Drakara Quest Begins-Oracle ☾☽
The dragon kings were finally reunited. Whoosh Whoosh, the sound of their massive wings cutting through the air echoed as they flew together, a force of nature in their wake. Seraphon, Eirlys, Lysandros, Nethrath, and Aleron, the members of this alliance, stood by, crackling with silent anticipation, their sharp eyes fixed on Volmery.
Their goal was clear: to find the Heart of Drakara, an ancient artifact of unimaginable power hidden somewhere in the abandoned lands.
However, behind the glimmering eyes of those who sought to gain power were personal ambitions that would soon resurface.
Volmeryn : «We are leaving now, it is not a simple quest for power. We have a chance to reconfigure the balance of the world. But remember: unity is only temporary. We must keep in mind the main objective.»
The assembly murmured, their voices softly clashing with the force of Volmeryn's authority. Despite the agreement, everyone seemed to have their own vision of the future.
The other dragons were not easily overpowered, and Volmeryn was well aware of this. This was precisely what made him a powerful leader, because he understood the dangers of ambition and knew how to maneuver situations to his advantage.
Lysandros:«And what about the enemy? We will not be the only ones seeking this power. The Demon Emperors and many others will seek to prevent us from reaching this artifact. »
Volmeryn:«That's why we have to be fast and efficient. Our objective is to take the advantage but also to remain vigilant. If there's one thing I've learned as a Dragon King, it's that haste leads to defeat.»
Whistles of wind raced around them as they took off, their wings flapping in perfect harmony. The dragons soared high above the land, leaving behind the safety of their domains.
The quest would take them through untamed and uncharted lands, where fearsome creatures and traps awaited those who dared to venture. The Heart of Drakara, they knew, was protected by ancient enchantments, trials worthy of the most powerful.
As the Dragon Kings flew over the dense forest, the sound of wings seemed to grow more intense, the weight of their journey palpable. Tension began to seep in between Seraphon and Volmeryn. Seraphon, true to his impulsive nature, could not contain his doubts.
Seraphon: «We're all here risking our lives for this foolish quest, Volmeryn. But tell me one thing: why should we follow you? Why should I put my trust in someone who only sees his own glory?»
Thud. The sound of Seraphon's wings flapping aggressively sliced through the tense air.
Volmeryn slowed down his flight by placing himself next to Seraphon and stared at him for a long time. His eyes gleamed with an eerie calmness, as if he had already anticipated this confrontation.
Volmeryn: «Your distrust is as predictable as your arrogance, Seraphon. Perhaps you think that I am trying to use all of you to establish my power?»
Seraphon: «Isn't that what you've been doing all along? The fine words of unity do not mask your ambition. I know you, Volmeryn. You're a manipulator.»
Crack. His words hit like the snap of a whip, harsh and unforgiving.
The other dragons also slowed down their flight, sensing the tension rising, a palpable crackling in the air. Swoosh. The soft sound of their wings adjusting was barely audible, but it carried the weight of their unease.
Lysandros watched the scene cautiously, his sharp eyes scanning for any sign of escalation. He was ready to intervene if necessary. Eirlys, on the other hand, began to get visibly annoyed.
Eirlys: «This is not the place or the time for this kind of quarrel. We have a goal, remember?»
But Seraphon, driven by his fiery temperament, ignored the warning, his words blazing with intensity.
Seraphon: «Tell me about the real goal, Volmeryn. Is it really the Heart of Drakara, or what you plan to do with it once it is in your hands?»
Thrum. The pulse of tension hummed beneath his voice, heavy and charged with unspoken challenge.
Volmeryn burst into a cold, calculating laugh. Heh.
Volmeryn: «Believe what you will, Seraphon. But I'll give you a piece of advice, among dragon kings: if you spend more time doubting than acting, you'll become your own weakness. And the weak, you know as well as I do, don't survive in this world.»
Seraphon: «The weak don't survive, it's true. But don't get me wrong, Volmeryn. I'm not weak. And if one day you cross a line that I can't tolerate, I'll let you know.»
Flap. His wings beat fiercely, each stroke a declaration of his resolve.
Volmeryn (with a smirk): «I expect no less from you, Seraphon. But don't forget: I'm not your enemy. Not yet.»
