Ragna and the children ran through the cobbled streets of Draconia, their breaths quick and heavy with urgency. After finding Marek, who was cleaning alone in the square, they quickly explained the situation. Marek’s face hardened. Although his instinct was to help, he knew his role was to protect the village. He nodded and immediately decided to go with them, knowing that any misstep could open the door to even greater threats.
The streets leading to the Council were nearly deserted, with only a few shadowy figures moving swiftly about their own business. Like everything else on this subterranean continent, the buildings of Profundia had an air of decay and mystery. The architecture evoked a sense of ancient power and forgotten glory, with pillars reminiscent of Roman temples, draped in moss and ivy blooming beneath the ethereal glow of the light crystals that illuminated the city.
The Council resided in a building that seemed impervious to the passing of time. Its structure rose imposingly, covered in vegetation and cloaked in an oppressive atmosphere, as if harboring dark, ancient secrets. It was a vision from a nightmare, with a design that evoked melancholy and despair.
Upon arriving, Ragna and the children were met by Eldric and Eolka, two of the most respected elders of Draconia and Pyros. Both awaited them with solemn expressions, already aware of the situation.
“Ragna, children,” Eldric greeted, his deep voice echoing in the dim light. “We’re already aware of what happened. The Edict of Space allowed me to observe the incident through the magical mirrors that monitor the city from my office in the council, but I need more details to track down the creature.”
Ragna nodded, taking a moment to catch his breath before speaking.
“Great Elder Eldric, this is what happened…” he began, recounting precisely what the children had told him. He described how Kaion had been lifted by the mana threads and how the Deathweaver had appeared out of nowhere, capturing him before they could react.
Eldric listened carefully, his face serious but calm. Beside him, Eolka frowned, visibly intrigued.
“A Deathweaver… that boy certainly attracts trouble…” Eolka murmured, her voice soft but laced with concern. “I don’t understand how it managed to enter undetected. We’ve reinforced security in both villages. There shouldn’t be any way for something like that to slip through.”
“That’s exactly what worries me,” Eldric replied, looking at Ragna with eyes that gleamed with dark wisdom. “This creature didn’t appear by chance. Someone or something allowed it in. This situation is reminiscent of the incident a few years ago, when another monster infiltrated near Triumph Hill. But first, we must find Kaion before it’s too late.”
Eldric turned to Ragna, his voice gaining an authoritative edge as he made a gesture with his hand, releasing a mysterious power.
“Ragna, I authorize you to use your Death Qi powers. I lift the seal containing them. Use your spirits to search the eastern and northwestern areas of the cavernous sky. Deathweavers build their nests far from the ground, in places where they can easily hunt. Find that nest and join the search. I’ve already informed the other clans and village warriors. This is a local threat, and we’re all at risk—we can’t afford a swarm of those things here.”
Ragna nodded, his eyes cold as ice beneath his bone mask.
“I will not fail you, Great Elder Eldric,” he replied, then turned on his heel and ran toward the exit, ready to unleash the horrors lying dormant within him to carry out his orders.
Eolka, who had been observing the scene silently, turned to the children.
“You will remain here, inside the Council building. This matter is far too dangerous for you to get involved.” Her tone was firm, making it clear she would accept no objections.
Isolte, indignant, took a step forward.
“But we want to help!” she protested, her eyes shining with defiance.
“Kaion is our friend!” Po Dong added, his voice breaking with frustration.
Nara, who had been watching quietly, intervened softly.
“I understand how you feel, but this is too dangerous for us. We’re not strong enough to face something like this.” Her voice, though soft, carried a gravity that made them step back.
“Please understand,” Eolka said, her tone more conciliatory. “The adults will handle this. Your safety is our priority now.”
Though visibly angry, the children nodded reluctantly. They knew they were being sidelined, but they also understood the gravity of the situation.
At that moment, Thalor and Lysa arrived, their faces marked by worry. Lysa, upon seeing the children and hearing the news that Kaion had been captured, became distraught.
“This can’t be! My son…” Her voice broke as despair overwhelmed her.
Eldric placed his hands on hers, trying to calm her.
“Be calm, Lysa. We’ll fix this. Kaion is smart, and if anyone can survive this, it’s him.” His words were meant to offer comfort, though he knew deep down the situation was extremely dangerous.
