Heir of the scales: I Awakened The SSS-Dragon Heir Talent

The morning mist hung thick and heavy as the group broke camp, their movements weighed down by fatigue and unease. The previous night's events had left an unspoken tension hanging in the air, each member lost in their own thoughts as they prepared for the journey ahead.

Kai adjusted the straps of his pack, his gaze flickering to Lyria. She was quietly tending to the fire's dying embers, her expression guarded. He wanted to say something, to bridge the growing distance between them, but the words caught in his throat.

"Ready, Dragon Boy?" Kaelith's voice shattered the silence, her tone as playful as ever. She twirled a dagger between her fingers, her emerald eyes sparkling with amusement.

Kai sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Aelira approached, her posture tense. "We need a plan. The Wraithlord is still out there, and whoever sent it won't stop until they get what they're after. We can't keep wandering aimlessly."

"She's right," Isolde said, her tone measured. "If we're going to face this head-on, we need information. We need answers."

Seraphina stepped forward, her lance resting against her shoulder. "There's an old ruin not far from here—an outpost from the Draconic Wars. It's said to hold ancient records and artifacts. If there's any place that could give us insight into the Wraithlord, it's there."

Kai frowned. "How do you know about this place?"

Seraphina hesitated, her gaze dropping to the ground. "My family… We were tasked with guarding knowledge of the old wars. It's a duty that's been passed down for generations."

The group exchanged wary glances, but Kai nodded. "Then that's where we'll go. If there's even a chance it could help us, we have to try."

As they set off, the forest seemed to close in around them, the mist clinging to their skin like a living thing. The trees whispered in the wind, their branches reaching out like skeletal hands.

Lyria walked up and sat beside Kai, her voice low. "Are you sure about this? Seraphina's knowledge is… convenient, to say the least."

Kai glanced at her, his brow furrowed. "We don't have many options, Lyria. And right now, I'd rather take a chance than sit around waiting for the Wraithlord to find us again."

Lyria sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I just hope you're right."

The ruins came into view as the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the crumbling stone. The air grew colder, the sense of unease that had been following them intensifying.

Kaelith let out a low whistle. "Well, isn't this charming? Nothing like a creepy ruin to set the mood."

"Stay alert," Aelira said, her hand on the hilt of her sword. "If the Wraithlord was sent after us, there's no telling what else might be waiting here."

The group moved cautiously through the ruins, their footsteps echoing in the silence. The walls were covered in ancient carvings, the symbols glowing faintly with a soft, otherworldly light.

Isolde ran her fingers over the carvings, her eyes narrowing. "These runes… They're wards. Protective spells, but they've been weakened over time."

Kai's gaze swept over the room, his instincts prickling. "Then we need to find what we're looking for and get out of here."

Seraphina led them deeper into the ruins, her movements confident despite the eerie atmosphere. They entered a chamber lined with shelves, ancient tomes and scrolls filling the space. At the center of the room stood a pedestal, a single crystal orb resting on top.

"That's it," Seraphina said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kai stepped forward, his hand hovering over the orb. "What is it?"

"It's called the Draconic Eye," Seraphina explained. "It was used during the wars to store knowledge and visions. If it still works, it could show us what we're up against."

Before anyone could react, the room plunged into darkness, a low growl reverberating through the air.

"They've found us," Isolde said, her voice steady despite the tension in her posture.

Kai grabbed the orb, its surface cold and smooth under his fingers. "Whatever happens, we can't let them take this."

The shadows began to swirl around them, their forms taking shape as the temperature plummeted. The Wraithlord's voice echoed through the chamber, a haunting melody of malice.

"You cannot escape me, Dragon Heir. Surrender, and I may spare your companions."

Kai's grip on the orb tightened, his eyes blazing with determination. "Over my dead body."

The Wraithlord laughed, the sound chilling. "So be it."

As the battle erupted, Kai felt a surge of power emanating from the orb. His mind was flooded with visions—images of dragons, battles, and a shadowy figure cloaked in darkness.

He didn't understand it all, but one thing was clear: the Wraithlord was only the beginning.

This was far from over.