All Chapters of The Dragon Ascendant : Chapter 41
- Chapter 50
89 chapters
The Poisoned Pact
Chapter 41: The Poisoned Pact The large hall of the Elthorn house was enveloped in shadows, the flickering lighting scarcely revealing the anxiety that hovered in the air. Morgana sat at the head of the big wood table, her presence dominating the space. Draped in a flowing black robe, she oozed strength and hatred, her piercing eyes locked on Elara, who stood a few feet away, wringing her hands anxiously. Elara’s chest clenched under Morgana’s gaze. She had always felt out of place in the clan’s inner circle, her calm demeanor and lingering doubts setting her apart from the rest. But tonight, Morgana had summoned her alone, and the air was thick with the weight of unspoken expectations. “You know why you’re here, Elara,” Morgana whispered, her voice a velvet blade. “The clan is at a crossroads. Our survival depends on difficult decisions.” Elara hesitated, her voice barely a whisper. “I don’t understand. What does this have to do with me?” Morgana’s lips twisted into a fr
The Breaking Point
Chapter 42: The Breaking Point The pale light of Elara’s chamber barely touched the shadows that ran along the walls. She sat on the side of her bed, staring at the small, dark bottle held in her quivering hands. It felt heavier than it should, as though it contained the weight of every doubt, worry, and uncertainty she’d ever hidden. Morgana’s voice lingered in her mind: “You will be the savior of this clan. Poison him, and we can finally enjoy peace.” Her pulse quickened. She had repeated those words to herself a hundred times since last night, thinking they would somehow explain what she was being asked to do. But they didn’t. The more she thought about Raiden—his quiet strength, the defiance in his eyes as he spoke of a better future—the more she realized she couldn’t go through with it. A knock interrupted the silence. Her heart jumped as she immediately concealed the vial beneath her pillow. “Who is it?” “It’s me.” Lucan’s voice was low yet forceful. Elara hesitat
The Artifact Treason
Chapter 43: The Artifact TreasonThe Elthorn estate was uncommonly silent, its corridors bathed in the pale glow of moonlight. Selene slipped through the darkness with a predatory grace, her every step deliberate. The faint sound of faraway guards resonated faintly, but she paid it no regard. She had spent weeks refining her plan, and now was the night it all began. She hesitated at the corner of a hallway, her piercing green eyes scanning for activity. When she was convinced the way was free, she pressed onward, her cloak billowing behind her. The clan vaults were highly secured, but Selene wasn’t alone in this quest. As she neared the entryway, a person appeared from the shadows—a man wrapped in a scarlet coat, his features sharp and coldly gorgeous. Giovanni. “You’re late,” Giovanni replied, his voice low but piercing. Selene rolled her eyes, stepping passed him toward the vault doors. “It’s called caution. Something you could use more of.” Giovanni’s lips twisted into
Summoning Shades
Chapter 44: Summoning ShadesThe hall of the Elthorn Clan was full with voices, a low rumble of murmurs and whispered discussions that bounced off the stone walls. The council meeting had been called on short notice, and the tension was evident. Elders, warriors, and significant members of the clan sat around the large wood table or stood along the perimeter of the room. Raiden leaned against one of the far pillars, his arms crossed, his sharp gaze searching the crowd. The air felt thick, packed with an anxiety that went beyond the normal political sparring. “This theft is not only a disgrace but a threat to our survival,” Elder Gregor was screaming, his voice booming. “The artifact wasn’t just a relic. It was a safeguard—a last line of defense!” Elder Maelis nodded, her look stern. “Whoever has it now poses a danger to us all. And unless we act swiftly, they will wield it against us.” Raiden’s attention flickered to Morgana, seated toward the head of the table. She had sa
A Show of Authority
Chapter 45: A Show of AuthorityThe hall was anarchy became physical. Their twisted shapes shimmering with black energy, the twin shadowborn beasts loomed over the clan chiefs. Every step left jagged gouges as their claws brushed against the stone floor. Tension permeated the air, a smothering miasma of depravity and anxiety that may have choked every breath.Rising from the middle of it all, Raiden held a brilliant sword. With his heartbeat guiding the golden light fighting back against the stifling blackness, the runes along its blade pulsed in time.The voice of Draco rumbled inside his head. “You need to act now. Nobody here will live if those things go free.Raiden's jaw stiffened. “I know. Cover me—I’ll take the orb.” The dragon shifted in the darkness of the hall, his golden eyes fixated on the artifact still throbbing weakly near Selene’s foot. But the monsters seemed to detect Raiden’s intent. With a guttural howl, one of them leaped at him, its enormous claws arcing for
