Chapter 34. "From Hope to Despair"

We reached the foot of a small mountain where a stone staircase stood, almost covered with thick moss. With each step, the stairs showed cracks and fractures along their edges, and in the gaps, small grasses and plants grew, as if they were part of the staircase itself. The surroundings were silent, except for the rustling of the wind through the leaves.

As we ascended, we felt our feet slipping on the moss, making every step require caution. Each breath felt heavy due to the chill of the mist enveloping the air. With every step, the shape of the cathedral grew closer, partially obscured by thick clouds, yet its beauty was undeniable even in its aged and ruined state.

When we reached the top, I let out a deep sigh. The unease I had been feeling earlier refused to go away. In front of us stood a massive cathedral made of stone, its walls covered with creeping plants and moss. The mist and the faint light coming from the ceiling of the dungeon gave it a mystical aura.

Hiddan and Frank pushed against the massive cathedral doors. At first, they barely budged, but then, with a deep groan, the heavy wood gave way. The doors swung open faster than expected, their eerie creak echoing through the chamber.

They stepped inside.

The moment their boots touched the cold stone floor, a deep, resounding boom filled the air. The doors behind them shuddered—then, as if pulled by unseen hands, they slammed shut with a forceful crash. Dust billowed from the impact, and the echo lingered in the vast hall like a fading whisper.

Darkness stretched endlessly before them. The only light came from glowing magic stones embedded in the towering pillars, their dim glow barely piercing the gloom. Massive stone columns lined the hall, their surfaces etched with intricate carvings that seemed to shift in the flickering light. The ceiling loomed high above, vanishing into shadow.

A cold draft curled through the chamber, winding around them like unseen fingers. The air smelled of dust and damp stone, but beneath it lurked something sharper, something metallic. They couldn't see the far end of the hall—it was swallowed by the abyss beyond the reach of the crystals.

Then the stench hit them.

The sharp tang of metal thickened in the air, suffocating and heavy. It was the scent of heated iron under the sun, laced with something more bitter-the unmistakable, coppery smell of fresh blood. It clung their throats, turning each breath into a struggle.

Shadows stretched across the stone floor, where the bodies lay. Torn limbs. Flesh burned black. Some corpses were twisted at impossible angles, their eyes frozen wide in vacant terror.

The silence pressed down like a weight, broken only by the faint hum of the crystals.

A chill crawled up my spine. My breath caught in my throat, but I couldn't look away.

Before any of us could react, a blazing fireball streaked through the air, slamming into Geo, Quiro,Jason,and Mario. Flames engulfed them instantly, their screams cut short as they were reduced to charred husks. The stench of burning flesh filled the air.

My breath hitched. I ran behind the nearest pillar, pressing my back against the cool stone. My heart pounded, each beat a frantic drum against the sudden silence. Others scrambled for cover -but Niro stood frozen, his eyes locked on the smoldering remains of our fallen comrades. The crackling flames filled the air, and sweat slicked my pants as a tremor ran through my legs

"Niro, run!" I shouted, desperation clawing at my throat

But before he could take a single step, the air itself seemed to shudder. A monstrous, black figure loomed before him, its arrival as sudden as death itself.

The beast moved at terrifying speed. It lunged, a blur of obsidian scales, and seized Niro in its jaws. There was a sickening crunch of bone, a spray of blood, and Niro’s body was ripped into two. The lower half fell to the ground with a wet thud,while the other beast swallowed the other in a single gulp.

I stood frozen, hoping against hope the towering beast wouldn't notice me. Its jet-black scales shimmered like polished obsidian in the dim light, catching my eye first. Even from where I was, I could see the primal hunger burning in its crimson eyes as they scanned the room, a terrifying intensity in their gaze. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drum against the silence. The dragon's gaze swept past me, its piercing scrutiny searching for movement, but it didn’t seem to register my presence.

