The beast roared, and the echo of its voice rolled through the ruins like a storm. The stone trembled under its weight, and each step echoed like thunder in the empty corridors. Its body was monstrous—its shape resembled an indeterminate combination of human and animal, covered with a black shell from which crystal spikes grew. At the very center of its chest pulsed a bloody crystal—the source that Valdor must destroy.
Valdor assumed a fighting stance. Heat spread through his veins, and the dragon energy, deeply dormant for decades, flared up again. His eyes burned with fire, and a flickering aura of red light appeared around his body.
— Then... I will destroy you. And with you, that cursed source. — he said coldly, raising his sword.
The monster lunged at him, each step thundering like thunder. Valdor waited until the last moment, then leaped to the side, his sword cutting through the air. The blade bounced off the beast's armor, leaving only a scratch.
*Too hard. The crystal strengthens it.* — flashed through Valdor's mind.
The beast swung its enormous arm, ending in a crystal blade. Valdor raised his sword in defense. The blow shook his entire body and threw him back several steps. He fell to one knee but immediately got back up.
— You won't break me so easily.
The dragon's blood pulsed through him more and more strongly. His aura flared, and the air around him began to ripple with heat. Valdor took a step forward, and the ground beneath his foot cracked.
The dragon's blood pulsed through him ever stronger. His aura blazed, and the air around him began to ripple with heat. Valdor took a step forward, and the ground beneath his feet cracked.
The surface of the ruins shook from the roar. Mayuri, Arwen, Noah, and Kael fought waves of monsters pouring out of dark crevices. Each of them knew that somewhere inside, Valdor was facing something much worse.
— These creatures are endless!— Arwen shouted, her daggers flashing in the twilight. — It's like fighting a tidal wave!
Kael blocked a heavy monster's blow, his sword sparking from the impact. — We have to stop them! If they get to Valdor, it's all over!
Noah roared, scattering another wave with fire. — They won't get to him! Not while I'm alive!
Mayuri stood in the center, her shadows forming barriers and bonds. Each time the runic projectiles struck, her magic absorbed their energy. Her eyes glowed with a dark light. — We'll hold out. We have to.
But fear grew in each of their hearts. The rumbling from below sounded like giants fighting.
Valdor dodged another blow. The beast was fast, too fast for its size. Its crystal pulsed harder and harder, each flash piercing the air with a wave of energy. The stone walls cracked from the impact.
— It's the heart...— Valdor whispered. — I have to shatter it.
He closed his eyes for a split second. The memory returned: his mother, fighting against the Empire's army, her last glance. *"You have always been the light, Valdor."*
Valdor opened his eyes. — I won't let you down.
He lunged forward, his sword flashing. The blade sliced through the beast's arm, tearing off a piece of crystal. The monster howled, blood mixed with shards flooding the floor. Valdor felt that his theory was correct—the crystal could be destroyed.
However, the beast went berserk. It swung furiously, and its blow struck the ground so hard that the shockwave threw Valdor against the wall. Blood flowed from his mouth.
*Every time I attack, I risk my life,* he thought. *But there's no other way to end this.*
He got up, leaning on his sword. The aura of fire flared up again, even stronger.
— If this fight kills me... at least let it end their suffering.
This is only the beginning of the battle.
Valdor and the beast exchange heavy blows, while the team fights on the surface.
The beast struck again, its crystal arm tearing through the air. Valdor vanished from the attack's path at the last moment, leaving a trail of fire behind him. Dragon energy shot through his veins like a living flame. The sword flashed, cutting across the monster's torso, but the blade bounced off the armor again.
Valdor pressed forward, blow after blow, sparks flying in all directions. The beast roared, its body emanating waves of dark energy. The crystal in his chest pulsed, harder and faster. The air thickened, as if every molecule trembled with its power.
— You are a prison... — Valdor whispered, his voice more like a thought. — And I am your end.