The Mysterious Puppeteer
Chapter 46: The Mysterious Puppeteer The early morning mist clung to the trees as Raiden strolled through the shadowed trail, his sword strapped to his back and his thoughts heavier than the air around him. The events of the previous night replayed again in his mind—Selene’s betrayal, the summoning of the shadowborn, and the fragile unity he’d just managed to maintain among the Elthorn Clan. But something about it all didn’t set right with him. Selene’s actions had been risky, but they weren’t meaningless. Someone had pushed her into the sphere, and Raiden had a gnawing sensation that someone wasn’t Morgana. Draco Maximus’s voice rumbled in his mind. “You’re distracted. That’s unlike you.” Raiden sighed, his breath evident in the cool air. “I can’t shake the feeling that we’re missing something. Morgana thrives on manipulation, but this seemed... different. Selene wouldn’t have found that orb on her own.” Draco’s golden eyes glittered as he emerged from the trees, his hug
A Greater Resolve
Chapter 47: A Greater Resolve The wind howled through the trees as Raiden and Kaela made their way back to camp, their expressions bleak. The discovery about Giovanni had shocked them both, but Raiden’s thoughts was a maelstrom of determination and rage. Every step felt heavier, each one pushing him closer to an eventual encounter with the man who had engineered so much harm. Kaela interrupted the hush, her voice low yet fierce. “So, Giovanni’s the mastermind. Figures. I never liked that smirk of his.” Raiden gazed at her, his mouth clenching. “It’s worse than that. He’s not just influencing Morgana—he’s exploiting the entire clan system as his playground. If he’s been manipulating strings since the Magus fell, then everything we’ve been fighting for is merely part of his game.” Kaela’s expression clouded. “What I don’t get is why. What’s his endgame? If he’s already playing Morgana like a puppet, what more does he want?” “Control,” Raiden replied bluntly. “Giovanni d
A Lone Path
Chapter 48: A Lone Path The morning after the ambush at Ashencrest, the camp seemed eerily silent. Warriors went about with sad faces, their eyes avoiding Raiden’s as he passed. The struggle had taken its toll—injured fighters sprawled on makeshift cots, their groans a continuous reminder of how close they’d come to disaster. Giovanni had disappeared before Raiden could approach him, leaving behind only turmoil and unresolved questions. Raiden stood at the edge of the camp, peering into the deep forest. The weight of failure crushed against his chest. For all his planning, Giovanni had anticipated their every move, slipping through their fingers once again. Draco Maximus approached, his enormous wings fluttering as he landed alongside Raiden. “You’re brooding,” the dragon observed, his voice low and rumbling. “That’s not like you.” Raiden didn’t glance at him. “Giovanni was there, Draco. I could feel it. He was flirting with us the whole time.” “Perhaps,” Draco responde
Split Devotions
The Elthorn camp was a hive of restless activity. Warriors polished their weapons, scouts returned with gloomy tidings, and the air was thick with foreboding. Raiden’s withdrawal left a gap, one that whispered doubts into the hearts of those he had inspired. In the center of the camp, Lucan stood near a growing crowd of warriors, his arms crossed and his countenance grim. He’d always been a tough competitor, respected for his power, but now his comments carried an edge that demanded attention. “This clan is crumbling,” he shouted, his voice rising over the murmur of the gathered warriors. “And why? Because our so-called leader has abandoned us to chase after shadows.” Kaela, leaning against a nearby tree, straightened at his remarks. She stepped forward, her bow slung across her back. “Careful, Lucan. Raiden hasn’t abandoned anyone. He’s out there doing what needs to be done—something you’d understand if you had even a shred of his courage.” Lucan grinned, his eyes glinti
Threads Of Chaos
Chapter 50: Threads of Chaos The air in the canyon was suffocating, dense with tension as Raiden squared up against the shifting shadows surrounding him. Giovanni’s mocking laughter rang across the jagged cliffs, reverberating in Raiden’s head like a bitter tune. “Is this all you’ve brought, Raiden?” Giovanni’s voice rang from the darkness. “A sword and your noble ideals? You’ll need significantly more to face me.” Raiden’s grasp on his glowing blade strengthened. His gaze scoured the surroundings, checking for Giovanni’s location. The shadows writhed and twisted like living things, hiding his enemy’s form. “Show yourself, Giovanni,” Raiden commanded, his voice firm. “Or are you too afraid to face me directly?” A figure came from the darkness, stepping into the faint light created by the flickering runes on the canyon walls. Giovanni’s crimson cloak billowed slightly, his look calm, almost delighted. “Afraid? Hardly.” Giovanni’s lips twisted into a chilly smile. “But