Chirp. A bird flitted by, the sound almost mocking in the midst of the tension.
Eirlys: «Let's move forward. Every minute spent debating is a minute won by our opponents.»
Whoosh. The swish of her wings was a final command, cutting through the charged atmosphere.
Lysandros exchanged a glance with Nethrath, who seemed amused by the exchange.Tch. The sound of Nethrath's tongue clicking was a low expression of his amusement.
Nethrath (whispering to Lysandros): «Unity, huh? It promises to be entertaining.»
Despite the apparent end of the exchange, Seraphon had not forgotten. Part of him respected Volmeryn for his intelligence and leadership, but another part believed he would eventually betray. And Volmeryn knew that these seeds of mistrust could serve his own game.
The first stage of the journey took them through a dense forest with gigantic trees with long roots. Every move could set off a trap.
Eirlys: «You don't think so... unusual? A forest this big, and not a single animal sound.»
Seraphon: «Maybe that means we're alone.»
Nethrath: «Or that something bigger is lurking and has scared them all away.»
These words suspended the breath of the dragons. The calm, previously soothing, becomes worrying. Even Volmeryn, usually so sure of himself, slowed his pace.
He stopped and closed his eyes, straining his senses on the lookout for the slightest magical disturbance.
Volmeryn: «Something is coming. Something powerful.»
An icy shiver ran through the group. Even the air seemed different, heavier. Creeeeek went the wind through the trees, eerie and unnatural. The trees around them began to change subtly. Their bark, previously solid, seemed to be covered with a layer of blackness, as if a shadow were contaminating them.
Eirlys (whispering): «See that? The trees... They are dying.»
A cold breeze made the dragons shiver despite their fiery nature. It carried a discordant song, barely audible, but disturbing enough. Whoooosh... whoooosh... The wind moaned, like the forest itself was alive and groaning in pain.
Arelon: «It's not natural.»
Suddenly, the ground beneath their feet vibrated. A first pulsation, almost imperceptible. Thrum... Then a second, stronger one, followed by a third.
Thrum-thrum!
The vibrations were getting closer, resonating through the earth like a distant boom. They were growing louder, like the approach of a storm.
The dragons were on guard. Their powers began to awaken, crackling like electricity, ready for any eventuality.
Volmeryn: «Get ready. Something wants to test us.»
Suddenly, a noise was heard through the woods. Snap! A twig broke under something large moving through the underbrush. Seraphon, still in the lead, waved his hand to indicate that they had to prepare. The dragon kings were forming with great vigilance, the air thick with tension, as they listened for any further sounds. Crack, crack, crack! went the undergrowth as something large shifted in the shadows.
The dragon kings were suddenly faced with half-human, half-demon creatures emerging from the shadows. Their bodies marked with ancient runes that shone in a sinister light.
These inscriptions seemed to vibrate in harmony with the earth itself, and whenever a creature was injured, its wounds closed almost instantly, as if it were drawing directly from a primordial life force. Ssschhhh... The sound of the runes reverberated, almost like a deep, distant hum. Hissss... Their healing was accompanied by the low crackle of power.
Lysandros: «These runes... they are not just symbols. They represent concepts related to regeneration and persistence. We will not be able to defeat them by simply striking their flesh.»
Volmeryn: «Then we will break the concept.»
Volmeryn knew that this kind of magic required exceptional mastery. Destroying a concept was much more complex than destroying a simple object or creature.
This required a deep understanding of the nature of this concept, its limitations, and how it interacted with reality itself. Crack... The ground trembled slightly beneath them, as though the land itself was aware of their struggle.
Eirlys: «Easy to say, but how do you plan to do it? These runes are rooted in the magic of the forest, they regenerate like trees after a storm.»
Volmeryn spread his wings and rose slightly above the battlefield, burning flames dancing around him like living snakes. Woosh ! The wind whistled as the flames roared to life.
[Technique Unlocked – Infernum Serpentes Flammea.]
[Description: This technique summons living flames in the shape of snakes that obey your will. They pursue your enemies, feed on their energy and explode on impact. Scalable destructive power depending on the level of mastery.
[Status: Level 1 – Consumes 10% dragon energy per summon.]
[Use this technique to dominate your opponents or spread terror. But be careful, overuse could affect your emotional control.]
