After completing her registration at the Adventurers' Guild, Celestine returned home, a sense of accomplishment filling her chest. The thought of finally beginning her own journey, independent of her mother's legacy, was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.
The grand estate she called home was located on the outskirts of Lurvian, near the edge of a dense forest. The house itself was an elegant, sprawling mansion with tall arching windows and ivy creeping up the stone walls. Inside, it was warm, filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and the sounds of laughter from her friends.
As Celestine stepped through the front door, her mother, Evelyn, looked up from her study of magical tomes. The serene expression on Evelyn's face softened into one of quiet pride when she saw her daughter.
"How did it go?" Evelyn asked, setting her book aside.
"I'm officially registered," Celestine replied, her smile widening. "I start tomorrow. The first mission is a gold-rank one—a demon dragon slaying."
Evelyn's brow raised slightly at the mention of a gold-rank mission. "A demon dragon?" she repeated, as though weighing the gravity of the task. "That's a dangerous mission, Celestine. Are you sure you're ready for that?"
Celestine's expression hardened. "I've trained for this. I want to do something more than just live in the shadow of the past. I'll prove that I'm ready."
Her mother regarded her for a moment, then nodded with a sigh. "Very well, but remember to stay safe, and if you ever need help, don't hesitate to call on us."
The thought of her mother worrying about her tugged at Celestine's heart, but she brushed it aside. She was no longer a child. She had chosen this path, and she would walk it alone if necessary.
Celestine made her way to the large sitting room where several of her childhood friends, now seasoned adventurers, were waiting. They were all around her age—young adults, confident and capable, their experiences having shaped them into skilled warriors and mages.
Among them were Kaelen, a tall, muscular man with wild black hair, who specialized in swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat. Lyra, an elven archer with silver hair and keen eyes, whose skill with a bow was unmatched. Merek, a quiet, brooding mage who wielded fire and lightning magic with devastating precision. And lastly, Finn, a quick-witted beastkin with sharp ears and claws, adept in stealth and agility.
All of them greeted Celestine warmly as she entered the room.
"Back so soon?" Kaelen grinned, his deep voice booming in the small room. "You didn't waste any time, huh?"
"I didn't want to delay," Celestine replied, settling down beside him. "I'm ready to start my journey."
Lyra raised an eyebrow, a sly smile on her lips. "And what's this about a demon dragon? You're starting with a gold-rank mission already?"
Celestine's eyes flickered with determination. "I want to prove myself. I'm not afraid of some oversized lizard."
Merek chuckled softly from the corner, his amber eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. "Just remember, Celestine, dragons aren't like the monsters you've been slaying so far. They're a different breed entirely."
"Yeah, yeah," Finn added with a mischievous grin. "But with a crew like ours, how could you possibly fail?"
The group exchanged knowing looks, their camaraderie palpable. Each of them had been through countless trials together, their bonds forged in the heat of battle.
As the evening progressed, they drank and reminisced about past adventures, swapping stories of their close calls and triumphs. The warmth of their laughter filled the house, and for a moment, Celestine felt the weight of her choice lift from her shoulders. She was not alone—she had her friends, her allies, and together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The next morning, the team gathered early. They packed their equipment—swords, bows, magic scrolls, and provisions—preparing for the dangerous journey ahead. Celestine couldn't help but feel the nerves creep in again, but she pushed them down. This was her path. She had to walk it with confidence.
Outside, the carriage was ready to take them to the Ruins of Khor'mag, the site where the demon dragon had been spotted. The ruins were located in a dormant volcano, a treacherous place filled with crumbling stone structures, unstable terrain, and fierce creatures.
As they rode toward their destination, the air grew thick with tension. Kaelen cracked his knuckles, Lyra checked the arrows in her quiver, and Merek quietly muttered incantations under his breath, preparing his magic. Finn, ever the playful one, kept his eyes darting about, always alert, his beastkin instincts sharper than any of theirs.
Once they reached the base of the volcano, they could see the ruins in the distance—towering, jagged remnants of an ancient city, now overrun by nature and time. Smoke curled from the top of the volcano, hinting at the presence of something far more dangerous than mere ruins.
"We'll split up into groups," Kaelen said, taking charge as he always did. "Lyra, you and Finn take the north side. Merek and I will go south. Celestine, stay close to me. We'll approach the heart of the ruins together."
Celestine nodded, her heart pounding. The closer they got, the more she could feel the weight of the mission. A demon dragon was no simple beast—it was a force of nature, a living cataclysm.
As they trekked deeper into the ruins, the landscape grew more hazardous. The ground trembled beneath their feet as if the volcano itself was awakening. The air was thick with the scent of sulfur and ash, and the oppressive heat made it difficult to breathe.
"We're getting close," Merek said, his voice barely audible over the rumbling ground. His amber eyes narrowed, and his hands crackled with magical energy. "I can feel its presence."
Suddenly, the ground shook violently. Rocks fell from the crumbling structures above, and the team instinctively spread out, weapons drawn.
From the shadows of the ruins, a low, rumbling growl echoed through the air. The demon dragon had awoken.
The dragon appeared from the mist, its eyes glowing with fiery malice. It was a massive creature, its scales a dark crimson, as if the very essence of fire and blood ran through its veins. It towered above them, its wings beating the air with thunderous force, sending gusts of wind that knocked the adventurers back.
The creature let out a roar, shaking the earth beneath their feet. A trail of fire streamed from its mouth, barely missing them as they dodged, the heat intense enough to sear their skin.
Celestine's heart raced as she drew her sword, the weight of her new responsibilities pressing down on her. She had trained for this. She had prepared for this moment.
"Stay focused!" Kaelen shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "We can do this if we work together!"
The battle raged on. Merek unleashed bolts of lightning, but the dragon's scales were too thick to be pierced. Lyra fired arrow after arrow, each one striking the dragon's hide but doing little to slow it down. Finn darted in and out of the shadows, looking for an opening.
Celestine watched, waiting for her moment. Her grip tightened on her sword.
Then, it came.
With a sudden burst of speed, the dragon lunged at Kaelen, its jaws snapping. Without thinking, Celestine rushed forward, slashing at the dragon's flank. The blade made contact, but it barely left a mark. The dragon whipped its tail around, knocking her back.
But she was undeterred. She sprang to her feet, eyes narrowed with fierce determination.
"Now!" Kaelen yelled.
Together, they launched a coordinated attack, each one playing their part. Lyra's arrows hit their mark, distracting the dragon long enough for Merek to conjure a powerful fireball that exploded against the creature's chest.
Celestine, seizing the moment, charged. Her sword glowed with a faint aura of Primal Chaos, a surge of energy she had honed during years of training. She struck the dragon with all her might, and this time, the blade sank deep into its flesh.
With a final, deafening roar, the demon dragon collapsed, its massive body shaking the earth as it fell to the ground, lifeless.
The team stood over the beast, their breaths heavy and labored. Celestine looked down at her sword, the blade still glowing faintly with the remnants of the power she had summoned.
"Good work," Kaelen said, clapping her on the back. "We make a hell of a team."
Celestine smiled, her chest swelling with pride. This was only the beginning.