The dragon roared, and the echo of its voice swept through the ruins like a storm. The stone trembled under her weight, and each step echoed like thunder through the empty corridors. Her body was monstrous — her form resembled that of a dragon, covered in a black shell from which crystal spikes sprouted. At the very center of her chest pulsed a blood-red crystal — the source that Valdor had to destroy.

The monster charged toward him; each step rumbled like thunder. Valdor waited until the last moment, then leaped to the side, his sword slicing through the air. The blade bounced off the beast’s armor, leaving only a scratch.

“Too hard. The crystal is strengthening it.”—  flashed through Valdor’s mind.

The beast swung its enormous tail, which ended in a crystal blade. Valdor raised his sword in defense. The impact shook his entire body and sent him flying several steps back. He fell to one knee but immediately got back up.

“You won’t break me so easily; I’m a dragon, too…”

Dragon blood pulsed through him with increasing intensity. His aura flared, and the air around him began to ripple with heat. Valdor took a step forward, and the ground beneath his foot cracked.

On the surface, the ruins trembled from the roar. Mayuri, Arwen, Noah, and Kael fought off waves of monsters pouring out of the dark crevices. Each of them knew that somewhere inside, Valdor was facing something far worse.

“These creatures never end!” — Arwen shouted. Her daggers flashed in the twilight.

Kael blocked a blow from a massive monster; his sword sparkled from the impact.

“We have to stop them! If they get to Valdor, it'll be all over!”

Noah roared, unleashing another wave of fire.

“They won’t get to him! Not while I’m alive!”

Mayuri stood in the center; her magic formed barriers and healing magic circles. Every time a runic projectile struck, her magic absorbed its energy. Her eyes glowed with a dark light.

“We’ll hold out. We have to.”

But fear was growing in each of their hearts. The roar from the underground sounded like a battle of giants.

Valdor dodged another blow. The beast was fast — too fast for its size. Its crystal pulsed with increasing intensity, and each flash pierced the air with a wave of energy. The stone walls cracked under the impact.

“That heart…” — Valdor whispered. — “I have to shatter it.”

He closed his eyes for a split second. A memory came flooding back: his mother, fighting against the Empire’s army, her final glance. “You’ve always been strong, Valdor.”

Valdor opened his eyes.

“I won’t let you down… Mom…”

He charged forward, his sword flashing. The blade sliced through the beast’s arm, chipping off a fragment of crystal. The monster howled; blood mixed with shards flooded the floor. Valdor knew his theory was correct — the crystal could be destroyed.

The beast, however, went berserk. It swung furiously, and its blow struck the ground so hard that the shockwave hurled Valdor against the wall. Blood trickled from his mouth.

“Every time I attack, I risk my life.” — he thought. — "But there’s no other way to end this.”

He stood up, leaning on his sword. The dragon’s aura flared up again, even stronger.

“If this fight kills me… let it at least end their suffering.”

This is only the beginning of the battle.

Valdor and the dragon exchange their first heavy blows; the team fights on the surface.

The dragon struck again, its crystalline hand tearing through the air. Valdor dodged out of the way at the last moment. The dragon’s energy surged through his veins like a living flame. The sword flashed; the blow sliced across the monster’s torso, but the blade bounced off its armor once more.

Valdor pressed forward, strike after strike, sparks flying in all directions. The beast roared; its body radiated waves of dark energy. The crystal in his chest pulsed, growing stronger and faster. The air thickened, as if every molecule were trembling from this power.

“You are the prison…” — Valdor whispered; his voice was more like a thought. — “And I am your end.”

The dragon roared in response, and its blow struck the ground. The floor exploded, rock fragments scattered, and the shockwave carried Valdor halfway across the chamber. He brushed against a pillar, which collapsed, burying him in dust and debris.

Valdor scrambled out from under the rubble, trembling, blood trickling down his temple.

“Not yet… not yet.”

He raised his sword, and the runes on its blade glowed. Determination burned in his eyes, and a dragon’s aura spread around him, taking the shape of dragon wings. Shadows on the walls danced, as if the dragon itself had returned to the earth.

