Chapter 6: Darkas
Randolph and Elara, walk through a dark stone corridor, ventured deeper into the dungeon. Shadows danced along the stone walls, and the muffled voices echoed through the stone passage. They had just emerged victorious from a skirmish against some red goblins, a small but fierce creatures clad in ragged cloth or scrawny pelt, with eyes gleaming like rubies.
Dumbfounded by their prior triumphant endeavour, Randolph laid an impish smile. He’s swinging his sword playfully while puzzled by what just happened. “I wonder if my memory fools me. Are they really that weak? They’re hardly more than annoying nuisances! I thought we need at least two adults to beat one?”
Elara, the always caring type of person, rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it get to you, brother. This type of goblin is cunning and menacing. They may be weak individually, but they’re always come in numbers, and we have no idea how many more of them left up ahead.”
“But we beat them like swatting flies you know? My sense of danger is weirded out by this.” Randolph sighing, complaining to his sister.
“Just deal with it!” Elara answer curtly.
As they pressed on, they stumble upon a large chamber. They froze on the spot, astonished by what they see. A red goblin draped in a makeshift royal garb stood on a crude throne made of bones. Surrounding him were many of the other red goblins, hundreds of them. The lone red goblin skin is a deeper crimson, adorned with jagged scars and dripping with malevolence. It’s only by the blessing of goddess of luck that they’re still not found out.
“Umm… Randoph, what should we do?” Elara asked her brother for a hint.
“Let see… can you blast them with your magic?” Randolph asked.
“Maybe…” Elara answered, hesitantly.
“Then do it, I’ll handle the rest. Just make sure you get as many as possible, aim at that king likes goblin if possible.” Randolph said with a calm but firm tone, gripping his sword.
Elara stood with her feet firmly planted on the cold, rocky ground, taking a deep breath as she began to concentrate. The dim light of the corridor flickering, making her silhouette seem ominous with the white twig clasped tightly in her outstretched hands. She stimulates the magic in her, combining and merging it with the magic energy that lingers in the air, proof of her precise control.
With each heartbeat, Elara began weaving intricate patterns in the air, her fingers moving gracefully as if dancing to an ancient tune only she could hear. Swirling ancient symbols rise into existence, shimmering with ethereal light. They hung in the air like a tapestry of raw energy, vibrant and alive.
The red goblins beady eyes glinting with mischief and contempt, began to shift uneasily. Their snickers faded into hushed whispers as an unsettling sensation dawned upon them. Something really unnerving is lingering in the air. But before they could do anything, it happened.
Without warning, Elara unleashed her spell. A blinding flash filled the corridor, enveloping the goblin king, and whatever close to it, in shining blue bolts that crackling like a storm breaking loose, turning the chamber into a pandemonium. Scream of agony filled the large chamber, drowning out the crackling noise the spell’s make in its wake.
The explosion was so devastating, sweeping away goblins with intense heat. Crimson bodies were sent tumbling across the stone floor, while others found themselves bewildered from the sheer force of the magic. Chaos reigned as the few remaining goblins, startled and disorganized, scrambled to make sense of the mayhem surrounding them.
But, matter how strong Elara is, her mana pool is limited. She’s panting heavily, fall to her knees, trying hard to organize her breath. Just as she fell, the spell's is waning, revealing the chaos she’d made. She sees that about half of the goblins are still battle ready, gazing at her threateningly.
Sighing, Elara turn to Randolph, “Sorry, there is still many of them left. This is as far I can go. I am feeling sluggish.” She said regretfully.
But Randolph, while grinning, “This is more than expected. You are strong Elara, even I can’t do what you did. Thanks!” said to Elara, his eyes gleaming like a predator looking at its prey.
Without waiting for reply, Randolph jumps to the fray. He charges forward like a gale, slashing, piercing, striking, and everything in between. With a fierce war cry, he became an embodiment of chaos himself, darting through the tatters of the battleground. His movements were fluid and precise, almost like performing a death dance that dwindling the goblins crowd one by one with each step, making the goblins screech in terror.