Crackle crackle The air grew heavier as Volmeryn's fiery serpents writhed, ssssss their bodies crackling as they surged forward, their sizzling tongues lashing at the air.
The flame snakes exploded with each contact with the creatures, but the creatures regenerated easily.
Volmeryn : «Every concept have a flaw. A core that supports its structure. These runes, though imposing, are only an expression of the will of this land. Find the core, and everything will fall apart.»
Meanwhile, the other dragons continued to fight. Lysandros sliced through the air with a blast of celestial energy, VROOOOM ! the air ripping with the force of his attack. The beam pierced several demons at once, but the runes on their bodies lit up. ZZZZT!
By repairing their wounds in a fraction of a second. SHHHH-BOOM ! The demons hissed as the magic surged, their forms flickering in and out of reality.
Seraphon (frustrated): «We're wasting our time! These creatures will be reborn as long as these cursed runes remain!»
Volmeryn reached out to one of the creatures and whispered an incantation in an ancient language, a language forgotten by mortals. The flames around him took on a golden and almost ethereal hue.
The system voice echoed in his mind:
[Amplified Technique – Aurum Ignis Divinus.]
[Description: This technique transmutes your fiery flames into a divine fire that purifies and annihilates. Golden flames ignore standard physical and magical defenses, dealing direct damage to the target's very essence.]
[Status: Level 1 – Consumes 20% dragon energy per minute.]
Volmeryn: «I found the core. These runes are not only engraved on their skin. They are intertwined in their very essence, connected by a magical network. To break the concept, I first need to separate their essence from this network.»
The other dragons looked at him with skepticism because they didn't believe it was possible to do it.
Nethrath: «It's a dangerous game, Volmeryn. If you fail, these creatures will become even more powerful.»
Volmeryn (with a smirk): «Then don't miss your chance to protect me.»
He threw himself at one of the creatures, dodging the sharp fangs that snapped towards him. His hands, surrounded by golden flames, rested on the demon's chest, just above a pulsating rune.
Crack! His body jolted as the shock of magic coursed through him, and the flames flared with a high-pitched hiss, crackling violently in the air. He could feel the very essence of the demon ripple beneath his touch.
In his mind, he visualized the intricate structure of the runes. They formed a dense network, each line and curve representing an aspect of the concept of regeneration: continuity, renewal, balance. To destroy them, he had to disturb this harmony and break the points of convergence. The runes thrummed, their hum filling his senses with an unnatural rhythm.
Volmeryn (thinking): «Each rune is a fragment of a greater will. If I destroy the central point, the rest will collapse like a house of cards.»
Volmeryn: «They're not going to let it happen. These runes are like chains, and each chain I break strengthens another. But unfortunately for them... I am stronger. »
—hmmmm....At this stage I risk running out of draconic energy using all these skills.I must finish this as soon as possible.
He channeled all his energy into one last incantation, and a flash of purple color came out of his hands, zzzzzhhhhuuummmm, consuming the central rune. The creature collapsed to the ground, inert, and the runes on its body went out one by one with a soft pffft.
[Technique used – Fulmen Runicus Purpuratus.]
[Description: This technique directs raw energy towards a focal point, destroying magical runes or sealing enchantments. It consumes the targeted runes, letting their energy return to the ether.]
[Additional effect: If the target depends on the runes for survival, their destruction results in total annihilation.]
[Consumption: 30% dragon energy.]
The other dragons, inspired by his success, easily followed his example. Fwoosh... Lysandros used his celestial energy to destroy another rune with a crack, while Eirlys summoned storms of light to neutralize the magical web with a sharp crackle and a resounding thoom.
After hours of fierce fighting, the creatures fell one by one, their cries echoing in the distance.
Volmeryn: «And there you go... Who said that destroying a concept was complicated? »
His smirk betrayed the effort he had just made, but also his satisfaction. The other dragons looked at him with a mixture of admiration and caution.
Seraphon (whispering to himself): «Still so arrogant... but devilishly effective.» Sigh...
The fight raged, wham crash as each dragon deployed its power, but something seemed different: the Heart of Drakara seemed to draw the life force of these creatures, regenerating them at an unbearable rate, whirrr whup.