2025-02-05 23:25:00The Ardent Fortress now stood as a witness to the awakening of Elden’s power. The light from the Dragon’s Heart had slowly dimmed, leaving behind a lingering magical aura in the air. Elden could still feel the warmth of dragon energy coursing through his body, yet he knew this was only the beginning of his journey.
Kaelar rested his sword on his shoulder, breaking the silence. “So, we’re heading to Eldoria Peak?”
Renard nodded. “That’s the only clue we have. If King Orthenos’s final secret truly lies there, we can’t afford to wait any longer.”
Vaelis gazed at the towering ceiling of the fortress. “But Eldoria Peak isn’t easy to reach. It lies within Malagar’s domain.”
Elden clenched his fists. The name Malagar sent a burning fury through his chest. That man had destroyed his village and hunted dragon blood. And now, Elden knew Malagar was after him too.
Renard stepped toward the fortress exit. “We need to move fast. If Malagar knows we’re here, he may have already sent someone to stop us.”
Elden nodded. He took a deep breath and followed Renard out of the hall.
They walked through the long corridors, now eerily quiet after their battle with the Fortress Guardians. As they reached the main gate, Elden turned back for one last look. This fortress had held many secrets about the dragons, and about himself. But his time here was over.
With steady steps, he and the others left the Ardent Fortress.
As they stepped outside, the sky had already begun to darken. A cold wind howled, carrying whispers that sounded eerily like voices in the distance.
Kaelar narrowed his eyes. “I don’t like this feeling.”
Renard reached for his dagger. “We’re being watched.”
Elden glanced around, trying to sense something in the darkness. Suddenly, from the trees surrounding the fortress, several cloaked figures emerged.
One of them stepped forward, his voice cold and sharp. “So, you’ve finally come out, dragon heir.”
Elden tensed. “Who are you?”
The man raised his hand, igniting a purple flame in his palm. “We are the Order of Shadows, loyal followers of Malagar.”
Vaelis swiftly lifted his staff. “So, Malagar already knows we’re here.”
The man smirked. “He has been watching you for a long time. And now, we are here to ensure your journey ends tonight.”
With a wave of his hand, the other members of the Order drew their weapons. Their blades glowed with dark energy, tainted with cursed magic.
Kaelar grinned. “If they want a fight, let’s give them one.”
Without warning, the Order of Shadows attacked.
Elden moved instantly, dodging the first strike from one of his foes. He countered with a blast of golden fire from his hands, but the cloaked man swiftly conjured a shadow shield to block it.
Kaelar charged forward, clashing swords with two enemies at once. He used his sheer strength to overpower them while Renard darted through the shadows, striking at their weak points with deadly precision.
Vaelis stood behind, gathering his magic. With a single chant, he unleashed a wave of ice, freezing several of the Order’s members in an instant.
But their leader remained unfazed. He raised both hands to the sky, and dark clouds began to swirl above them. Purple lightning crackled, and from within the darkness, a monstrous shadowy creature emerged, its eyes glowing red. Elden could feel the malevolent energy radiating from it. He tightened his grip.
The leader of the Order sneered. “You may have dragon’s blood, but you are not ready to face true darkness.”
Elden didn’t respond. He knew words wouldn’t change anything. He had only one choice, fight.
The shadow beast lunged at him with terrifying speed. Elden had only a fraction of a second to raise his hand and form a fiery shield. The creature crashed into it, creating an explosion of energy that forced Elden back several steps.
Kaelar managed to cut down one of the Order’s warriors, but another shadow appeared behind him, slashing across his shoulder. He grunted in pain.
Renard threw his dagger, piercing the throat of an enemy, but before he could move again, a blast of dark energy sent him sprawling to the ground.
Vaelis tried to protect them with a barrier spell, but the sheer force of the enemy’s dark magic was overwhelming.
Elden gritted his teeth. If they kept fighting like this, they would lose.
He closed his eyes, searching for the energy within him. Orthenos had told him he was only beginning to understand his power.
As he focused, he felt a deeper, stronger current of energy, one beyond just dragon fire. This was something more. The essence of a true dragon.
Elden’s eyes snapped open, and for the first time, the dragon mark on his arm glowed brighter. The golden flames around him shifted into a purer light, like the radiance of the sun.
The Order’s leader froze. “Impossible…”
Elden didn’t give him a chance. In one swift motion, he lunged forward, his fist brimming with dragon energy. As he struck the shadow beast, an explosion of light erupted, obliterating the creature instantly.
The leader of the Order staggered back, shock written across his face. “What… what did you do?”
Elden met his gaze, his golden eyes shining. “I’m just beginning to understand who I am.”
For the first time, the leader hesitated. He raised his hand, summoning a black mist to escape. “We will meet again, dragon heir!”
With that, he vanished into the darkness, along with the remnants of his surviving men.
Kaelar exhaled heavily, clutching his wound. “Damn… that was exhausting.”
Renard slowly stood, wincing. “At least we’re still alive.”
Vaelis looked at Elden in awe. “What you just did… that wasn’t ordinary dragon fire.”
Elden took a deep breath, still feeling the power coursing through him. “I’m not sure… but I think I’m finally unlocking the true power of a dragon.”
They fell into silence for a moment before Renard spoke.
“We can’t waste any more time. If Malagar knows we’re here, we need to move before he sends a larger force.”
Elden nodded. They couldn’t afford to delay any longer.
With renewed determination, they resumed their journey toward Eldoria Peak, where the answers they sought awaited.
...
The night wind howled as Elden and his companions left the Ardent Fortress behind. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale light over the rocky path leading into the dense forest ahead. After their brutal battle with the Order of Shadows, they knew the road to Eldoria Peak would only become more dangerous.