His partner, the beloved rusty sword, its edges gleaming despite the rust and grime. With each strike, it’s dispatched the bewildered goblins one by one. The sword hums a song of misery and despair for the goblins. Swishing through the air, cutting cleanly as its wielder slipped past, lunges, and grappled the remaining goblins with the finesse of a seasoned warrior.
The red goblins, already shaken from Elara's spell, don’t stand a chance against Randolph’s onslaught. He moved with the precision of a master, dodging blows and retaliating swiftly. Each clash sounded like a bell tolling, announcing a downfall with each chime. Randolph’s blades flashed like lightning, illuminating the chaos around him, filling the air with tension like a fierce tempest.
Elara, regaining her composure, felt a rush of exhilaration swell within her. Watching Randolph fight, ignited a fire in her heart. With her magic still dancing at her fingertips, she readied another spell to enhance his movements.
“Let me help you brother!” she called out, her voice steady amidst the mayhem. Drawing upon the residual magic from her earlier spell, she guided her focus toward Randolph. A soft glow enveloped him, amplifying his strength and agility as he leaped, spun, and struck with renewed ferocity.
Now a whirlwind of enchantment and skill, Randolph carved his way through the snarling goblins, each movement bolstered by Elara's magic. Together, they showcased the strength of their bond. Two sibling united against the odd.
As the most of the goblins fell, stumbling in confusion or fleeing in fear, Randolph let out a triumphant shout. “That’s right! Run with your tail between your legs!”
Elara couldn’t help but laugh lightly, the heavy feeling is lifted from her chest. “Not too shabby, brother. But we need to stay vigilant. This is not over yet.”
Grinning, he replies to Elara, “Aww… you party pooper. You should allow me to bask in glory for a bit more.”
Hearing her brother reply, Elara giggles. Thinking that he’s been like that since forever.
They both looked around the aftermath of this battle. The chamber is filled with the remnants of what was once a ferocious critter. There is gore all over the place, and the one’s still breathing is either groaning or struggling to escape. They exchanged glances, unable to believe that all of this is their doing.
“Umm… maybe we overdoing it?” ask Elara to no one in particular.
“Well, its better them than us you know.” Randolph replied, almost like convincing himself.
The siblings continue their advance to reach deeper in the dungeon. They need to find the dungeon core, hoping to solve the predicament befalling their home. The corridor was dimly lit by flickering fungus hanging on the damp rock walls. Shadows flickered, creating menacing shapes that danced just out of the corner of their eyes, but the siblings pressed on, invigorated by their recent victory over the red goblins.
“Just imagine the villagers faces when they hear what we are doing now.” Elara said, chuckling.
“Do you think they'll pay us for cleaning out those guys?” jokes Randolph while adjusting the strap on his belt. His sword rusty but strong and sturdy. He wonders how can this sword becoming sharper with every battle, this is not normal.
“Guess they won’t believe us nonetheless.” Elara replied, chuckling.
So far, they had only encountered a handful of the troublesome creatures. Each skirmish, excluding the one at the big chamber, had been as effortless as swatting flies. Red goblins, with their beady eyes and jagged teeth, were known for their chaotic behaviours, often swarming in large numbers to overwhelm their opponents. Yet, here they were, cutting through them as if they were mere practice dummies.
“Let’s keep going.” Elara said while stay vigilant.
“Yeah! And we can make a name for ourselves as goblin hunters while at it!” Randolph nodded in agreement, and make a joke out of it.
When they reach the deeper end of the trail, they smelled a foul odour. A combination of smoke, sulphur, and something distinctly rotten. As they moved deeper into the corridor, a roaring sound echoed deep in the hallway. It started faintly but quickly grew louder.
“Did you hear that?” Randolph asked, slowing his pace and stepping closer to the wall.
