Elara closed her eyes, taking a moment to steady her thoughts and calm her mind. She focused on her breathing, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly, allowing the rhythm to soothe her frayed nerves. When she opened her eyes again, her gaze fell upon the platform before her, a bridge connecting the threshold to the nothingness. She hesitated, her eyes darting to the clouds that drifted lazily through the air, their fluffy forms seemingly close enough to touch. The wind howled around her, tugging at her clothes and whipping her hair into a frenzy. She feared that the strong gusts might throw her off the platform, sending her plummeting into the vast expanse below.

Despite her apprehension, her curiosity burned within her, urging her to take a closer look at the building she was standing on the threshold of. She wanted to see it from a different perspective, to understand its place in this strange new world.

Turning to Boogie, she gave the Juvenile Fire Elemental a reassuring smile. "Wait here, alright? I'll be right back." The elemental flickered in response, its flames dancing in the wind.

With a deep breath, she stepped out onto the platform, her movements slow and deliberate. She kept her eyes fixed on the path before her, carefully placing one foot in front of the other. The wind tugged at her, threatening to throw her off balance, but she remained focused. As she inched forward, she kept her senses attuned to her surroundings, ready to use her Voidwalk ability at a moment's notice. The knowledge that she could teleport back to safety if needed gave her the courage to press on, step by step, towards the edge of the platform.

The further she walked, the more the wind seemed to intensify, as if nature itself were testing her resolve. Her heart pounded in her chest, her palms slick with sweat as she gripped the fabric of her clothing, seeking any semblance of stability. Yet, she refused to let fear consume her, her eyes never wavering from her goal.

As she reached the halfway point on the platform, she paused, her curiosity compelling her to turn and gaze upon the building she had spent countless hours exploring. What greeted her eyes left her stunned, her jaw dropping in awe and disbelief.

Before her stood a massive mountain, its peak stretching high into the sky. Nestled against the mountainside that she is standing on is a stone fortress, its walls and towers built directly into the rock face. The structure was imposing, a testament to the skill and determination of those who had constructed it.

However, as her eyes roamed over the fortress, she noticed the signs of damage and decay. Portions of the walls had crumbled, leaving gaping holes and piles of rubble. Some towers had partially collapsed, their once-proud forms now reduced to broken stumps.

Amidst the ruins, she spotted several large crossbow-like structures. These ballistas, as she recognized them, were positioned at strategic points along the fortress walls. Their presence hinted at the building's true purpose – not a mere factory, but a stronghold designed with defenses.

The realization hit her like a thunderbolt, causing her to stagger back a step. Her mind raced, trying to reconcile the new information with her previous assumptions. The idea of the building being a shampoo factory, which had seemed so laughable but a bit plausible mere moments ago, now felt laughably naive. She made her way back to where Boogie waited patiently. The Juvenile Fire Elemental flickered and danced, its flames casting a warm glow on the stone beneath their feet. Elara kept walking, reaching for the lever to release it, watching as the massive doors slowly fall closed, sealing off the outside world once more.

Turning her back on the doors, she strode purposefully towards the opposite end of the hall. As she walked, she noticed that the area seemed to have been designed to be clear of any obstructions, with no pillars that might hamper whatever or whoever passed through. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, and she quickened her pace, eager to put some distance between herself and the ominous doors to the outside.

Minutes ticked by as she and Boogie made their way down the hall, their footsteps echoing in the silence. Finally, they reached an archway, its dimensions matching those of the doors that had led outside. As they passed through, she noticed that the ceiling here was devoid of the glyphs that had been present in the previous areas.

Frowning, she sent Boogie ahead to light the way, the elemental's flames casting dancing shadows on the walls. As they progressed further into the new section of the fortress, she couldn't help but notice that the hall seemed much cleaner than the one they had just left behind. The floor was free of dust and debris, and the walls showed not the same signs of the neglect that had been present in the other areas.

Her mind raced as she tried to reconcile this observation with her previous theory about the ceiling glyphs keeping the dust at bay. While the evidence seemed to contradict her hypothesis, she wasn't ready to dismiss it entirely. Perhaps there was another explanation for the cleanliness of this particular hall, one that she had yet to uncover.

