Novels by Damian

Zarox woke up to the smell of burnt toast, specifically, the smell of his own Aegis Cauldron emitting an alarm signal that sounded like a very angry cicada having a seizure. He bolted upright on the dragon’s back, nearly sliding off its scaly neck, his hair sticking up in directions that defied the laws of physics."Why is it beeping?" he hissed at the floating hexagon, which was currently flickering a violent shade of neon orange. "I was dreaming about an all-you-can-eat buffet with eternal expiration dates! Do you know how rare that is for a guy like me?"The Aegis let out a series of frantic 'blips' and projected a tiny holographic image into the air. It depicted two incoming currents: a swarm of blurred, shadowy figures descending from the mountain ridge like a plague of locusts, and, moving with far more structural discipline, a squadron of shimmering golden suits, the Emperor’s 'Golden Wings' Division, closing the trap from the bridge below."Great," Zarox deadpanned, staring at

The sulfur-drake didn't just sleep; it vibrated. As it snoozed in the middle of the meadow, the dragon-like creature exhaled rhythmic plumes of pressurized fire-damp, scorching the grass in neat, circular patterns. Zarox, fueled by the manic, overclocked energy of the stolen Root of Eternal Life, felt like his nervous system had been replaced by high-voltage copper wiring. He didn't have time for a post-escape nap. He dragged the heavy, mangled pieces of his gear toward the drake’s cooling back. He needed the furnace, and he needed it yesterday."Alright, buddy, don't mind me," Zarox whispered to the sleeping leviathan, crawling toward the dragon’s snout. "You’re currently doubling as the most oversized stove in the entire mortal realm."He took out the original kitchen cauldron, the Aegis, and slammed it down onto a rock. It looked pathetic compared to the colossal beast beside him, scratched, dinged, and still sporting a persistent crust of burnt onion peel from his days in the kit

The cave wasn't just a dwelling; it was an altar to longevity. As the sulfur-drake rumbled into the deepest subterranean pocket, the floor didn’t crumble; it shimmered. Tens of thousands of Roots of Eternal Life protruded from the limestone like jagged golden teeth, pulsing with a faint, rhythmic bioluminescence that synced with the heartbeat of the earth itself.Zarox slid off the drake’s scaly shoulder, landing on his rear with a dull thwack. He didn't mind the pain. His eyes were wide enough to potentially fall out of his skull. He stood, wobbling, and brushed the sulfur dust from his knees, his hands trembling as he reached toward the nearest root. It felt like cool velvet, radiating a heat that wasn’t thermal, it was biological."Okay, breathe, Zarox. Just don't pass out yet. The heart attacks are for later," he muttered, pulling out his field trowel, which was really just a sharpened piece of flattened scrap iron. "You sure this won't trigger some sort of 'Tomb of the Pharaoh'

The monster that emerged from the shadows was a sulfur-drake, a mountain-sized beast with scales like rusted iron and breath that reeked of rot and volcanic gas. Its eyes, burning like twin forge-furnaces, fixed directly onto the scrawny, trembling teenager in the corner. Every time it breathed, a gout of sickly green flame erupted, singeing the cave roof and sending molten droplets onto the stone floor near Zarox’s boots."Look, Mr. Drake-y," Zarox stuttered, raising his hands in a frantic gesture of peace. "I’m just a visitor. A backpacker, really. I was looking for a spot to take a quick nap, but I think I’ve made a navigational error. My GPS... er, my internal compass is acting up, and I should really be leaving."The monster snarled, a low, tectonic rumbling that rattled the very fillings in Zarox’s teeth. It crept closer, its talons gouging deep, permanent furrows into the granite ground. A dollop of acidic drool landed mere inches from Zarox’s toe, instantly dissolving a patch

"Good question, Zarox. But unfortunately, sneezing pills won't work on an envoy from the Central Empire," Elder Kael hissed while tightening his grip on his staff.The black clouds above Sky Peak swirled into a giant vortex. Blood-red lightning struck repeatedly, scorching the ground right next to Zarox's feet until it smoked. From within the vortex, a figure in golden armor wearing a demon mask slowly descended, hovering without touching the ground. The aura of oppression he radiated was so intense it caused the disciples around the pavilion area to collapse, coughing up blood from the unbearable pressure of the energy.Zarox trembled violently. He tried to stand, but his legs felt like they were made of melting wax. "This isn't just an alchemical challenge anymore; this is an execution," he whispered, his voice hoarse. He glanced at the baby Shadow Valley Sect Leader still crying on the floor, then at Kael. "Elder, if I have to die, at least let me die on a full stomach. Do you have

Zarox squeezed his eyes shut, hugging the Aegis Cauldron to his chest as if the piece of junk could be bulletproof. The sharp sword glided, slicing through the air with a deafening whistle. However, instead of piercing Zarox's chest, the blade slammed into the bronze cauldron's lid with a loud metallic clang. Sparks flew, sending Zarox tumbling backward until his back hit the alchemy table."Oh, thank goodness! This cauldron really is a top-quality product!" Zarox screamed in a high-pitched voice. He hurriedly crawled backward, knocking over a pile of potion bottles until they scattered everywhere.The Shadow Valley Sect Leader, a thin man in black robes that seemed to absorb light, was stunned for a moment. He saw his precious sword now had a small dent at the tip. "What piece of junk are you holding, boy?" he hissed with a tone full of rage.Zarox didn't wait to answer. He saw a golden opportunity while the man was still fixated on his damaged sword. Zarox wasn't thinking about high