Evan clutched his arm as blood ran down his fingers. Leaning against the fifth-level boss door, Evan slowly fell to his knees. “Oh, goddess. Please give me the strength to go on. Or even better, maybe strike the soldiers chasing me with lightning. I don’t care. Anything will do at this point.” Said Evan. He slowly pulled up what was left of the sleeve on his shirt. Not that there was much left of the shirt anymore.
The jagged cut on Evan’s arm had slowed down the amount of blood he was losing to a constant weep. The edges of the wound gaped open, revealing the torn flesh beneath. Crimson droplets clung to the edges of the gash, tracing a pattern down his forearm. The warm, slick blood dripped off his fingers as it surrendered to gravity. With each heartbeat, fresh pulses of scarlet life oozed forth, staining his arm and the ground below. The metallic tang of blood filled the air, overpowering even the musty scent of the dungeon. Evan winced, feeling the pain radiate from the wound. The soldiers had come too close to killing him.
“….. he can’t have gone much further. “Said a voice somewhere nearby.
“…. Just follow the trail of blood. He is losing enough of it now we might not have a job to do anymore. Haha.” Said a different voice, laughing at his dark joke.
Struggling to his feet, Evan gripped the rusty sword in his right hand. Shaking his head, Evan looked at the door behind him. The door was carved in a mural of chaotic battle scenes. Each one of the scenes depicts a group of humans being torn apart by different monsters in increasingly bloody battles.
“Well, I guess it’s either fight whatever is on the other side of this door or try my luck with those damned soldiers. Ha. No way I am going to do that again.” Said Evan as he looked down at his left arm. “Best take my luck with the boss. Hopefully, the dungeon takes pity on me, and I only have to face a cute bunny rabbit or something just as easy. Ah, haha, who am I kidding? I am almost certain it will be some horror that I don’t have a hope to beat.”
“There he is. Forward boys. Don’t let him escape again!”
“Shit.” Said Evan. He pulled hard on the door, opening it just enough to slip through. It slammed shut with a bang that echoed around the open room before him. “Well, at least I won’t have to deal with them this time. They can’t enter the room until I either die or beat whatever is in here.”
Evan slowly stepped forward. His footsteps echoed loudly in the quiet. He tried not to focus on this heart beating like a war drum in his chest Or the sweaty palm holding the sword. His left arm throbbing away, only increasing the pain and fear he was now feeling.
A Spectral Lich materialised before Evan in a sinister display of dark power. A flickering aura of darkness enveloped its skeletal form, giving an eerie luminescence to its ghastly visage. The Lich’s bones draped in tattered, ethereal robes that seemed to be moved by an unseen breeze.
Empty eye sockets gleamed with a dark intelligence, piercing the shadows with an ominous light. Within the recesses of its skull, a faint, ghostly glow pulsed. Wisps of shadowy energy trailed from its bony fingers. The air around the Spectral Lich seemed to grow colder, and a chorus of disembodied whispers echoed from the spectral shroud that enveloped its form.
As the Lich raised its bony hands, an ethereal mist coalesced into ghostly shapes beside it—haunting spirits bound to its will. These wraith-like entities circled the Lich, their faint moans and whispers creating an otherworldly symphony that resonated through the chamber.
In the face of this spectral apparition, Evan couldn’t help but feel a shiver run down his spine. Squaring his shoulders, the jagged wound on his arm throbbed. Evan gripped the rusty sword, not hopeful at all about his chances. He locked eyes with the Spectral Lich, bracing for the impending confrontation.
The Lich’s voice echoed through the chamber, a haunting scream resonating with death’s essence. “Intruder, you dare to defy the sanctity of this realm. Prepare to face the consequences of your trespass.”
Evan took a defensive stance, eyeing the spectral minions that hovered beside the Lich. He knew he couldn’t afford to underestimate the undead sorcerer and its legion of dead allies. The Lich’s bony fingers traced arcane sigils in the air, and a surge of dark energy crackled around its skeletal form.
