The wind blew over the plains of the celestial kingdom. Whoosh... The dragon king stood on a ridge watching the vast expanse that stretched out before him.
After his victory against the golden dragon, he had headed to a mythical region, a place where the greatest dragons and other dragons gathered.
He knew that in order to advance in his quest for domination, he would have to face other legendary dragons, some of his allies, some of his enemies. Each match would be a challenge but also a great opportunity.
Dragon King (with a look at the horizon): «It's time to take the lead.» Hmph.
The voice of the system suddenly resounded in his mind confirming his intentions.
DING !
[Quest generated: Meeting the other Dragon Kings. Reward: Improved ally power and new techniques. Revelation of hidden truths.]
The dragon king smiled inwardly. Heh. Each quest seemed to offer him powerful advantages, but he had no more time to waste procrastinating.
He was heading towards a huge mound of stones where an ancient gate engraved with mystical symbols stood.
Clang... Clang... The faint sound of his footsteps echoed as he approached the gate. This passage led him to a secret domain, that is, the lair of other Dragon Kings.
Dragon King: «While some of them may be valuable allies, I'll need to keep a close eye on them.»
A part of him felt the need to confront and challenge the other dragon kings to ensure his dominant position.
The door opened under his touch. Creak... He entered without hesitation.
The interior was a huge hall, a kind of sanctuary surrounded by floating mountains and cosmic lights. There were dragons with scales of gold, silver, and azure standing there with eyes fixed on the dragon king. All were dragons, each connected to a concept.
Among them was a group of five other dragon kings, each with a particular domain and each carrying unparalleled majesty and power.
BOOM. A faint rumble echoed as one of the floating mountains shifted slightly, its presence emphasizing the grandeur of the sanctuary.
The first dragon king who came forward was massive with his height of four meters twelve which far surpassed that of the dragon king who was only two meters fifty.
«I am Lysandros Aeltheris, Dragon King of Time. You did well to accept our invitation. But tell me, what is your name, and why should we accept you among us?» THUD. His heavy steps reverberated as his deep voice carried across the hall like a rolling storm.
The dragon king advanced with a respectful look: «I am the dragon king Volmeryn Vorthyx and to answer your question it is because I am destined to dominate this world. I am not here to negotiate, but to impose my law.»
CRACK! The faint sound of tension splitting the air seemed to echo as the power of his words created a heavy silence in the room.
Lysandros watched him for a long time with an enigmatic smile on his lips: «Bold this guy.»
Lysandros: «But what is your nature as a dragon? Are you a cosmic dragon?, an ancient dragon?, a primary dragon, or a dragon god just like us? I can't identify your hierarchy, it's weird.» He uttered this sentence before turning to the other dragon kings.
Volmeryn: «I think curiosity is a nasty little flaw Lysandros, you don't have to know all that.»
Lysandros scrutinized Volmeryn with intensity, his imposing aura made the air vibrate around him. Vrrrmm! But his eyes narrowed slightly when he noticed the arrogance in the newcomer's posture.
Lysandros: «You dare to claim a dominance that you have not yet proven, Volmeryn. Let us see if your words are as strong as your strength.» An aura suddenly emanated from his body, and time seemed to distort.
Whoooosh!
Without waiting for an answer, Lysandros reached for a hand, creating a luminous sphere. Fzzzz! In an instant, Volmeryn was enveloped in a secondary dimension where everything seemed frozen, as if the whole world was trapped in an eternal twilight.
In the temporal dimension of Lysandros:
The floating mountains had turned into suspended crystals, and every movement seemed to be slowed down, as if caught in an invisible trap. Crk-crk! Lysandros appeared before Volmeryn with his tall figure towering over the frozen landscape.
Lysandros: «Here, I control every second, every breath. Show me if you can survive in my temporal realm.»
Volmeryn was smiling, and his eyes were shining mockingly. He wasn't even intimidated: «Then prove to me that your control is absolute, Lysandros.»
