Deep within a remote valley, hidden in the depths of the earth, stood two massive doors. Intricate runic patterns and ancient symbols adorned their surface, glowing faintly with a mysterious light. Behind them, sealed for millennia, lay a colossal black dragon—an ancient entity of immense power.
The dragon's enormous body towered over the chamber, its size measuring hundreds of meters in height. Every inch of its form was sheathed in impenetrable black scales that shimmered with an ominous luster. Its massive wings, folded behind its back, seemed capable of blotting out the heavens themselves, exuding an aura of sheer dominance. The dragon's mighty head was crowned with jagged horns, its long snout lined with razor-sharp teeth that gleamed like polished steel. A muscular tail coiled beneath it, radiating a latent destructive force, while its four pillar-like legs were rooted firmly to the ground. Each claw, gleaming like obsidian, seemed sharp enough to carve through mountains.
Beneath the dragon, a glowing magic circle pulsed rhythmically, its energy suppressing the creature's full might. Chains covered in shimmering runes coiled around its body, binding it in place. Despite its confinement, the sheer presence of the beast made the air thick with dread.
Suddenly, the dragon's golden eyes flickered open, piercing the darkness as they locked onto the towering doors. Something—or someone—was there.
A deafening groan echoed through the chamber as the ancient doors began to creak open.
"Creak... crack... creak…" Dust and debris drifted softly into the air, illuminated by the faint light of the runes. Slowly, a figure emerged—a lizardman, hunched yet exuding a palpable excitement, his eyes alight with fervor.
"Great Dragon Lord!" the lizardman exclaimed, dropping to one knee as his voice trembled with a mix of reverence and exhilaration. "At long last, we stand before you! Our plan is finally coming to fruition!"
The dragon narrowed its eyes, a low growl rumbling from deep within its chest. "Insects…" it spat, its voice a guttural thunder that reverberated through the chamber. "Who are you, and what do you want? Spare me your schemes—I have no need of your meddling."
Undeterred, the lizardman rose to his feet, his tone growing more insistent. "Lord Dragon, you have been sealed here for thousands of years, unable to break free of your own accord. Surely you desire vengeance against the dragon clans who betrayed you?"
The mention of betrayal caused the dragon's eyes to blaze with fury. It reared its head, exhaling a scorching breath that made the air shimmer with heat. "Betrayal… the wretched dragon clans!" it roared, its voice shaking the very ground. "Those treacherous fools—I will devour every last one of them!"
Its claws scraped against the stone floor, carving deep grooves as it snarled. "But what does this have to do with you, worm?"
The lizardman straightened, emboldened by the dragon's response. "It has everything to do with us! This world has long been ruled by the so-called 'higher races.' They sit on their thrones, treating the rest of us as expendable pawns. Decades ago, when our tribe refused to follow their Alliance's commands, they annihilated our village. Only a handful of us survived their wrath."
The lizardman's voice trembled with a mix of anger and sorrow as he continued. "They issued a decree: any who see us are to kill us on sight. For centuries, we have lived in hiding, hunted and despised. But now, Lord Dragon, we have found you. You share our hatred for the higher races. Together, we can bring them to their knees!"
The dragon's gaze remained fixed on the lizardman, unblinking. After a moment, it rumbled, "How do you know of my history with the dragon clans? And what is this 'Alliance' you speak of?"
The lizardman hesitated briefly, then replied, "A few years ago, a strange being visited our tribe. He claimed to be a servant of a great king and spoke of the means to change our fate. He told us of your imprisonment and revealed how to free you. He also taught us that only fear—pure, unrelenting fear—can bring salvation."
He paused, glancing at the glowing runes that bound the dragon. "As for the Alliance, it was formed shortly after your sealing. Initially, it consisted of dragons, demons, ghosts, and gods—a coalition to ensure peace and prevent another catastrophe like your rise. At first, their intentions seemed noble, but over time, their true nature was revealed. They became tyrants, ruling with an iron fist and crushing any who dared defy them."
The dragon growled, its tail lashing with impatience. Memories of betrayal and anguish flooded its mind. It muttered under its breath, "So, their treachery runs deeper than I thought..."
Before it could dwell further, a sudden surge of energy disrupted its thoughts. The dragon's eyes snapped toward the distance, narrowing as it sensed a scorching presence approaching rapidly.