As she continued down the hall, a warm breeze brushed against her skin, carrying with it a peculiar metallic scent. The odor was unfamiliar, yet it stirred a distant memory, conjuring images of ash in her mind. She furrowed her brow, trying to place the smell, but the connection remained elusive.

Suddenly, Boogie froze, its flames flickering in agitation. Elara stopped in her tracks, her eyes darting around the hall, searching for the source of the elemental's distress. The silence pressed in on her, broken only by the soft crackling of Boogie's fire and the pounding of her own heart. Despite her efforts, she could neither see nor hear anything out of the ordinary. The hall stretched out before her. What she can see of the walls and floor is unmarked by any visible threat. Yet, Boogie's reaction was undeniable, a clear indication that something had spooked the Juvenile Fire Elemental.

Before she could process the situation further, Boogie darted back to her, its movements frantic and urgent. The elemental scrambled to find shelter, desperately trying to burrow into her shirt. Its small form trembled against her skin, and she could feel the heat of its flames diminishing as it attempted to make itself as inconspicuous as possible.

Confusion and panic took hold of her as she watched Boogie's uncharacteristic behavior. The elemental's fear was palpable, and its desperate attempt to seek refuge within her clothing only heightened her own sense of unease. Without Boogie's light to guide her, she found herself engulfed in darkness. The shadows seemed to press in on her from all sides, their inky tendrils reaching out to ensnare her. She strained her eyes, trying to pierce the gloom, but the absence of light rendered her efforts futile.

Her mind raced, trying to make sense of Boogie's sudden flight and the unseen threat that had triggered it. She stood frozen, her muscles tensed and ready to spring into action at the slightest provocation. The warm breeze continued to caress her skin, its metallic scent now tinged with an undercurrent of menace.

"Ha ha, it seems I've spooked the little one. Quite young, it seems," boomed a deep, crackling voice from above, its ancient timbre resonating with a chilling authority. The warm breeze continued to caress her skin, but now it carried with it a sinister edge.

Startled, Elara's eyes shot upward, searching for the source of the voice in the oppressive darkness. Above her, a single red orb with a black slit in the middle glowed ominously, its presence looming over her like a shadowy specter. At first, she couldn't comprehend what she was seeing, her mind struggling to process the monstrous size of the thing above her.

As she stared up at what she realizes is an eye, a sense of unease washed over her, prickling at the edges of her consciousness. The voice's mocking, slow laughter filled the air, its deep tones echoing through the darkness like drums. Paralyzed by fear, she stood transfixed, unable to tear her gaze away from the red sphere looking at her.

She was frozen, her mouth agape as she stared up at the massive eye. The deep voice echoed through the darkness once more, its mocking laughter sending shivers down her spine.

"Haha, looks like you are also a little one." The words hung in the air. She could not find the words to speak. Boogie's trembling intensified against her chest. Waking her from her frozen state. She could feel its terror, the primal instinct to flee from this gigantic threat.

"Who are you?" She spoke softly, her voice barely getting out.

"Ah, a hatchling, scurrying about in a place they shouldn't." As the entity spoke, she became aware of a faint, blue glow emanating from the shadows above her. It was the glyph that started to glow. Slowly, the darkness parted, revealing a colossal form towering over her.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as she took in the sight before her. Towering above, its body a twisting mass of muscle and scale, was a dragon. Its hide was a deep, burnished red, like the embers of a dying fire, and its wings furled.

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The dragon's massive head lowered, bringing its single, glowing eye closer with Elara. She could see the old intelligence burning within that crimson orb, ancient and cunning. Its maw parted, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth, each one larger than her entire body.

"I wonder how you found your way here, little hatchling," the dragon rumbled, its voice reverberating through her very being. "It has been long since I have had a visitor."

She swallowed hard, her earlier bravado faltering in the face of such overwhelming power and size. She could feel the heat radiating from the dragon's body, a furnace-like intensity that threatened to sear the very air around them. Boogie moved against her chest, its flames flickering weakly as it cowered in the presence of the colossal dragon.

