-Dazai's sharp eyes locked onto the cave hidden deep within the Aetheria Forest. From his vantage point high atop a towering tree, he let out a slow sigh, observing the numerous heat signatures clustered around the entrance. Their movements were precise, disciplined—no mere bandits or mercenaries. Whoever was holding the Queen of Dragons captive wasn't underestimating her-
Dazai: "Tch… Looks like we've got a full house guarding the damn cave. But no doubt about it, your mother's mana is inside. Guess it's time for Plan Bankrupt."
-Beside him, Dreadmourne tilted her head, arms crossed over her chest, her silver gauntlets faintly glistening in the moonlight-
Dreadmourne: "Plan what?"
-Dazai smirked, snapping his fingers. In an instant, she appeared before him—but it was merely an illusion. The perfect copy of Dreadmourne stood at the forest's edge, her breathing ragged, wounds splattered across her armor, looking as if she had barely escaped death.Her eyes widened slightly in shock-
Dreadmourne: "Illusion magic? That spell was lost during the Great Wars of Ragnarok… how can a mere child—"
Dazai: "You didn't treat me like a child a few minutes ago, now did you?" He gave her a teasing grin before flicking his fingers toward the cave. "Anyway, the plan's simple—your fake-out draws them out, you clean house, and I sneak in to grab your mother. Quick, easy, and everyone gets to sleep in their own bed tonight."
-Dreadmourne gave a curt nod, and the illusion sprinted toward the cave, staggering as if exhausted-
Illusion Dreadmourne: "Help! Please—they're coming! I barely escaped!"
-The guards stiffened, immediately raising their weapons-
Guard: "Hey, lady, what's going—"
-Before he could finish, Dreadmourne unleashed a shimmering, frost-laced breath. The guards barely had time to react before they crumpled to the ground, their bodies encased in thin layers of ice as sleep took them instantly. Meanwhile, Dazai vanished into the shadows, slipping through the cave's entrance unnoticed-
-The cave was vast, stretching deeper than expected, filled with rare and terrifying beasts lurking in the corners. Even a mere glimpse of some of them would send most men into a primal panic. Yet, Dazai moved undeterred, his focus locked onto his objective. He pressed on, weaving through stone corridors until finally,He found her–The Eternal Sovereign, Aelthyria. The Queen of all Dragons.
Dazai exhaled softly-
Dazai: "So this is the great Aelthyria–the dragon queen who bows to no soul… Well, not in this case." -He clicked his tongue- "Trapped in a cage, huh? Sad."
-In her human form, Aelthyria was breathtaking—tall, regal, and untouchable. Her long, silver-white hair cascaded like silk, framing flawless, pale skin that radiated an ethereal glow. She wore an obsidian and ice-blue gown embroidered with dragon-scale patterns, the very fabric whispering of power. A delicate yet ominous crown of blackened horns rested atop her head, a mark of absolute sovereignty. A faint aura of frost and embers lingered around her, shifting with every slow breath-
-Slowly, she opened her greenish-black eyes, brimming with ancient wisdom—and rage.
Her voice was elegant, yet laced with sarcasm-
Aelthyria: "What now? Another black-hooded rat here to sell me to the highest bidder? Or maybe you're here to wipe out the rest of my kind? I won't let you—"
Dazai: "Whoa, slow your roll, queeny. I'm here to set you free. Thank your daughter for realizing her options were running dry."
-He stepped forward, placing a hand on the mana-sealing chains binding her. The runes etched into the metal pulsed faintly, suppressing even a fraction of her immense power. Dazai's sharp gaze studied them before he let out a soft chuckle-
Dazai: "Restricting mana chains? Now that's some high-class stuff. No small-fry mercenary group could get their hands on these… which means someone very important is behind this mess."
-Before Aelthyria could respond, a slow clapping echoed through the cavern.
Footsteps followed—deliberate, unhurried.
A figure stepped forward, his voice dripping with amusement-
???: "Well, well… what do we have here? A child trying to save an overgrown lizard?"
-He emerged into the dim light, revealing himself—the Ebony Jester.
The kingdom's hero-
-Draped in mystery and mischief, the Jester moved like a shadow, his black harlequin attire lined with silver accents. Each calculated step masked a warrior's grace beneath a fool's guise. His brown hair was tousled, giving him a carefree, almost playful look, but his piercing green eyes told another story–sharp, knowing, and dangerously unpredictable. A twisted grin played on his lips, blurring the line between humor and menace-
-Hidden blades. A mind sharper than steel.
Dazai tilted his head, unimpressed-
Dazai: "You're the what now? …Hero? Man, you're the hero of making bad jokes. Look, I don't have time for this–Authority: Bow Down."
-He extended his hand
Nothing happened-
-Jester chuckled, pulling out a crimson dagger lined with dragon scales-
Jester: "I don't know what all that was, but let me make one thing clear… you can't beat me. Not in a million years."
-Dazai's smirk didn't waver, but his eyes gleamed with excitement as he cracked his knuckles-
Dazai: "A one-star, and yet still standing? Finally… someone worth testing myself against."
-His crimson hair flickered faintly in the dim cave light,his blood thrummed with anticipation-
Dazai: "Alright, then… let's get this party started "