Up on the mountain, the team continued to fight. Waves of monsters kept coming—more and more of them, each more desperate than the last. Noah was breathing heavily, sweat streaming down his face. The fire in his hands was losing its intensity, but it still erupted in wave after wave.

“How many more are there?!” he shouted, scattering the monsters with an explosion of fire. “It’s like a fucking ocean!”

Kael blocked the attacks of two opponents at once; his sword trembled, and his hands were on the verge of giving out. 

“Keep fighting! Valdor needs time!”

Arwen, in her wolf form, pounced on one after another; her daggers tore through their bodies, but each strike cost her more strength. Her eyes glinted gold, but her inner rage threatened to take control of her.

“I can fight forever!” she hissed, though her breathing betrayed the lie. — “But Valdor had better finish this already!”

Mayuri stood in the center; her magic formed barriers and healing magic circles. Her face was pale, and her body trembled. Each new barrier shattered faster than the last, but each time she raised a new one.

Her voice filled the air, quiet but resolute

“We’ll hold out. Even if we have to die.”

The monsters pounded their lines, and the ground beneath their feet shook. Deep down, everyone knew that if Valdor lost, they would die too.

Valdor stood facing the dragon, surrounded by a blazing dragon’s aura. The monster raised its arms, and the crystal in its chest flashed with a blinding light. A wave of energy shot toward Valdor like a wall, tearing through everything in its path.

Up on the mountain, the team continued to fight. Waves of monsters kept coming — more and more of them, each more desperate than the last. Noah was breathing heavily, sweat streaming down his face. The fire in his hands was losing its intensity, but it still erupted in wave after wave.

“How many more are there?!” — he shouted, scattering the monsters with an explosion of fire. — “It’s like a fucking ocean!”

Kael blocked the attacks of two opponents at once; his sword trembled, and his hands were on the verge of giving out. 

“Keep fighting! Valdor needs time!”

Arwen, in her wolf form, pounced on one after another; her daggers tore through their bodies, but each strike cost her more strength. Her eyes glinted gold, but her inner rage threatened to take control of her.

“I can fight forever!” — she hissed, though her breathing betrayed the lie. — “But Valdor had better finish this already!”

Mayuri stood in the center; her magic formed barriers and healing magic circles. Her face was pale, and her body trembled. Each new barrier shattered faster than the last, but each time she raised a new one.

Her voice filled the air, quiet but resolute

“We’ll hold out. Even if we have to die.”

The monsters pounded their lines, and the ground beneath their feet shook. Deep down, everyone knew that if Valdor lost, they would die too.

Valdor stood facing the dragon, surrounded by a blazing dragon’s aura. The monster raised its arms, and the crystal in its chest flashed with a blinding light. A wave of energy shot toward Valdor like a wall, tearing through everything in its path.

Valdor roared. The aura of his wings fluttered, enveloping him and forming a shield. The shockwave collided with his defense, triggering an explosion that shook the entire ruin.

Stones rained down from the ceiling; columns cracked. Valdor lunged forward, cutting through the wave of energy, his sword aimed straight at the crystal. The blade struck with full force, and a thunderous roar pierced the air. A fragment of the crystal broke off, exploding in a burst of red light.

The dragon howled in agony, retreating. Its movements became more chaotic, but also more dangerous. It lashed out wildly, each blow tearing through the underground chamber.

Valdor fell to his knees, panting heavily. His body was wounded, his arms trembling, but his eyes burned even more fiercely.

“It’s not over yet. Not yet.”

He rose again, even though his muscles refused to obey him. The aura around him flared, and the sword trembled in his hand, ready for one final strike.

Above ground, a thunderous roar shook the earth. The entire party looked toward the ruins. The beast’s roar cut through all the sounds of battle.

Arwen paused for a moment, her eyes widening.

“He’s fighting… alone against that?…”

Noah smiled, despite the blood on his lips.

“That’s Valdor. Of course he’s fighting.”

Kael looked toward the ruins; his voice was full of pride.

“We can’t let him fall. Not today.”

Mayuri closed her eyes, and her voice sounded soft.

“Valdor… come back to us…”

And once again, she raised barriers to shield her friends, even though her body was trembling with exhaustion.