Renard led the way, his eyes scanning for any movement. “We need to stay alert. The Order may still be watching us.”
Kaelar sighed, rubbing his injured shoulder. “Damn it, they were stronger than I expected. If their leader hadn’t fled, I’m not sure we would have won.”
Elden gripped his sword tightly. He could still feel the newfound power stirring within him. “I don’t fully understand this power yet… but I know we have to move quickly.”
Vaelis nodded. “Eldoria Peak is deep in Malagar’s territory. We need to find a less conspicuous route.”
Renard smirked. “I know a shortcut. But we’ll have to pass through the Forbidden Lands.”
Kaelar frowned. “The Forbidden Lands? That doesn’t sound good.”
Renard’s grin didn’t fade. “It’s not. But it’s the only way to avoid Malagar’s patrols.”
Elden looked ahead at the thickening trees. A foreboding feeling settled in his gut. But they had no other choice. Without another word, they stepped into the darkness of the forest, unaware of the horrors awaiting them in the shadows.
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17 : Eyes Behind the Shadows
They stood amidst the ruins of the cave, remnants of battle scattered around them. Elden’s breathing was still heavy, but his eyes had returned to normal, bright blue, no longer the deep purple darkness that had nearly consumed him. Kaelar, Renard, and Vaelis watched him cautiously, ensuring he was truly back to himself.Across from them, Malagar stood with a calm expression, though it was clear he was slightly surprised by what had just transpired."Interesting," Malagar murmured, a thin smirk forming. "I thought you would succumb to the darkness, Elden. But it seems you're more stubborn than I expected."Elden clenched his fists. He could still feel the remnants of the dark energy swirling inside him, but now he was more prepared to control it. "I won’t let myself fall into your game."Malagar chuckled softly. "Oh, Elden… this is not my game. This is fate, one that was decided the moment you were born."Kaelar stepped closer to Elden, his stance wary. "We need to leave. We've fought
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14 : The Last Dragon
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13 : The Passage to Destiny
After several hours of walking, they arrived in a land unlike anything they had seen before. The desert sands gradually turned into black, rocky ground, as if they were stepping into another world.The Aether Eye in Elden’s grasp began to glow even brighter.“This place…” Elden murmured, sensing a strange energy in the air.Vaelis scanned the surroundings. “This is no ordinary place. I can feel traces of ancient magic here.”Ahead of them, ancient ruins emerged from the night mist. Towering pillars made of obsidian stone stood tall, adorned with carvings of dragons that seemed older than any human civilization.Kaelar drew his sword. “I don’t like this place.”But before they could retreat, the ground suddenly trembled.From beneath the earth, armored hands burst forth, followed by massive figures resembling ancient warriors. Their eyes glowed red, and an aura of death surrounded them.“Undead soldiers…” Vaelis exhaled heavily.Kaelar sprang into action, slashing at one of the undead
12 : Betrayal Among Us
After leaving the Buried City, Valthorien, Elden and his group emerged back to the surface, where night had fallen over the Astrahal Desert. The once-scorching heat had given way to a biting cold, while the wind whispered softly across the dunes.Elden gripped the Aether Eye tightly. The artifact pulsed gently in his grasp, as if it possessed a consciousness of its own. He still didn’t fully understand the vision he had seen of the last dragon and of himself completely transforming into one.Vaelis walked beside him, gazing at the artifact with a contemplative look. “The Aether Eye is an extraordinary object… but it can also be a dangerous burden. If you are not ready to wield it, it may consume you.”Elden swallowed hard. “I know… But if this is the only way to defeat Malagar, then I have to use it.”Kaelar, leading ahead of them, suddenly stopped and raised his hand, signaling for silence. Everyone immediately became alert.“We’re being followed,” he whispered.Renard quickly drew h
11 : The Buried City
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10 : Shadows Beyond the Sky
The Ardent Fortress now stood as a witness to the awakening of Elden’s power. The light from the Dragon’s Heart had slowly dimmed, leaving behind a lingering magical aura in the air. Elden could still feel the warmth of dragon energy coursing through his body, yet he knew this was only the beginning of his journey.Kaelar rested his sword on his shoulder, breaking the silence. “So, we’re heading to Eldoria Peak?”Renard nodded. “That’s the only clue we have. If King Orthenos’s final secret truly lies there, we can’t afford to wait any longer.”Vaelis gazed at the towering ceiling of the fortress. “But Eldoria Peak isn’t easy to reach. It lies within Malagar’s domain.”Elden clenched his fists. The name Malagar sent a burning fury through his chest. That man had destroyed his village and hunted dragon blood. And now, Elden knew Malagar was after him too.Renard stepped toward the fortress exit. “We need to move fast. If Malagar knows we’re here, he may have already sent someone to stop
9 : The Gate of Ardent Fortress
The footsteps of Elden, Kaelar, Vaelis, and Renard echoed along the narrowing stone corridor. The air around them began to change, growing colder and heavier, as if something unseen was pressing down on them. The dim light from the torch Vaelis carried cast long shadows on the walls, creating the illusion that they were not alone.After walking for several minutes, they finally arrived before a massive gate made of intricately carved black metal. The engravings depicted a great dragon with outstretched wings, its eyes appearing to watch anyone who stood before it.Kaelar placed his hand on the gate. "So, this is Ardent Fortress?"Renard nodded. "This is the entrance. But getting inside won’t be that easy."Elden stepped forward, sensing something strange about the gate. "Why not?"Renard looked at him seriously. "This gate will only open for those with the blood of a true dragon. Without it, anyone who tries to enter will die on the spot."Elden felt his heart beat faster. "So, I have
