2025-03-04 22:01:28After 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 warriors. However, the moment his blade struck, the creature’s body dissolved into shadows and reappeared elsewhere.
Renard attempted to stab one with his daggers, but the result was the same. Elden took a few steps back, focusing his thoughts. They couldn’t be defeated with ordinary attacks.
At that moment, a deep voice echoed through the air.
"Dragon Heir… You have finally arrived."
A figure emerged from the darkness, standing atop the ruins, half-human, half-shadow.
Kaelar tensed. “You…”
The figure let out a low chuckle. “My name is Azhir. I am the last guardian of this place.”
Elden narrowed his eyes. “What are you guarding?”
Azhir studied him with a calculating gaze. “I guard the gateway to where the last dragon sleeps. But before I allow you to pass… you must prove that you are worthy.”
In an instant, the undead warriors attacked once more!
Elden leaped back, dodging the slash of one of the undead. Blue fire flickered to life in his hands, his dragon instincts awakening.
Vaelis swiftly raised his staff, unleashing a wave of holy energy that struck the surrounding undead. Some of them burned and vanished, but others endured.
Kaelar fought with relentless determination, but ordinary attacks were not enough to defeat these foes. “Elden! We need something stronger!”
Elden gritted his teeth. He looked down at the Aether Eye in his hand. If this was a trial, then there was only one way to overcome it.
He tightened his grip on the artifact and focused his mind.
At that moment, a burst of golden-blue light erupted from his body.
Translucent dragon wings emerged from his back, and his eyes gleamed with a golden glow. For the first time, he felt the full power of the Dragon Heir.
With a single motion, Elden raised his hand toward the sky. Blue flames surged from the ground, encircling the remaining undead and reducing them to nothing.
Azhir watched him with a satisfied expression.
“You have proven yourself,” he said. “The gateway to the last dragon is now open to you.”
Before them, the ruins began to shift. A massive obsidian door slowly opened, revealing a passage leading deeper within.
Elden gazed into the corridor with unwavering determination. The answers to all his questions… and perhaps his destiny as the Dragon Heir… lay ahead.
But in the distance, atop a distant hill… a pair of crimson eyes watched them with burning hatred.
Malagar knew where they were.
...
A cold wind blew from within the obsidian stone corridor, carrying the scent of damp earth and ancient magic. The massive door that had just opened before them looked like the mouth of a monster, ready to swallow anyone who dared to enter.
Elden stood at the threshold, feeling the energy from within the corridor vibrate in his bones. The Aether Eye in his grasp pulsed, as if confirming that they were on the right path.
Vaelis stepped closer and ran his fingers over the dragon carvings on the walls. “This place… was built centuries ago by the dragons and the first humans. Few know of its existence.”
Kaelar remained alert, his sword ready in hand. “If this really leads to the last dragon, we can’t let our guard down. Malagar surely knows we’re here.”
Renard, usually carefree, now seemed more serious. “I don’t like enclosed spaces like this. Too many places for traps.”
Elden took a deep breath. “We have no choice. The last dragon awaits us inside.”
Without hesitation, they stepped into the corridor.
As soon as they entered, the stone door behind them suddenly slammed shut with a thunderous roar.
“I knew it,” Renard muttered. “No way back.”
Vaelis conjured a magical light from his staff, illuminating the rocky path ahead. The corridor walls were covered in dragon carvings that seemed to shift and breathe within the flickering glow.
Elden led the way, following the vibrations from the Aether Eye. The deeper they ventured, the heavier the air around them became.
Kaelar suddenly stopped. “Something’s ahead.”
Everyone tensed. From the darkness, a tall, slender figure emerged, its eyes glowing red like embers.
“So, you’ve finally arrived.”
The voice was deep and resonant, sending chills down their spines. The figure stepped forward, and Vaelis’ magic light finally revealed his face.
Draven.
Elden clenched his fists. “What are you doing here?”
Draven smirked. “I told you before, I don’t serve Malagar… but I don’t serve you either.”
Renard raised an eyebrow. “So, are you here to stop us?”
Draven shook his head. “No. I’m here to see… if you’re truly worthy of being the Dragon Heir.”
In an instant, Draven drew his sword and lunged at Elden with blinding speed!