The dragon's massive form shifted, its scales scraping against the stone as it moved closer to her. She could feel the heat radiating from its body, a searing warmth that threatened to overwhelm her senses. The dragon's snout hovered mere meters away from her, its nostrils flaring as it inhaled deeply. Making her notice the tuft of dark red hair below its maw.

She felt the air rush past her, drawn into the dragon's lungs with a force that nearly knocked her off her feet. Her hair whipped around her face, and she could smell the acrid scent of brimstone on the dragon's breath. Boogie trembled against her chest, its flames flickering weakly in the face of the dragon's overwhelming presence.

At that moment, she remembered her Inspect skill. She focused her gaze on the dragon, willing the system to provide her with information about the creature before her. The response that appeared in her mind left her stunned.

Dragon [Level: ????]

Her eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. She had seen question marks before, when she had inspected the golem. But that creature had only had two, and its level had been in the double digits. If this dragon had four question marks, did that mean its level was in the thousands?

The realization left her humbled, her earlier bravado crumbling in the face of such immense power. She felt small and insignificant, a mere speck in the presence of a being that had likely lived for centuries, if not millennia.

The dragon's voice rumbled through the air, snapping her out of her reverie. "What brings you here, little hatchling?" it asked, its tone a mixture of curiosity and amusement at her frozen state. "Why have you wandered here?"

She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. She knew she had to choose her words carefully and stick to the truth as much as she could, lest she offend the ancient creature before her. "I... I don't know," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "I woke up here, in this place. I've been exploring these halls, trying to find a way out."

She paused, glancing up at the dragon's glowing eye. "When I looked outside, all I could see were clouds. I'm not sure where I am, or how I got here."

The dragon regarded her for a long moment, its gaze seeming to pierce through to her very soul. She held her breath, waiting for the creature's response, her heart pounding in her chest.

The dragon's words echoed through the chamber, its ancient voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. "You are far too young and your level too low to have found your way here on your own, little hatchling," it mused, its glowing eye fixed upon her. "It is nearly impossible to simply stumble upon this fortress, let alone teleport inside its walls."

She listened intently, her heart pounding in her chest as the dragon continued its contemplation. "Perhaps you were the victim of a plot, or caught in the midst of an arcane accident that sent you hurtling through space to this remote location, I do smell a bit of void magic on you," the dragon suggested, its tone almost conversational despite the gravity of its words.

The idea of being the target of a conspiracy or the unwitting participant in a magical mishap sent a shiver down her spine. She had no memory of anything out of the ordinary happening before she awoke in this strange place. The thought of unseen forces manipulating her fate left her feeling vulnerable and exposed.

Gathering her courage, she spoke up, her voice trembling slightly as she addressed the colossal creature before her. "I... I was sleeping at home before I woke up here," she explained, her brow furrowed in confusion. "I don't remember anything unusual happening, no plots or accidents. I just went to take a nap like normal and then found myself in this fortress."

The dragon tilted its head, considering her words. Its ancient gaze seemed to pierce through her, as if seeking the truth behind her statement. She held her breath, waiting for the dragon's response, her mind racing with questions and fears.

She listened intently as the dragon spoke, its deep voice rumbling through the chamber. "Your presence here is indeed a mystery, little hatchling," it mused, its glowing eye fixed upon her. "But it matters not how you arrived. What intrigues me is your desire to leave."

The dragon shifted its massive form, scales scraping against the ground as it settled into a more comfortable position. "You see, I too wish to depart from this fortress," it confided, its tone almost conspiratorial. "I have been here for far too long, watching the world pass by from my perch above the clouds. Which gets very dull when there are only clouds to look at."

Her eyes widened at the dragon's words. The idea that it, too, yearned for escape was both surprising and oddly comforting. "This fortress is a remote and isolated place," the dragon continued, its voice taking on a note of wistfulness. "It sits high above the world, nestled among the clouds. Few have ever set foot within its walls, and fewer still have managed to leave."

The dragon's words sent a chill down her spine. If the fortress was so difficult to reach, then how had she ended up here? And more importantly, how was she going to find her way back home?

As if sensing her unease, the dragon chuckled softly. "But fear not, little hatchling," it reassured her, its tone almost gentle. "Leaving this fortress is not an impossible task, at least not for a dragon of my magnitude."

