Tears Of The Last Dragon

Dangerous Entry

The Eternal Cave trembled as Ten hovered, his lightning eyes blazing, a halo of energy crackling around him. The second Tear’s impact point glowed, its light seeping into the draconic runes that lined the walls. Liora reached for her son, her hands shaking, but the energy pushed her back. Sari dropped her bow, staring, while Kael raised his staff, runes flaring under his touch. Torin braced against the wall, warhammer ready, and Lira’s spellblade hummed as she stepped forward. The dragon’s roar echoed from outside, its fire flaring through the cave’s entrance, a faint lifeline.

Ten’s hum matched the cave’s vibration, his tortoise-shell marks pulsing in sync with the Tear’s glow. His tiny body floated higher, sparks arcing to the ceiling, where runes ignited in a cascade of light. Liora’s cry broke the air. “Stop him! He’ll burn out!”

Kael shook his head, voice low. “The dragon’s will guides him. We interfere, we break the bond.”

The inciting incident erupted as the cave floor split, a rift tearing open beneath Ten. Veyra’s laughter slithered through, her black form emerging, red eyes fixed on the child. “The Tears awaken his power,” she said, voice smooth. “But power without control destroys.” Vocans spilled from the rift, their claws scraping stone, and the group lunged into action.

Sari snatched her bow, loosing dragonwood arrows that pierced Vocan hides. Torin’s shield slammed into a creature, his warhammer crushing its skull, while Lira’s spellblade clashed with Veyra. The woman’s psychic force flung Lira back, but she rolled, blade slashing Veyra’s arm. Blood, black as the VOID, dripped, and Veyra snarled, retreating into the rift. The Vocans faltered, their speed slowing, and Kael’s staff pulsed, sealing the breach.

Ten’s descent halted, his body lowering into Liora’s arms. His eyes dimmed, but the cave’s runes remained lit, a network of power linking him to the Tear. Liora held him close, her breath ragged. “He’s alive,” she whispered, relief mixing with fear.

Outside, the dragon’s fire roared, its golden scales gleaming as it rose, wings trembling. The plains shook, and runners from the Four Kingdoms appeared—archers from Aethervale-South, spellbladers from Dracolys-East, warhammer wielders from Ironcrag-West, and staff-bearers from Starhollow-North. Their leaders gathered, faces grim, as the dragon’s revival spread hope and dread.

Kael turned to the group. “The dragon lives, but weakly. The Tears bind Ten to it. We must reach the Forbidden Garden before Veyra strikes again.”

Lira sheathed her blade. “The garden opens in days. Therha guards it, but the three-cow sacrifice waits. We need Ironcrag’s herds.”

Torin nodded, his jaw set. “I’ll send word. But Helena’s capture changes the fight. My people demand her return.”

The cave’s hum deepened, and a vision flashed through Kael’s mind—Helena bound in a VOID-choked chamber, her blue eyes defiant, a Vocan guard looming. He staggered, staff clattering. “She’s alive,” he said. “Veyra holds her in a rift stronghold, north of Starhollow.”

Sari gripped her bow. “We rescue her. Ten needs her—his power ties to the kingdoms’ unity.”

Liora rocked Ten, his sparks fading. “He’s too frail. This power will kill him.”

The group moved outside, the dragon’s presence a beacon. Its eyes met Liora’s, a silent plea, and a third Tear fell, striking the ground near Ten. The child’s marks flared, and he cried, his voice a shockwave that shattered nearby rocks. The dragon slumped, its fire dimming, and the kingdoms’ leaders approached.

A man from Aethervale, Elite’s successor, spoke first. “The archers stand with Ten, but the VOID grows. We need the cave’s power.”

A woman from Dracolys, Lira’s commander, added, “The spellblades will march to the garden. The dragon’s Tears must unlock its secrets.”

Torin’s voice boomed. “Ironcrag sends warriors. Helena’s life binds us.”

The Starhollow elder, a stooped figure with a gnarled staff, rasped, “The cave’s runes speak of sacrifice. Ten may not survive.”

The council debated, plans forming around the dragon’s faltering strength. Rifts pulsed on the horizon, Vocans scouting, and Veyra’s influence loomed. Liora handed Ten to Sari, stepping toward the dragon. “Tell me how to save him,” she said, her voice steady.

The dragon’s mind touched hers, images flooding—Ten claiming the Tears, the Forbidden Garden’s gates opening, Helena’s rescue, and a final battle where the VOID loomed large. “The Tears complete him,” it rumbled. “But each costs my life.”

Liora’s heart sank, but resolve hardened. She turned to the group. “We move to the garden. The dragon sacrifices for Ten.”

The journey began, the dragon leading with labored flight. The plains gave way to rolling hills, rift scars marking their path. Sari scouted ahead, Torin guarded the rear, and Lira mapped the route. Kael guided with visions, his staff tapping rhythm. Ten rested against Liora, his energy stabilizing, but his marks pulsed with each Tear’s echo.

By nightfall, they reached a valley where the Forbidden Garden’s silhouette rose—towering walls of black stone, guarded by Therha’s shadow. The three-cow sacrifice stood ready, herded by Ironcrag warriors, their lowing a somber note. The dragon landed, its wings folding, and a fourth Tear fell, striking the valley floor. Ten’s eyes blazed, and the gates creaked open, revealing a garden of twisted trees and glowing pools.

Therha emerged, a towering figure with scales and claws, her voice a growl. “The child enters. The Tears test him.”

Liora hesitated, but Ten slipped from her arms, walking toward the gates. His steps faltered, lightning arcing, and the garden’s pools rippled. The plot twist struck as Helena’s voice echoed from within, faint but clear. “Ten, help me!”

The group froze. Veyra had planted Helena inside, a trap within the garden. Therha’s eyes narrowed. “The VOID’s hand reaches here. The child faces both.”

  Ten crossed the threshold, his body engulfed in light. The dragon outside roared, a fifth Tear falling, and its form began to fade, scales crumbling. The garden’s gates slammed shut, sealing Ten inside with Helena’s cry ringing out. Rifts opened around the valley, Vocans surging, and Veyra’s laughter echoed as the dragon’s death neared, leaving the group to fight or fall.