I Became the Sect Master’s Shadow

Chapter 005 - The Dragon's Gaze

As they moved deeper into the forest, the ground grew more difficult to navigate. The path was uneven, full of tangled roots and hidden traps. The air grew colder with each passing hour, and the weight of their mission hung heavy between them. They stopped for a brief rest and ate, but the silence between them spoke volumes. The pressure of their task was ever-present, a reminder of how much was riding on their success.

By midday, they emerged from the thick forest and found themselves at the base of a steep, rocky incline. The path ahead was narrow and dangerous, twisting up the side of a mountain. The air was thinner here, and the wind had a sharp, biting chill that cut through their clothes.

Enzo groaned, staring up at the steep, intimidating climb. "You've got to be kidding me. We have to go up there?"

Finn smirked, though his legs were already aching just thinking about it. "Looks like it. Unless you've got a better idea."

Enzo muttered something under his breath but didn’t protest any further as Finn began the climb. The ascent was tough, each step demanding both balance and strength. The rocks were slippery with moisture, and they had to pause frequently to catch their breath or help each other over particularly tricky sections.

As they climbed higher, the landscape began to change. The dense trees gave way to jagged rocks and sparse, hardy plants that clung to the mountainside. The air grew even colder, and the wind picked up, howling around them with a biting chill, carrying the faint scent of snow. By the time they reached the top, both were exhausted, their muscles trembling from the effort.

But the view that greeted them made the hard climb worth it. From their vantage point, they could see for miles in every direction. Below them, the forest stretched out endlessly, a vast sea of green that seemed to go on forever. To the east, they could just make out the tiny outline of the village, barely a speck in the huge expanse of land. To the west, towering mountains rose sharply, their peaks hidden by a layer of clouds.

Finn pulled out the map that Chief Arlen had given them and studied it closely. "According to this, we need to head west, toward those mountains. There's a valley between the peaks, hidden from view. That’s where the entrance to Drakthorin City is."

Enzo frowned, squinting at the distant mountains. "That’s days away. And who knows what we'll find when we get there?"

Finn folded the map and slipped it back into his pack. "We’ll find out when we get there. Right now, we just need to keep moving."

The days that followed blurred together in a mix of endless walking and climbing. They crossed rivers, navigated rocky plains, and trekked through thick forests. With each step, they drew closer to their goal. The journey was exhausting, and the weight of their mission never seemed to lift. But as they moved forward, they started to notice small changes in the landscape. The air grew fresher, filled with a crispness that hinted at higher altitudes and clearer skies. The terrain shifted into rolling hills and vibrant meadows, with patches of colorful wildflowers scattered across the ground. It felt like they were entering a place untouched by time—a land both peaceful and brimming with life.

"Finally," Finn sighed deeply, taking in the fresh air of Drakthorin City. "Now we just have to cross that valley..."

"Yeah, that valley," Enzo echoed sarcastically, his tone dripping with mock enthusiasm.

On the third day, they reached the base of the mountains. The peaks towered above them, their jagged edges slicing into the sky like the teeth of some ancient beast. The entrance to the valley was concealed behind a narrow pass, barely wide enough for them to walk through single file. The pass walls were steep and smooth, as though carved by an unimaginable force.

As they made their way through the pass, the air grew colder, and a faint, metallic scent lingered in the wind. The ground beneath their feet was scattered with loose rocks and gravel, making each step risky. But they pressed on, fueled by the knowledge that they were so close.

After what felt like an eternity, they emerged from the pass and stood at the edge of a vast, desolate valley. The ground was covered in a fine layer of ash, and the air was thick with the pungent scent of sulfur. At the center of the valley stood a massive, ancient structure, its walls blackened and crumbling with age. Yet, it was the statue that captured their attention—a colossal dragon, perched majestically at the entrance, its wings spread wide as if guarding the secrets within.

The dragon's stone scales were worn smooth by the passage of time, but the details of its fierce expression and commanding posture remained sharp. Its long, sinuous tail curled around a rocky pillar, and its muscular limbs were poised, as though it could leap to life at any moment. Its head was raised high, piercing eyes glowing with an otherworldly light, their gaze both intimidating and regal.

In a surreal twist, the dragon's eyes were not empty sockets, but two perfectly carved recesses, each holding a key—the mechanism to enter Drakthorin City. The keys were crafted from an unknown, gleaming metal, shimmering in the pale light. Their intricate designs resembled ancient runes that seemed to hum softly, as though whispering forgotten words. Suspended within the dragon's gaze by some unseen force, the keys appeared to be the only way to unlock the city’s secrets.

The dragon's horns arched back in dramatic curls, framing its face like a crown. Its mouth, slightly open, revealed rows of razor-sharp teeth, frozen in a perpetual snarl. Despite its immobility, there was an undeniable aura of power around the statue, as though it had stood for centuries, waiting for the right moment to grant access.

The stone beneath the dragon’s massive feet was cracked, with ancient symbols etched into the ground, leading up to the statue. They glowed faintly, hinting at a long-lost magic that once powered the city's defenses. The air around the dragon seemed charged with an unsettling energy, reminding them that this guardian was not just a relic of the past but an active part of the mechanism holding Drakthorin’s gates closed.

Finn and Enzo exchanged a glance, their hearts pounding with a mix of fear and excitement. This was it—the dragon’s lair.

Finn took out the pass from his bag, feeling its cool jade surface, smooth and heavy in his hand. The ancient relic, etched with intricate symbols and runes that glowed faintly, hummed with an energy that felt otherworldly. This was no ordinary artifact—it was the key that would unlock the path to Drakthorin City, a treasure from a forgotten time, forged from jade by the city's original guardians.