Lysandros was moving towards him with lightning speed, Boom! ready to pierce Volmeryn. But Volmeryn dodged with a precise movement, his silhouette seemed to blend into the shadows. Swish!
Volmeryn: «Interesting,» he said, concentrating his energy. An emerald aura enveloped his body, Woomph! and black flames shot from his hands. Whoosh-hiss!
Lysandros struck again, but this time Volmeryn responded with black flames shooting from his hands.
[Infinite System: Energy Fusion Detected – Ignis Umbra Viridis (Emerald Shadow Flames).]
[Description: A combination of dragon energy and primal dark fire. These flames not only destroy physical matter but also devour the targets' spiritual essence, preventing them from regenerating or reincarnating.
[Effects: Black Flames: Deal continuous damage to the soul. Emerald Aura: Grants increased regeneration and an energy barrier, reducing damage taken.]
[Consumption: 25% dragon energy per minute.]
The black flames had no effect on Lysandros because the dragon gods had no souls.
The clash between their attacks shook the dimension, causing cracks in the frozen space. The landscape shattered under their combined power. Boom! Crack!
Volmeryn sat up, a defiant smile on his lips. : «Is this all that the king of time is capable of?»
Lysandros gritted his teeth, and his eyes shone with a fiercer glow. He unleashed a wave of temporal energy that enveloped Volmeryn by slowing his movements. Swoosh! But this was useless against him because of his powerful aura that automatically broke the temporal grip. He held out a hand, and a green spear spinning like a vortex materialized.
[Infinite System: Summoned Weapon – Emerald Spear of Cataclysm (Viridis Hastam Cataclysmum).]
[Description: A weapon of condensed energy, capable of piercing any magical or physical defense. Its rotation creates a suction effect, disorienting enemies and draining life energy from targets hit.]
[Passive effect: The spear adapts to its wielder, increasing its damage in proportion to the energy spent. The power of this weapon increases with your intention. But be careful, poorly channeled energy could become unstable.]
Whirr!
Volmeryn: «My turn.»
He threw the weapon with terrifying precision. Lysandros managed to deflect it narrowly, but the impact created an explosion that destroyed part of the time dimension, forcing Lysandros to disable his power. Boom! Crack!
The other dragoons watched with new intensity. Lysandros, though still imposing, stepped back slightly, a smirk.
Lysandros: «Interesting, you're more than just a contender. But this proves nothing. »
Volmeryn walked forward with his eyes full of confidence: «This proves that I don't need anyone to impose myself. But if you want to test me again, I'm ready. »
The other dragons exchanged glances, some impressed, others suspicious. The tension was palpable, but one thing was clear: Volmeryn had captured their attention.
Another dragon, this time with pink hair, intervened. He looked younger than the others, but his presence was just as imposing:
«And I am Aleron Valdris, Dragon King of Entropy. Why should I submit to someone so ... impetuous? »
Volmeryn looked at Aleron, «I'm not asking you to be submissive. I take what belongs to me.» He uttered these words with great confidence.
The others watched with a heavy silence. A third dragon with yellow hair spoke:
«I am Seraphon Al'Zhyr, Dragon King of the Spirit. You speak in a way that attracts interest, but... The world of dragons is not taken lightly.»
Volmeryn turned to Seraphon with a regal posture: «Then prove to me that you are worthy of arresting me.»
A palpable tension filled the room. Crack! The sound of scales shifting echoed slightly as everyone tensed. But before things could escalate further... Whoosh... a figure materialized behind them.
«Enough.»
All eyes turned to this figure sitting in the shade of a massive pillar. Although he wore no shining armor or displayed ostentatious powers, his authority alone commanded silence.
Thud. The faint sound of his presence alone was enough to settle the air around them.
«We are here to resolve a crisis that threatens each of our kingdoms. Not to fuel ego quarrels.»
A respectful silence settled. Even Volmeryn, known for his contempt for authority figures, folded his arms without a word. Rustle.