Her heart leapt at the dragon's words. If the creature was capable of leaving the fortress, then perhaps it could help her escape as well. She opened her mouth to speak, but the dragon cut her off with a wave of its massive claw.

"I must warn you, however," it cautioned, its voice growing serious. "Even if we manage to leave the fortress, there is little civilization to be found in these parts. It has been countless years since any settlement thrived in the region below."

Her brow furrowed at the dragon's warning. The thought of being stranded in the wilderness, with no idea of where to go or how to survive, was a daunting one. But the alternative - remaining trapped in this strange, empty fortress - was even more unthinkable.

She took a deep breath, gathering her courage as she looked up at the colossal dragon. "If you want to leave this fortress, why haven't you done so already?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. "And what happened to the other people who came here before me?"

The dragon's eye narrowed, its ancient gaze boring into her. "Ah, those are astute questions, little hatchling," it rumbled, its voice taking on a somber tone. "The truth is, I have grown complacent in my solitude. The fortress provides for my needs, and the effort required to leave seemed too great a burden for me to undertake alone."

She nodded, understanding the dragon's reluctance to abandon its familiar surroundings. But the creature's answer to her second question left her feeling uneasy.

The dragon shifted. "As for the others who came before you," it began, its voice tinged with a hint of sheepishness, "they were all individuals of immense power, relative to you at least, seeking something within the fortress. Mostly Mages, each with their own agendas."

Elara leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "What happened to them?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The dragon's eye darted away for a moment, leaving Elara's form. "I... I ate them," it admitted, its voice low and gruff. "I did not take kindly to their intrusion, to their arrogance in believing they could take what they wanted from my domain."

Her eyes widened, her mouth falling open in shock. She had not expected such a casual admission of consuming people’s flesh from the ancient creature. The thought of the dragon devouring those who had come before her sent a chill down her spine.

Seeing her reaction, the dragon quickly added, "But that was long ago, little hatchling. My people-eating phase has long since passed. I have no desire to consume you or any other visitors who may find their way here."

Despite the dragon's reassurance, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease. She knew that she had to trust the creature to some extent, as it clearly possessed knowledge and power far beyond her own. But the revelation of its past actions left her questioning just how much faith she could place in the ancient being.

She listened intently as the dragon's voice took on a wistful tone, its ancient eyes growing distant as it spoke of its desires. "Ah, little hatchling, you cannot imagine the flavors I have experienced in my long life," it sighed, its breath hot against her skin. "The tender flesh of the sky-swimming Zephyrs, the succulent meat of the burrowing Terramanders... each creature offering a unique taste and texture. Each having their unique way of being roasted to perfection."

The dragon's words painted vivid pictures in her mind, despite her unfamiliarity with the creatures it described. She could almost taste the exotic flavors on her tongue.

But as the dragon continued its rant, its voice grew tinged with frustration. "And the spices!" it exclaimed, its tail lashing against the stone floor. "Oh, how I miss the spices. The mages who came before you they brought nothing to expand my palate. No herbs, no seasonings, just their bland, unadorned flesh."

Her eyes widened at the casual mention of the dragon's past meals, but she remained silent, allowing the creature to continue its tirade.

"You must understand, little hatchling," the dragon explained, its tone almost apologetic, "I do not need to eat to survive, not like your squishy race. For me, dining is an experience, a chance to savor the myriad flavors the world has to offer. I am a true connoisseur, seeking out the rarest and most delectable morsels."

She nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She found the dragon's passion for food endearing, despite the somewhat macabre nature of its preferences. It reminded her of her own friends, the way they would animatedly discuss their hobbies and interests.

As the dragon continued to wax poetic about its culinary adventures, she found herself relaxing, the tension in her muscles easing. She had always been more of a listener than a talker, content to let others dominate the conversation while she absorbed their words.

And so she settled in, allowing the dragon’s deep, rumbling voice to wash over her, painting vivid pictures of exotic lands and strange, delectable creatures. Most of the words flew right over her head, as she didn’t recognize the spices or creatures. But Elara did not care for a moment. She could almost forget the strangeness of her situation, lost in the dragon’s tales of flavor and spice.