Then, it unfurled its massive, leathery wings, the movement casting a crushing shadow over me. The air stirred with the force, and I flinched as its muscular tail lashed the ground, scattering dust and debris.

Those razor-sharp claws, glinting like obsidian, looked ready to tear through anything in their path. It was huge—I guessed at least 20 or 30 meters long—a force of destruction, radiating raw power.

Then, with deliberate cruelty, the black dragon stepped forward—its talons effortlessly crushed the burnt remains of Jason, Geo, Quiro, and Mario into the dirt. A gruesome reminder of our helplessness.

From the other side of the hall, I spotted Van. Even at this distance, his shoulders were shaking. His spear trembled in his grip.

His face was a mask of pain, tears silently carving tracks down his cheeks.

I recognized that look. It was the look of someone who'd lost everything.

"Please, Van, don't," Caelan breathed, his voice barely a whisper against the roar in my ears.

The floor seemed to drop out from under me. Jason, Mario, Geo, Niro, Quiro—gone. Just like that. Wiped away.

I gasped, trying to pull air into lungs that felt like they were being crushed. A raw ache settled in my chest, heavy and suffocating.

The monster shifted, returning to the altar in the great hall. As it did, the magic stone lit up, casting just enough light to reveal the edge of the hall, where the dragon was back—as if guarding something.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Frank and Brian bolt toward the hall's exit. They were almost there when a searing fireball exploded, engulfing Brian. Frank narrowly dodged the blast, scrambling back toward the pillar where they were hiding. But the dragon was too fast. It dove, a shadow against the flickering light, and before Frank could even cry out, its talons,sharp as razor, rake across his chest. He gasped, clutching at the deep wound, before the dragon’s jaw snapped shut around his throat.

A sickening crunch echoed through the hall as the dragon tore him in two, the remains falling to the stone floor.

We recoiled in horror. Then, Van burst from our hiding place, his face a mask of rage and terror. "Whaaaaaa!" he roared, charging at the dragon with a desperate battle cry. But the dragon, unfazed, whipped its massive tail around in a lightning-fast arc.

It slammed into Van with a resounding thud, sending him hurtling across the hall. He crashed against the far wall with a sickening crack, the sound echoing in the cavernous space.

I was paralyzed, my gaze fixed on the spot where Van had landed. The dragon, as if bored with the brief interruption, calmly returned to its position before the altar.

I was about to run towards Van when a strong arm grabbed me, stopping me in my tracks. Hiddan’s grip was firm, his hand reassuring weight on my shoulder, halting my every movement. I turned, eyes blazing with desperation, only to meet Hiddan's calm but firm expression.

"Don't," he said, his voice steady yet commanding.

Instead of resisting, I found myself rooted to the spot, trembling. "Van might still be alive," I whispered, my voice breaking as tears welled in my eyes, threatening to fall. Hiddan can't do this, I thought, a cold dread creeping into my heart. But what choice do we have?

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"If you charge like that, the monster will attack you. We need to distract it," Hiddan said quickly, picking up a stone. With a swift, practiced motion, he wrapped the stone in cloth, his face grim as he met my gaze. "Once the dragon focuses on this, run straight to Van. Don’t stop." He gave my shoulder a final, reassuring squeeze.

I nodded, my heart pounding. I didn’t question him—it was our only chance.

With a quick motion, Hiddan hurled the cloth-wrapped stone to the left of the altar. The dragon's head snapped toward the distraction, and with a deafening roar, it unleashed a torrent of fire.

The air crackled with energy, the stench of ozone stinging my nostrils, as flames engulfed the stone.

The blast illuminated the chamber in a searing glow, the heat licking at my skin even from a distance. The light flickered, casting grotesque dancing shadows across the walls. But this was our chance.

I sprinted toward the corner where Van had been thrown, my heart hammering in my chest. When I reached him, my breath caught. He lay sprawled on the cold stone floor, his body limp and battered. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, stark against his pale skin. He must have coughed it up. The sight made my stomach twist.