Elden barely had time to react as Draven’s attack came for him. He raised his arm to block, but Draven’s blade missed his throat by mere inches.
Kaelar leaped forward, intercepting the strike with full force. “If you want to fight, face me first!”
Draven retreated nimbly, his eyes gleaming. “You already know, Kaelar. This fight isn’t for you.”
With a swift motion, Draven unleashed a wave of shadow energy, pushing everyone back, except for Elden.
Elden coughed, struggling to rise. “If this is a test, then I won’t back down!”
He raised his hand, allowing blue fire to engulf his body. Translucent dragon wings unfolded on his back, and his eyes shone gold.
Draven smiled. “Good. Now… show me your strength.”
The two clashed instantly. Elden hurled flames, but Draven sliced through them effortlessly with his shadow blade. Every attack Elden made felt like striking an impenetrable wall.
Kaelar tried to stand, but Vaelis grabbed his arm. “Stay out of this. This is Elden’s trial.”
Renard grumbled. “I don’t like this. But fine.”
Meanwhile, Elden continued battling Draven, searching for an opening in his defense. But Draven was always one step ahead.
“You’re still not strong enough.”
Draven suddenly vanished and reappeared behind Elden, his sword poised inches from Elden’s heart.
But before the blade could strike, the Aether Eye flared with brilliant light!
BOOM!
A surge of energy exploded from Elden, forcing Draven back for the first time. Elden stood firm, breathing heavily. “I won’t lose.”
Draven gazed at him for a long moment, then finally smiled. “Very well. You pass.”
His sword faded into shadow, and his form began to dissolve.
Kaelar stepped forward cautiously. “What do you mean?”
Draven glanced at him briefly. “I needed to be sure that Elden could control his own power.”
Vaelis sighed. “And you nearly killed everyone just for that?”
Draven chuckled. “Better he learns now than when facing Malagar.”
Renard scoffed. “You’re insufferable.”
Draven shrugged. “I know.”
Before vanishing completely, he looked at Elden once more. “One thing to remember, Elden. When you find the last dragon, don’t trust it immediately. Not all dragons are friends.”
After Draven’s departure, Elden felt exhausted, but his mind was clearer than ever. He now understood that power wasn’t just about strength, it was about control.
Vaelis looked ahead, where the corridor narrowed, and a faint blue light shimmered in the distance.
“We’re close,” he said.
Kaelar nodded. “Stay ready. There may be more trials ahead.”
Renard sheathed his daggers again. “I just hope it’s not another fight.”
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Heir of the Dragon’s Blood 14 : The Last Dragon
The narrow passage they had been following gradually widened, revealing a sight beyond imagination.Before them lay a massive cavern, its walls shimmering like gemstones. A blue glow emanated from the crystals embedded in the ceiling, casting a magical atmosphere. In the center of the cavern, a silver lake reflected the light, creating the illusion that they were standing beneath a starlit sky.But the most striking sight of all was the enormous figure resting at the heart of the cave.A colossal dragon, its scales as black as the night, and eyes glowing blue like the stars. Elden felt his heart stop for a moment.The last dragon.Elden stepped forward cautiously, while the others remained on guard.The dragon opened its eyes, staring at them with an unreadable expression. “At last, you have arrived, Heir of the Dragon Blood.”The voice did not come through their ears but resonated directly in their minds, deep and echoing like the voice of nature itself.Elden swallowed hard, trying
Heir of the Dragon’s Blood 15 : The Battle in the Dragon’s Cave
Without warning, Malagar raised his hand, and a massive black energy orb the size of a boulder formed above him!“Feel the wrath of darkness!”BOOOM!The energy orb shot forward at an incredible speed!Elden and the others scrambled to dodge. The cave floor trembled violently as the energy orb smashed into the rocky walls, triggering a massive explosion that sent giant shards of stone crashing down.“Don’t let him destroy this place!” Kaelar shouted, drawing his sword and dashing forward.Renard also sprang into action, hurling several daggers at Malagar, but with a mere wave of his hand, Malagar effortlessly deflected all the attacks.Vaelis raised his staff and chanted a spell. A burst of blue light shot from its tip, streaking toward Malagar.However, before the magic could reach him, Malagar lifted his hand and conjured a shadow shield.“A good attempt… but futile.”Malagar gestured toward Vaelis, and suddenly the ground beneath him cracked open!“Vaelis, watch out!” Elden shouted
Heir of the Dragon’s Blood 16 : Confronted by Darkness
