was too late," Alden complained.

"Okay, that might be my fault... no, everything that happened is indeed my fault," Black Orb admitted.

"The Black Orb containing my soul is a mythical item made from the heart of the Silver Dragon... maybe that's why the creature is chasing you," Black Orb explained.

"So, you mean if I hand you over to that creature, I'll be safe?" Alden was tempted to try something.

"Hey!" Black Orb shouted in panic.

"Okay, that would probably be detrimental to me in the long run." Alden quickly abandoned the idea of handing Black Orb over to the Silver Dragon. Black Orb was his assurance to become stronger, to survive amidst the hunting by the Dark Lord, and to save his imprisoned mother.

Black Orb sighed in relief.

At this moment, the Silver Dragon seemed angrier as its roar intensified. With each roar, it flapped its wings forcefully and spewed fire from its mouth.

The power and temperature of the fire emanating from the mouth of the gigantic creature were even stronger than before, with a wider range.

"Don't you have a spell that can help right now?" Alden asked in panic.

"You're not capable of using it yet," Black Orb replied.

"Not capable? In a situation like this, is 'not capable' the primary reason for me to die?"

At that moment, a small reddish-black crown appeared above Black Orb. In a fraction of a second, it disappeared again.

It was the only ability that Black Orb could use in its current form—a form of reading fate. However, it could only be used in specific conditions, providing a rough glimpse of what might happen in the future. And the fate it read was related to itself.

"You won't die here. It's impossible to avoid that attack; create a shield, delay as much as possible." That was Black Orb's advice in this situation. But was it enough? Alden kept thinking that it might not be enough. Yet, Black Orb's advice had never led him to failure.

Alden turned to see that he couldn't avoid the fire burst, following Black Orb's words, "Shit!" Alden cursed while skillfully manipulating his hands.

"To hell with everything!" As he shouted, Alden turned his body to face the giant creature, with his palms in front, he began chanting spells, "Ice Shard!"

"Ice Barrier!"

"Ice Field!"

"Vires Magicae!"

First, a chunk of ice appeared in front of him, followed by an octagon-shaped shield made of solid ice, then frozen points beneath his feet spread around, adding cold energy to the surroundings. At least, he had to use all the spells that could counteract the fire burst.

The three spells were reinforced with the Dark Dimension spell; soon, the fire reached the ice chunk. In a matter of seconds, it melted. Now, Alden was in the midst of the waterfall of fire, the intense heat making his sweat pour profusely. "Shit!"

Black Orb remained silent.

His last defense was the Ice Barrier, and it wouldn't be enough either. Slowly, vapor began to emerge from the Ice Barrier, a sign that it too would melt. Holding with one hand, Alden placed his other hand on the ground, precisely on the Ice Field that was also slowly melting. "Earth Wall!"

If ice didn't work, he needed to find another solution. A wall of earth protruded from beneath his feet and stood upright in front of him simultaneously as the Ice Barrier completely shattered.

Whatever it was, Alden knew that if this persisted, he would die. There was no oxygen in the fire burst; the hot air seemed to bake him alive, his trembling body almost out of mana. It was a sign of defeat, no, more precisely, death.

When Alden thought it was the end, the Silver Dragon's fiery breath weakened. Slowly disappearing. Alden fell to his knees with some of his clothes on fire. His breath was short and rapid, as if he could inhale fresh air for the first time.

His body seemed to scream in pain, the lingering heat still making his body tremble. He looked ahead, the gigantic creature now turned and faced away. Spewing fire in the opposite direction, it seemed to be fighting someone else.

Alden, slowly adjusting his breath, observed it carefully. There were colorful glows in his eyes, perhaps the effect of staring at fire for a long time. It made what he saw not very clear.

"Now it's your time to leave," Black Orb said.

Alden was about to stand when a determined scream sounded, "Aaaaaa!"

Alden recognized that voice. It was Luth's voice!

"Alden, you must leave from here!" Black Orb seemed very eager for Alden to leave immediately; after all, this might be his last chance to survive.

Squinting his eyes, Alden could see a little clearer.

A man jumped into the air, swinging a shimmering silver-handled sword. At first glance, Alden could recognize the sword—it was the one he saw during training with Luth.

"That's Uncle Luth!" Alden realized immediately.

"Alden, you must leave from here!" Black Orb shouted.

Luth's strikes had no significant effect on the gigantic creature; instead, the creature spewed fiery breath, making it difficult for Luth to evade properly. His left hand was burned, leaving nothing but charred remains. With a slow, agonizing groan, Luth fell to the ground.

At that moment, the Silver Dragon once again prepared to unleash its fiery breath, while Luth, with one remaining arm, raised his sword. A yellow aura intermittently appeared and disappeared around his sword.

In an instant, Luth vanished from his spot. He reappeared in the air, slashing horizontally with a resolute cry.

Alden watched in silence. It was undoubtedly a sword technique far beyond anything he had seen before. It was on a different level than what Luth had ever shown him.

Even Black Orb sounded surprised, "He broke the seal given by the Dark Lord!?"

"This doesn't align with the Fate I see..." He stopped speaking right then.

The Silver Dragon split in half, while Luth, charred and burning, fell to the ground, smoke billowing around him.

Alden stared blankly before running towards Luth. "Is there a spell I can use to save him?" Alden unconsciously shed tears. Perhaps, this was the first time he cried after what happened in his village.

Luth was his mentor. Although Luth didn't recognize Alden, Alden recognized him. Memories of years spent together, fighting together, and even training together were vivid in his mind.

"Hey, didn't you say I wouldn't die here?"

"Hey!"

Black Orb remained silent.

...

At that moment, on the third floor of the Dark Dimension, a book manifested from the void. Taking its place in the middle of the vast array of other books on the shelf. Elaborate carvings on it displayed a determination, "Luth The Lightning."

Next to that book was another one with a vague title, "Artheon The Hero," and "Merlin The Magus."