It wasa vastthrone room with eighthugecolumnsthatsustainedthewholestructure, in themiddleof theroomagoldenstonepathleadsdirectlyto a blue throne with goldengravingson it. In between thecolumns,hangingfrom theceiling,bluecolored ancient dwarven tapestry could beseen.


    Dayer’sbodywas beside thestonethrone, hissilverhairwastaintedwithfreshbloodand hisarmsweretwistedinstrangeangles.


    Merrich wassittingon the floor next toa wallin the entrance of theroomwith hisheaddown, his broken lute laid next to him. He had an arrow lunged in hislegand another one in hisarms.


    Marr waslyingon the floor infrontof the throne, apoolof bloodformedunder hisshoulder,that had been pierced by asword.


    Asilver-scaled Half-Dragon had his foot on Marr’schest,a clearexpressionofdisdaincould beseenon hiseyesas heplungedthesworddeeper into Marr’sshoulder. The Half-Dragon opened hismouthas hischestswelledup and an ice-blue light could beseenin histhroat.


    ------------------


    Ten minutes earlier…


    Marr got hisaxeready as heanalyzeda mapof the underground ruins hefoundin thesquadleader’sbody.


    Helookedseriouslyat the Halfling as heexplainedtheplan.


    “Okay, this is theplan. I willbreakthedoor,assoonas Iblowit Merrich youplay“Speedy Savagery”, that willgiveusa boosttoexecutethenextpart of theplan.”


    Marr thenturnedto Dayer as hesaidto him.


    “Dayer we willusethe Darastrix Lesot Tactic that Ishowedyou, you willhidebehind me using “Shadow Path”, when wegetcloseenough you willuse“Ethereal Step”, andattackhim from behind using “Bleeding Edge” and “Killer’s Mark”.”


    Merrich and Dayer nodded in unison as theygotreadyfor theattack.


    Marrtooka fewstepsback as hepositionedhisaxeinfrontof hisarm, hetookadeepbreathandchargedtoward thegate.


    As hegotcloseto the gate Dayer disappeared into theshadowsas hefollowedbehind Marr’scharge.


    When Marr collided with thegate, itswungopenwitha loudboomand afastmelody played from Merrich lute.


    Marr’sspeedraisedconsiderablyas his charge becomeevenmoresavageanddestructive.


    Sitting on the throne was atalland silver scaled Half-Dragon. When hesawthegateopeninghequicklygotup from the throne as hegrabbedhisswordandsaid.


    “Who are you? Why are youbargingin here like that?”


    As thefastmelody keepplaying, Marr got closer to the throne hepreparedtoswinghisaxeatfullforcetowardStradok.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    Hespunaround as hemadeaswingwith hisaxe,Stradokdefended theattackwith his sword seeming completely unfazed by the attack.


    Suddenly a shadow appeared behind the Half-Dragon and made an attack toward his back. Two sharp daggers were aimed at vital points in Stradok’s body.


    As the two daggers hit their target Dayer quickly retreated away from the Half-Dragon.


    Marr Tried to disengage but as he tried to step back a silver colored hand grabbed his wrist and swung him violently to the floor, making him spat out blood from the impact.


    The Half-Dragon seemed completely unfazed by the Eladrin’s attack as he went down the throne and nailed Marr to the ground with his sword.


    Marr screamed from the pain as he stared furiously at Stradok.


    Stradok stared at the Dragonborn as he said dismissively.


    “Stay right there, I will take care of somethings first.”


    Seeing the situation turning bad Merrich quickly invocated a strange rune that directly attacked the Half-Dragon.


    The rune was a psychic type of magic that attacked the opponent’s mind.


    TheHalf-Dragonfacedtheruneheadonand resisted it,hestaredatthe Halflingas he said.


    “That hurts quite a bit.”


    When he finished saying this word, hetooktwohandcrossbows that were holstered in his legs and shotthearrowsatMerrich. BothArrowshittheirtargets andbecause of the pain,the Halflinglutefellto the ground.


    TheHalf-DragonquicklyruntowardMerrich, whensuddenlyDayerappearedbehindhim again,Stradokmadeahalfturn grabbingthe Eladrin’sarm andswinging him toward’s a pillar.


    He kept walkingin thedirectionofthe Halfling.Merrichtookout his repetition crossbow andtried tohittheHalf-Dragonwho easily dodgedthearrows.


    WhenStradokreachedthe Halfling, he punched Merich with all his strength sendinghim flyingtowardawallat the beginning of the room.Merrichhitthewalland slid to the grown unconscious.TheHalf-Dragonkicked thelutein the samedirectiondestroying it againstawallrightnext toMerrich.


    Thenhe wentbacktothe Eladrin’sdirectionandgrabbedhim fromthe floor, he broke Dayer’s arm with his hands andsenthim flyingin thedirectionofthethrone.


    Dayerhithisheadonthe stonethroneas hefelldownslowly,bloodcould clearly be seen on his hair asthe impactwounded him.


    TheHalf-Dragonsighed ashe wentbackin thedirectionofMarr’sslowly, he pressed his foot on the Dragonborn’schestas he plunged thesworddeeper into his should andasked.


    “Whosentyou?”


    Marrgritted his teeth enduringthe pain ashestaredfiercely attheHalf-Dragon.


    Stradoktwisted his blade,makingMarrscream inpain asheaskedagain.


    “Whosentyou?”


    Marrlooked at him with a strong resolve on his eyesas he said.


    “I won’t ever tell you, so you better kill me now.”


    TheHalf-Dragonshowed his deep disdain for Marr as he opened his mouth and his chest swelled up.


    At that moment, a small drop of Marr’s blood reached the bag he had hidden under his armor, an ancient and emancipated voice resounded in Marr’s head as a bright light appeared in front of him.


    [Hello my child.]


    As Marr heard this voice echoing directly into his mind, he realized time seemed to have stopped around him, he stared at the light in front of him as he said.


    “Who are you? Why is your voice resounding in my head?”


    The ancient voice answered with no urgency in his tone.


    [I’m Io, the ancient Dragon God.]


    Marr was surprised, all the members of his clan were followers of the ancient dragon god Io who was said to be dead, although no one knew how this god came to fall or if it truly had fallen.


    Marr eyes regained some hope as he asked.


    “Can you help me, Lord Io?”


    The ancient voice sounded once more.


    [I can help you my son, by uncovering the true power behind your bloodline, the ancient paths of the Dragonborn will be available to you, but you must help me with something.]


    When Marr heard this he was exited, he stared at the light in front of him as he asked.


    “What is it that you need my help with?”


    The light went silent for some minutes as it said.


    [ You shall take the mantle of your clan and fulfill the mission I left to your ancestor all those years ago. As to what that mission is, you can ask your ancestor. Decide quickly, I can’t maintain this state for too long.]


    Marr didn’t hesitate, he looked at the light and said.


    “I accept your condition.”