The beast roared in response, and its blow struck the ground. The floor exploded, rock fragments scattered, and the shockwave carried Valdor halfway across the chamber. He grazed a pillar, which collapsed, burying him in dust and debris.
Valdor scrambled out from under the stones, trembling, blood running down his temple. — Not yet... not yet.
He raised his sword, and the runes on its blade glowed. Determination burned in his eyes, and an aura of fire grew around him, taking the shape of dragon wings. The shadows on the walls danced as if the dragon itself had returned to earth.
Upstairs, the team continued to fight. Waves of monsters poured in, more and more, more and more desperate. Noah was breathing heavily, sweat pouring down his face. The fire in his hands was losing its glow, but it still exploded in waves.
— How many more are there?! — he shouted, scattering the monsters with an explosion of fire. — It's like a fucking ocean!
Kael blocked the blows of two opponents at once, his sword trembling and his arms close to giving out. — Keep fighting! Valdor needs time!
Arwen, in her wolf form, leaped at the next ones, her claws tearing their bodies apart, but each blow cost her more strength. Her eyes glowed gold, but her inner rage threatened to take control of her.
— I can fight forever!— she hissed, though her breath betrayed the lie. — But Valdor had better finish this already!
Mayuri stood in the center, her shadows forming barriers and bonds. Her face was pale, and her body trembled. Each successive barrier broke faster than the last, but each time she erected a new one. Her voice filled the space, quiet but determined: — We will endure. Even if we die.
The monsters pounded their lines, and the ground shook beneath their feet. Deep down, everyone knew that if Valdor lost, they would die too.
Valdor stood facing the beast, a dragon's aura burning around him. The monster raised its arms, and the crystal in its chest flashed with a blinding light. A wave of energy shot toward Valdor like a wall, tearing everything in its path apart.
Valdor roared, and the voice of a dragon emerged from his throat. The aura of his wings fluttered, surrounding him with a burning shield. The shockwave collided with his defense, causing an explosion that shook the entire ruins.
Stones fell from the ceiling, columns cracked. Valdor lunged forward, piercing through the wave of energy, his sword aimed straight at the crystal. The blade struck with full force, and a thunderous roar filled the space. A fragment of the crystal broke off, exploding with red light.
The beast howled in agony, retreating. Its movements became more chaotic, but also more dangerous. It swung wildly, each blow tearing apart the underground chamber.
Valdor fell to his knees, panting heavily. His body was wounded, his arms trembling, but his eyes burned even brighter. — It's not over yet. Not yet.
He rose again, even though his muscles refused to obey him. The aura around him flared, and the sword in his hand trembled, ready for one last attack.
On the surface, a boom shook the earth. The whole team looked towards the ruins. The beast's roar pierced through all the sounds of battle, and then the silence was broken by a second, dragon-like echo — Valdor.
Arwen paused for a moment, her eyes widening. — He's fighting... alone against that?
Noah smiled, despite the blood on his lips. — It's Valdor. Of course he's fighting.
Kael looked toward the ruins, his voice full of pride. — We can't let him fall. Not today.
Mayuri closed her eyes, her voice sounding like a prayer. — Valdor... don't disappear.
And again she raised the shadows to shield her friends, though her body swayed with exhaustion.
Valdor and the beast face each other, the crystal cracks partially, but the fight reaches a new, brutal level. Above, the team desperately holds back the waves of creatures, praying that Valdor will survive.
The beast moved forward, its footsteps thundering like a hammer striking rock. Each movement caused the chamber's ceiling to crumble and the columns to shake at their foundations. A red glow emanated from its chest, so bright that it outshone the light of the burning torches.
Valdor gripped his sword with both hands. The aura of dragon blood surrounded him more and more strongly, but with power came pain. His body was not yet fully ready, his muscles tore and his bones creaked as if his own strength would tear him apart from within.
— You are not my destiny...— he croaked, taking a step forward. — You are only an obstacle.
The beast roared as it struck. Its arm, ending in a crystal blade, came crashing down. Valdor jumped back, but the blade grazed his side. Blood spurted, and a glowing aura hissed as if trying to close the wound.