“Yeah, sounds like something big is snoring in its sleep.” Elara whispered, looking down the corridor that twisted slightly to the left. “Let’s be careful, this might be bad news.”
Cautiously, they pressed on, each step calculated as they prepared for what lay ahead. They came around the corner to find another large chamber, a cavern where darkness pooled like ink, and echoes of ancient power reverberated through the air.
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At the heart of the chamber, rising above them, was an imposing figure. An undead dragon, its glorious form draped in the shadows of death. The shiny black scales that enveloped his rotten body glistened ominously in the dim light, each reflecting a cruel glint that sent shivers down their spines.
Randolph and Elara faltered for a heartbeat. Their gazes drawn to the menacing catastrophe before them. A dark energy enveloped the dragon, creating a void of dread that seemed to suck all hope from the atmosphere.
“Ah, look at the eager little mortals,” the dragon boomed, his laughter rumbling like thunder throughout the chamber. “A rusty sword and a mere twig? You must either be incredibly brave or utterly foolish to challenge this Darkas!”
Elara straightened her posture, pushing aside her anxiety. “We need to get through! Can you please kindly let us pass? We will not be bothering you. I promise!”
“Hey, Elara! What are you doing!?” Randolph questioning what his sister’s doing.
“I’m trying to negotiate, brother. This dragon seems intelligent.” Elara reasoned.
With a dismissive flick of his tail, Darkas smirked, swirling his massive head to inspect his challengers. “I admire your tenacity, but it will not save you. Come, entertain me with the drama of your demise!”
Without warning, the ground shook as Darkas unleashed a torrent of black flames, roaring down upon the siblings like a raging inferno. Elara raised her twig, weaving a barrier of light that flickered against the onslaught. It collapsed under the weight of the dragon’s power, but enough to buy time for their escape.
In a matter of seconds, the world around them turned chaotic. Flurries of talon and fierce embers flew through the air as Darkas wreaked havoc. The siblings fought valiantly, sidestepping and dodging, but it felt as though their efforts were mere child’s play against the might of the dragon.
The black scales absorbed the impact from each thrust of sword as if it were made of wood, and each burst of magic barely grazed Darkas’s rotting flesh. Within moments, fatigue and despair began to settle over them, the weight of their own limitations pressing down harshly.
“Is this all you’ve got?” Darkas taunted, amusement twinkling in his gleaming eyes, as he effortlessly dispatched them, sending Randolph and Elara sprawling against the stone floor. They are thrown backward with a powerful swipe of the dragon’s tail, groaning as darkness swirled around her.
Despair washed over them as they lay battered on the cold ground, mirroring the hopelessness that suddenly enveloped the chamber. The siblings exchanged sorrowful glances, realizing that they had cornered before the might of the undead dragon.
Elara clenched her jaw, drawing out every ounce of willpower still left in her. “Randolph,” she gasped, struggling to lift her head, “we can’t give up. Let’s try something else!”
“What do you mean?” Randolph, catching his breath, asked his sister, not understanding what she means. “You have some spell to beat him?”
“No. Listen closely, find it in your head, the wisdom Margot bestow upon us. You’ll know the answer” Elara explain her plan to her ‘not so smart’ brother.
“Urgh…that Lich again!” Randolph grumbling annoyingly, hearing the name he’s not so willing to hear again, coming from his sister’s mouth. Even as he winced in pain, he still responds positively. “You're right. There is a way to fight back. I think we can do this.”
“I know, right!?” Focused, Elara reached within, tapping into the slightest reserves of the borrowed wisdom. “Darkas finds pride in his power,” she murmured, “but what if we use it against him instead?” She stood slowly, every movement imbued with newfound resolve. “We need to outsmart him.”
Darkas, sensing the change, let out a booming laugh, the sound echoing ominously against the cavern walls. “Oh? What’s this, little sorceress? Have you conjured up a new strategy to amuse me? I can hardly wait!”
