Ancient. Creatures that walked and flew and lived when the world was young. Immortal. They were blessed with immortality and tremendous might. The only Race that did not fall and worshipped at the feet of their creators. They acknowledged their mother and father, Tiamat and Bahamut, but they did not worship them like the other Races did. For that would mean they were greater than them. And no creature should be greater than they, Dragons, other than the others of their kind. No, not even other Dragons should be greater. That was a Dragon. An immortal flame that was the very image of might but with countless years of wisdom behind it. Oh, and a mountain of pride as tall as its stature.
And one stood before them. In its Human visage, it looked like the very picture of nobility and wisdom. Long, silver hair cascaded down glittering robes of gold and white. The man's eyes were a deep, aquamarine. It glimmered for a moment then the orbs changed into another shade of blue, a shade of blue that perfectly resemble the bright, blue sky. The four of them eyed the man warily. They stared at his long, golden tail that had a tint of bronze and a creamy-white set of scales in its underside. The wings were folded neatly behind him but their tan color still attracted wandering gazes towards them.
"Gather your strength. I shall deal with the pests ahead of us."
His tone wasn't cold, nor was it filled with warmth. It was... plain.
A blank expression. Mild disappointment and slight irritation. The Dragon's ever-changing blue eyes laid out the Dragon's emotions before them like an opened Mimic or an unfurled scroll. Sirius twitched when his eyes flicked towards him. A finger twitched and the Dragon's claws slowly turned into a Human hand, one with long fingernails. A scoff. Then, a puff of smoke from his nostrils. The Dragon turned his head back towards the darkness ahead of them. He eyed the Slime that slowly crawled past him sneakily and subtly to avoid his attention. A quick sweep of his gaze made the Slime shot forward and jump towards Sirius. The Dragon let out a heavy sigh.
"My name is Draukr, adventurers. My true name is unpronounceable to the other Races aside from the Lizardfolk and their Dragonmen. Merithain has sent me to aid you pass through my domain in one piece and to test you of your skills. I cannot say that I am impressed, but it is..."
His eyes passed over them with a slight tinge of worry.
"Passable."
His wings flapped behind him softly.
The three of them stared at him, legs tensed and heart racing. Stefan carefully but subtly aimed his next attack towards the Dragon. Well, not really subtle. The sword was clearly pointed at Draukr and the Dragon clearly knew so. Still, the only thing that left his mouth is a puff of smoke and a long, exasperated sigh that still made the air between them tremble slightly. His hand rubbed the bridge of his nose. With his other hand, he traced a symbol in the air that glowed with bright magic akin to a fire's glow. Suddenly, light. No, not just any light but sunlight. They had to squint their eyes as the Dragon's Spell captured the brightness of day in a single Spell.
"Bright!"
"Fuck! Turn it down!"
"Stand behind me! He's trying to blind us!"
He felt another hot sigh warm the air between them.
"If it were any other Dragon, you would've either turned to dust or have fallen to one knee to genuflect upon a living legend. But I am Draukr, and I am not fond of useless pomp or wasting my time!"
The last part made all four of them jolt up and raise their weapons. Draukr rolled his eyes at the sight and turned down the intensity of the light.
Sirius stared. The Dragon before him was a Dragon. Mighty, commands a presence, spits flame, and he had a prideful way of carrying himself. But there was also something missing. He managed to finally steel his nerves and look at the Dragon. Draukr was the very image of power and might, yes, but compared to the Black Mage, Draukr felt underwhelming. He could see the magical aura of the Dragon and it filled the cave and crushed them under its sheer weight. His form was also beautiful, despite its aging looks, he could still see the tight muscles of his arm through his robe. But there was no pride behind his intense gaze.
Annoyance, doubt, a tinge of impatientness, grand and ancient wisdom. All those things swirled in the deep aquamarine gaze of the Dragon, but the thing that defined their race did not. Pride. It was absent in his gaze. He carried and presented himself in a prideful way, but it was absent in him. He tilted his head. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. He looked at the Dragon's foot as it tapped impatiently. A puff of smoke left his nostrils and the Dragon snarled softly as his three companions shifted behind him. Their weapons still raised.
