The winds whipped around Drakaryn as he soared high above the Valtheris Expanse, his wings slicing through the cool air. His body felt heavy, his energy drained after days lost in thought by the waterfall. Hunger clawed at his insides, a deep, gnawing emptiness that grew more urgent with every beat of his wings. It had been too long since his last meal, and his body demanded sustenance.
Catching a faint scent carried on the breeze, his golden eyes narrowed. A herd of wild beasts roamed somewhere below, their distinct musky odor mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest. His stomach rumbled in anticipation, urging him to dive immediately. But an idea flickered in his mind—a thought inspired by his recent reflections on vitality and mana.
Dragons fed on the vitality of living creatures, but what exactly was vitality? It wasn't the same as mana, which existed in both living and non-living things. Vitality was exclusive to the living, a force tied to their existence, their essence. When he consumed a creature, its vitality merged with his own, fueling his growth and healing his body. But the process was slow, bound by the mechanics of digestion and limited by the energy each meal provided.
Drakaryn's claws flexed as a fragment of Dragontongue whispered through his thoughts. Could the Tongue shape vitality as it had shaped mana? Could he extract the lifeforce of his prey directly, bypassing the need for consumption entirely? The idea was tantalizing, and his hunger left little room for hesitation. He would experiment.
Drakaryn circled lower, the dense forest canopy swaying beneath him as he followed the scent of the herd. His mind focused on the concept of vitality, forming the image of lifeforce as he had seen it in his hunts—bright, vibrant energy that lingered in the blood and flesh of his prey. He envisioned the process of digestion, the way the vitality was absorbed into his body. Layer by layer, he built the idea in his mind, letting the threads of the Dragontongue weave through it.
The beasts came into view, a herd of sturdy, elk-like creatures with shimmering coats that reflected the sunlight. They grazed peacefully, unaware of the predator above. Drakaryn hovered briefly, allowing the sounds of the Tongue to coalesce within him. The symphony grew louder, filling his chest with a resonance that vibrated through his very bones.
With a deep inhale, he opened his mouth and roared.
The sound tore through the forest, not just a physical vibration but a ripple of power that resonated with the essence of life itself. The trees below swayed violently before their leaves and branches disintegrated into fine mist. Grass and flowers dissolved into colorful vapors, and the herd of beasts let out a brief, collective cry before their bodies collapsed into swirling clouds of red, green, and brown energy.
The vitality coalesced into translucent orbs, each one shimmering faintly with the lifeforce it contained. They fell to the now-barren ground, resting in stark contrast to the lifeless landscape around them. The forest was silent, the absence of life almost deafening.
Drakaryn descended, his wings folding as he landed amidst the devastation. His eyes scanned the orbs scattered across the ground, each one glowing softly like a precious gem. He approached one cautiously, his hunger warring with his curiosity. His stomach rumbled again, and the decision was made for him. He picked up one of the larger orbs with his claws and swallowed it whole.
The effect was immediate. The orb dissolved within him, its energy surging through his body in a rush unlike anything he had ever experienced. It was as though he had consumed an entire beast in one bite, but without the slow process of digestion. The vitality spread through his limbs, invigorating his muscles, strengthening his scales, and dulling the ache of hunger that had plagued him.
Drakaryn staggered slightly, his wings unfurling reflexively as he adjusted to the sudden influx of energy. His mind raced. This was no ordinary meal. It was concentrated life force, distilled into its purest form. He glanced at the remaining orbs scattered across the ground, his thoughts tumbling over one another. If he could harness this method, the limitations of hunger and digestion would be eradicated. Vitality could be consumed directly, and in quantities far beyond what any single meal could provide.
Drakaryn reached for another orb, consuming it quickly. The rush came again, less overwhelming this time but just as satisfying. He moved from orb to orb, devouring each one until his hunger was completely sated. His body hummed with energy, his scales gleaming brighter than ever before.
As Drakaryn stood amidst the barren wasteland he had created, the gravity of his discovery began to sink in. This technique—this extraction of vitality—was a revelation. It wasn't hard to imagine how the ancient dragons, the ones who had built the ruins and wielded the Dragontongue with mastery, might have used this method. The efficiency and potency of these orbs would have freed them from the constant cycle of hunting and digestion, granting them time to pursue knowledge, build civilizations, and expand their dominion.
But the cost was undeniable. The forest around him, once teeming with life, was now a desolate expanse of bare earth and skeletal trees. Everything that had held vitality had been drained, reduced to fuel for his own growth. Drakaryn's claws scraped against the ground as he considered the consequences. If he used this method recklessly, entire ecosystems could be destroyed.
Still, the potential was too great to ignore. He needed to refine the technique, to find a way to extract vitality without causing such widespread devastation. The orbs themselves were also worth considering. If he could create them, perhaps he could store them, hoarding vitality for times of need. The thought of carrying such power with him, ready to be consumed at a moment's notice, was intoxicating.
Drakaryn spread his wings, preparing to leave the wasteland behind. The Dragontongue had shown him the path to power, but it was a path that required caution and control. He would experiment further, honing the technique until it could be wielded with precision. The orbs were treasures, and like any treasure, they needed to be protected.
As he took to the air, Drakaryn glanced back at the barren landscape. The destruction was a reminder of the responsibility that came with power. If he was to unlock the secrets of the Dragontongue, he would need more than strength—he would need wisdom.
The winds carried him onward, the glowing vitality within him fueling his flight. The Valtheris Expanse stretched out below, vast and full of untapped potential. Drakaryn's discovery had changed everything, and he was determined to uncover what other secrets the Dragontongue held.