Thalor, calmer, approached his friend, who was like a mother to him, hugging her tightly.
“Lysa, we’ll be fine. I’ll look after the children here while you search for Kaion. Zephyr is already helping Aria from the skies.” His words managed to soothe her a little, though fear still lingered in her eyes.
Eldric nodded in gratitude to the loyal dwarf.
“Thank you, Thalor. I knew I could count on you,” he responded with a slight nod before turning his gaze to the horizon, fixed in the direction where Kaion had disappeared.
Lysa, more composed after venting her emotions, looked at Eldric seriously.
“How did that thing enter the village undetected, Eldric?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Eldric looked at her with calculating eyes, his expression somber.
“I have a suspicion, but I need to confirm it first,” he replied, his voice low and laced with uncertainty. There was something in the air, a sense that the shadows of Profundia were shifting, conspiring in the depths.
Silence fell over them as Eldric pondered the possibilities, his mind working on multiple levels, trying to unravel the mystery before it was too late.
And as Ragna ventured into the darkness, releasing the spirits of death to track down the Deathweaver, Eldric couldn’t shake the feeling that this hunt was only the beginning of something far greater and more dangerous.
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The cavernous sky of Profundia was a vast abyss stretching over the subterranean city, illuminated by light crystals hanging from the stalactites like stars trapped in an eternal night. Aria, mounted on Zephyr, an imposing Qi beast in the form of an owl with black-and-white plumage, flew at high speed through the shadows, her eyes fixed on the darkness stretching below them.
Zephyr, with his imposing form, glided silently through the air, his large wings barely making a sound as he cut through the wind. His coppery, piercing eyes were capable of detecting even the slightest movement in the dark, making him the perfect hunter.
“Do you see it, Zephyr?” Aria asked, her voice firm but tense.
Zephyr didn’t respond with words, but a low growl reverberated in his chest as his eyes pierced the darkness. Suddenly, his body tensed, and Aria sensed the shift in his posture.
“There it is…” Zephyr murmured, his voice soft, alerting Aria.
The Deathweaver moved among the luminous crystals, camouflaged almost perfectly. Its body slid like an octopus among coral, its tentacles undulating with eerie grace. The creature headed toward the city’s western side, moving with agility that defied its massive size.
“There!” Aria exclaimed, pointing at the creature.
Zephyr accelerated, cutting through the air with lethal precision. Aria raised her arm, quickly chanting an electricity spell. Her fingers glowed with a blue light, and she launched a series of lightning bolts toward the creature, aiming to slow it down or bring it down. The spells crackled in the air, hitting the Deathweaver, but the creature, either due to natural resistance or its skill in evading, seemed barely affected.
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“Damn it!” Aria muttered in frustration, narrowing her eyes as she observed the creature’s movements. “I can’t risk using more power. If I hurt Kaion…”
The chase continued for what felt like an eternity. Zephyr maneuvered expertly among the crystals, avoiding obstacles and maintaining distance with the Deathweaver. However, Aria couldn’t help but notice something strange in the creature’s behavior. Despite its size, it seemed more focused on fleeing than on facing them, which was uncharacteristic of its species. Deathweavers were known for their ferocity and their tendency to fight to the death when cornered.
“Zephyr…” Aria began, her voice filled with doubt. “Why isn’t it confronting us? Something’s wrong.”
“I know,” Zephyr replied, his deep voice full of suspicion. “This creature is behaving strangely, as if… as if it’s afraid.”
Suddenly, without warning, the Deathweaver released a cloud of mana threads from its tentacles. The threads spread in all directions, shining with a sinister glow as they shot toward Aria and Zephyr with terrifying speed.
“Watch out!” Aria shouted, leaning forward as Zephyr swerved sharply to one side. The threads passed just inches from them, slicing the air with a sharp whistle. Zephyr twisted in the air, narrowly avoiding the trap.
The maneuver gave the Deathweaver the time it needed. It slipped into a hole between the rocks, disappearing into a dark crevice in one of Draconia’s more remote areas. Aria watched in horror as the creature slipped into a tunnel that ended at a small waterfall, the water shining with a phosphorescent glow as it cascaded into an underground river.
“I didn’t know this place existed…” Aria murmured, her voice trembling with adrenaline. “The water currents must have created new paths in the caverns.”
