The golden gates loomed over the crowd, glowing faintly as ancient runes shimmered across their surface. Carved into the metal were abstract images: a dragon coiled in flames, a phoenix in flight, a claw clutching a gemstone, and a coffin wreathed in shadow. Above it all, an inscription was etched in ancient Draconic, its letters shifting and swirling as if alive.
Xyenn stood in front of the gates, arms crossed and brow furrowed in deep concentration. Beside him, Yuuna bounced on her heels, her golden eyes scanning the riddle with a mix of excitement and exasperation.
"What does it even mean?" Xyenn muttered, narrowing his eyes. "A dragon, fire, a phoenix, a claw, and a coffin? Who even writes riddles like this? It's like they threw random words together and called it a day."
Yuuna smirked, patting his arm condescendingly. "Aw, is the big, tough dragon boy confused by a little word puzzle?"
Xyenn shot her a glare. "I'm not confused. I'm... analyzing."
"Analyzing, huh?! Haha! I like you!" Yuuna leaned closer, grinning. "Looks more like staring blankly and hoping it solves itself."
"Do you have any better ideas, your majesty?" Xyenn shot back with a grin.
Yuuna rolled her eyes and turned to the gate, her expression shifting to one of focus. "Okay, listen. This isn't just a random mess of symbols. It's metaphorical. The dragon and fire? That's power and destruction—very on-brand for dragons. The phoenix represents rebirth, obviously. The claw... hmm, that could mean greed or protection. And the coffin... well, that's death. Darkness. Something final."
Xyenn blinked at her. "How do you know all that?"
Yuuna threw her hands up. "Hello? Draconic dragon goddess of darkness here. It's kind of my thing."
Before Xyenn could respond, a loud, booming voice interrupted them.
Gunthr stomped toward them, his obsidian armor clanking with every step. His dragon-shaped helmet gleamed in the sunlight as he pointed a gauntleted finger at Yuuna. "Enough of this! You two are wasting time! If you can't solve it, step aside and let someone with a real brain handle it!"
Yuuna froze mid-thought, her jaw tightening. Slowly, she turned to him, her golden eyes narrowing. "Excuse me?" she said, her voice low and dangerous.
Gunthr crossed his arms, puffing out his chest. Behind him, his guild muttered in agreement, their matching crimson and black armor trying (and failing) to make them look intimidating. "You heard me. You're clearly out of your league. Let the professionals handle this."
Yuuna's expression flattened, her tone dripping with annoyance. "First of all, fuck off. Second, you're messing up my thought process—which, by the way, isn't impressive in the first place."
The crowd of adventurers burst into laughter, several of them pointing and snickering at Gunthr. One of them, a man in gleaming armor, slapped his knee. "Did ya hear that? She told him to piss off like he was a stray dog!"
Another adventurer, a woman in mage's robes, grinned. "Pretty bold for someone who hasn't solved it either."
Gunthr's face turned red beneath his helmet. "Silence!" he barked, but the crowd only laughed harder.
Before Gunthr could retort, Gorran stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade, Xenith. He unsheathed it slowly again, the weapon gleaming with a faint, ominous glow. With a single swift motion, Gorran pointed the blade at Gunthr's chest, his dark, brooding eyes locking onto the guild leader.
"Step back," Gorran said flatly, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight of authority. "Last warning."
Gunthr flinched, but he quickly straightened, trying to save face. "You dare threaten me?! Preposterous!" he shouted, though his voice cracked slightly. His guild rallied behind him, drawing their weapons—plain, unenchanted steel that looked woefully inadequate compared to the draconic might of Xenith.
Gunthr raised his sword, his guild forming a shaky line behind him. "Show this fool the strength of the Crimson Claws!" he shouted, charging at Gorran. "We are based out of the volcanic kingdoms of Eldrskar! We're super violent! It's nothing but violence there! And we survived!"
Gorran didn't move. He waited until Gunthr was mere inches away before sidestepping with effortless grace, letting Gunthr stumble past him. One of Gunthr's guildmates swung wildly with a mace, only for Gorran to block it with a slight flick of Xenith. The force of the block sent the mace-wielder sprawling to the ground.
Another guild member lunged with a spear, screaming with a cracked voice, "Dieee!"
But Gorran casually spun, letting the spear sail harmlessly past him. He nudged the attacker with his foot, sending them tumbling into a nearby bush.