Elden stood tall, the blue flames still blazing across his body. His eyes locked onto Malagar with pure hatred, yet deep within, he began to feel something strange. The power of the dragon’s blood, newly awakened, was incredible, but also… uncontrollable.Malagar smirked. "You feel it, don’t you? That power… it doesn’t want you to resist it."Elden gritted his teeth, trying to block out Malagar’s voice. He stepped forward, raising his sword, which burned with blue fire. "I won’t let you manipulate me."Malagar lifted one hand, and dark shadows began swirling around him. "Let’s see how long you can hold out, Dragon Heir."Without warning, Malagar shot forward with incredible speed. Elden had only a split second to raise his sword and block the attack. The clash between blue flames and dark shadows sent shockwaves through the entire cavern.Kaelar, Renard, and Vaelis stepped back, trying to avoid the destruction unfolding around them.Kaelar drew his sword. "We can’t just stand here and
Heir of the Dragon’s Blood 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
Heir of the Dragon’s Blood 1 : The Awakened Mark
The night wind swept through the forest, carrying the scent of damp earth and freshly fallen leaves. Amidst the dense foliage, a young man clad in ragged hunter’s garb moved cautiously, his sharp eyes scanning every movement around him. Elden, a simple village hunter, gripped his bow tightly. He had spent hours in the forest, yet his prey had not appeared."Just one deer is all I need…" he muttered under his breath, almost as if speaking to himself.Life in his small village on the kingdom’s edge had always been simple—rising before dawn, hunting for food, and returning before nightfall. But tonight was different. The air felt heavier, denser, as if unseen eyes were watching him from the shadows of the trees.Suddenly, the bushes ahead rustled violently. Elden swiftly raised his bow, nocking an arrow, and aimed toward the source of the sound."Hrrr…"A low growl sent chills down his spine. Emerging from the darkness of the forest was a wolf—but not an ordinary one. Its body was larger
Heir of the Dragon’s Blood 2 : The Hunt Begins
Elden began to run out of breath as the current of the water pushed him closer to death."I have to... get out of here..." he thought in panic.Then, something strange happened. The mark on his arm started glowing faintly underwater, and suddenly, his body felt lighter. His muscles reacted faster, and it was as if his instincts were guiding him on how to fight the current.With his newfound strength, Elden kicked hard and swam toward the riverbank. It took a few seconds, but he finally reached the edge, dragging himself onto the rocks, gasping for air.In the distance, he could still hear the muffled voices of the knights. They seemed to be struggling to find a way across the gorge."I made it..." Elden exhaled, relief washing over him despite his exhaustion.But he couldn't stay there for long. He had to keep moving.Hours later, Elden continued walking along the riverbank, trying to put as much distance as possible between himself and his pursuers. The forest grew denser, with sunli
Heir of the Dragon’s Blood 3 : The Awakening Flame
Elden was still staring at his palm, his breath ragged after what had just happened. He had never experienced anything like this before. He had always thought of himself as just an ordinary young man from a small village, not someone who could wield fire.Kaelar, sitting across from him, gave a slight smile. "This is just the beginning, Elden. If you don’t learn to control it, that power could become your weapon… or your downfall."Elden swallowed hard. "How do I control it?"Kaelar crossed his arms. "Just like controlling your breath. You can’t force it, but you can guide it. You must understand the power, not fight against it."Elden furrowed his brow. He wasn’t sure he could do it. When the fire had erupted from his hands earlier, it felt uncontrollable, an untamed explosion bursting from within him. If he wasn’t careful, he could burn himself… or worse, the people around him.Kaelar seemed to sense his unease. "Don’t fear your own power, Elden. Fear will only make it wilder."Elde
Heir of the Dragon’s Blood 4 : The Hidden Village