Valdor did not scream, however. He clenched his teeth and counterattacked with a lightning-fast thrust. The blade of his sword struck the monster's side. Metal clashed with crystal and armor, and sparks lit up the room.
The beast took only a step back before immediately attacking again, its fist hitting Valdor in the chest. The dragon's aura cushioned part of the blow, but the force was so great that Valdor fell backward, bouncing off the wall with a thud.
The ground shook, and stones rained down from the ceiling. Valdor spat blood but got back up. — Is that all... you've got?
Meanwhile, the team on the surface was fighting in hell. Monsters attacked endlessly, their bodies piling up, but new ones kept coming. Kael fought like a shield, deflecting blows, his sword red with blood.
— Stay together!— he shouted, pushing away another opponent.
Noah roared, and his hands exploded with fire. Flames surrounded him, incinerating a wave of enemies. His voice sounded like fury: — Burn... them all!
Arwen flew into a rage. Her wolf form pulsed with power, her eyes glowed gold, and her movements were too fast for the human eye to follow. She slashed, bit, and tore. But the more she killed, the more her body bled from dozens of cuts.
— You can't stop me!— she roared, lunging at three at once.
Mayuri was in the center. Her shadows stretched into dozens of barriers and bonds. The monsters crashed into her protection, but each successive shield was thinner. She trembled, but she did not stop.
— Valdor...— she whispered. — Do it quickly... because we...
Her body trembled, but she persevered.
The beast raised both arms and struck the ground. Red rays shot out of the crystal in her chest, cutting through the air like blades. Valdor jumped out of the way, but one of the rays cut his arm, and another struck a pillar, which exploded.
The entire hall shook as if it were about to collapse.
Valdor gathered all his aura. The dragon's power heated him from within, and his body glowed like molten metal. A roar escaped his throat — not human, but dragon.
— RAAAAAAAH!
The beast froze for a moment, its red eyes twitching. Valdor seized the moment. He lunged forward, his sword surrounded by flame. The cut landed straight into the crystal.
The blade sank in, spreading cracks across the surface. The beast howled, and light exploded. Energy burst forth, throwing Valdor halfway across the room.
He lay trembling, his sword lying a few steps away. He was breathing heavily, but he smiled. — You're cracking... you're finally cracking...
The situation on the surface was just as critical. The monsters were pressing in on them harder and harder. Kael could barely stay on his feet. Noah was no longer throwing waves of fire, but short bursts. Arwen was covered in blood, her eyes shining wildly.
— Valdor!— she screamed, throwing the monster away. — Finish it!
Mayuri was still standing. Her barrier was protecting them for the last time. With each fall, she raised another shield, but her body looked like a shadow of its former self.
— Just... a moment...— she whispered.
Valdor crawled toward his sword. The beast, despite the crack in its crystal heart, pressed forward. Its roar made the entire hall tremble.
Valdor grabbed the sword. The aura around him flashed once more, though his body could barely withstand it.
— Then... I will destroy you... and that cursed source with you!
The beast struck. Valdor leaped. Their forces collided in the center of the chamber.
Light exploded.
The entire ruins shook to their foundations.
Light exploded from the beast's chest. The crystal cracked harder and harder, but its body still pressed forward, as if desperately defending its heart. Streams of energy poured from its wounds, like lava that ate into the stone floor.
Valdor did not back down. The dragon's aura surrounded him completely, turning his silhouette into a shadow among the flames. Each step he took sounded like a hammer blow, and his eyes glowed with fire.
— This is the end!— he roared, plunging his sword deeper into the crystal.
The beast howled, and fire mixed with energy burst from its mouth. The stream hit Valdor, throwing him backwards. He hit the wall, and stones fell on him, crushing him for a moment.
The monster staggered, the crystal cracked. But it was still alive. It was still fighting.
Valdor, in pain, slowly crawled out from under the rubble. He spat blood, his face pale, but his gaze unwavering.