"H-He tried to cut my head off! Kill em'!" The guild member said overreacting.
Gunthr roared, swinging his sword in a wide arc. Gorran ducked under it, his expression as stoic as ever, and gave Gunthr a light tap on the back with the flat of his blade. Gunthr yelped and stumbled forward, nearly dropping his weapon.
The crowd of adventurers roared with laughter, some of them doubling over. "Is this a joke?" one of them shouted. "I've seen toddlers with better coordination!"
Another adventurer, a burly orc, smirked. "Someone tell the Crimson Claws their weapons are supposed to hit the guy, not the air."
Gunthr's guild regrouped, their breathing heavy. "We'll... we'll get you next time!" Gunthr shouted, retreating with his humiliated guild in tow.
Gorran sheathed Xenith, his expression unchanged. "Pathetic. Do not approach the queen anymore."
Zyphira leaned against the gate, watching the spectacle with a smirk. "Well, that was embarrassing. I almost feel bad for them."
Illyana stood beside her, a soft smile on her lips. "Almost?"
Zyphira shrugged. "Eh, not really."
"Hmmm. How are you feeling about all of this?"
"Eh. It's whatever. Outside, not really great. I wanna see the INSIDE. Some goodies might be in there! Aren't you excited!" Zyphira put her arm around Illyana.
Illyana smiled, "Haha, yes. I can't wait."
"Awww, you don't sound too excited."
"Mm? Oh! It's nothing, Zyphira. I see you didn't bring your drink with you."
"Yeah, yeah I wanna be sober for this at least. Though it's super hard for me."
Illyana smiled, "Focus on other things, not what haunts you."
"Tch. Mhm. Mead is the only shit that keeps me distracted from everything in my head. Can't believe I'm risking it here."
Nearby, Draeven chewed his lip nervously. "Do you think Xyenn and Yuuna can actually solve it? What if the answer's too complicated?"
Kivorn stifled a yawn. "Relax. If anyone can figure it out, it's them. Well, probably Yuuna. Xyenn's just there for moral support."
Xyenn turned around to Kivorn, "I HEARD THAT! I'M PRETTY SMART YA KNOW?!"
Kivorn waved with a grin, "Just kidding!"
Draeven rooted Xyenn on, "You got this, bro!"
Meanwhile, Sethrak had managed to surround himself with several female adventurers, who were giggling and fawning over him. "So," he said, flashing a charming smile, "what brings such lovely ladies like you to a place like this? Surrounded by so much vile beings?"
One of the women twirled her hair. "You're so handsome! Are you a prince or something?"
Sethrak chuckled. "Oh, nothing so mundane. I'm just a humble warrior... with a touch of royalty in my blood."
One asked, "Is that dragonkin girl over there your sister? You two look exactly the same!"
"Haha, no."
Zyphira heard him, throwing a flaming gold fireball at him, "Liar!"
Sethrak caught it with one hand, dissolving it, saying, "I guess she is my sister then."
"Damn right I am. Love ya!"
Mertha, was on the side, wrestling with larger muscular adventurers. She was always the one who wanted action, liked a challenge, no matter what it was.
"Damn she's strong!"
"What is she?"
"Isn't she the owner of that pub in that one town? I can't think of the name."
"Yeah I think that's her, her workers are looking over the place now it seems, I was just over there."
Mertha slammed the adventurer down with a thud, laughing, "Alright! Who's next?!"
Back at the gate, Xyenn rubbed his temples in frustration. "Okay, so the dragon is power, the phoenix is rebirth, the claw is greed, and the coffin is death. How do we put that together?"
Yuuna paced back and forth, muttering to herself. "Think, think, think. Power leads to destruction. Rebirth comes from fire. Greed... greed takes, but... oh! That's it!"
Xyenn blinked with excitement, "What?! What is it?!"
Yuuna turned to the gate, her voice confident. "The dragon burns everything to ash. The phoenix rises from the ashes. The claw clutches what remains, and the coffin holds what's left behind. It's a cycle. Destruction, rebirth, greed, and death—all tied together!"
The runes on the gate flared brightly, and the golden doors began to rumble. Slowly, they swung open, revealing the interior of Gabriel's Ladder.
Xyenn laughed, "Haha!"