Elden was still sitting, breathing heavily. The dream felt so real, as if he had truly stood before the massive black dragon speaking to him. Its words echoed in his mind, "You have awakened, my heir."Kaelar watched him with a calm expression, as if he had expected this to happen. Elden swallowed hard, trying to steady himself before asking, "What does all of this mean? Why did I dream about that dragon?"Kaelar sighed. "That was no mere dream, Elden. It was a call from your bloodline. The dragon within you is beginning to recognize your presence, and it is trying to speak with you."Elden frowned. "So... there's a dragon inside me?"Kaelar nodded. "Dragon blood is not just about power, it is a legacy of the soul. Every heir of dragon blood will experience a moment like this, where their ancestral dragon reaches out to them in a dream to test their readiness."Elden stared at his own hands, trying to comprehend what was happening to him. It felt as if he was walking a dark path with
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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
16 : Confronted by Darkness
Elden stood tall, the blue flames still blazing across his body. His eyes locked onto Malagar with pure hatred, yet deep within, he began to feel something strange. The power of the dragon’s blood, newly awakened, was incredible, but also… uncontrollable.Malagar smirked. "You feel it, don’t you? That power… it doesn’t want you to resist it."Elden gritted his teeth, trying to block out Malagar’s voice. He stepped forward, raising his sword, which burned with blue fire. "I won’t let you manipulate me."Malagar lifted one hand, and dark shadows began swirling around him. "Let’s see how long you can hold out, Dragon Heir."Without warning, Malagar shot forward with incredible speed. Elden had only a split second to raise his sword and block the attack. The clash between blue flames and dark shadows sent shockwaves through the entire cavern.Kaelar, Renard, and Vaelis stepped back, trying to avoid the destruction unfolding around them.Kaelar drew his sword. "We can’t just stand here and
15 : The Battle in the Dragon’s Cave
Without warning, Malagar raised his hand, and a massive black energy orb the size of a boulder formed above him!“Feel the wrath of darkness!”BOOOM!The energy orb shot forward at an incredible speed!Elden and the others scrambled to dodge. The cave floor trembled violently as the energy orb smashed into the rocky walls, triggering a massive explosion that sent giant shards of stone crashing down.“Don’t let him destroy this place!” Kaelar shouted, drawing his sword and dashing forward.Renard also sprang into action, hurling several daggers at Malagar, but with a mere wave of his hand, Malagar effortlessly deflected all the attacks.Vaelis raised his staff and chanted a spell. A burst of blue light shot from its tip, streaking toward Malagar.However, before the magic could reach him, Malagar lifted his hand and conjured a shadow shield.“A good attempt… but futile.”Malagar gestured toward Vaelis, and suddenly the ground beneath him cracked open!“Vaelis, watch out!” Elden shouted
14 : The Last Dragon
The narrow passage they had been following gradually widened, revealing a sight beyond imagination.Before them lay a massive cavern, its walls shimmering like gemstones. A blue glow emanated from the crystals embedded in the ceiling, casting a magical atmosphere. In the center of the cavern, a silver lake reflected the light, creating the illusion that they were standing beneath a starlit sky.But the most striking sight of all was the enormous figure resting at the heart of the cave.A colossal dragon, its scales as black as the night, and eyes glowing blue like the stars. Elden felt his heart stop for a moment.The last dragon.Elden stepped forward cautiously, while the others remained on guard.The dragon opened its eyes, staring at them with an unreadable expression. “At last, you have arrived, Heir of the Dragon Blood.”The voice did not come through their ears but resonated directly in their minds, deep and echoing like the voice of nature itself.Elden swallowed hard, trying
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
Elden and his party left black wind fortress, the site of their previous battle, and continued their journey toward the astrahal desert. According to the Dragon's Tome, hidden within this desert was one of the keys to the ancient Dragon's Heart, an artifact capable of awakening the true dragon power within Elden.However, the journey to Astrahal was anything but easy. The desert was known as a perilous place, filled with desert bandits, magical creatures, and deadly sandstorms. Weakened and wounded from their last battle, they needed to move quickly before Malagar’s forces caught up with them.Under the scorching sun, Elden walked at the front of the group alongside Kaelar and Renard, while Vaelis stayed at the rear, shielding them with protective magic against the sandstorm. Despite his injuries from the last battle, Renard maintained his usual nonchalant attitude."You know? I'd rather face Malagar’s army than walk through this place," Renard grumbled, shaking off the dust from his
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
