Archivist Of The Fallen Dragon Empire

Awake

The cold stone pressed against his cheek. Luca opened his eyes slowly. Pain burned through his chest like a hot coal. He remembered the dagger. He remembered Amelia standing over him with empty eyes. He thought he was dead. But dead men did not feel the rough bite of solid rock beneath them. He tried to move his arm. A sharp ache shot down his spine. He gasped and rolled onto his back. The air here was thick and stale. It smelled like damp earth and forgotten secrets. It was not the courtyard. It was too dark and too quiet. He forced himself to sit up. His hand went to his chest. His shirt was torn and stiff with dried blood. But there was no open wound. The skin beneath his fingers was smooth and whole. How was this possible. He had felt the blade pierce his heart.

A soft yellow light flared in the darkness. Luca squinted against the sudden brightness. A figure stepped out from the shadows holding a small lantern. It was Amelia. She did not look like a cold killer anymore. Her face was pale and her hands were shaking. She placed the lantern on the ground and knelt beside him. She reached out to touch his shoulder but pulled her hand back. She looked terrified. Luca wanted to scream at her. He wanted to ask why she betrayed him. But his throat was completely dry. He could only manage a rough cough. Amelia reached into her bag and pulled out a leather flask. She brought it to his lips. Water flowed into his mouth. It tasted sweet and clear. He drank greedily until she pulled it away.

"You are in the forbidden catacombs," Amelia whispered. Her voice trembled slightly. "I had to do it, Luca. Kaelen was going to execute you right there in the courtyard. Kaelen can smell magic. He would have sensed the ancient spark inside you. I had to use the shadow dagger. It is a cursed weapon. It does not kill the body. It temporarily kills the magical aura. It made you look completely dead to the inquisitors. Kaelen left your body for the sweepers. I dragged you down here before they could burn you." Luca stared at her. His mind was racing. She had saved his life by stabbing him. It was a crazy and dangerous plan. But it had worked. He was alive. He was hidden deep below the academy. He took a deep breath. The pain in his chest was fading. It was replaced by a strange new warmth.

He closed his eyes and looked inward. He searched for his tiny spark of sovereign magic. It was still there. But it was no longer alone. A dark heavy energy was circling it. He recognized that energy from the ancient books. It was the blood of a shadow beast. The dagger had been coated in it. By stabbing him Amelia had unknowingly delivered the second ingredient he needed for his dragon core. He smiled. It was a weak and tired smile but it was real. Fate was working in his favor. He looked up at Amelia. "Thank you," he said. His voice was raspy but strong. "You took a massive risk for me. Why did you do it?" Amelia looked away. She picked up the lantern and stared into the flame. "Because I know who you are," she said quietly. "I know about the false god. I know Dominic Kane is a liar."

Luca felt a sudden chill. How could she know? He had been so careful. He had hidden his true identity for months. "My family kept the old records," Amelia explained. "We knew the dragon sovereign would return. We have been waiting for a thousand years. I saw the way you read those ancient texts in the archive. I saw the spark in your eyes. You are him. You are the sovereign." Luca did not deny it. There was no point in lying anymore. He needed an ally. He needed someone who knew the truth. "Yes," he said simply. "I am Luca Romano. But I am also the ancient king. And I need to get my power back. I need to forge a new core." Amelia nodded. "I will help you," she said. "I know where the last ingredient is hidden. The dragon scale is here in these catacombs."

They stood up together. The dark tunnel stretched out before them. The air grew colder with every step they took. Luca felt the shadow beast blood mixing with his own magic. It was making him stronger. His fragile human body was finally starting to heal. They walked for what felt like hours. The tunnel twisted and turned like a giant snake. Finally they reached a massive iron door. Strange runes glowed on the metal surface. Amelia pushed the door open. A vast underground chamber revealed itself. Huge stone pillars held up the ceiling. In the center of the room sat a massive golden chest. It was covered in thick chains. "This is it," Amelia said. "The vault of the ancient ones." But as Luca stepped into the room the ground began to shake. The chains snapped. The chest burst open with a deafening roar. A massive pair of glowing red eyes appeared in the darkness above them. Something hungry woke up. Run.