The inside of the structure was breathtaking. The walls were lined with towering statues of dragons and mortals alike, their surfaces inlaid with gold and gemstones. Massive chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their crystals refracting light in a dazzling display. The floors were polished marble, and every inch of the space was adorned with intricate carvings.
Treasures lay scattered throughout the hall—chests overflowing with gold, ornate weapons displayed on pedestals, and banners woven with threads of silver and crimson.
Yuuna turned to Xyenn, her eyes shining with triumph. She threw her arms around him, squeezing him tightly. "We did it!" she said, her voice filled with joy.
Xyenn froze for a moment before patting her awkwardly on the back. "Yeah... we did."
Yuuna tackled Xyenn, grinning his ears, "You better hug me right!"
Xyenn exclaimed, "Ow! ow! I'm sorry!"
'I'm not really a big fan of showing affection in public, I look so weird. Maybe I'll grow out of it the more I'm with Yuuna. It's sooo much easier doing it in private. DO it in private? My thoughts are so lewd.. look what Yuuna turned me into. But that riddle…isn't it a bit too on the nose with our situation? Did the First Dragon really create these structures for the Ladder? It's named after him.'
As the group entered, the doors slowly closed behind them with a low, resonating boom. The air inside was heavy with magic, and the path ahead seemed to beckon them deeper into the sanctum.
The golden doors groaned open, revealing the breathtaking interior of Gabriel's Ladder. The crowd of adventurers surged forward, their awe silencing the usual chatter. The cavernous hall stretched far into the distance, illuminated by an ethereal glow emanating from the walls. Towering statues of dragons and mortals alike lined the path, their carved faces solemn and reverent. Intricate mosaics of gemstones adorned the walls, depicting scenes of battles, triumphs, and the rise and fall of empires. The ceiling arched high above, its surface encrusted with shimmering crystal stalactites that refracted light into every corner.
On the ground, a smooth path of polished obsidian led deeper into the structure. Flanking it were piles of gold, jewels, and ancient relics—ornate weapons, glowing artifacts, and bits of armor that hummed faintly with power. Some adventurers immediately darted toward the treasures, greedily stuffing bags full of gold and trinkets. Others shouted at them, accusing them of arrogance and greed.
"Do you have no respect for the sanctity of this place?" a robed mage barked at a pair of rusty looking adventurers who looked more like bandits, who were arguing over a jeweled chalice.
"Sanctity?!" one of them shot back. "You can keep your sanctity, I'll keep the bloody gold!"
The mage shook his head in disgust while others in the crowd simply looked on, some amused, others disgusted.
The Tyrants moved as a unit, their presence commanding attention as they strode through the hall. Yuuna, as always, clung to Xyenn's back, her arms loosely wrapped around his shoulders. She swung her legs playfully as if the sacred atmosphere of Gabriel's Ladder was just another playground to her.
"You're heavy," Xyenn muttered, though there was no frustration in his voice.
Yuuna grinned. "If you'd just admit you like carrying me, we could skip the whole fake complaining thing. Is this how you carried me when we were—."
"AYE AYE AYE!" Xyenn blushed, then his voice dropped to a whisper, "Kinda. I mean, it was like this, but in reverse?"
"Oooh that's cute. Was it your first time?"
"Yes.."
"Don't be so ashamed!" Yuuna laughed, kicking Xyenn on the side. "Aren't you glad you were able to lose it to me?"
"…I am actually."
"Mmmm. I really want my memories back of you now. I don't know jack about you, or how we met, or why I decided to give some young human my draconic blood and make him my vessel. Oh well, guess time will tell. That probably explains why I'm always on you, maybe my subconscious is screaming at me telling me we're supposed to be so close and connected. I keep getting that feeling, Xyenn. Do you get it?"
"No, I don't really. I didn't lose my memories of you. You told Gridd that you were afraid of what would happen if you fell in love with me. Since it's forbidden."
"You're such a stalker. Put me down."
"HUH?! STOP TALKING CRAZY, PSYCHO!"
Behind them, Kivorn and Draeven walked side by side, their contrasting energies almost comical. Draeven, ever the nervous wreck, chewed on his lip as his eyes darted around the room.
"Do you think they'll be able to solve the next challenge?" Draeven asked, wringing his hands. "I mean, Yuuna kind of brute-forced her way through the last one, and what if—"
"Relaxxxx. Stop worrying so much," Kivorn interrupted, yawning. "If they can't, Mertha will just punch the problem until it solves itself."