Elara’s mind raced as she shared her thoughts with her brother. “He is so big and bulky. It’s already hard enough get close, not to mention landing a single strike on him. But what if we use his strength against him? What if we lead him into a trap?”
Randolph, recovering a bit, felt adrenaline tickling his skin. “You mean…draw him into a confined space?” He looked around the expansive chamber. “But where?”
“There…” Elara gestured towards a far corner of the cavern where cracks in the stone revealed shafts of dim light filtering through. “If we can lure him there, we can at least have a chance.”
“And we can’t forget that light is his weakness.” replied Randoph with a grin across his face. “Let’s do this!”
With a shared understanding, they reformed, breathing deeply to forge their plan. “We need to bait him,” Randolph said, gripping his sword tightly, its edge still gleaming despite its rust. “I’ll occupy him while you prepare your magic. Just make sure you seal the deal!”
“Let’s do it,” Elara replied, resolve surging within her. “On three.”
“…THREE!!!” they counted it ‘off’, and as Randolph charged forward, Elara summoned a flicker of radiant energy in her hands. While the dragon was caught off guard, he can still respond towards Randolph fast attack, Elara called forth all the light she could muster.
“Darkas!” Randolph yelled, swinging his sword with all his might, aiming for the vulnerable cracks in the dragon’s scales. “You’re just a fat lizard! You don’t scare us!”
“Fool!” Darkas roared, snapping his jaws toward Randolph. He skilfully taunts and guide the furious dragon to the spot mentioned by his sister. Having a few near misses, Randolph began thinking that maybe this is not so great idea. But crying over spilled milk won’t change a thing, he just has to finish this. And just as Darkas drew closer, Elara shouted, “Now!”
Hearing that, Randolph immediately jumps back. Then, with a power fuelled by her will, she unleashed a torrent of radiant energy, drawing the shadows toward the beams of blue light while pushing them back. The dragon froze, realizing too late that he had been led into a trap.
The intensity of the illumination forced Darkas to recoil, shadows clawing at the light, breeding chaos in a way the ancient dragon had not anticipated. Elara cast the spell with a fierce determination, increasing the glow of the light until it expanded around them, enclosing Darkas in a spiralling cocoon of luminescence.
Randolph, encouraged by his sister’s magic, struck again. His sword found a weak point, driving into the flesh that had begun to crack under the spell of the light. The dragon screeched, the sound a mixture of rage and anguish, while the shadows around him writhing in agony.
“Impressive!” Darkas sneered through gritted teeth, yet the quaver in his voice was evident. “But, do you think this me can be defeated by a mere ray of light?”
“Never know when we don’t try,” Elara retorted, summoning more magic, “go ahead and try to break it!”
In a moment of defiance, both siblings pressed forward, the energy swirling around them coalescing in a powerful surge. United by resolution and determination, they focused their combined strength against Darkas, aiming for the heart of the dark void.
As the radiant energy enveloped the dragon, light clashed against the darkness, but with a mighty roar, Darkas flared a tremendous dark flame from his mouth. With a blinding brightness, the magic Elara cast dissipating into an array of shimmering particles, bending into the air like some declining sparks.
“No way!” Breathless, Elara stunned at the scene unfold before them. Their hearts pounding with anxiety.
“Did he really just…” Randolph began, the disbelief palpable in his voice. Despair looming within their heart, knowing that they used the last ounce of their strength in that last strike.
“What do we do brother?” Elara questions her brother with a weak and trembling voice.
“Let’s ru…” Randolph tries to tell his sister to run away, but before he can finish his words, Darkas release that very same dark flame he uses to break Elara spell at them.
Intense heat approaching fast aiming for the siblings. In desperation, Elara cast a barrier with whatever magic she can muster, but it’s all for naught. The barrier shattered before the flame even touch it, there is no way to run. Knowing there is no hope, Randolph and Elara clasped each other hand and shut their eyes, accepting their fate. But the dark flame never reaches them.
