86 Cavern of Chaos -3
An Elemental Dragon stands at the precipice of draconic magnificence, embodying and commanding a specific element with its very being. These majestic creatures possess a modicum of elemental power, their essence intertwining with the forces of nature. They are renowned for their untamed nature, a fiery spirit that mirrors the elements over which they hold dominion.
On the other hand, the Sentinel Elemental Dragon assumes a far more profound role. It transcends the bounds of a mere elemental dragon, evolving into a specialized guardian entrusted with the protection of a sacred realm. Within the vast tapestry of existence, there exists an elemental realm accessible only to those who possess the keys to its gates. It is within these ethereal domains that the sentinel dragons find their purpose.
Unlike their elemental counterparts, Sentinel Elemental Dragons are bestowed with immense power, a convergence of elemental energies that surpasses the limits of conventional understanding. Their connection to their element runs deeper, fostering a profound sense of duty, wisdom, and guardianship. It is their sacred charge to preserve harmony and ward off any threats that may jeopardize the sanctity of their realm.
And now, standing before me, is one of the esteemed sentinels, the Crystalwing. It is a creature of unparalleled beauty and power, its iridescent wings shimmering with crystalline grace. Yet, as I confront this imposing figure, the weight of the challenge becomes undeniable. It dawns upon me that I am destined to face this mighty being, the Crystalwing Sentinel, and perhaps, to confront my own mortality in the process.
In summary, elemental dragons are powerful beings associated with specific elements, while sentinel elemental dragons are a subset of elemental dragons with a focused role as protectors and guardians of their designated domains.
...
[Fifteen minutes before.]
In one swift motion, the dragon rears its head back, drawing in a deep breath. I brace myself, knowing that what will follow will be utterly devastating. And then, with a thunderous roar...
*Roar!*
My feet dig into the ground itself as I try to resist the wave that the Crystalwing Sentinel's mere roar creates, but...
Thud!
"Ugh." I am once again slammed against the wall with extreme force.
'How am I supposed to fight that thing when I can't even stand straight in front of it?' I am not in the mood for dying, but if that thing is my opponent, then... it's over.
"Agh, I won't die like this!" I stand up again, using the Emberclad Colossus Sword as support to the ground, and...
"?" I am a little perplexed... no, I am utterly perplexed. Why? Because...
...Silence...
The atmosphere grows silent as the elemental dragon looks around. It isn't angry or trying to rampage; instead, it is calm, as if observing something, its surroundings. And then... its eyes finally settle on me, and I feel a heavy aura settle down on me, forcing me down to kneel.
"Agh." I resist with all my might, using every ounce of power I can muster. Even my full strength at this point is not enough.
"AMUSING," the dragon's voice reverberates in the chamber, sending chills down my spine.
I don't try to advance any further because what will happen from now on is not something I get to decide... because the strongest being in the room is always the ruler.
"Hmm... A human?" Crystalwing Sentinel stares down at me. "Hey, puny human, ARE YOU THE ONE WHO SUMMONED ME HERE?" it asks.
"..." I try to answer, but the words refuse to leave my lips. It feels like my mouth is bound by a
powerful force.
"Hm?" Crystalwing brings its head near me, intensifying the pressure of its presence.
"..." I stand like a rock statue in front of the dragon's large, freezing pupils. The temperature has dropped significantly since the elemental dragon arrived, and ice crystals are forming in the atmosphere.
Sushhhh...
'!' The Crystalwing Sentinel closes its large eyes and then starts glowing, white sparkling energy radiating from its entire body, enough to blind my sight.
"Ahh," At last, my energy gives up, and I fall to my knees. My eyes close on their own, and when I open them again...
"!" I see illuminated light reforming—no, it is creating a more humanoid form. The dragon slowly transforms into a magnificent humanoid figure. The luminescent glow envelops its entire being, as if crystalline energy courses through its veins. The features of the Crystalwing Sentinel become more defined, taking on an elegant and ethereal appearance.
"Looks like I'll have to use this form to communicate," it mutters, its voice deep.
I stare in disbelief. Its once imposing draconic form now stands tall and proud as a majestic elven warrior. The Sentinel has pale skin shimmering with a pearlescent sheen, mirroring the radiance of the moon. Silky strands of silvery-white hair cascade down its back, flowing like a waterfall frozen in time.