Mertha, walking just ahead of them, overheard the comment. The stoic, muscular woman smirked as she cracked her knuckles, her eyes scanning the crowd for anyone foolish enough to cross her path.
"Damn right," she muttered.
Further back, Gorran trailed silently, his dark, brooding eyes fixed straight ahead. Yet behind him, the familiar clatter of armor and grunting signaled the relentless persistence of Gunthr and his guild.
"Get him!" Gunthr roared, swinging his sword—a plain, unimpressive weapon with no magical enhancement.
One of his guildmates lunged at Gorran with a spear, only for Gorran to side-step effortlessly. The spear-wielder stumbled, and Gorran tapped him lightly on the shoulder with the flat of his blade, sending him sprawling into a pile of gold.
"Stand still!" another shouted, slashing wildly at Gorran's back. Gorran turned, blocked the strike with Xenith, and delivered a slight kick to the attacker's chest, sending them skidding back into a pillar.
Gunthr charged again, his sword raised high. Gorran caught the blade with his own, pushing it aside with almost no effort. He leaned in close, his voice low and threatening.
"If you don't stop this nonsense," Gorran growled, "I'll slice you all in half and let Xenith devour the rest."
Gunthr and his guild froze, their faces pale. "Retreat!" Gunthr shouted, his voice cracking. The group stumbled back, screaming like frightened children as the crowd of adventurers laughed around them. "We will ambush him later!"
As the group ventured deeper, whispers and conversations filled the air.
"Have you ever seen anything like this before?" a young elf asked her companion, her eyes wide as she gazed at the towering statues.
"Never," the older man replied, his voice reverent. "This place... it's like walking through the history of the world."
Meanwhile, Sethrak was walking with Mertha, asking, "Before I go talk to Yuuna, I wanted to see if you felt it too."
Mertha nodded, "Aye. It's like a weird force.."
"Something isn't right then?"
"That. And feels like something or someone got here before we did."
"Who's to say this place isn't guarded by some sentinel or something. After that first puzzle, I wouldn't be surprised."
"Exactly. Take this up with Yuuna. She has to feel something. But she's staying neutral which is odd."
'Perhaps it could be something guarding this place. Or am I underestimating this feeling? The same feeling I got when my clan went under…my family…I have to warn the others. In everything, I will do something. I won't keep my mouth shut or hang back, I will put maximum effort in everything I do. I won't underestimate anything ever again. I don't care if I seem paranoid.' Mertha thought, moving to talk to the other Tyrants.
Up ahead, Yuuna tilted her head, watching Xyenn's expression change. His usual calm demeanor shifted into something more uncertain, his jaw tightening as his eyes focused on a figure in the distance.
"What's wrong?" Yuuna asked, her voice losing its playful edge.
Xyenn hesitated before answering. "That guild... the one with the blonde guy in green armor. That's Lancelot."
Yuuna frowned. "And?"
Xyenn exhaled slowly. "Before... when I was powerless, they were the ones who mocked me. They weren't the only ones, just one of the groups who liked to bother and annoy me. They'd kick me around, call me weak. They made sure I knew I didn't belong. Along with the others. They were the main guild, the main adventurers for the king of Borskal in the Southern Lands. Under the guidance of the dragon god of the serpent. They're super sanctioned in curses and poisons."
"Didn't the dragon god of the serpent die?"
"You killed him, didn't you?"
"Yes. Then he went through the cycle of rebirth days later. But ignoring that, those humans kicked you around, right?" Yuuna's eyes darkened, a snarl forming on her lips. Her tail twitched with barely contained rage. "Well, let's go slaughter them up!"
"Noooo no no," Xyenn said quickly, grabbing her by the arm before she could leap forward.
Before Yuuna could protest, Lancelot approached, his guild following closely behind. His blonde hair gleamed under the light, and his dark green armor was polished to perfection. His guildmates, clad in similar gear, flanked him with smug expressions.
"Well, well," Lancelot said, his voice dripping with false friendliness. "Xyenn. It's been a while."
Xyenn said nothing, his throat tightening. Memories of humiliation and mockery surfaced, rendering him speechless.
"Lancelot." Xyenn said without looking him in the eyes.
Lancelot smirked. "You've changed a bit. I almost didn't recognize you. Remember when you used to trip over your own feet? Or that time you cried because we broke your wooden sword? Good times. All for laughs though. Don't take it so seriously."