I dropped to my knees beside him, trembling.

"Van..." I whispered, my voice barely audible.

His eyelids fluttered open, his gaze unfocused, glassy with pain. "Caelan..." he rasped, his voice weak yet laced with urgency that sent a fresh wave of fear through me.

"I'm here," I said quickly, leaning in as if afraid his words might slip away.

He swallowed hard, struggling to speak. "Promise me..." A violent cough wracked his body, his face contorting in pain. "...Promise me you'll make it out of this. You have to survive... no matter what."

"Don't—" My voice wavered. "Save your strength. Just hold on."

His breathing was shallow, each rise and fall of his chest unsteady. But his fingers twitched, gripping mine with surprising force. "Promise me," he pleaded, his tone desperate despite his fading strength.

Tears blurred my vision before I even realized I was crying. "I promise," I choked out. "I'll make it out of this."

A faint, weary smile tugged at his bloodied lips. "Good..." he murmured. His eyelids drooped, then slowly, they shut.

"Van?" My voice trembled. No response.

A surge of determination overtook the fear clawing at my chest. I squeezed his hand, my jaw tightening. I'll make it, Van. I swore silently. I won’t let this be in vain.

Taking a steadying breath,I turned my gaze toward the far edge of the hall. The dragon crouched there, its piercing gaze fixed on the doorway, as if expecting an intruder. Though distant from the entrance, its coiled muscles and anchored claws left no doubt-whoever stepped through that door would be dead within moments.

Its long, sinuous tail curled around its body like a serpent, twitching slightly. Its massive claws dug into the stone, grounding it in place, poised to strike at the slightest provocation.

Despite its stillness, the predatory energy radiating from it was unmistakable-this wasn't just a beast. It was a hunter,waiting for the precise moment to strike.

I clenched my fists, forcing down the fear rising in my throat. I had to move. I had to survive.

Beside the creature lay a violet magic stone, its glow mesmerizing yet subdued compared to ordinary magic stones. It was beautiful, almost hypnotic. But I had no time to dwell on it—I knew I couldn’t take on this monster directly. It was too strong, too calculated in its movements.

Across the room, I caught sight of Hiddan. He motioned subtly, signaling me to prepare. I tightened my grip on my sword, the cold steel grounding me. I met his gaze and gave a firm nod. My pulse quickened, but I forced myself to stay focused.

From the altar to the hall’s door, the monster moved with terrifying speed. It could also breathe fire, making escape nearly impossible. But as I watched, I noticed something strange.

When Brian and Frank tried to run, the creature incinerated Brian instantly with a blast of fire. But Frank—the dragon chose a different method. Its sharp talons raked across his chest before its jaws snapped shut around his throat

The same pattern repeated. Jason, Geo, Mario, and Quiro were all burned to death. But when it came to Niro, the creature struck him head-on, just like it had with Frank.

That’s when I realized: this monster couldn’t breathe fire continuously. It needed time to recover after each blast.

If that was true, my best chance was to attack right after it unleashed its flames—when it was momentarily vulnerable.

A single decisive strike wouldn’t be enough. It was too strong. I had to weaken it first. But there was another problem—its speed. It darted around the room with its powerful wings, making it almost impossible to get close.

Slowing it down was my only option. If I could sever one of its wings, it wouldn’t be able to move as quickly.

I tightened my grip on my sword, my mind racing as I formed a plan.

Caelan met Hiddan’s gaze and gave a sharp nod. Hiddan drew a knife in one smooth motion, swiftly tying a strip of cloth around the hilt. He took a steadying breath and hurled it toward the door.

The dragon’s eyes snapped to the spinning blade. With a guttural snarl, it reared back, fire swelling in its throat. A split second later, a torrent of flames erupted from its jaws, engulfing the cloth. The fabric turned to ash before the knife even reached its mark, the blade clattering uselessly to the floor.