A familiar voice appears, echoing through the darkened chamber. “Yo! Darkas!” It’s so out of place that making the siblings open their eyes in astonishment.
Gathering themselves, the siblings looked up to see Margot stepping gracefully into view, as if he had simply strolled into a pleasant conversation. The Elder Lich approached the dragon, like an old comrade reaching out to a friend from a bygone era.
“What brings you here, Margot?” Darkas asked, amusement dancing in his gaunt smile. “I see you’ve found a couple of lost souls. They had quite the ill-fated ambition, don’t you think?”
Margot chuckled lightly, studying the siblings worn out expressions. “It seems they’ve lost their way against an old friend. I’d say that’s somewhat expected,” he mused. “Though they fought valiantly with what they had.”
Darkas raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it you propose? Spare them? They’ve certainly made it amusing!”
With an air of wisdom, Margot interjected, “I have seen the chaos that stems from this dungeon getting out of control. It’s already spread far and wide, thus reaching where people live. You, of all beings, should understand the consequence of the darkness that permeates from here.” Margot voices his reasoning to Darkas the Undead Dragon. “These children, while ignorant, traveling here because of the disturbance. Yet, they proven their worth by reaching you. Hence, I don’t see the need for you to continue this farce anymore.”
“Ah, indeed,” Darkas agreed, a flicker of understanding emerge from his laughter. “But what do you suggest, Margot?”
Margot drew closer, carefully framing his words as if weaving a delicate tapestry. “If we grant them the opportunity, perhaps they can fulfil the quest that we’ve failed! To reach a place that may have an answer to this quandary! To help restore the balance! They shall uncover the remnants of an ancient kingdom, a place where you and I once belonged when we were still among the living.”
Darkas mused, a contemplative air settling over him. “Do you really believe these pipsqueaks can do what we can’t? Help rectify the chaos?”
“They maybe immature, but they have the potentials. We just need to watch them and guide them when the wave is too big.” Margot argued with Darkas.
“When coming from you, my old friend, it’s really packed a punch. Very well, but if they going to embark on such journey, I will have them find the legacy. The key to the unknown. And only then they can stand the harshness of the annals of fate.”
“Indeed,” Margot nodded, the sophistication of their exchange wrapping around them like a shadowy shroud. “They also have to carry the weight of this responsibility. They shall not repeat our blunder, like in the past.”
As the siblings listened, still panting from exhaustion, they felt the graveness of the situation. With every word, they realized that they unknowingly tangled with something they can’t fathom. Something immense and vast, it’s beyond what they can swallow.
With nimble movement unfit for his huge stature, Darkas unfurled his wing, exposing his scales and pluck a pair that shimmered with darkness and light, handing them to the siblings. “Take these two scales. You can use it to make something of worth with it. But before that, these scales will be the key to fulfil your purpose of coming here.”
The siblings exchanged glances, wondering the meaning of Darkas words. And they decided to not make waste to Darkas’s unexpected generosity.
“Thank you, Darkas,” Elara managed to thank him, her voice is steady now. “We won’t let this chance you gave us go to waste.”
“Hrmph…” Darkas grinning. “I shall take your word then, human child. May the Fortune of War be with you.”
With that, Margot stepped forward and slowly began tweaking the very essence of the dungeon. A shimmering doorway appeared behind them, leading to the final chamber. “I will open the path for your journey, but remember this, the legacy you seek will test not just your strength but also your hearts.”
As the door swung wide, the siblings felt a swell of hope, not just for themselves but also a chance to alter the fate of their home, maybe even the world.
“Go, finish your quest, and remember, the shadows give no mercy,” Darkas said, his voice revealing a hint of warmth. “But should you need me, I will be here, watching.”
Going through the doorway into the next stage, they step into the unknown. With resolve lighting their hearts, they embraced the uncertainty ahead, resolved to seek the legacy of the past that held the promise for their future.