The phoenix soared through the sky with incredible speed, diving deep into the valley's underground. An ominous sensation gripped him as he neared the massive, sealed stone gate. The malevolence leaking from within was unmistakable.
"Damn it, the gate is already opening!" he cursed inwardly, his fiery wings flaring with an intense glow of resolve.
Deep within the cavern, the black dragon stirred, his golden eyes glinting with bloodlust. A low chuckle rumbled from his throat, tinged with dark amusement.
"That scorching aura… it's the phoenix. Ha! Things are getting more interesting."
The lizardman beside him stiffened, panic flashing across his face. "What? The phoenix? I've already sent some of our forces to stop him!"
The dragon sneered, his massive frame barely shifting. "Foolish little creature. Unseal me now. It's time they remembered who truly rules this land."
The lizardman hesitated for a moment before stammering, "My lord… you've decided to accept our plan?"
"Your plan?" The dragon let out a derisive laugh, his voice dripping with disdain. "I may entertain it. But do not forget—your pitiful power alone could never shatter this accursed seal."
The lizardman swallowed his nerves and reached into the leather pouch slung across his back, withdrawing a small, crimson crystal shard. The shard glowed faintly, emitting an ominous, otherworldly aura.
Holding the crystal reverently in both hands, the lizardman's voice trembled with fervor. "Great Dragon Lord, this was gifted to us by one who claims to serve a certain King. With it, the seal can be undone effortlessly!"
The dragon's gaze locked onto the shard, his golden eyes narrowing. A strange flicker of emotion crossed his face as he murmured, "This aura… this power… inscrutable. So, that figure… perhaps they are more formidable than I imagined."
At that moment, the ground trembled violently, and the distant heat surged closer with blinding speed. The air in the chamber seemed to tear apart as an intense, searing light burst through the collapsing ceiling.
With a deafening screech, a flaming figure descended into the chamber. The phoenix's fiery wings blazed like the sun, his piercing gaze sweeping the room before settling on the black dragon.
"Black Dragon!" the phoenix roared, his voice ringing with righteous fury. "Don't think you can escape! I won't let you succeed!"
The dragon smirked, his golden eyes gleaming with mockery. He tilted his head slightly and spoke with chilling indifference. "You? Stop me?"
Before the phoenix could reply, the dragon's immense frame quaked, the heavy chains binding him groaning and straining under the pressure. The phoenix didn't hesitate, his wings igniting into twin blades of pure flame as he launched himself toward the dragon, slashing down with all his might.
The lizardman stumbled back in terror but clutched the crimson shard tightly. Chanting fervently, he smashed it against the ground.
"Great Dragon Lord, I will free you now!"
A wave of immense power erupted from the shard, rushing toward the magic circle beneath the dragon's feet.
"Crack—"
The magic circle splintered into countless particles of light before disintegrating. Simultaneously, the phoenix's blazing swords neared the dragon's armor-like scales.
But just as they were about to connect, a colossal surge of dark energy erupted from within the dragon. He let out a thunderous roar, and the chains binding him shattered into countless fragments, scattering through the air. The overwhelming darkness swept through the chamber like a tidal wave, hurling the phoenix against the stone wall with brutal force.
"Enough!" the dragon bellowed, his voice reverberating like thunder. He rose to his full height, his presence suffocating and his golden eyes glowing with malice. "This land belongs to me. Any creature daring to stand in my way will be obliterated!"
The phoenix staggered to his feet, his fiery form flickering but his gaze unwavering. Yet, a heavy sense of foreboding gripped him—this dragon, sealed away for millennia, was far stronger than the legends had foretold.
The lizardman, meanwhile, retreated to the edge of the chamber, gazing at the dragon with a mix of awe and fanaticism. "Great Dragon Lord, your freedom heralds a new era. You will change everything!"
The dragon didn't reply. His massive form loomed over them both as he stepped forward, each movement exuding raw power. His golden gaze swept across the phoenix and the lizardman, and his voice dropped to a low, menacing growl.
"I will change everything… but not for your benefit."