Yuuna's eyes narrowed, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Yo. Are you the one who bullied my supposed darling?"
Lancelot turned to her, his smirk widening. "Darling? Him? You must be—"
Before he could finish, Yuuna's tail lashed out, wrapping around his throat like a vice. Her draconic eyes flared with an otherworldly glow, and her voice dropped to a terrifying snarl. "Stay away from him."
Lancelot's guildmates reached for their weapons, but Lancelot raised a hand, stopping them. "Don't," he rasped, his eyes wide with fear as he stared at Yuuna's halo, which flickered with draconic power. "She's... she's a deity."
Yuuna tightened her grip slightly before releasing him, letting him stumble back. Xyenn stepped forward, his confidence returning as he looked Lancelot in the eyes.
"I don't know why I froze up there," Xyenn said, his voice steady. "Maybe I was thinking about what you guys did to me. Mocking me and all that, making me feel super horrible, which sucked."
Lancelot opened his mouth to respond, but his words caught in his throat as he noticed the others. Kivorn, Draeven, Mertha, Sethrak, Zyphira, and Illyana stood ready, their expressions cold and unyielding.
Lancelot said, "So that's how it is? You found you a group that pitied you—."
Xyenn punched Lancelot in the face, sending him darting to the side, and bashing into the wall.
"They didn't PITY me, bitch. We're god slaying assassins, who take pity on those who are oppressed by them. Like I was against you humans."
Lancelot thought, 'That strength…he really sold his soul to that goddess of darkness!'
"Look at you, saying humans like that. Your pupils are slit, and your fingers are sharp, and your teeth are sharp. You've really become a vessel for a villain. Everyone knows that jagged halo of Yuuna. Why do you think no one mentioned it this far into this place? They're scared she'll kill them."
"Yuuna's not some murderer. So leave."
Lancelot scoffed, trying to mask his unease. "Tch. Fine. I'll go. I'll see you outside of here eventually. I want you to have the same energy—."
Mertha said to Lancelot, "Buzz off, runt. He said leave."
Lancelot looked at Mertha and the Tyrants, and laughed. "Let's go then."
'If I leave and inform the dragon god of the serpent that Yuuna is here. Wait. He won't know who Yuuna is, only from hearing it from the people or the other dragon gods. Even his vessel, the king, is dead. The dragon gods who've lived for hundreds of years and are still alive are the ones who are plotting to kill Yuuna and seize her heart, right? The elder dragon gods. From what I heard from some scholars. I can tell king Haldrek! Yeah! I'll show that brat Xyenn…and I'll laugh at him again and again once I see him down on the ground. Haldrek and dragon god of snow Kragvyr are a part of that elder conclave, living amongst us for more than 400 years, and he's one of the strongest! They'll raid this place and kill them both. I won't be humiliated like that again. Knowing my reputation as one of the kings strongest and most achieved adventurers!'
As Lancelot and his guild turned to leave, grumbling erupted among his members.
"We came all this way just to walk out?" one of them hissed.
"Shut up," Lancelot snapped. "We'll come back later. We're gonna make a stop to King Haldrek. He'll show them."
"Hell yeah. Let's do it."
As they neared the entrance, Gunthr and his guild mocked them loudly. "Look at the cowards running off!" Gunthr jeered.
"Say that again!" Lancelot snarled, lunging at Gunthr and making him stagger back into a pile of coins.
But when Lancelot reached the doors and tried to open them, they didn't budge. Panic set in as his guild pushed and shoved at the doors, to no avail.
"Hm? Why won't it open?!" one of them shouted. "The riddle's already solved!"
Then, in the blink of an eye—SLASH!
A white flash zipped through the air. Blood sprayed across the golden doors as Lancelot and his guild froze. Their bodies were grotesquely sliced in half, their torsos sliding apart with wet, sickening sounds. Entrails spilled onto the floor, pooling in a messy, visceral heap. The crowd gasped, some screaming, others too shocked to move.
The light faded as silence fell over the hall. Whatever force had done this... it was watching. Waiting.
And the doors remained closed.
The Tyrants and the other adventurers ascended the spiral staircase, their boots echoing faintly against the cold, smooth stone. The steps themselves were ancient and uneven, worn down by centuries of time, yet they glimmered faintly with faint traces of draconic runes. The air grew heavier with each step, saturated with a strange energy that seemed to hum in their bones.
