Chapter 67 Fire and Possession

The acolyte stepped aside, bowing slightly, and gestured toward the door in silent invitation. Without a word, the acolyte retreated into the shadows behind the massive wooden doors.

The man in black robes turned to the group behind him, his tone firm. "Wait here and don't move around." He scanned their faces for acknowledgment before stepping forward. His mood was tense, and his heart raced slightly as he crossed the threshold.

As he entered the temple, the wooden doors seemed to sense his presence and closed themselves with a heavy thud, sealing him inside.

The man followed the acolyte through a series of narrow, maze-like corridors, the walls pressing in on him with their ancient, oppressive weight. Finally, they emerged into a spacious chamber.

At the center of the room lay a pool about ten feet in diameter, its surface dark and unnervingly still. Along the walls stood thirty statues, each depicting gods of various shapes and sizes. Their figures were illuminated by the flickering light of red candles placed at their feet. Among the gods represented were the Weeping Woman, the Night Lion, the Hooded Walker, Bakkaron, the Pale Moon Maiden, the Stranger, and the Mermaid King. In addition to the statues, alcoves lined the walls, each holding the lifeless body of the deceased.

The acolyte motioned for the man in black robes to stand by the pool, then departed without a word.

As silence enveloped the room, the man felt the weight of the oppressive atmosphere settle heavily on his chest. His unease deepened with every passing second. Suddenly, a calm, steady voice spoke behind him.

"All men are mortal."

He spun around swiftly, instinctively replying, "Everyone needs to be served."

A figure in a gray linen robe stepped forward from the shadows, his movements as quiet as a whisper.

The man in gray spoke in a low, calm voice. "Someone has seen what you brought. The name you are about to give must be of great importance. Speak it, and share the details of their whereabouts and circumstances."

Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, the man in black robes took a steadying breath before answering. "Gavin Belerys," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "He is expected to arrive in Braavos in one month, commanding a fleet of about two thousand soldiers… and a dragon."

The gray-robed man listened, his expression unreadable. After a pause, he responded, his tone indifferent. "The price is not enough."

Panic flickered across the man in black robes' face as he hastily added, "What's outside the door is only part of it. After the task is done, I will pay three times more for the same thing."

The man in gray nodded slowly. "The deal is established. When you see the black letter sent by the crow, it will signify the task's completion. You must then deliver the remaining reward here."

The man in black robes nodded eagerly. "I understand. I'll be in Braavos, waiting during this time."

The gray-robed man's voice turned grave. "Remember, the Thousand-Faced God watches all. If you dare to deceive us or break the agreement, the consequences will be catastrophic." With those words, his form dissolved into the shadows, vanishing as though he had never been there.

Heroic Sea – Belerys

Inside a dimly lit cabin, Gavin set down the dragon bone he'd been examining, rubbing his hands together in excitement. His muscles ached from prolonged stillness, but his face glowed with satisfaction.

After two long months, he had finally absorbed 100 points of energy.

However, the stockpile of dragon bones imbued with magic had dwindled to almost nothing. Ignoring the pressing worry of running out, Gavin could no longer restrain his anticipation. He exited the room, heading directly toward the bow deck of the Belerys.

As he stepped onto the deck, the crew—busy with their tasks—immediately moved aside, clearing his path without question. They had grown accustomed to Gavin's rituals at the bow, where he summoned his companion, Syndor. Wordlessly, they dispersed to avoid intruding.

With a resounding roar, Syndor, a massive dragon with crimson flames streaking along his form, descended from the skies. His agile frame expertly wove between the towering masts before landing with remarkable grace upon the deck.

Syndor's molten golden eyes locked onto Gavin, sensing the excitement radiating from him. The dragon tilted his head in curiosity.

Gavin rushed forward, wrapping his arms around Syndor's powerful neck. Pressing his forehead to Syndor's, he whispered, "Syndor, it's time. Let me help you evolve."

Opening the interface panel before him, Gavin transferred energy points to Syndor's advancement.

Syndor let out a deep rumble, a mix of surprise and elation, as a strange transformation began to take hold. His body twisted, shimmering as flames began to seep from between his scales. A guttural roar tore from his throat as he stretched his massive neck and unleashed a torrent of dragon fire into the heavens.

The fire spilling from Syndor's form intensified, consuming him in a dazzling inferno. His body became a pure, writhing mass of flames that hovered in the air, growing larger and brighter with each passing second.

Gavin watched, his heart pounding, as Syndor's fiery form collapsed inward, shrinking until the blinding light suddenly erupted outward. From the explosion of fire emerged Syndor, his new form radiating an aura of sheer power and majesty.

His once-massive frame was now even larger, spanning over twenty meters from snout to tail. Syndor's scales gleamed like polished obsidian etched with veins of molten gold.

The deck of the Belerys shuddered violently as Syndor landed with a triumphant roar, his talons carving into the wood as his weight pressed against the ship.

Gavin stepped forward, gently placing a hand on Syndor's gleaming scales. "You've outdone yourself, my friend," he said with a smile.

Opening the interface, Gavin examined Syndor's updated stats:

Type: Demon Dragon (Syndor)

Rank: High Level

Abilities:

Dragon Flame: A magical flame capable of breaking enchantments and overwhelming defenses.Bathing in Fire: Transforms the dragon into pure fire, rendering it immune to both fire and physical damage. The form heals injuries upon reverting but consumes immense magical energy.Possession: Condenses the elemental flame into a compressed form that can merge with the host's body, enhancing the host's magical power and flame manipulation.

Eager to test Syndor's newfound strength, Gavin gestured to the sky. "Syndor, let's see what you can do."

With a mighty leap, Syndor launched himself into the air, flames trailing his ascent. His body ignited once more, forming a streamlined, flame-dragon shape that streaked toward Gavin. As Syndor neared, the fiery form compressed into a small orb, merging seamlessly with Gavin's outstretched palm.

A surge of raw energy coursed through Gavin's body as Syndor's essence melded with his own. He clenched his fist, feeling his enhanced magical abilities flood through him.

With a flick of his wrist, a 30-meter-long serpent of fire erupted from his palm, scorching the air with its intensity. Gavin marveled at his newfound power but remained acutely aware of the rapidly depleting magic within him.

"Seven or eight days at most," he muttered, calculating the time Syndor's possession would last if not used actively in battle. He could also feel Syndor's thoughts clearly—a shared understanding that two successive fire transformations were Syndor's current limit.

A sudden roar of waves broke his concentration. A massive swell surged toward the ship, threatening to engulf it.

Gavin's eyes narrowed. With a commanding sweep of his hand, a blazing fireball erupted forth, colliding with the wave and evaporating it instantly. Clouds of steam rose into the air as the sea calmed.

As he stood at the bow, his thoughts wandered to the clutch of dragon eggs waiting below deck.

"If all of them could merge with me…" The thought made his pulse quicken. "Wouldn't I rival the gods themselves?"

But even as the notion crossed his mind, Gavin laughed softly at himself. "Such fantasies," he murmured. "How easily they tempt the foolish."