Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 242: Thunder and fire (1)

DRAGON LAIR

GIGANTIC CAVERN

Mikael is waiting for him outside. He will wait outside. That was his order. After all, even if Arial could win against the dragon what use of it, if Mikael is dead?

Who would transfer the heart if Mikael died? Arial certainly not going to trust his heart and the heart of the dragon to the hands of the Orcs who would probably accidentally squeezed it until it turns into mushy gooey liquid

The group looks with wonders as they looked to their left and right admiring the huge cavern.

It looks like a natural made wonder. It is not just huge, it is gigantic. Everyone could see hills inside the caverns.

Imagine like you are entering a wide plain, with the top being a ceiling of stones. It would not be surprising that if a city could fit inside this cavern

It is a massive wide cavern, with high ceiling. The cavern walls are smooth indication that the dragon scrapes the side of this cavernous nightmare.

The droplets of water create a sound that reverberates around the cavern.

'It's here' Velamina whisper. Arial nodded

'Whooo' one of them exclaimed in delight.

'What?' Arial turns around and asked.

'Look at this, Commander' A Dark Elven pointed toward something

'Gold.' The Elves is wide eyed. Arial then look around and he could see coins, jewels, precious metals, and weaponry and other riches scattered on the ground.

'Idiot, that belong to a dead guy.' One Orc chimed in as he looks at the gold and the precious jeweler with slight disdain

It is regarded by Orc culture to be unlucky to wear a dead man belonging.

Though not in Elven culture. Arial ignore the conversations of the Elven and the Orc as he looks once again around him, pointing his torch toward another direction to take a look for anything he might have missed

And there is many more golds and precious metals all around the area.

'If we won, I can grab all this on the way back' he thought to himself

'Maybe I can give it to the mercenaries, since I have enough back home' he mused as he looks at his mercenaries and nodded to himself.

As they move further inside, they realize that there is a lot more skulls in here then at the outside entrance.

There are ragged clothing from past dead adventurers, hoarded items of a magical nature, scepters, crowns, tiaras, rings, amulets, staffs, potions, gemstones, artifacts, robes, knives, chalices, and many other stuff, that if sold would make any man in this expedition rich.

Velamina eyed them carefully. And he notices it. With a chuckle he said

'You can take it after we won' Velamina look at him and she said

'I guess you do know that woman like jewelries'

'You are like a dragon. Likes shiny things' Arial replies and she chuckles.

'And like a dragon, we also like eating heroes' Arial knows there is double meaning in that, but he ignored it as she smiles widely.

They are probably going to either meet their death or become insanely rich after this expedition so they become slightly loose with their behaviors and speech.

Arial focused back at the task at hand. This dragon must have lived long. That is something he thought as they walked deeper

And the deeper they walk, the darker the cavern becomes. And then, some Orcs notices dragon's scales and they no longer speak.

Everyone become quiet. There is a tense atmosphere around them now. The dragon is here, that is for sure.

Then they heard sounds. It was the sound of winds shrieking. But this wind sound sounded in a uniform pattern

The deeper they go, the clearer the sound.

Powerful inhaling and exhaling that reverberates throughout the chamber, of the cavern with sounds that terrify them all.

'This is the sound of a dragon breathing' he muttered to himself. Velamina was beside him and she nodded.

Some trembled in fears but keep on moving their feet. They come closer and then Arial gesture everyone to stop

He perked up his ear and then he hears a sound. It is a rumbling snoring sound. he walked cautiously closer.

'He is sleeping' Arial whispers to Velamina. She nodded.

'Our chance.' Velamina grin. Arial nodded at her.

There is some understanding between these two warriors. They have shared many battle fighting monster in the region so their compatibility and understanding are high.

Arial then notice some blood in Velamina hand.

'Are you alright?' he asked. She looked at her hands as Arial gaze is around that area.

'Only a scratch. During climbing to the lair entrance.' She said

'Really? You're sure?'

'Don't worry.' She said and she quickly performed healing magic on her hand. The wound disappear as the skin stitched itself.

Arial nodded as that expression of worry disappears from his face. They then focused at the matter at hand. They take careful steps. Stealth and silence is important at this juncture

Sweats formed on their forehead, dripping down to the ground and they walk as slowly and silently as possible, careful not to wake the beast.

'What are you planning?' Velamina whispered as she sees Arial began unsheathe his sword. Arial gestured to the dragon and convey his plan with gestures.

Arial is planning to stab the dragon to death when it is still asleep. Velamina nodded back

'We need to come closer' Arial whisper. And that thought fill him with dread.

Arial chest tightens as they come closer to the dragon. Arial gestures the troops with his hand to stop as only him and Velamina will approach the beast. They all nodded and prepare themselves

Some whispered to their friends.

'This may end just like this.' The other nodded. They were praying it to be like that.

Arial and Velamina took their steps silently but quickly and then finally they are now only a few hundred meters from the dragon

Arial and Velamina approached the dragon. For the first few second, looking at the dragon, they are awestruck.

The dragon is large. And at this Arial remembered few of the points that make a dragon a veritable nightmare.

They can gnaw steel like it is a twig and the only thing that can hurt a dragon profoundly is an Enochian Blade.

At least that is what he knew of dragons.

Not to say that normal weapons couldn't kill it but it will take an army to even slow it down. In the air, dragons are said to be invincible but in the ground, restricted by the sky Arial might have a chance.

'Look at that' Velamina pointed at the scales while whispering at Arial ears.

Velamina once told Arial that if she survives and they won, she would like a few scales for her to grind.

The dragon's body is completely covered with tough, shiny scales. On its chest is jeweled breastplate almost like a warrior.

A warrior dragon.

The scales are pentagonal, and shaped like a teardrop, with two long sides and two shorter ones, and a very short fifth side attached to the skin.

In their normal position, the scales overlap very neatly and, thanks to a tiny cavity in the surface, they fit into each other to allow perfect freedom of movement.

'Look at his color too' Arial remarked.

The dragon skin has hues of variety of colors. In general, its scales are several hues from one of the main color categories, with a metallic luster which is hard to define.

When the scales have a pale, opaque appearance, it is a sure sign of ill health.

'And he seems to be ill.' Velamina noted while showing a grin. Arial also flashed a satisfied smile.

'Good opportunity for the group' He says

The other is in a safe distance. They are just looking from the hills in the cavern, hoping that the beast would not awoke and Arial would just jump and stabbed the beast to death already.

'Will it end like this?' Arial wondered.

Arial approached it slowly when suddenly the dragon opens its eyes. That large eye is looking at him

'Fuck' he cursed

Arial heart is beating fast. It feels like his heart is about to explode. The dragon eyes are glowing red and it glared with furiousness at Arial.

'Fuck' he muttered again under his breath.

The group trembled at the back and their fears are manifested on their expression. The dragon is awakened. And as it stirs, it is about to wreak havoc.