novelnext Chapter 23: A Dragon Summoned
Chapter 23: A Dragon Summoned
Chapter 23: A Dragon Summoned
Boy was on the ground, barely able to move, watching as General Varian loomed over him, sword raised for the finishing blow. But just as he began the final blow...@@@@
A voice like thunder split the air.
"Enough."
Before Varian's blade could fall, another sword intercepted it, a clash of steel ringing across the battlefield like a bell of judgement.
Clang!
Sparks flew as the force of the impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, clearing the dust and debris in the area around them.
Boy blinked, struggling to focus... Standing before him, between him and the general was the commander.
His presence was overwhelming and shone with authority as he stood strong, his armour was dented and stained from battle. His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, shone with resolve as he stared down General Varian.
"You've done enough, General Varian," he spoke again, his voice steady despite the chaos around them.
Varian smirked, unfazed, "So you finally show yourself."
"It's funny that a commander would only take on an enemy general once he is weak and handicapped don't you think, Commander Darius?" he mocked as he looked at his own hand which was now missing before turning towards Boy, "Though through my own carelessness, I must admit. But no matter. The outcome remains unchanged."
At this, the commander's eyes flicked towards Boy, and in that moment, Boy saw something he had seen before... Concern... Acknowledgement... Things that he had felt back with Lady Elaria...
"You fail to see his true potential," Darius said, bluntly.
In that moment something in his voice made Boy's breath hitch, as his body tensed and conflicting emotions churned within him.
Varian simply scoffed as he spoke, "then, let's put that to the test."
As he said this, he raised his sabre again, shifting into a battle stance.
The commander sighed as he also gripped his blade.
Boy, still weak, couldn't do anything but watch as he felt the shift in the air as both warriors prepared to fight. It was going to be his first time properly seeing two masters fighting and one of them would fall.
Blazing Raze!
The commander struck first, his blade igniting in a surge of crimson flames, a series of rapid thrusts so fast that they blurred, leaving afterimages of fire in their wake.
Each strike was like a storm of embers, relentless and precise. The sheer speed forced Varian back, his blade barely able to keep up as he deflected the attacks with practiced efficiency.
The air itself sounded as if it was hissing at each clash with countless sparks dancing between them.
The clash continued- feints, counters, brutal efficiency. This was the first time Boy had seen true martial mastery. There were no wild swinging or desperate strikes but skill, strategy, and precision.
He was left mesmerised, 'So this... this is how humans fight...'
Thunder Fang!
Varian growled, planting his feet after a few steps backwards as he brought his sword down in a massive overhead slash, bolts of lightning arcing around the blade.
Then the ground exploded.
A massive fissure tore open the battlefield, jagged rock formations rising like broken ribs from the earth. From the chasm's deepest shadows, something colossal emerged.
All the entities at the battlefield felt it before they saw it- the sheer pressure of an ancient force waking from its slumber.
A pair of golden eyes snapped open, glowing like miniature suns.
The battlefield fell silent.
Then, in one fluid motion, the dragon rose.
"You summoned a dragon?" Darius asked in shock, it was his turn to be in disbelief.
"Jealous?" Varian replied with an evil cunning smile with no fear.
"The only way to summon it is to sacrifice a million lives..." Darius mumbled in deeping how far the enemy was willing to go to win.
Hearing this, Varian began smiling and laughing through his bloodied teeth, "Victory belongs to Nevareth!"
The sky darkened as its enormous wings unfurled, sending torrential winds surging across the battlefield. Soldiers were thrown from their feet, banners ripped from their poles.
The commander exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. He pulled out his sword and sharply decapitated Varian, ending his life before turning around.
Then, he raised his voice, cutting through the chaos like steel, "ALL FORCES, FALL BACK! NOW!"
In that moment, the battlefield came to life again as the soldiers and summons all scrambled to retreat.
The dragon's gaze swept across the battlefield, not with the hunger of a beast, but with the cold intelligence of a ruler. It wasn't just a creature- it was a force of nature, a living calamity that had been summoned through an evil ritual.
It exhaled.
A torrent of golden fire exploded from its kaws, devouring entire battalions and legions in seconds. Screams rang out, but they were brief, the heat reducing men and summons alike to nothing but ash.
The air itself ignited, turning the battlefield into a realm of pure destruction.
Boy's breath froze as he witnessed this... This...This was power beyond comprehension...
He was in awe.
The dragon was like a god among insects, its sheer presence bending reality around it. Boy and all the summons could feel it, an overwhelming force that demanded submission.
Yet... instead of fear, something deeper took root in his heart- hunger.
His eyes tracked every motion, every ripple of muscle beneath the dragon's massive scales while its claws crushed steel and bone as if it were made of paper. Its wings sent hurricanes across the battlefield with each beat.
And then there were its eyes, a deep shade of molten gold that radiated an intelligence far beyond that of mere beasts.
This was not just strength.
This was sovereignty.