The staircase twisted endlessly, coiling up like the spine of a great beast. Along the walls were massive murals and carvings, depicting the story of Gabriel the First Dragon and his war against the gods. Each level they passed told a new chapter:
-The Birth of Gabriel: A massive mural of a colossal dragon emerging from a storm of fire and light, his scales shimmering like molten gold. His wings stretched across the heavens, and his roar shattered the stars.
-The Rise of the Light Born: A depiction of the Lysfødt, the Vessels of Gabriel, standing proud and radiant. Their forms were angelic, with flowing hair, jeweled eyes, and halos of light. They wielded weapons forged from pure light and magic, their griffins at their sides.
- The Fall of Gabriel: The final mural showed the great dragon's demise. His body was shattered, his wings torn, his light extinguished. Scattered around him were the broken bodies of the Lysfødt, their weapons splintered. The mural radiated sorrow, as if the stone itself mourned the events it depicted.
Each member of the Tyrants reacted differently. Mertha ran her hand along the carvings, her stoic expression softening ever so slightly. Draeven kept muttering to himself about the scale of the artwork. Kivorn, as usual, looked unimpressed, his exhaustion seeming to increase with every step.
Zyphira glanced at the murals but quickly turned her attention back to the group. "Why is it always stairs? Couldn't they have built an elevator or something?"
Illyana chuckled softly. "Perhaps they wanted us to earn our way to the top."
"Oh yeah? Who?"
As they climbed higher, the air grew colder, and the walls became more metallic, as if the stone was being overtaken by rusted silver. The faint, melodic hum of energy grew louder with every step, vibrating in their chests.
Xyenn looked down at his hands, seeing that his fist was burning, and he grinned, thinking, 'That was just one, Lancelot. And many others who mocked me like that. That felt so awesome…I'll do that to everyone who's mocked me before when I was powerless. I held back on Lancelot though, I could've punched his head off. I fought it, I did. I wanted to, but I didn't. I won't be like king Haldrek. If he was here, he would've tried to make me kill him. Definitely. I'm better than that…right? Yeah I am.'
Finally, the group emerged from the staircase onto a massive, open walkway. The air seemed to shimmer around them, heavy with an overwhelming presence. The floor was made of cracked, light grey stone, its surface laced with streaks of rust-red corrosion that pulsed faintly, as if alive.
At the center of the room stood Gabriel's Ladder, a glowing white spiral of pure energy. It seemed to stretch endlessly into the heavens, its base surrounded by a faint mist that swirled like a living entity. A soft light radiated from the ladder, illuminating the vast chamber in a pale, ethereal glow.
Gasps filled the room as everyone took in the sight. Even Mertha, usually so stoic, let out a low whistle of admiration.
Yuuna stared, wide-eyed. "That's... that's it?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Xyenn, however, froze completely. His heart pounded in his chest, the sound deafening in his ears. His breathing quickened, and a cold sweat broke out across his skin. His legs felt like lead, refusing to move.
This was beyond anything he'd imagined. The sight of the Ladder was overwhelming, but that wasn't what rooted him in place. It was the overwhelming presence he felt in the room—something ancient, powerful, and utterly terrifying.
Before anyone could move closer to Gabriel's Ladder, the air itself seemed to ripple. A sudden pulse of light filled the room, blinding and oppressive. When it faded, all eyes turned to the base of the Ladder.
Sitting there, atop a massive glowing griffin, was a figure that made the entire room fall silent.
The woman was impossibly tall, her form radiating an unnatural beauty that was both mesmerizing and terrifying. She was around eleven feet tall, with long, flowing white hair that seemed to shimmer like liquid light. Her eyes were glistening jewels, shifting between colors as they caught the light. A halo adorned her head, encrusted with crystals and jewels that sparkled with an otherworldly brilliance.
Her griffin was just as awe-inspiring. Its body glowed with an intense, radiant light, its lion-like legs adorned with golden armor. Its four tails swayed lazily, each one tipped with a crystalline blade. Its claws scraped against the stone, leaving faint scorch marks, and its wings, massive and feathered, shimmered with the same light as the Ladder.
Gasps filled the room again as the adventurers collectively realized what they were looking at.
"Is that.."
