The Unrivaled Holder: Rise of the Dragon Monarch

Descending into Duskveil Hollow felt like stepping into the unknown.

Though we carried ourselves with confidence, a quiet unease settled in the air. The deeper we went, the colder and heavier the atmosphere became. The once-burning crimson glow of the Obsidian Wastes above had faded, swallowed by an endless abyss of darkness.

The path beneath our feet was rough and uneven, carved not by nature, but by something ancient.

I exhaled slowly, steadying my thoughts. Since arriving in this world, I had learned to expect constant danger—but that didn't mean I understood what awaited us below.

As if sensing my unease, Fafnir spoke.

"Zarathorak… he might not be the same as before."

I glanced at him. "How come?"

Fafnir's red eyes flickered with something unreadable. "I knew him. Once. A long time ago. Back when he was still part of the Order of 10 Eternal Flames."

I furrowed my brow. "And now?"

Fafnir's expression darkened. "Now, almost everyone sees him as an enemy. Everyone except Frostfang, the Icebound." 

"I hope she's doing okay" Fafnir added.

The name was unfamiliar to me, but before I could ask, Ingi chuckled lightly.

"Cheer up, son. So long as I can still crack a joke, everything will be fine."

Fafnir gave him a sideways glance but said nothing.

Ingi's smile softened. "You get like this when you talk about the past. You always have."

I felt a pang of empathy. It was rare to see Fafnir troubled. Whatever history he shared with Zarathorak, it clearly ran deep.

After a moment, he sighed. "Tch. Thanks, I guess. Not that it's needed."

I nodded. "Even so, we're here now. Whatever happens, we face it together."

Fafnir said nothing, but I caught the faintest hint of a smirk.

A foul stench filled the air, thick and metallic. The shadows ahead shifted, twisting unnaturally.

Then, from the abyss, they came.

Grotesque creatures oozing with dark crimson liquid emerged from the walls, their bodies formless yet horrifying. Blood monsters.

They moved like liquid but struck like steel, their tendrils lashing forward with razor-sharp precision.

"Finally," Fafnir growled, cracking his knuckles. "Some action."

One of the creatures lunged at him. He sidestepped smoothly, then countered with a devastating Dragon Blast, the fiery explosion evaporating the monster instantly.

Two more rushed toward me. I clenched my fists, Magicore surging into my hands.

The first swung a blade-like tendril at me, but I ducked, countering with a Magicore-infused punch to its core. The impact ripped through its body, splattering blood across the cavern walls.

Another monster came from behind, its form morphing into multiple limbs.

Before it could strike—Ingi intercepted.

With a swift motion, he raised a hand, and a golden barrier expanded outward, trapping the creature within.

"Not today," he smirked.

He snapped his fingers—the barrier compressed instantly, crushing the monster into dust.

Fafnir smirked. "Not bad, old man."

Ingi grinned. "It's given."

The last few monsters charged in desperation.

I took a deep breath, Magicore intensifying around my fists. "Heaven's Rupture."

I launched forward, fists glowing with pure energy.

With a single devastating strike—the cavern shook, and the remaining monsters disintegrated.

Silence followed.

We stood among the remnants of the creatures, their blood evaporating into the cavern floor.

Fafnir exhaled. "Tch. If that's all they've got, this'll be easy."

I wasn't so sure. I feel like that was just the beginning.

We pressed on, deeper into Duskveil Hollow.

After what felt like an hour of navigating through narrow corridors and ominous tunnels, we arrived at a massive, open chamber.

Three paths lay before us.

Left. Middle. Right.

We stopped, surveying the paths carefully.

"We split up," I decided. "I willcover more ground this way." pointing at the left path.

Fafnir cracked his knuckles. "Fine. I'll take the middle."

Ingi nodded. "I'll handle the right."

I glanced at them both. "We'll stay connected through telepathy. If anything happens, report immediately."

They nodded.

With that, we each stepped forward into our respective paths.

As I walked, the silence of the cavern pressed against my ears.

Unlike them, I encountered no enemies.

The only thing that stood out—were the markings.

Deep red symbols carved into the walls, glowing faintly. The further I walked, the more frequent they became.

Each one seemed to pulse with some unknown energy, as if whispering secrets I could not yet understand.

I ran my fingers along the surface of the markings, feeling the dried texture of ancient blood.

"What is their purpose?" I questioned while looking at the symbols on the wall.

Through telepathy, I could hear Fafnir and Ingi still engaged in combat.

Fafnir: "Tch. These damn things just keep coming."

I could hear the sound of Dragon Blast detonating in the distance, followed by an inhuman screech.

Ingi: "Well, at least you're getting your exercise."

Another sharp explosion, followed by the sound of metal clashing.

Fafnir: "Don't get yourself killed, old man."

Ingi chuckled. "I should be saying that to you."

I smirked but remained focused on my surroundings.

Minutes turned into thirty minutes of walking.

Then—I stopped.

A massive door loomed before me.

The aura radiating from it was suffocating. Even just standing before it, I could feel the sheer weight of power sealed behind it.

I immediately reached out to my allies.

"I found something. A door. It feels… heavy."

Fafnir and Ingi responded almost instantly.

"We're on our way now."

Moments later, Fafnir and Ingi arrived.

Without hesitation, the three of us pushed against the massive door.

A deep, ominous groan echoed through the cavern as the stone shifted, unlocking mechanisms long untouched.

Then—darkness.

A void-like abyss greeted us.

Then—one by one, torches ignited.

A flickering pathway of crimson light illuminated, guiding us deeper.

And at the very end—we saw him.

A towering, menacing form lay in wait. Ancient, powerful, and draped in shadows. His crimson scales glistened, his massive body coiled within his darkened lair.

Then—his eyes snapped open.

A deep, rumbling growl filled the cavern.

Then—his voice, dripping with fury.

"Who dares wake me from my slumber?!"