Lucius Theron had always wanted two things and only two things his whole life. To be a hero, a shining example of justice incarnate and a much more simple dream. He wanted to punch a dolphin without fear of being judged. He had always cared more than he should have about how others thought about him as well as being your typical OCD 'why can't I get my hair the right way' kinda guy. Luckily he didn't really have to worry about the whole others opinions thing any longer since 3 years ago when he graduated from knight school, won the tournament of ages, and became 'Hero of the seven realms, upholder of justice, and defender of innocent' and was immediately held in the highest standards by most everyone. Little did he know just how much that title entailed. Our hero finds himself locked in combat with the famed 'Lightning Dragon of the West'. Before his war torn figure stands the bane of most of bot all human existence, Zaoltar.
Zaoltar being the 70 foot tall, giant yellow dragon that he is let out a ear drum shattering roar which shook all the onlookers that were witnessing the fight between Lucius and the dragon to the core. It echoed through the great divide, a giant canyon of unknown depth of which no known explorer had returned from alive and or sane enough to recite what happened. It was located right next to the capital city of Atmora the largest of the seven kingdoms. It also happened to be a few hundred feet away from where Lucius and the dragon were engaged in combat.
"Dragon I can sense you're on your last leg, leave and never return and I shall spare you" Lucius said while bluffing that he could keep this up. He was human after all, and not able to exceed his human limitations.
The dragon let out a thunderous laugh before saying
"You truly are a perceptive human to have been able to gauge what little mana I have left."
Lucius was surprised, but made sure not to show it. He smirked, his bluff had worked and even better than he had dared to hope it would. He was actually about to defeat him. He almost felt it was too good to be true. After all he wasn't some hero of legend. The only difference between him and any other average Joe's fighting abilities were training, a bit of innate talent, and some, not much but some experience. That's when the dragon said something that didn't resonate well with him.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
"Unfortunately for both you and myself you have forced my hand and whatever attack I use next will end my life due to my low mana levels. That is why it's bad for me, however the reason it's bad for you is that I always save the best for last."
Lucius couldn't help but gulp upon realizing his helplessness. (Would this dragon really rather kill us both than live to fight another day) was the last thought that ran through his mind before returning his gaze to the dragon of which was currently charging what looked to be a powerful spell.
As a nearly blinding bright yellow light began forming in the dragons gaping maw, Lucius took a defensive stance welding his greatsword and prepared to attempt to block the soon to be incoming attack. How effective his physical blocking would be he had no clue, but that didn't mean he would just openly give up.
Suddenly the light jolted out of the dragons mouth and rushed towards Lucius and struck him faster than the naked eye could perceive. The attack sent him flying back into the abyss known as the great divide.
The dragon then laughed before saying
"Let's see how you fare in the great divide without your memory puny human."
The towering dragon then proceeded to slowly lose balance in all four of its legs before slumping over and dying much to the surprise of most of the capitol city of Atmora whom had been witnessing the fight. Most of the crowd hadn't been sure of how to feel.
Humanity's greatest threat had been defeated but what did that mean if they lost they're greatest champion as well. All accept for one was conflicted on how to feel, that person being the royal princess. The royal princess was mortified and almost immediately began to weep tears of deep melancholy. While most knew Lucius as a a hero she knew him as a somewhat clueless yet fun to be around worrywart with a few oddball tendencies. She also knew him as the man she wanted to marry. She had only recently challenged, Lucius the supposed strongest human fighter in the world, to a duel and ever since he had won that duel, due to her kingdoms customs they were to be engaged.
However he, not being from Atmora didn't know of this custom much less that his near lifelong friend princess Kana liked him. Upon learning of this custom after the duel he was most certainly surprised, but seemingly okay with prospect of the almost forced marriage. He said that he had liked the idea of marrying his best friend. He had at the time joked about how she just could have said something. Many thoughts were rushing through princess Kana's head as she cried for her lost love after having just moments ago watched him being thrown into the great divide.
As Lucius was knocked back by the force of the spell he then proceeded to sail into the great divide and the last thing he saw was princess Kana's surprised face as he sailed off the ground and into the divide. His vision then went black and he sunk into unconsciousness, as well as the great divide.