Zephyr descended gently, landing near the tunnel entrance. The air around the waterfall was thick with humidity, and the sound of the falling water was almost deafening in the cavern’s silence. Aria gazed at the tunnel with uncertainty, feeling a strange mix of fear and determination.
“This isn’t good, Aria,” Zephyr said gravely. “That creature entered an unknown network of tunnels. We have no idea what could be down there, and we can’t face whatever it’s protecting alone.”
Aria clenched her fists, her mind torn between the urgency to save her brother and the cold logic of the situation. Zephyr was right. Though she hated to admit it, rushing blindly into those tunnels could be suicide.
“I know you’re right, Zephyr…” she finally replied, her voice barely a whisper. “But… Kaion is down there, and I don’t know how much longer he can hold on.”
Zephyr looked at her with eyes full of understanding and loyalty.
“I know, Aria. But I also know Kaion is strong. We learned at the Royal Academy of Magical and Military Arts of Profundia that these creatures don’t devour their prey immediately. They’re building something… or waiting. We have time, but we must be smart about this. Let’s fly back and regroup with the others. We’ll need more strength to face whatever awaits us down there.”
Aria nodded slowly, though with a heavy heart. Every fiber of her being urged her to press on, to rescue Kaion immediately. But her training, her experience, told her that Zephyr was right.
“Alright,” she finally said, taking a deep breath to calm herself. “Let’s go back. But the sooner we return, the better.”
Zephyr nodded in agreement, and with a powerful beat of his wings, they rose back into the air, heading back to the village. Aria couldn’t help but look back at the dark tunnel swallowing the waterfall. She prayed silently, with a lump in her throat, that Kaion would hold on until they could rescue him. As they flew, her mind was already planning the next move, calculating how many warriors and magicians they’d need, what type of spells would be most effective in such a treacherous environment, and how they could destroy the Deathweaver without putting Kaion in danger.
Time was ticking, and every second counted.
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I awoke to pain coursing through every fiber of my being, a sharp and penetrating agony that left me unable to move. I tried to open my eyes, but all I could see at first was a blurred haze, an opaque veil covering the reality around me. My head was free, but the rest of my body was trapped in something sticky and tight. What the hell…?
My eyes began to clear, and what I saw filled me with an icy terror that paralyzed me even more than the venom in my veins. I was encased in a cocoon of mana threads, as strong as steel. Only my head was exposed, just enough to let me breathe, but the air was dense and reeked of rot and death.
I looked around, hoping to find some sign of hope, but all I found was a nightmare made real. Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of cocoons like mine hung everywhere, and inside them, people of different races and ages struggled in vain against their bindings, their eyes filled with terror as they were slowly devoured by the creatures. The Deathweaver’s nest was worse than anything I could have imagined in my darkest nightmares. This place, hidden in the depths of Draconia, was a living hell, a tomb where the unfortunate were taken to be eaten alive.
Disgust rose in my throat, and I had to suppress a gag. I tried to struggle, fighting against the bonds that held me prisoner, but the more I strained, the more despair consumed me. In my past life, as a lawyer, I’d faced stressful situations, but nothing compared to this. This was real, tangible, and I realized I’d never seen anything like it outside of horror movies.
“Damn it!” I thought, feeling adrenaline mix with fear. I had to get out of here. I couldn’t let myself be defeated. With all my might, I tried to free myself again, and suddenly, something strange happened. In the blink of an eye, my body turned ethereal, almost insubstantial, as if I had become a ghost. I slipped through the cocoon as if it were nothing more than an illusion, falling heavily to the ground.
I looked at my hands and arms in disbelief, cold sweat running down my back. I was free… but how? I didn’t have time to understand what had happened, but my clothes were torn, and my arms bore the marks of the creature’s fangs. I tried to move, but the paralyzing venom was still in my body, numbing my muscles. I could barely crawl, but I did, dragging myself among the corpses and cocoons piled up like discarded remains on the floor.
Every movement was torture. I felt my strength waning, and the horror of the situation became more palpable with each passing second. I knew I didn’t have much time before the Deathweaver noticed I had escaped. The Bastion spell had resisted some of the venom, but not enough. I crawled as best as I could, searching for an exit, anything that could get me out of this damned place.
