After the sparring session concluded, Damian wasted no time and issued orders to prepare for their departure to the Island of Orkmont within two hours. Their mission on Old Wyk had been successfully accomplished, having gained control of the island and taken noble prisoners.
Taking along all the weapons, armour, and wealth they could lay their hands on, Damian ensured that nothing of value remained behind. In the meantime, Dacey, too, made arrangements to take back some of the thralls who hailed from Bear Island with her. Eager to return home, they boarded her ships.
As their fleet sailed from Old Wyk to Orkmont, a message from Ace, the falcon, who had flown ahead, reached Damian. The news was that the battle at Orkmont had been raging for the past two days, and the Northern army had already breached the castle's gates. Realizing that their presence was no longer needed there, Damian swiftly changed course, redirecting their ships towards Pyke, the stronghold of House Greyjoy and the epicenter of the rebellion. Since they were to reach Pyke around 3 am, Damian decided to utilize the new wealth they had acquired to enhance the abilities of some of his men.
In his space world, Damian delved into the system's shop to find what he needed. He purchased skills related to stealth, mountain climbing, camouflage, and the ability to move silently. These skills were then distributed among a select group of his summoned soldiers who would be undertaking a mission for Damian.
The acquisition of these skills and a few mission-related equipment cost Damian approximately 300 Gold Dragon coins, as multiple abilities had to be allocated to some of the soldiers to increase their capabilities and chance of completing the mission.
"Do you grasp the task at hand?" Damian inquired of the fifteen men who stood before him.
"We do, my lord," they responded in unison.
Damian was acutely aware that the odds of this mission's success were incredibly slim. Yet, he felt compelled to attempt it, not only to rid himself of a thorn in his side but also to establish a reputation for himself.
He issued a directive to Ace, instructing the falcon to scout the castle of Pyke. Familiarity with the castle's layout was essential for the mission's potential success.
The Greyjoy rebellion had reached its twilight phase, with most of the islands under the control of the mainland army. King Robert's assault on Pyke was imminent. In such a crowded battlefield, gaining recognition would be challenging. Damian considered alternative methods for achieving his goals.
While waiting for the ship to reach Pyke, Damian focused his attention on the enigmatic black stone he had discovered in the ribs of Nagga. Initially, he considered the possibility that it might be a precious metal from a meteorite, sparking thoughts of crafting a weapon akin to Dawn, the legendary greatsword of House Dayne. Another speculation revolved around the black stone being a crystallized egg, perhaps from a sea dragon, although he acknowledged the unlikelihood of such a scenario.
Then, Damian's mind drifted to the legend of Nagga. According to the ironborn lore, Nagga was the original sea dragon, capable of preying upon krakens and leviathans and causing islands to submerge in her fury. The Grey King, with the assistance of the Drowned God, managed to slay Nagga on the shores of Old Wyk and constructed his hall from her colossal bones. Her massive jaws formed his throne, and her teeth were used to create his crown. Her living fire provided warmth to his hall. However, with the death of the Grey King, the Storm God extinguished her fiery essence, and the sea reclaimed the throne. Only the bones, now fashioned into pillars and beams, remained.
Recalling this tale, Damian contemplated, "Could this black stone be the very source of the living fire once harnessed by the Grey King?"
"It's said to be extinguished by the Storm King. But could it potentially be reignited? And if so, how?" Damian's thoughts circled around the possibilities as he continued to examine the black stone. He contemplated ways to activate it, considering its potential to provide perpetual heat for a castle or serve other useful purposes.
One idea that crossed Damian's mind was to place the black stone into a fire pit and let it roast, hoping that the heat might rekindle its properties. However, he quickly realized that such an object was likely of a magical nature. Thus, he decided to employ magic to investigate any changes before proceeding with further experiments.
With eager determination, Damian pressed both of his hands against the black stone, channelling his mana into it. Initially, there was no response; the magic seemed to rebound off the surface. Undeterred, Damian persisted, continuously releasing his mana and bombarding the stone until, at last, he witnessed a change.
As Damian sat there in the space world, the black stone cradled in his hands, he felt an inexplicable connection forming. The rough, lifeless surface of the stone began to hum with latent energy, responding to the gentle coaxing of his mana. It was as though the stone itself was awakening from a deep slumber, roused by the touch of a magical being. Damian felt himself getting drained by the stone at an increasingly fast pace.
With each passing moment, the black stone's surface started to emit a soft, pulsating glow. A warm, otherworldly blue light bathed Damian's face, casting dancing shadows across his features.
Then, in a flash of brilliance, the stone's true nature was revealed. Flames, blue flames, unlike any he had ever seen, erupted from its core. These weren't ordinary flames; they were living fire, a force of nature, pure and untamed. The black stone had indeed contained the essence of Nagga's living fire or in simple terms its magic.
As the flames flickered and eventually stabilized, Damian found himself in possession of an extraordinary power. The black stone, once a mere curiosity, had revealed its true potential. It wasn't just a source of heat; it was a wellspring of energy and mana. The revelation was nothing short of miraculous.
As Damian ceased channelling his own energy into the stone, he found himself in a contemplative state, envisioning the myriad possibilities that now lay before him. The newfound power source held incredible potential, capable of altering the trajectory of their journey in ways he had yet to fathom. It was a versatile tool, but he was acutely aware of its limitations. The Nagga's core could supply energy and mana, but only up to a certain threshold. Pushing it beyond those boundaries would render it dormant once more.
With this extraordinary asset within his grasp, Damian was resolute about the need for judicious and prudent utilization. It could serve to heat their immediate environment, power essential magical devices if get any, or even enhance their own abilities when the situation demands it. The Nagga's core was a treasure that came with great advantages, and Damian was prepared to make good use of this newfound power.
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