"S-Sir Dra-"
"No "Sirs" or "Your Greatness" or any other damned titles. Draukr is fine, or if you cannot help yourselves, Dragon will do. Let us not waste anymore time, adventurers. Your quest is important, and each second you do not move, priceless time is wasted. Let's-"
A shriek thundered from the cave ahead of them. A Wyvern's head appeared from the darkness, moving like a slithering snake. It carried its body with its powerful legs like those of a bird and its large wings. It roared one more time just as Draukr turned to face it. His hand moved rapidly. A symbol shone brightly in the air and he flicked it towards the creature that barrelled down towards them with bestial fury. It took one more step forward before the pillars of rock from the walls crushed its body and left a mangled and battered corpse. Draukr harrumphed and turned his attention back to the adventurers.
"As I was saying, we must move if you wish to reach Te'loinn's capital in a few days time."
"Days? It would take us a week-"
"Two weeks, at most. If you were to walk or catch a caravan heading south through the roads, you would be there in two weeks. But I assure you, I have made preparations for the four of you."
Draukr waved off Stefan as he regarded the wary Swordsman.
"If you don't mind, let's continue this conversation on the other side of the mountain. Follow me."
The Dragon turned and slowly walked. He looked straight down at the path ahead that twisted in the darkness of the cave and sighed.
"Should... Should we follow him, Stefan?"
Riel said with a worried tone. Stefan shrugged.
"I could take out a Wyvern if I don't hold back, but a Dragon? I would have to be a Hero, not a Swordsman to take that thing down. And we'd be a Legendary Ranked team if we did take him down."
"Then let's fuckin-"
"Even the Empire trembled when a single Dragon threatened to rise from its slumber after a noble threatened to tear down the ruins that housed it. I won't risk-"
"Kivrian the Collector of Forgotten Mementos is a distant relation. Although not a powerful Dragon compared to the others that inhabit the imperial lands, he would be a nightmare to fight with all of his "toys" and ancient relics."
Draukr chimed as he beckoned them towards him.
"Come! Let us not dilly-dally, adventurers! Though I have not yet earned your trust, at least have faith in the ghost that gave you this quest."
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Draukr forced a smile. His teeth were vaguely Human, but he had sharp fangs and a few pointed teeth mixed in with the Human ones. They shuddered at the sight. Almost immediately, Draukr lost the smile on his face and heaved a heavy sigh. He waved his hand limply. His moment of glory and show of strength gradually faded from him and the four of them glanced at one another while the Dragon's shoulders slumped forward and his posture eased. Light glowed as he traced two more symbols in the air. Immediately, a barrier wrapped around them and another orb of light appeared and floated beside them. He rubbed the back of his neck and left them behind.
Stefan put down his sword. He did not sheathe it, but he still kept it at the ready and slowly walked awkwardly in a stance. He urged the other three to follow him closely and Draukr at a distance. Semilia and Riel readied an arrow and a [Lightning Bolt] Spell respectively. He heard a slight scoff ahead of him and he glimpsed Draukr looking at them over his shoulder. He growled at him. He was promptly ignored by the Dragon while he kept his burning gaze on the Dragon. There was at least a few feet of space between Draukr and the four of them, five if you counted Miu. But they can clearly hear his annoyed muttering under his breath.
They followed him. Down. Down into the depths of the cave that opened up as they walked deeper into the mountain. Bones littered their path. The remains of the numerous hunts of the Wyverns that inhabited the cave and there were even a clutch of eggs that Draukr crushed with a chunk of rock from the ceiling. The darkness that tried to swallow them fled from Draukr's light and his piercing gaze silenced even the groaning of the very earth. He had a presence to him. He was something insurmountable but also someone who felt unremarkable. Beneath a large amount of dread that exudes from his person, Sirius could feel a familiar emotion whirling within the Dragon's mind.