— If you are the heart of this place...— He raised his sword, an aura burning around the blade. — Then I... am its end.
On the surface, the battle was hell. The monsters attacked relentlessly. Kael, bloodied, his sword chipped from thousands of blows, fell to one knee.
— Not... yet...— he hissed, deflecting another blade.
Noah stood nearby, his flames growing weaker, but his eyes burning steadily. — If I'm going to die here... I'll burn everything here with me!
Arwen was covered in blood, her wolf form wavering, but she did not stop attacking. Every movement was desperate, every blow a fight for a second of life.
— One more... one more!— she roared, throwing herself at three more monsters.
Mayuri stood in the center. Her body trembled, the shadows around her unstable, torn apart on all sides. Every attack she repelled cost her a piece of her life force. Her lips whispered softly:
— Valdor... faster...
In the chamber beneath the ruins, Valdor gathered his remaining strength. His aura pulsed in time with his heartbeat. The monster lunged toward him, and the earth shook.
Valdor pulled his sword from the rubble and stood facing the monster. His eyes flashed, and his voice rose to a roar—a deep, dragon-like roar that shook the foundations of the ruins.
The monster hesitated for a split second. Valdor leaped. His entire body burst into flames, his sword becoming a line of light. He struck the crystal directly.
There was an explosion.
Light filled the entire hall, reaching even the surface. The monsters fighting the team howled, their bodies crumbling to dust as if something had severed the bond that kept them alive.
A sudden silence fell over the surface.
Kael fell to his knees, Noah looked in disbelief at his disappearing opponents. Arwen fell to the ground in her human form, panting heavily. Mayuri fell to her hands, the shadows around her dissipating.
— Valdor...— she whispered, her eyes shining with hope.
The chamber beneath the ruins was filled with dust. The crystal had shattered into thousands of pieces, which slowly faded away like embers in a fireplace. Valdor stood in the center, his sword stuck in the ground, his whole body trembling.
He was exhausted to the limit. Every muscle burned, every breath hurt. But he was alive.
— It's... over.— he whispered, sinking to his knees.
Footsteps sounded behind him. It was the team that had finally reached the chamber. Kael leaned on his sword, Noah staggered, Arwen walked slowly, and Mayuri almost ran to Valdor.
— Valdor!— Her voice echoed off the stone walls. She knelt beside him, her hands immediately glowing with the aura of healing.
Valdor opened his eyes and smiled slightly. — I'm still alive...
Noah laughed hoarsely. — You son of a bitch... you did it.
Kael sighed heavily. — I thought we were done for this time.
Arwen looked at the crystal shards. — This place... will never be the same again.
The team slowly made their way toward the exit. The ruins trembled as if collapsing after the destruction of its heart. Corridors collapsed, stones fell, but they moved forward, step by step.
When they finally reached the surface, they saw the night sky. The stars shone brightly, and the moon illuminated the ruins. The air was cool and fresh, as if the whole place was breathing new life after a long nightmare.
Valdor stopped and looked at the city of the Empire looming in the distance.
— The ruins were the beginning.— he said quietly. — But this is only the first step.
Mayuri stood beside him, her eyes still shining with shadow, but now there was something more in them—determination.
— The Empire knows we were here.
— Let them know.— Valdor replied, his voice like steel. — The time is coming when the Kingdom of Dragons will rise.
Deep beneath the ruins, something stirred. Crystal shards trembled, as if not everything had been destroyed.
Far away, in the dark hall of the Empire, a man in black armor knelt before the throne. The Emperor sat high above, his eyes burning red.
— The dragon's heart has been destroyed, my lord.— said the warrior.
The emperor smiled coldly. — So the legend has truly returned.
His voice carried like a sentence:
— Prepare the army. Let every foresst burn, every city. If Valdor lives... the world will burn with him.
The team leaves the Ruins, exhausted but stronger. The capital of the Empire looms on the horizon — their next target. But somewhere in the shadows, new threats are already waiting.