The first wave of Lich’s assault manifested in ghostly projectiles, hurtling toward Evan with deadly intent. Dodging and weaving, Evan narrowly avoided the onslaught. Only a few grazed him as they shot past him, the remaining projectiles dissipating into wisps of shadow upon impact with the walls.
As the Lich continued its incantations, the spirits surrounding it coalesced into spectral warriors, each wielding ghostly weapons that emanated an unsettling glow. Evan’s heart began to race as he faced the spectral minions, their ethereal forms gliding across the chamber with an eerie grace.
Summoning his courage, Evan lunged forward, slashing at the nearest spectral warrior with the rusty sword. The blade cut through the ghostly form, causing it to momentarily flicker before reforming.
The Lich’s cackling echoed through the room, revelling in the futility of Evan’s efforts.
The battle unfolded in a dance of steel and shadows. Fueled by determination, Evan desperately struggled against the spectral minions while pushing himself hard, evading the Lich’s dark magic.
The Lich, undeterred, commanded the spirits to harry Evan from all sides, creating a deadly, chaotic battlefield.
With each passing moment, Evan felt the strain on his weakened body. The wound on his arm throbbed in sync with his pounding heart, and fatigue gnawed at his every movement. Sensing Evan’s struggle, the Lich intensified its onslaught, darkening the room with swirling shadows.
In a daring move, Evan gathered the last reserves of his strength and lunged at the Spectral Lich. The rusty sword clashed against the Lich’s bony form, and for a brief moment, a surge of energy crackled between the combatants. The room vibrated with an otherworldly resonance as Evan’s will clashed against the ancient magic wielded by the undead sorcerer.
As the confrontation climaxed, Evan knew his fate hung in the balance. The Spectral Lich, a master of dark arts, sought to extinguish the intruder’s life force and claim another soul for its spectral army. Evan, determined to overcome the odds, fought, giving everything he had, hoping for anything to help.
The Lich brought his hand down, and Evan felt cold metal piercing his leg, sliding through as it rammed into the ground below him. Pinning his leg in place.
“Argh… Shit. Shit. Shit, that hurt you bastard!” Said Evan as he struggled to stay awake. The pain of the wound was almost too much, and darkness beginning to eat away at his vision.
“Do you want power, human?” A voice came in that Evan knew all too well.
“Stay away,” Evan screamed, pushing harder against the Lich. “I won’t let you take my body.”
“I will not kill you this time. Let us agree to help one another. I die here if you die here, human. It is in my interest to help you at this moment. Let me in, and I will kill this Lich for you. But you will pay a price for my help.” Said the voice.
“Wha… Argh. What do you want for this help… “ Said Evan as the Lich moved his hand, dragging the sword through Evans’s leg. “Shiiiiit, that hurts. Stuff it. I agree. Help me.”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
“Finally.” Said the voice as it pushed for control of Evans’s body. “Don’t fight me, just let me take control.”
Evan watched his left arm reach out, a fireball growing in the palm. “ignis pila.” Said Evan’s voice. Evan struggled with the forced actions. His mind screamed at him in protest.
The fireball launched at the Lich, forcing it to back away as a black shield appeared just before the fireball hit.
“You! Dragon! Do you dare attack me? You side with this thing?” Said the Lich.
Evan heard his voice speaking. “Lich, you will die. Here. We both know you are no match for me. You have attacked the last human you will ever see.”
“Garh. So be it, dragon.” Raising its arms, the Lich started chanting.
“Say Dragon. Can we win?” Thought Evan.
“It will be close human. This body is not ready to withstand the magic I need to win. This will cost you dearly. If it doesn't kill you outright, it will almost cripple you for a long time.” Said the dragon in reply.
“That doesn’t give me much hope. Maybe I should have just kept fighting without your help.”
