In the late night within Sylvana Village, Alex found some stability. After the terrifying siege, the elf village was somewhat restored: the burnt tree houses were hastily repaired, the elves' wounds were healed with forest magic, but the atmosphere remained heavy with the residual scent of smoke and blood. Alex sat beside Elara; the wound on his chest had healed with herbs, but the darkness within him still surged, whispering temptingly after leveling up to Level 23. "Shadow Army... This new power can summon an army, but if I lose control..." He mumbled, looking at his hands, where the darkness gently swirled.
Eldrin, the elf Elder, sat opposite the group: Alex, Elara, Thorne, and a messenger from the Dwarves – a Dwarf warrior named Grom, sent by Durin for coordination. "The Dark Lord is awakening faster than predicted," Eldrin said, his voice raspy. "The sealed jewel is only one part. To defeat him, we need an alliance with the Dragon tribe at the Volcano Mountain – ancient beings who wield sacred fire, which can incinerate the darkness. But Dragons are not easily convinced; they are arrogant and only respect power." Thorne nodded: "I will stay to protect the village. Elara, Grom, go with Alex. Take the alliance letters from the elves and Dwarves." Elara grasped Alex's hand: "We will succeed. I believe in you." Alex smiled, but the previous night's dream still haunted him: the Dark Lord scoffing, "You will be my weapon..."
The next morning, the group of three – Alex, Elara, and Grom – set off east, toward the towering Volcano Mountain with black smoke billowing from its crater. The journey led them through hot sand deserts and rocky valleys; the stifling air made sweat stream down. Grom, with his long beard and heavy Mithril hammer, muttered: "Dragons? They once helped the Dwarves forge ancient weapons, but now they are reclusive, hating strangers." Alex tested Shadow Army along the way: he summoned a small Goblin phantom, using it to scout the path. "It works well, but it consumes mana." The System confirmed: [Shadow Army Lv.1: Summon maximum 5 low-level phantoms.] Elara used forest magic to create water from the air, helping the group survive the desert.
After a day's journey, they stopped at a small oasis to rest. But the peace didn't last: a roar echoed from the sandy dust. "Sand Wyrm! A desert monster corrupted by darkness!" Grom yelled, raising his hammer. From beneath the sand, a massive ten-meter-long snake lunged out, its scales glossy black, its eyes bloodshot, spitting dark venom. It lashed its tail, sand flying everywhere, aiming straight for Elara. Alex rushed to shield her: "Shadow Barrier!" The black shield covered her, blocking the tail lash, but the shield cracked under the force. "Aargh! It's at least Level 20!" he yelled, the System warning: [Enemy: Corrupted Sand Wyrm Level 22.]
Elara shot green arrows; the bolts embedded themselves in the scales, exploding and scorching a section of the skin, the stench of burning flesh spreading. The Wyrm roared in pain, lunging to bite and tear. Grom swung his Mithril hammer, severing a section of the tail; foul black blood sprayed, but the monster regenerated quickly thanks to the darkness. "It has regeneration! We must hit the dark core!" Grom shouted. Alex activated Shadow Dominion; black tentacles crawled up from the sand, wrapping around the Wyrm's body, draining its life force with a gruesome "sizzling" sound. The monster struggled violently, its tail lash grazing Grom, sending him flying into the rock, blood flowing from his mouth. "Grom!" Alex yelled, using Shadow Strike to shoot a dark blade into its mouth, cutting its tongue. But a slight shadow backlash occurred; his head throbbed.
"Shadow Fusion!" Alex combined with Elara's magic; the dark-green tentacles wrapped tightly, burning the scales and draining life force simultaneously. The Wyrm convulsed, spitting black venom at him. Alex used Shadow Cloak to vanish, reappearing on its back, plunging the Mithril sword into the dark core – a black stone at its neck. The sword pierced through; the darkness exploded, and the monster dissolved into black dust. [Experience +800. Level up: Level 23 → Level 25.] Grom stood up, wiping the blood: "Well done, lad. But the Dark Lord is sending stronger minions."
They continued to the foot of the Volcano Mountain on the third day. The mountain was towering, lava trickled, and the air was scorching hot like a forge. The entrance to the dragon cave was guarded by glowing rune stones. Suddenly, an earth-shattering roar echoed, and a colossal red dragon flew out – twenty meters long, scales gleaming, its vast wings obscuring the sky. "Strangers! How dare you trespass into the Dragon domain?" Its voice was like thunder, breathing scorching fire. Alex raised the alliance letter: "We come seeking aid against the Dark Lord! I am the Shadow Sovereign of prophecy!" The dragon – named Ignis, leader of the Dragon tribe – scoffed: "Prophecy? Prove it! Pass the trial of sacred fire – fight me!"
The battle began on the scorching mountainside. Ignis breathed raging red fire; lava exploded beneath Alex's feet. "Shadow Barrier!" He created a black shield to block the fire, but the high heat gradually melted the shield. Elara shot green arrows, but the dragon scales were too hard; the arrows bounced off. Grom swung his hammer, striking the tail, creating only a small scratch. Ignis lashed its tail, sending Grom flying into a rock; he coughed up blood. "Too strong! At least Level 50!" Alex thought, charging forward, using Shadow Cloak to dodge the fire, reappearing on the dragon's back. "Shadow Strike!" The blade severed a scale; hot dragon blood sprayed. But Ignis shook violently, throwing him off, and breathed fire directly at him. Alex used Shadow Fusion with the surrounding fire – an idea flashed from the training – creating dark-red tentacles that wrapped around the dragon's wing, burning and draining its life force. Ignis roared: "Interesting power! But not enough!" It swooped down, its claws tearing at him. Alex dodged, but a claw grazed his shoulder, tearing his skin; blood flowed freely.
In that life-or-death moment, the darkness surged: "Shadow Army!" He summoned five phantoms – Goblins, Orcs, and Beasts from the previous battles – which lunged and tore at the dragon. They clung on, draining its life force, weakening Ignis. Elara combined her forest magic, creating green vines that wrapped tightly, providing support. Grom leaped up, hammering the wound. Ignis roared, but then stopped: "Enough! You have proven it – the Shadow power is not consumed." The dragon landed, transforming into human form – a tall elder with red hair. "I will ally with you. The Dragon tribe will help forge sacred fire into your weapons." [Quest Complete: Alliance with Dragons. Experience +1500. Level up: Level 25 → Level 28.]
But the joy was short-lived: a dragon messenger flew in, reporting: "The Dark Lord's Legion is advancing toward the Kingdom of Eldoria – the human capital! They number in the thousands, led by multiple Generals." Alex clenched his fist: "We must go now! The alliance must unite." Ignis nodded: "I will send dragons to support. But remember, Shadow Sovereign – fire and shadow must be balanced, or you will lose everything." In the distance, from the abyss, the Dark Lord's laugh echoed clearer than ever...