"It's a Lysfødt," one whispered. "From those carvings on the wall back there!"
"No way," another said, trembling. "They were supposed to be dead—gone with Gabriel."
Yuuna's eyes were wide, her usual humor and bravado gone. "How is this possible?" she murmured.
Xyenn, however, stared at the Lysfødt with a mix of fear and anxiety, "It's a Lysfødt," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Those Light Born…"
His heart pounded, like a large drum bearing against his soul, his body felt hot, sweat was brewing up already. He could barely stand, his fists clenched.
'No….they're here…now..? It hasn't even been two days! No…no please….'
Yuuna turned to him, her expression serious. "How do you know that? Light Born is what the First Dragon called them only, it was his special name for them. He never told anyone else, I only overheard him say it. And They've been dead for centuries—since the First Dragon fell."
Xyenn's voice cracked as he answered, "They came to me in a dream... They're the ones who want me to kill you…Yuuna please I was gonna tell you—."
Yuuna froze. Slowly, she stepped away from him, her golden eyes narrowing. "Are you playing me? Why didn't you say anything? I have hard trust issues…ya know? What if you were trying to soften me up, to catch me off guard?"
"No!" Xyenn said, his voice desperate. "I refused their offer. I told them no! Yuuna, I—"
"Xyenn…Why didn't you tell us this before?" Mertha's voice cut through the tension. The other Tyrants looked at Xyenn, their expressions a mix of suspicion and caution.
Gorran approached, adding, "I knew it! I knew he couldn't be trusted! We should kill him now!"
Xyenn yelled, "Listen to me! I told them no! I didn't accept it! They want me to kill her!"
Draeven was surprised, saying, "I believe you, friend."
Kivorn said, "Damn. Why does it have to be like this? Now? Dammit, Xyenn. I believe you though. Especially After what happened with Haldrek.."
Yuuna, her head down, commented towards the Lysfødt, "I didn't know the Lysfødt would be alive and well, vessels if the First Dragon made their dumb appearance again."
Illyana, her smile gone away, asked Xyenn, "Talk to us, and calm down Xyenn. No ones against you, I'm not."
Xyenn seemed to be hyperventilating, his breathing fast, he felt like everyone was about to kill him, he felt the pulsating state of the lady Lysfødt, he could feel Yuuna's growing animosity towards him. If Yuuna had her memories of Xyenn back.
"How the hell was I supposed to say anything?!" Xyenn shouted, his voice echoing in the chamber. "If I told you, you wouldn't trust me—and rightfully so—but I swore to you, I'm not going to do it! Especially Yuuna, I know she walked this world for hundreds of years, not trusting a soul. Even the slightest bit of betrayal could set her off, and rightfully so, but I swear….I told them no."
Zyphira and Sethrak looked at each other.
Sethrak stepped up, "I believe the kid. The fight with Haldrek showed me that this kid doesn't play around."
Zyphira snarled, "But this could be a trap."
"Whose side are you on?"
"Xyenn's. They tried to manipulate him, thinking since he was so young, but I know Xyenn wouldn't give her up. He was faced with death right in front of King Haldrek, and he still didn't give her up."
Gorran heard what Zyphira said, and he struggled within himself, thinking, 'Is that why I couldn't kill that damn brat last night?! Deep down, do I really pity him? Do I really believe he's on our side? Seeing him try to fight a 400 year old Draconic vessel….did that make me see him differently? Damn it all!'
Mertha said, "Don't instantly jump on Xyenn!" She got close to Xyenn, adding, "Don't pin any of this on him. It's possible for a vessel to kill their own dragon god they are linked with, but it would kill him too! Their souls..their very lives are connected!"
Xyenn didn't know that. That's something Yuuna never mentioned.
"What…?" Xyenn scoffed. "Even if I were to beat Yuuna in their eyes…"
'I still lose in the end?!'
The tension in the room was palpable. Before anyone could respond, one of the adventurers—a nervous-looking man in a tattered leather jacket—stepped forward, laughing nervously.
"Hey, uh, miss Lysfødt," he said, his voice shaking. "I'm sure there's some kind of misunderstanding here. You're, uh, really beautiful, by the way. Maybe we could—"
The Lysfødt moved faster than anyone could react. In the blink of an eye, she closed the distance between them, her massive hand wrapping around the man's torso. With a sickening sound, she ripped him in half, his blood spraying across the stone floor.