“You would have died human. And you would have killed me with your death. I can not allow this. I will help you this once.” Said the dragon as it forced Evan’s body to jump back, tearing the sword free from Evan’s leg, barely avoiding a dark energy ball the Lich had just thrown.
Evan’s mind wrestled with the presence of the dragon within him. It was a strange dance between survival and the fear of losing himself to a force beyond his understanding. The relentless onslaught from the Spectral Lich kept him on the edge, and with each passing moment, the line between Evan and the dragon blurred.
As Evan’s body dodged another dark energy ball, the dragon’s voice resonated in his mind, “Hold on, human. I will guide you, but you must let me channel through you. Trust in my power. I will block all the injuries and the pain you have sustained for you. But when that block releases, you will feel everything.”
“Trust? Trust a dragon that wants to take control? I must be out of my mind,” Evan thought, but desperation pushed him to concede. He loosened his grip on his body's movements, allowing the dragon more influence.
With a surge of power, Evan felt a rush of energy coursing through him. His body’s movements became more fluid, and an instinctual understanding of the dragon’s magic flowed into his consciousness. The fireball in his palm burned brighter, and Evan watched as it was launched at the Lich. Evan let his excitement rise. He felt like they might win.
The Lich conjured a dark shield, but the fireball burst into a blaze of magical flames upon impact. The Lich staggered backward, its spectral form flickering in the face of the dragon’s magic.
“Good, human. Now, let me guide your movements again. We must work together to defeat this thing,” the dragon urged, its voice resonating with authority.
As the battle resumed, Evan felt a peculiar harmony between his body’s actions and the dragon’s power. Slashing at the spectral warriors with a precision he hadn’t possessed before. The dragon’s influence was now predicting every one of the Lich’s moves.
Evan watched the dragon dance through the chaotic battlefield with an otherworldly grace that he knew was impossible for his body.
The Lich, sensing a shift in the tide, intensified its attacks. Dark tendrils of magic snaked toward Evan, but the dragon evaded them effortlessly. The fireball in Evan’s hand grew in intensity.
Amid the struggle, Evan’s mind reflected on the surreal nature of the situation.
He was a pawn in a battle between two supernatural forces, his body a vessel for a dragon’s power. Yet, the desperation to survive outweighed the existential questions that threatened to overwhelm him.
The Lich summoned a legion of spectral minions, realising Evan’s new threat had risen with the dragon's help. They swarmed around Evan, their ghostly forms closing in. The dragon’s voice echoed, “Focus, human. Channel the fire within. Help me, We can turn the tide.”
Evan felt his eyes close for a moment, centring himself. The dragon’s power surged within him, and as he reopened his eyes, a wave of flames erupted from his form. The spectral minions recoiled, wailing in agony as the dragon’s fire consumed them.
The exertion of the magic took a toll on Evan. He felt fatigue settled into his bones, and the wound on his arm and leg throbbed in protest. The Lich seized the opportunity, launching a barrage of dark magic that Evan knew the dragon was struggling to evade.
Amid the chaos, the dragon’s voice whispered, “Hold on, human. We are not finished yet.”
Evan gritted his teeth, determined to see the battle through. The dragon’s power surged again, and Evan felt himself lung at the Spectral Lich with a burst of energy. The rusty sword clashed against the Lich’s defences, creating sparks of magical power.
Now, on the defensive, the Lich snarled, “You are but a vessel, human. You cannot comprehend the forces you toy with. The dragon will not allow you to live. But I will. Join me, and I will make you immortal. Give you power beyond your dreams.”
Fueled by the dragon’s power, Evan felt invincible as he heard the dragon retort, “Maybe, maybe not, but I won’t let you destroy this body. Don't listen to him, Evan. He is only trying to fool you. To make you his servant for eternity.”
With one last push, the dragon began to chant. Evan could feel the magic gathering. He didn’t know what the words the dragon muttered were. But they were not some simple spell. “O dea supra, concede mihi tuam potentiam. Excita flammas chaos.”