«You know me as a dragon of knowledge, an observer of history. But I haven't always been like this. There was a time when I was just as blinded by pride as some people here. »
His voice echoed through the room: Boom!
«I have seen the consequences of our divisions. Useless battles, devastated kingdoms... and my own family devastated by a conflict that I could have prevented. This is what we risk today, if we refuse to lay down our weapons – at least temporarily – to face a common threat. » Thud!
Lysandros: «He's right. We must act together, but it will take a clear strategy to prevent this alliance from turning into chaos. »
The dragon turned to him with a dangerous look in his eyes: «Volmeryn don't underestimate my ability to impose consequences. If anyone acts against the covenant, he will have to answer to me. I am Nethrath Ultheron, Dragon King of Infinity. What you're doing is a stupid dance of pride. »
The Dragon turned to him, each of the other dragons seemed to weigh their words. But before anyone intervened further, another figure made his entrance.
It was a female figure with magenta hair. She seemed to be endowed with ancient wisdom. She was the most beautiful of all the creatures present and her aura transcended purity and sensuality.
«I am Eirlys Faelivrin, Dragon Queen of Life. And I have watched with interest your ascent Volmeryn. But an ascent is also nourished by those who support you and not only by the battles you win. »
Volmeryn looked at her, and a strange warmth rose in him: «I don't need help. I am already the master of my destiny. »
Thud! Thud! The sound of his heartbeat reverberated in the tense air. The dragons remained still, their eyes flickering between each other as if they could feel the tension growing thicker.
Hisssss came the quiet, almost imperceptible sound of a coil of magic twisting in the space around Volmeryn, his confidence undeterred by their words.
Eirlys: «I'm not offering to help you. I propose to walk by your side through a covenant. » Her voice was calm, but her eyes flickered with something unreadable.
Volmeryn : «An alliance, you say? And why should I lend my power to someone who has proven only one thing: his ability to speak more than to act?» He crossed his arms with a mocking smile playing on his lips, a soft tsk escaping him.
Eirlys: «Because, despite your arrogance, you're smart enough to see the threat that lies ahead. We all have something to lose if we remain divided. »
Sepharon: «Your words sound hollow, Eirlys! Since when has an alliance between dragons ever worked? We are too different, too... Proud.» With a loud bang, he struck the table, the force making the room shake.
Eirlys: «Our differences are precisely what can make us stronger. Each kingdom has unique resources. Together, we can overcome this crisis. »
Volmeryn: «Lovely speech, but it doesn't answer the essential question: why should we trust you? There is no guarantee that you will not turn this covenant against us when it suits you. »
Eirlys: «Trust has to be earned, I know that. That's why I'm proposing a test. » She clenched her fists with a low crack as her knuckles tightened, but she forced herself to keep a calm tone.
A silence fell in the room. The soft rustling of wings and the faint sound of breathing were the only things that filled the heavy air. All eyes were turned to her.
Arelon: «A trial?»
Eirlys: «Yes. Each leader here will choose a representative to participate in a common mission. Together, they will face a threat in the Fractured World. If we manage to cooperate successfully, it will prove that the alliance is possible. »
Volmeryn: «A common mission? You mean sending our subordinates to be slaughtered while you stay here preaching unity? What a noble idea. »
Eirlys: «I will participate myself. I don't expect anything from you that I'm not ready to do myself. »
Nethrath :«Interesting... This would indeed prove your commitment. But if you fail, it will be proof that your idea of an alliance is a farce. »
Volmeryn : «I'm ready to receive what you propose, Eirlys. But make no mistake: no one will stop me from taking what is mine. »
Eirlys: «So let's get started, Volmeryn. The path to domination is never a lonely one. »
The other dragons, though suspicious, were beginning to accept this new alliance, they were aware that Volmeryn in his ascension would become an unstoppable force.
Silence reigned in the celestial observation room, broken only by the faint hum of mirrors suspended in the air. Each mirror reflected a fragment of reality, worlds vibrant with life and conflict, a reminder of the endless struggles that awaited the Dragon Kings. Whirrrrr...