Ashen Dragon

Dragon Shadow City lay in ruins, suspended above a vast abyss, with the chilling winds of the abyss eternally howling. The city was set upon a massive rock projection in the Gloomy Region, its walls and buildings overlooking a dreadful void.

The city extended into an immense underground canyon. It was known as the Howling Abyss, with a depth plunging over seventeen miles downward.

"Whoo—"

A piercing shriek arose, with hurricane-level winds ruthlessly battering Dragon Shadow City, threatening to sweep away any creature daring to appear on the battlements of the abandoned city or attempt to fly across the chasm.

Despite the ceaseless gales, the Howling Abyss was not devoid of dangerous creatures. Beck Wind Sprites and Void Binding Spirits reveled in the endless winds, while phantasmal Shadow Dragons and Undead Dragons often soared above the city they ruled.

This place used to be a drow trading city, but it was conquered by the Shadows Dragon of the Jezreel Clan, who enslaved its populace.

Over the ensuing centuries, these dragons gradually purged the drow population, twisting them into creatures of the shadows, and replaced them with their own draconic descendants. Meanwhile, the city itself was gradually pulled deeper into the Shadow Plane.

And the supreme ruler here was Mortifael Jezreel, the fearsome Shadow Dragon known as the "Voice of the Night", the principal architect behind this eerie city.

In a dark alley, a hooded man spoke:

"Daniel, have you heard? That old man is planning to act against the surface world again."

"Yes."

"According to our intel, he has found a passage to Anzeta."

"Those Shadow Dragons, Shadow Stranglethorn Beasts, and Shadow Spirits have all been mobilized. It looks like something big is going to happen."

Dragon Shadow City was not solely controlled by Mortifael's forces; naturally, rebels also existed. Under the despotic rule of the Shadow Dragons, even the notoriously evil drow elves became pitiful victims, forming various underground rebellion groups.

The largest faction was the Brotherhood, led by Human Feridon Lees and Drow Elf Daniel Berlance, with hundreds of participants. They had even succeeded in killing a newborn Shadow Dragon.

Patrolling Shadow Shift Beasts moved through the streets, sniffing the air intently.

The two men swiftly cast spells, making themselves disappear from the shadows and arriving at their secret gathering place.

Feridon continued:

"Maybe we can seize power and assassinate that half-shadow dragon drow governor, that disgusting shadow half-breed."

"But when Mortifael returns, it will all be in vain."

"..."

Both fell silent simultaneously.

As leaders of the rebel army, no one understood Mortifael's power more than they did.

Once, over a thousand Fadlan soldiers attacked Dragon Shadow City, but under the shroud of the black mist, they all transformed into Undead Shadows, becoming nourishment for Mortifael. In the boundless darkness of the Gloomy Region, that Shadow Dragon was nearly invincible.

The rebel army's efforts were more like Mortifael's games of boredom. He would even intentionally let rebels escape to savor their deeper despair, to savor the absolute feeling of control, like a cat playing with rats.

Feridon was often furious about this, yet powerless, sinking into deep despair.

He dared not end his life, for any creature that perished on this land would be forcibly transformed into Undead Shadows, never to find peace for eternity.

"Is there really no one who can defeat him?"

"At least... let's give it a try."

"Maybe we can reach out to that Kingdom of Anzeta, and from within and without, kill Mortifael in the surface world."

Daniel chuckled bitterly, removed his hood, and shook his head, revealing the black pointed ears that symbolized the drow elves.

"Impossible."

"I have read about the surface world in my family's records. Anzeta is the most desolate and remote place on the continent. In such a place—how could anyone possibly appear who could defeat Mortifael?"

"We can only pray for the deity's descent."

"..."

Feridon lapsed into silence once again.

He had attempted countless resistances, but every time ended in failure. He even suspected Mortifael was using him as bait to lure out more rebels.

"Roar—"

Suddenly, a prolonged roar echoed.

Followed closely by the hissing of Shadow Dragons, the wailing of Undead Shadows, and the commotion within the city.

"What is that?"

"Could it be... an enemy invasion?"

Feridon and Daniel were both somewhat exhilarated.

They hurriedly donned their robes, cautiously pushed open the door, and stepped onto the dark, decayed street.

Indeed, the armies of Undead Shadows, Shadow Shift Beasts, and Shadow Stranglethorn Beasts were hastily mobilizing. Even the Shadow Dragons were flying chaotically in the sky.

Feridon clicked his tongue:

"What on earth is happening? Something big enough to make them deploy so many troops!"

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"Look, look."

"A dragon, it's a dragon."

Daniel's voice trembled slightly.

"What?"

Feridon quickly turned his head, instinctively looking up at the sky.

The sight that followed was one he would never forget—a red dragon, far more massive than Mortifael, unfurled its wings high in the sky, as if it was engulfing the entire city. Endless gales blew in, but the dragon slowly moved its mighty wings within the hurricane, entirely unaffected.

The dragon's body was incredibly solid, with no hint of transparency, clearly a true dragon rather than a transformed Shadow Dragon.

He had four ferocious horns, and his body was exceptionally muscular.

His chest bore web-like cracks, with a core of glowing flames at the center.

Before this foreign dragon in the high sky, the evil Shadow Dragons and Shadow Shift Beasts seemed like wild dogs encountering a fierce beast, letting out instinctively fearful and ear-piercing howls, but the dragon remained unmoved.

"Mortifael, I have come for you."

The dragon revealed a sinister smile, his pupils filled with an uncontrollable desire for destruction.

Instantly, the crystal at his chest emitted an incomparably dazzling light.

It brought daylight to Dragon Shadow City, long shrouded in shadows, and rare brightness to the deeply buried Gloomy Region—at this moment, he was like an unprecedented sun in the underground world, causing the shadow creatures hiding in the darkness to tremble with fear.

The dragon slightly opened his mouth, unleashing an endless torrent of flames like the descent of the mythical Karex to the mortal world.

It was the Breath of Chaos, also the Purifying Flame.

It would burn everything to ashes, leaving only the purest chaos.