'Its his polymorph form.' I am sure that a dragon can have multiple forms they can morph into, but... it's not normal for an elemental dragon to have one, but yeah, he is a sentinel.
Step, step...
The piercing sapphire eyes, filled with ancient wisdom, hold a captivating gaze that seems to transcend the physical realm. Adorned in translucent armor resembling ice, the Sentinel emanates an aura of invincibility. Engravings of swirling winds and frozen landscapes adorn the armor, showcasing its connection to the elemental forces it guards.
In its hand, the Sentinel wields a staff, its pinnacle adorned with a pulsing iridescent crystal that emits a soft, enchanting light. The staff channels the very essence of the dragon's power, serving as a conduit between the mortal and elemental realms.
With each movement, the Crystalwing Sentinel exuded grace and power, serving as a living embodiment of the forces it commanded. Its voice resonated with a deep, melodic timbre, carrying the weight of centuries and the authority of a guardian.
"You haven't answered my question. Do you want to make me repeat myself? I asked who you are and why I am here. Answer," the Crystalwing confronted me directly, looking down upon me with its icy gaze.
Every word it spoke commanded attention, captivating all who heard it. This transformed form of the Crystalwing Sentinel possessed a presence that demanded both reverence and awe.
I could feel the pressure within me lessen slightly, allowing me to breathe more freely. Without wasting a second, I responded, "I am not the one who summoned you," keeping my tone polite.
"Really?" Crystalwing tilted his head and placed a hand on his chin, as if deep in thought. After a few seconds, he asked, "And what place is this? If my memory serves me right, this place isn't from... never mind. Just tell me how you got here," interrupting his own sentence and retracting his initial question.
"It's a dungeon. I... I am a human adventurer and came here to explore this place," I chose my words carefully, aware of the significance of each one.
"haa...You humans like to play adventure games a lot,"Crystalwing looked around before settling his gaze on me once again. "This place? A dungeon? It's not a... anyways, why was I summoned to this damn place?" he inquired, his expression changing for the first time, revealing a hint of disgust.
"I am not the one who summoned the great dragon," I calmly affirmed, realizing there was no point in becoming flustered since I was currently at the mercy of this dragon. If he desired, he could end my life in an instant.
Step.
Crystalwing took a step forward, positioning himself just to my left, and then... "!"He abruptly grabbed me by the chest, his long nails piercing into my flesh.
"Agh!" I grumbled in agony as he lifted me, bringing me eye level with him, while my feet barely touched the floor.
'It's too close to my core,' I thought, a deep unease settling within me. It felt as though he was aiming for my mana core.
Contracting his arm, he brought my ear close to his mouth and spoke with intensity, "Then why do you have the Soul Watcher, a tracker, within you? I don't believe it is something humans should meddle with... Tell me the truth."
"Tra?-Agh!" I winced more and more as he dug his claws inside me, settling in the gaps of my rib cage.
"Well, if you don't want to, I'll look for it myself," I said, bringing my second hand in front of my chest. The Crystalwing materialized some kind of aura, and...
"Ahhh." My eyes rolled up, and I floated in the air as the Crystalwing backed down a little, retracting his nails.
The Crystalwing created an Essence of some kind of Unbinding Radiance—a mesmerizing aura of shimmering, iridescent energy. It formed a radiant lattice that pulsated with vibrant colors, intertwining tendrils of light. Sparkling particles twirled within.
My vision went blank, and then I saw it-
Inside the dark room, a heavy atmosphere hung in the air, permeated by an eerie stillness. Shadows danced along the walls, giving the impression of lurking secrets and hidden truths. The room seemed to be devoid of any windows, casting the space into an eternal darkness, save for a faint glow emanating from the mysterious neon ball.
The neon ball hovered in mid-air, defying gravity with its ethereal presence. It radiated a soft, otherworldly light that illuminated the surroundings in a mesmerizing display. Its vibrant hues pulsed and flickered, casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the somber walls. The ball itself was a mesmerizing fusion of neon gases, contained within a translucent sphere, swirling and undulating in a mesmerizing dance.
'I've seen it before.'As I gazed at the neon ball, a sense of familiarity washed over me, as if I had encountered its enchanting glow in a forgotten memory. Its gentle pulsations seemed to beckon, drawing me closer, as if it held the key to unraveling a profound mystery or unlocking a hidden power.