"This Wyvern nest has menaced both sides of the Aren for two years now. Arenhein, at least the northern regions, managed to fend off the threat of these beasts. Laknnor could also fight these Wyverns but not as effectively as Arenhein. But the kingdoms to the east of these mountains do not fare well against these pests. These ones are ones of the normal variety. Further north, the Frostbreath Wyvern infest large swathes of the mountains and they challenge the Stormbreath Wyverns for their territories. Wyvern disputes are very petty, but they're also very entertaining."
Draukr said with a forced smile.
"Of course, there are other things in the mountains that could challenge a Wyvern nest's control of the region. Like Ogre clans and Troll families. In rare times, even large Goblin tribes could control large areas of land if given the opportunity. But-"
A high-pitched screech cut off Draukr, and three shapes moved just ahead of them.
Three Wyverns, two grey and one a pale blue, roused from their slumber. The largest of the three, a pale-blue Wyvern with two pairs of large horns and a large frill on its head that ran down along its neck and back, roared loudly and puffed out its chest. Draukr scoffed at the display. It bared rows of teeth at the Dragon in Human form. For a moment, it seemed as if Draukr would squash the creatures before him without so much as a thought. Like a person who stood over a bug on the ground. With a sigh, the Dragon turned towards them and threw a thumb over his shoulder.
"You four. Show me the strength of your party."
All things stopped at the moment. Them, the Wyverns, even the world itself seemed caught off-guard at Draukr's words.
Without another word, Draukr walked towards the other side of the cave and leaned against the wall. With folded arms, he urged them to move with repeated and quick nods. All of them tilted their heads at him. He raised a brow at them and tilted his head towards the Wyverns. It was a Wyvern's shriek that broke the stunned silence. One of them lunged at Draukr while the other two whirled their heads and charged towards them. Semilia loosed an arrow that caught fire midflight and Riel cast [Lightning Bolt] and struck the large Wyvern. Meanwhile, a resounding snap made all of them pause for a brief moment.
What they saw is a Wyvern as it stumbled backwards, a broken horn on its head and a dazed look in its serpentine eyes. On the ground are a few teeth and blood along with a handful of scales. Draukr had raised only one hand and barely moved from his spot. His hand steamed as well as the Wyvern's chin and there was a miffed look in his aquamarine eyes. The Wyvern let out a whimper before it collapsed onto the ground. Draukr glanced at the other two and the Wyverns instinctively turned their gazes back at them. Terrified but not stunned. Draukr once more scoffed and continued to watch them from the side.
"Sirius! Move away!"
Stefan swung his sword in an upward arc and his blade bit into the side of one of the smaller Wyvern's tail.
"Hrr! [Sword Style: Sliding Earth]!"
Stefan jumped back but immediately dashed forwards towards the bewildered Wyvern. He swung low. A series of heavy but blindingly quick strikes cut into the Wyvern's legs. One of the Wyvern's legs buckled. Stefan whirled and his sword cut through the Wyvern's thick wing as the creature tried to protect itself. But just as he was about to bring down his sword on the Wyvern's neck, its tail lashed at him and he jumped to avoid it. Venom sprayed everywhere and the sharp tip almost grazed his leg but he was too quick. Still, he had to jump back and stand behind Semilia while Sirius leapt forward with a blue ball in his hand.
"[Fireball]!"
Riel shouted as a ball of fire shot out from her staff.
It did little against the Wyvern's hide, but the smoke and bright light of the Spell masked Sirius' attack. He threw Miu at the Wyvern. The Slime wrapped around the Wyvern's head quickly and he clung onto the creature with his dagger in his mouth. He spat the dagger into his hand and he quickly jabbed it into the Wyvern's nostril. It roared violently and its body smashed against the walls of the cave. But he had already jumped off from the creature and Miu quickly secured the Wyvern's maw and prevented it from closing with her body. The creature whirled and lashed at him with its tail and sprayed him with poison, but it would move no further.
"[Greater Accuracy], [Quick Shot], [Piercing Shot]!"