As the fire faded, Hiddan stepped forward, emerging from the smoke. His silhouette flickered in the dim light, his posture relaxed—baiting the beast’s attention.

The dragon’s pupils constricted. With a deafening roar, it lunged, claws scraping against the stone as it surged forward, its massive frame closing the distance in an instant.

Hiddan didn’t hesitate. The moment the dragon lunged, he twisted sharply and bolted for the nearest pillar. The beast’s claws slammed down behind him, stone splitting apart in an explosion of dust and rubble. He pressed himself against the pillar, chest rising and falling in quick, steady breaths as the dragon’s snarls rumbled through the air.

I tightened my grip on my sword, my knuckles white, muscles coiled like a drawn bowstring. The moment the dragon lunged for Hiddan—a blur of black scales and snapping jaws—I shot from my hiding place.

My boots pounded against the stone as I sprinted toward a pillar. At the last second, I planted my foot against its rough surface and kicked off with all my strength. A sharp jolt ran up my leg, but the force sent me soaring into the air. Wind tore past my face. For a heartbeat, time seemed to stretch—the dragon's roar faded into a distant hum, the glow of firelight reflecting off its gleaming scales.

I arced toward its back, my sword catching the dim light as I swung. My target—the joint where wing met body—was just inches out of reach. The blade bit deep, carving a jagged gash through half the wing, but not deep enough to sever the joint.

The dragon bellowed, its anguished roar reverberating through my chest like a drumbeat. Its massive body convulsed, muscles rippling as it thrashed, the sheer force nearly toppling me. My pulse hammered in my ears as I fought to stay upright, my boots skidding against the shifting ground.

Then—a blur of black scales, a flash of ivory fangs. The dragon’s jaws snapped toward me with terrifying speed.

I hurled myself backward just as its teeth clashed shut, the gust of its breath scorching my skin. My back hit the rough stone of another pillar, and I dropped into a crouch, heart pounding. Above me, cracks splintered through the rock, and loosened stones tumbled down, clattering across the floor in the wake of the beast’s fury.

Across the hall, Hiddan, seizing the briefest of opening and charged.His spear, a slender point of deadly light, cut through the smoky air, aimed straight for the dragon’s chest-the one vulnerable spot beneath its thick armor of scales.

The weapon struck true.

For a moment, hope surged in my chest as the spearhead bit into the dragon’s flesh.Blood welled around the wound.But then-

It stopped.

The strike had been powerful, precise, yet the spear failed to sink deep enough. It was as if the dragon’s hide itself resisted,the muscles beneath too dense, too unyielding.The beast let out a deep,rumbling growl-

In a blur of motion, its massive head lunged forward. Before Hiddan could wrench his weapon free, the dragon’s jaws clamped down around him.

A sickening crunch filled the air.

His body jerked violently, arms flailing for only a second before the dragon wrenched its head sideways.Blood sprayed in a crimson arc as his lower half was ripped clean from his torso. His legs crumpled to the ground, twitching.His upper body-his arms, his face twisted in shock-disappeared between gleaming fangs.

I saw it all. Every horrible second of it.

The dragon’s foot slammed down on the remains, crushing them with a sickening wet crack.The stone beneath shuddered under the force.Hiddan’s spear, slick with the beast’s blood, slipped from his lifeless fingers and clattered to the floor.

“Hiddan!” I screamed.

My voice was raw, barely audible over the chaos around me.My chest seized,breath caught in my throat like barbed wire.

Hidden was gone.

In an instant.

The flickering crystal lights cast jagged, restless shadows over the blood-slicked floor. The metallic tang of blood coated my tongue, suffocating me.

I stood there frozen,my heart hammering against my ribs. My hands trembled,fingers curling uselessly at my sides.

He had been right there. Alive and now

Now, all that remained was shattered bone, torn flesh, and a pool of red spreading across the cold stone floor.