Then, a chill ran down my spine. Something was behind me. With a titanic effort, I turned my head and saw it: the Deathweaver that had captured me. Its cold, alien eyes stared at me, assessing, calculating. Before I could even attempt to move, one of its tentacles wrapped around me tightly and lifted me off the ground. I felt the air leave my lungs as the grip tightened. It was about to bring me to its mouth, its jaws opening slowly, revealing rows of teeth as sharp as blades.
My heart was pounding so hard I thought it would burst from my chest. It was then that a deep voice echoed through the cavern.
“Stop!”
The voice reverberated through the space like an unbreakable command, and the Deathweaver froze, its tentacle loosening slightly. I felt a surge of relief, but also a growing sense of dread. The creature seemed to obey that voice, but who could wield such control over a monster this horrific?
I looked toward the source of the voice and saw an old man emerging from the shadows of one of the tunnels. His robes were as black as night, and he held a strange staff that emitted a disturbing glow. The man’s face was stern, his gaze sharp as a dagger. I recognized him immediately. It was Elder Vesper, a member of Draconia’s council, a figure of great power and authority. A sense of relief washed over me at the sight of him, but it quickly faded with his next words.
“Now tell me, Old Enemy,” Vesper said, his tone cold as steel. “How did you escape the bindings I crafted especially for you?”
Fear seized me once more, but this time it was a different kind of fear, deeper. Vesper… was he the one behind all of this? Why did he call me ‘Old Enemy’? Questions swirled in my mind, but none had answers.
“I don’t know…” I managed to murmur, my voice shattered by fear and confusion. “I don’t know how I did it…”
Vesper looked at me with a mix of curiosity and disdain. His presence was suffocating, and the Deathweaver seemed to respond to him like an obedient servant.
“Interesting,” he murmured, more to himself than to me. “No matter, I will discover what I need to know.”
My mind raced. I had to think of something; I had to find a way out of this situation, but the venom still clouded my thoughts, and I felt weaker by the second.
“You can’t…” I began, trying to buy time, though I didn’t know how. “You can’t do this to me… The council…”
Vesper sneered, a smile devoid of warmth.
“The council?” he scoffed. “The council can’t protect you from me, boy. Like your father, you are destined for something far greater, something you can’t even imagine.”
“My father… What does he know about my father?” Vesper’s words pierced my mind like poisoned daggers, filling me with doubt and fear. What did he know about me that I didn’t?
“But don’t worry, half-blood,” Vesper continued, his tone insidious. “Soon, all your questions will be answered. And then, you, our old enemy, will understand your true purpose, for all this is for him, and him alone.”
I felt the shadows around me start to close in. The Deathweaver tightened its grip once more, and its mouth opened slowly, its fangs ready to tear me apart. I tried to move, but the venom kept me prisoner within my own body.
“No…” I whispered, despair choking my voice. “No…”
Vesper’s smile widened, a dark satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.
“Ah, it seems you understand now, but it’s too late to resist, son of Lysa. Don’t worry,” he said as he took a step back. “All of this is necessary for what is to come. But first, you must see the reason I brought you here.”
The elder raised his staff, and a sinister glow reflected in the Deathweaver’s eyes. The creature, which had momentarily loosened its grip, once again wrapped me tightly with its tentacle, lifting me effortlessly.
“Take our special guest to the prepared site,” Vesper ordered authoritatively. “Handle him with care. We don’t want him damaged prematurely.”
The Deathweaver obeyed without hesitation, turning its massive body toward a nearby passage, dark and narrow, from which it had emerged before. My mind remained clouded by venom, but now also by the terror of what awaited me at the end of that passage.
As I was dragged along, my thoughts swirled in a whirlwind of fear and confusion. Was Vesper doing all of this on someone’s orders? What was that “reason” so important that he’d brought me to this hellish place?
The Deathweaver slipped through the passage with terrifying speed, and my mind struggled to stay alert, to find a way to escape, but my body felt increasingly heavy, my consciousness slipping away.
In the distance, the passage began to open into a larger chamber. I knew that whatever awaited me there was the true purpose of my capture, and a part of me feared that this time there would be no way out.
As darkness closed in around me, one last spark of determination ignited within. I would not give up. Whatever Vesper had planned, I had to find a way to survive. For myself, for my family… for everyone who depended on me.
But for now, all I could do was wait and see what horrors awaited me in that special place Vesper had prepared.