Semilia loosed five arrows, all hit.
Thunk. Thunk. Thunk. Thunk. Thunk. Three lodged themselves in the Wyvern's head and the other two pierced the back of the Wyvern's throat. The creature let out a gurgle and a few screeches as it tried to snap its jaws at them. It staggered forward, its wings softly flapped by its side. Then, with a final deathly groan, it lumbered forward a few steps before an arrow to the eye finally downed it. Its digits on its wings twitched while the last of the air in its lungs left the Wyvern's body in a slow and soft final breath. Miu slipped away from the Wyvern's open mouth. The other two Wyverns were not idle as the three of them took down their companion.
Stefan roared as he moved rapidly. He was covered in the deadly poison of the Wyverns. Deadly if he had any open wounds. But they saw that not only was he not hurt, but his eyes were glazed with fury and hatred. It was a first for them. They couldn't help but take a moment to stare at their leader. All alone, he held off two Wyverns. The smaller of the two lunged forward, its jaws ready to-
"[Power Strike]!"
He roared as the sword's edged cleaved into the side of the Wyvern's head.
Another roar and blood splattered on the floor and the ceiling and on them. A Wyvern's head rolled on the ground while its body fell beside it with a loud thud. Stefan heaved and whirled towards the last Wyvern. The Wyvern hesitated. Stefan shouted a cry and immediately charged the stunned Wyvern while the beast stumbled back a bit, fear in its eyes. Still, the Wyvern met the Swordsman and it reared on its legs and stretched outs wings and frills in a typical territorial display. It hissed. Then it roared and lunged its head forwards. Its eyes locked onto the figure that dashed towards it fearlessly.
He shot into the air, his hair slick with blood and his mouth in a tight grit as he clutched the sword with both hands. The Wyvern ducked and lifted its rear. A long tail flicked towards him. The sharp point struck him in the leg and tore off a large patch of his pants and cut Stefan deeply, but the Swordsman simply smiled and swung his sword. The scales of the Wyvern shattered and the soft flesh beneath was easily sliced apart by the unrelenting Stefan. The Wyvern's head twisted and snapped at him, but he moved fast. He sliced at the Wyvern's cheek. The force from the attack was enough for him to push himself away and dodge the Wyvern's jaws. It snarled at him, and he spat.
Stefan, for the briefest of moments, stared deep into the Wyvern's eyes. The beast slowly turned its head. Too late. In the seconds it opened its jaws once more, he moved. His arm moved fluidly. The steel in his hand moved through the air and blood trailed behind it. He landed on his feet in a crouched stance. His legs tensed. The corners of his lips twitched, only slightly. The Wyvern snapped at the empty air where Stefan should've been, and he pounced. A powerful kick to the ground sent rocks flying and the man yelled at the top of his lungs.
"[Sword Art: Roar of Dying Wyverns]!"
The very air in their lungs felt as if it was sucked out in that one moment.
In a single stroke that felt like a rushing torrent, Stefan's blade whizzed through the air and as it did, it let out a shrill cry. The impact from the strike alone must've broken the Wyvern's neck, but the blade continued to move. It was clean. His stroke barely made any sound as the blade passed through the Wyvern's neck and exited out of the other side. The Wyvern roared. Or rather, it tried to roar at him. No sound came from its open mouth and its head wobbled to the side. Stefan landed on his feet as the Wyvern took another step. He looked up and, without a word, thrust his sword into the Wyvern's chest. He pulled it out quickly, and the Wyvern yelped.
Everything above the cut fell to the ground like a tall tree. The Wyvern made no other noise as its neck and head bounced two times while its body crumpled lifelessly to the ground before Stefan. The Swordsman panted, staggered a few paces, then collapsed on the ground. Only then did the others rush towards him. And it was only then did they remember the wound from the Wyvern's stinger. While they rushed and screamed in a panic, Draukr watched silently. His eyes narrowed, his hand twitched, and his lips smiled just slightly that it was not noticeable. While he readied a potent Healing Spell, he said only one thing to himself.
"Good."