Aria gripped her dagger, feeling more confident and secure beside Aengus.
Both parties were ready, weapons drawn, and skills ready to be activated.
Aengus gazed at Sigard with murderous intent, knowing the time to settle scores had finally come. Yet, he was curious about what had transpired to escalate things to this deadly confrontation.
“Ethan, they tried to steal our treasures and endangered our people’s lives at a critical time when we were distracted fighting monsters,” Aria explained, sensing his faint curiosity.
“Yes, Zero,” Nate and Sofia chimed in. “Because of him, we lost Mara and Lark, who died trying to save her. They’re gone now.”
Their eyes were red, filled with sorrow as they recalled the painful memories.
Hank was stunned by the news. “What! Mara and Lark are dead? That’s impossible!” He was struggling to accept the reality, recent happy memories of their time together flashing in his mind.
“What about Alisha? Is she also—” Hank’s voice trembled with sadness as he asked.
Sofia and Nate shook their heads. “No, she’s not dead. But we haven’t found her yet,” they replied, offering Hank a small breath of relief, though the uncertainty of her survival still loomed.
Aengus’s eyes flickered with intensity as he heard the news. The couple had seemed so happy before arriving here, and now they were gone. It was all because of Sigard. His killing intent sharpened, locking onto the Dragon Prince.
Sigard grinned at their pitiful display, dismissing Aengus’ glare. In his mind, he hadn’t truly been defeated. He believed he had merely been caught off guard by the high-human’s earlier attack—something he was certain he could have dodged under normal circumstances. Still, he remained cautious, aware of the other party’s mysterious abilities.
“Don’t worry, Everyone,” Aengus said coldly. “He’ll get what he deserves. I’ll make sure of it. He’ll pay for trying to hurt you and killing our comrades.”
He was already analyzing everyone around him, reading their intentions, their skills, and their stats. He was waiting for the mastermind behind the scenes to reveal themselves. Otherwise, he would have already unleashed his full strength and ended Sigard swiftly. Aengus had no intention of giving away his true power until the time was right.
Aria was slightly confused by the name Zero, but she knew it was not the right time.
“Hahaha… Don’t be cocky, you inferior humans,” Sigard sneered, his laughter dark and condescending. “You think you can defeat us, the Dragon Blood, with your pitiful power? That’s nothing but a fool’s dream. Those who died in your group were weak, and the weak have no right to live in this world.”
His arrogance was palpable as he glared down at them, clearly unbothered by the lives lost.
Sigard stood tall, his Dragon aura rippling through the air, while Melina, Aurora, and dozens of other Dragonborne gathered beside him. Kaelith, who had been hovering nearby, also joined them, seemingly drawn to the group because of his infatuation with Melina.
The sight of them standing together wasn’t entirely unexpected, after all they all served the same emperor. But the sheer unity of their alliance at this moment was surprising. Their combined strength made it clear they weren’t to be taken lightly.
Aurora had a conflicted expression, her gaze filled with hostility as it lingered on Aria. There was no mistaking the bitterness in her eyes, as if Aria had taken something precious from her.
Dong. Dong. Dong!
Suddenly, a loud, resounding noise echoed through the battlefield, interrupting the rising tension. All eyes turned toward the massive metal gate, which slowly creaked open, shaking the very ground beneath them.
Aengus smirked, knowing that the real game was just beginning. The opening of the gate signaled the start of something far bigger. But who would come out victorious? That was a question hanging in the air, as uncertain as the chaotic forces swirling around them.
His mind raced. He needed to find a way to defeat that being, and break the seal—somehow.
A bright shimmer reflected from within the gate, revealing the glint of treasures that lay hidden beyond. The sight was enough to make the crowd surge forward like ants drawn to a flame. Greed and hunger for power overtook them, and hundreds of thousands of people swarmed toward the entrance in a chaotic rush.
The Dragonborne were no exception.
“Let’s move, Melina,” Sigard growled, casting a glance at the shiny treasures ahead. “We don’t have time to waste on these pesky humans. We need to get those treasures before anyone else.”
Melina nodded quickly. “Oh, okay.”
Without another word, Sigard, the Ice Dragon Princess, and the rest of their group started running toward the entrance, their eyes locked on the prize within.
“Hey, Zero, why did you let them leave? Are you just going to forget how they drove Mara and Lark to their deaths?” Nate’s voice trembled with frustration, barely masking his anger.
Aengus gave him a calm, measured glance before replying, “Let them go to their deaths.”
Sofia, sensing the weight in his words, furrowed her brow. “What do you mean? Is there something we’re not aware of?”
Aria’s emerald green eyes mirrored Sofia’s concern as they shifted toward Aengus. “Ethan, do you know something?”
Aengus nodded gravely. “Yes, Aria. This entire place is a trap—set by a single person who wiped out the Ancient Dwarves ages ago. He’s the one who sealed this area from the outside world for an unknown purpose.”
“What?” A wave of disbelief washed over the group. Some looked incredulous, while others grew more alarmed as the seriousness of his warning began to sink in.
Prince Mikail, however, wasn’t convinced. His sharp voice cut through the murmurs, “And how do you know all this? Or are you just trying to stop us from gaining power?” His tone quickly shifted into an accusation.
Aengus’s brows furrowed, his eyes narrowing. “Are you suggesting that I’m trying to harm everyone here? Who are you anyway?”
Sensing the tension escalating, Aria quickly stepped in, her voice soft yet commanding.
“Ethan, this is Prince Mikail Araknis, the third prince Araknis. And she,” she gestured toward the young woman beside him, “is the second Princess, Delilah.”
Delilah and Mikail was of similiar age, having two different mothers. She didn’t like his attitude, but he tagged along forcibly because of Aria.
Princess Delilah, with a gentle smile far warmer than her brother’s harsh demeanor, inclined her head slightly.
“Hello, Ethan. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Aria has spoken of you a lot.”
Aengus gave a curt nod in acknowledgment but pointedly avoided any further glance at Mikail.