“What are you doing dragon.” Hissed Evan. He could feel his body struggle with the massive rush of magic that was being channelled. “I can feel so much magical power. You’re going to kill us.”
As Evan felt he was about to burn alive, the dragon launched the magic at the Lich. Black Fire rushed out in a wave of death. The spectral minions vanished in a puff, unable to survive the firey wave. The Lich tried to protect itself, but the shield failed instantly as the wave of fire rolled over its form. With one last scream, the Lich disappeared.
The room fell silent, the echoes of the Lich’s scream lingering in the air. Still gripped by the dragon’s power, Evan stood amidst the magical onslaught’s aftermath. The once chaotic battlefield was now eerily calm, the remnants of the spectral minions dissipating into the ethereal void.
Evan suddenly released from the intense magical energy as the dragon’s influence waned. He stumbled backward, the fatigue hitting him like a tidal wave. Once numbed by the dragon’s power, the wounds on his arm and leg now throbbed with renewed intensity. His vision wavered, blackness creeping along the edges.
“Dragon, what have you done?” Evan gasped, his voice strained from the exertion.
The dragon’s voice echoed in Evan’s mind, “I have expelled the darkness from this realm. The Lich is no more, and the dungeon is free from its influence. You may begin your thanks and praises.”
Evan’s knees gave way, and he collapsed to the ground. The dragon’s magic had taken its toll, leaving him drained and battered. He stared at the ceiling, his breaths laboured, and his mind struggled to comprehend the unfolding events.
"Thanks... ha. I feel like I am about to die." Said Evan
“You held up your end of the bargain, human. And because of that, you are alive, and the threat has been eliminated,” the dragon continued. “But do not forget the price you agreed to pay so quickly. You agreed to let me into your body, and consequences will follow for these actions. You need to strengthen this body. You will not survive me using my magic again unless you do.”
A mixture of relief and dread washed over Evan. The immediate danger was gone, but he knew the repercussions of his pact with the dragon would haunt him. He closed his eyes, attempting to gather his strength and come to terms with the reality of his situation.
As Evan lay there, battered and exhausted, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. The dragon’s presence lingered as a constant reminder he would never be free again.
Struggling to his feet. Evan hobbled to the door that was now open. His leg failed him repeatedly, driving him back to the ground each time. The loss of blood was making him weak as he finally placed his hand on the room’s door. Sliding down, Evan began to crawl through the doorway. He failed to notice the Stairs on the other side as his hand slipped down the top step. His body quickly followed his hand down.
Evan’s descent down the staircase was a painful and clumsy affair. Each thud against the steps sent a jolt of agony through his battered body. He gritted his teeth, determined to press on despite the searing pain that radiated from his wounds. The metallic tang of blood, now mixed with the musty scent of the dungeon’s stone walls, accompanied him on his descent.
As Evan reached the bottom of the staircase, he found himself in a dimly lit corridor. The air felt heavy, and an oppressive silence hung in the dungeon’s depths. He could hear the distant echoes of his laboured breathing and the shuffling of his movements against the cold, unforgiving floor.
The dragon’s presence lingered in the recesses of Evan’s mind, a constant reminder of the pact he had made. With each moment that went past, he could feel the weight of the consequences settling in. The dragon’s power had saved him, but at what cost?
Evan managed to pull himself upright, using the damp walls of the corridor for support. He glanced around, his vision blurry and his senses dulled by the recent battle’s toll.
The corridor stretched out before him, its dark expanse seemingly endless.
“Where am I going?” Evan muttered to himself, his voice barely audible in the oppressive silence.
“I just need to rest. Rest for a bit. No. Stay awake. Awak... Just rest for a….” Said Evan as he slowly slid down the wall. His exhaustion finally drew him down to sleep. His last thought as his consciousness left him was that falling asleep inside the dungeon was a bad idea. It was a certain death sentence.