Six hours had passed since Cael's party began their northward journey toward the Temple of Darkness. The sky was growing increasingly dark, and an ominous aura heavily pressed down on the atmosphere.
"This is strange," Elisa said, raising her staff. "The flow of magic is completely twisted. It's as if a massive whirlpool in the north is sucking in all the magic."
Cael gripped the hilt of the Dragon God Sword Excalibur. A faint vibration resonated from the blade, a sign that danger was approaching.
"Everyone, stop."
At Cael's command, the party halted. At that very moment, a colossal shadow descended from the sky.
"Kryaaaaaa!"
With an ear-splitting roar, a massive black dragon landed before the group. But this dragon was no ordinary beast. A dark purple aura flowed from its entire body, and its eyes burned with madness.
[System Alert: Corrupted Dragon 'Necros' Appeared]
[Level: 30]
[Special Abilities: Shadow Manipulation, Corpse Reanimation, Fear Inducement]
"It's a corrupted dragon!" Cael shouted. "A herald sent by Bahamut!"
Necros opened its mouth. Surprisingly, it could speak the human tongue.
"Successor of the Dragon God... our master awaits you. Embrace a glorious death in the Temple of Darkness."
"Not in your dreams." Cael drew the Dragon God Sword. Holy light burst forth from the blade.
Necros recoiled at the sight of the light. "That sword... could it be Excalibur? Impossible. That sword should have vanished with Azel!"
"The world is wider than you know," Cael declared, raising his sword. "Leon!"
"Got it!" Leon drew his sword and charged to the right. The power of Akbajar's Core, received in Chapter 11, generated a blue aura around his blade.
Aria nocked a magical arrow to her bowstring. "This is a dragon-piercing arrow!"
Necros spread its wings and unleashed a breath of darkness. But as Cael swung the Dragon God Sword, holy light cleaved through the darkness.
"Dragon God's Authority - Purifying Light!"
Cael's new ability activated. A golden wave struck Necros, and the corrupted dragon shrieked.
"Kryaak! This... this power!"
Not missing the opening, Leon attacked Necros's leg. His sword, imbued with Akbajar's power, pierced through the dragon's scales.
Aria's arrow precisely struck Necros's left eye. The dragon thrashed even more violently.
Garon charged forward with his shield. "Brother, now's our chance!"
Elisa cast a powerful lightning spell. "Thunderbolt Storm!"
Multiple bolts of lightning struck Necros from the sky. The corrupted dragon's movements were momentarily paralyzed.
Cael seized the opportunity and leaped high. The Dragon God's power surged through his entire body.
"Dragon God's Authority - Blade of Judgment!"
Dazzling golden light erupted from Excalibur. The sword pierced directly through Necros's heart.
"This... this can't be... Master... please... forgive me..."
Necros dissolved into particles of light.
[Corrupted Dragon 'Necros' Defeated]
[Large amount of experience gained]
[Level Up: 25 → 27]
[Special Ability Acquired: Undead Resistance]
[Special Item Acquired: Core of Darkness]
Cael picked up the black orb that had fallen to the ground.
[Core of Darkness]
[Item containing condensed power of the corrupted Dragon God]
[Required to enter the Temple of Darkness]
"With this, we can enter the Temple of Darkness." Cael looked back at his companions. "Is everyone alright?"
"Of course!" Leon replied energetically. "This was just a warm-up!"
Aria checked her quiver. "I'm running low on arrows. We might need resupply before reaching the Temple of Darkness."
"Don't worry," Elisa said, casting a spatial magic spell. "I've prepared supplies in advance."
Garon inspected a scratch on his shield. "Brother, your power has really grown. That light just now was truly overwhelming."
Cael looked at the northern sky. The aura of darkness was growing even thicker.
"We need to hurry. Bahamut is accelerating the seal's release."
[System Alert: 64 hours remaining]
[Warning: Powerful enemies detected around the Temple of Darkness]
[New Quest: Reach the Temple of Darkness]
The party resumed their northward march. Although they sensed the greater trials awaiting them, Cael's heart was surprisingly calm. He had gained the Dragon God's power, but his true strength lay in the companions fighting alongside him. In his past life, he had fought alone and fallen, but this time was different.
"Temple of Darkness... I will definitely protect it this time."
Cael's resolve made the Dragon God Sword Excalibur shine brightly. The march of light toward darkness continued.