The room erupted in screams as the Lysfødt held the two halves of his body in the air, her expression cold and unfeeling. The glowing blood from his corpse began to coalesce, transforming into a massive, glowing white axe. The weapon shimmered with jewels and crystals, still dripping with gore.
The Lysfødt's voice was soft but carried an undeniable weight of authority. "You are taking too long to kill her, Xyenn. We will continually visit you until you do it. To convince you to do it. Doing this, we will avoid the destruction of Kyrrin. You are our vessel for bringing Gabriel back."
Xyenn trembled, his fear almost overwhelming. "And you're here because—"
"This is not my true form," the Lysfødt interrupted, her tone calm. "You see only a fragment of me. If I were to descend fully, death would follow in my wake. Destruction would be inevitable. Even the form you saw in your dream was not my real self. That was the form of your world's lust—" she gestured to the jewels encrusting her body, "—obsession with riches..." she glanced at her axe, "...cravings for control..." and finally, she looked at her own glowing, perfect body, "...and indulgence in lust."
"I told you no. I won't do it. And now you're showing up here trying to force answers out of me…?"
"This will show you what is to come. Only a fragment of my body will give you a glimpse of what's to happen if you refuse to do what we say."
"Fuck you..fuck all of you! I'll kill every last one of you!"
Xyenn turned to Yuuna, his voice shaking. "Yuuna... please. Merge with me."
Yuuna stared at him, her expression unreadable. Then, she whispered, "…
The hurt in her voice was unmistakable.
The Lysfødt floated into the air, her massive wings spreading wide. She pointed her axe forward, her jeweled eyes locking onto Xyenn. "Fetch," she commanded.
The griffin rose, its light intensifying. The room was filled with a blinding radiance as its wings unfurled to their full span. Its four tails lashed the air, leaving streaks of glowing energy in their wake. The adventurers and Tyrants scrambled to prepare for the incoming attack, their weapons drawn.
The griffin let out a deafening screech, its voice like the roar of a storm. It reared back, its claws glowing with an intense heat, and launched itself forward with terrifying speed. And then suddenly, it roared loudly like a lion, and more clones of himself bursted from his back, lashing out on the adventurers, each step causing ripples in the air and thooms on the ground.
The Tyrants braced themselves.
Mertha yelled, "Xyenn!" Until she was snatched up, but alive, going against a Griffin.
The fight was about to begin.
Xyenn by himself, walked towards The Lysfødt, saying, "Fine then. I'll show you, Yuuna. I don't blame you for having trust issues, especially if you lost your memories of me. And after all you've been through, I don't blame you. I'll fight even if I'm not merged with you, to show you how much I won't tolerate these fuckers trying to ruin my happiness. A happiness I've been seeking since I was a child. Even if I have to make myself a monster. I won't lose."
He was about to rip his armor off, but then, Yuuna watched him, and she had a quick memory of Xyenn limping towards her when she went all out in her dragon form, when they stood in front of Haldrek.
'What was that memory? That was him…calming me down?'
Xyenn was preparing to take the armor off as the Lysfødt was slowly descending upon him, ready to fight.
"Xyenn…"
Xyenn heard Yuuna's voice, and Yuuna was hugging Xyenn from behind, saying, "If you mean what you say, then kill this bitch with me. You really were about to lose yourself and possibly kill yourself to prove a point to me…? You're crazier than I am."
'He really is like me. All we want..is happiness.'
Xyenn nodded, and they began to merge. His dragon tail coming out, his draconic wings flapping, the jagged edged halo forming above his head, parts of his skin turning into dragon scales, and the multiple arms stretching from his back, holding multiple scythes glistening in dark pink and black flames, and Xyenn crouched low.
The Lysfødt said, "We are the vessels of Gabriel. We are still powerful. Come at me. I will show you just a fragment of my power. Maybe then, you'll see that saving the world is necessary. Even if you die alongside this wretch of darkness."
Yuuna roared from inside Xyenn, "Now you idiots want my heart to keep the Cycle of Rebirth going? To bring Gabriel back? That's really funny!"
"Nothing is funny. You've bested Death, not he's in the palm of hell's eternal flame."
"What do you mean?!" Yuuna spoke from Xyenn's body.
"…"
The Lysfødt zipped forward at Xyenn, and Xyenn zapped ahead as well.
The fight had began.