2025-05-09 20:45:16Ethan Lockwood led his small party through the towering gates of Avelline City, the late afternoon sun bathing the bustling streets in golden light. After weeks navigating the dank corridors of the Labyrinth of Echoes, the lively city—filled with merchants’ shouts and children’s laughter—felt almost overwhelming. Ethan took a deep breath of crisp air as his gaze drifted to Celestia Draconyx walking a few steps behind him.
Celestia’s ruby eyes were downcast, her usual confident smile absent. Marina and Neo exchanged worried glances as they followed. They all had endured the dungeon’s trials, but it had clearly taken a toll on Celestia. Ever since the confrontation with Illyra in the Forest of Mirrors, the visions and nightmares had plagued her sleep. It was clear that after that battle, she had grown withdrawn—silent, reclusive, and burdened beyond words.
Ethan
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CHAPTER 69: Black-Haired Noble
Later that evening, Ethan slipped away from the post-ceremony revelry to clear his head. The palace gardens lay quiet under the moonlight, a welcome refuge from the buzzing banquet hall. He wandered along a path of manicured hedges and marble statues, inhaling the scent of night-blooming jasmine. His thoughts swirled with the day’s events—Celestia’s fierce defense of him, the nobles’ whispers, and the unsettling gaze of Lord Kaelthorne.A smooth voice spoke from the shadows near a rose arbor. “A bit overwhelming, isn’t it?” Ethan turned. From behind the arbor, Lord Kaelthorne emerged with a measured stride. In the silvery light, his black hair and midnight-blue coat made him seem a living shadow among the flowers. He inclined his head in greeting. “Sir Ethan.”Ethan’s hand instinctively brushed the pom
CHAPTER 68: Under the Surface
Sunlight streamed through the arched windows of King Aldric’s throne room as Ethan, Celestia, and Nina knelt before the throne. The next day after the Carosso celebration, the King had convened a grand ceremony to honor the slayers of the Frost Dragon. Despite the pomp and splendor—banners bearing the golden lion crest, nobles in shimmering finery—Ethan felt more nervous here than he had facing the dragon.King Aldric stood and raised his hands for silence. "Today, we celebrate true heroes," he announced, his voice carrying through the hall. "Lady Celestia, Sir Ethan, Lady Nina—your courage delivered us from the Frost Dragon's terror. We owe you a debt beyond measure."At a signal, servants stepped forward to drape gilded medals engraved with a dragon around each of their necks. Ethan bowed his head modestly as his medal was placed; Cele
CHAPTER 67: Bard's Ballad
The city of Carosso overflowed with celebration. Colorful banners fluttered from every rooftop, and the scent of spiced ale and roasting meat filled the crisp evening air. In the central square, villagers and nobles alike gathered around a makeshift stage. Tonight, Ethan, Celestia, and Nina were the heroes of Carosso, and a traveling bard was about to immortalize their victory in song.On stage, the bard strummed a lively tune on his lute. His voice rang out clear and bold over the excited crowd. “Hear the tale of the Frost Dragon’s fall,” he sang, pacing dramatically. “Of Ethan the brave, with sword of Fireheart; Of Celestia the wise, shining star in the night; Of Nina the gentle, with courage burning bright!” Each name drew a wave of cheers. The bard wove the story of how the trio defeated the fearsome Frost Dragon that terrorized the North.
CHAPTER 66: Dragonslayer
Ethan rolled aside as a massive spiked tail smashed into the ice where he’d stood a heartbeat before, shattering it into razor-sharp shards. The battle in the Frost Dragon’s lair raged with furious intensity. In the cavern’s gloom, bursts of orange flame and beams of icy blue light clashed violently. The dragon was fully awake now—wounds scorched into its hide by Celestia’s fire and slashes carved by Ethan’s blade only seemed to enrage it further.With a deafening bellow, the beast lunged at Nina, who had buried her hammer in its hindleg moments before. It swung a claw the size of a scythe. Nina barely managed to throw herself backward; even so, the talons caught her breastplate, sending her skidding across the icy floor with a grunt of pain. “Nina!” Ethan shouted, fear spearing through him.A furious roar answered—Celestia. The half-dragon leapt between Nina a
CHAPTER 65: Dragon’s Lair
The world outside the cave was transformed into a glistening winter tomb. Trekking across the fresh snowdrifts, Ethan, Celestia, and Nina pressed onward toward the mountains. All around, the aftermath of the Frost Dragon’s wrath lay silent – trees encased in ice, boulders shattered and coated in frost, and here and there the eerie outline of a farmstead buried in snow. The sight steeled their resolve. They tightened their grips on weapons and moved as one.By midday, they stood at the foot of the jagged peak that housed the Frost Dragon’s lair. An enormous cavern mouth yawned before them, rimed with icicles like teeth. The trail of destruction they’d followed led directly here, confirming without a doubt that this was the beast’s den. The air itself felt heavier, tinged with magic and the biting chill of the dragon’s aura.“Stay alert,” Ethan murmured, voice ba
CHAPTER 64: Blizzard Shelter
At last, they found refuge in a shallow cave in the side of a rocky hill. The blizzard howled outside as the three of them stumbled in, shivering and half-frozen. Celestia wasted no time gathering dry brush and scraps of wood, then ignited them with a breath of dragonfire. In moments, a small flame was crackling, and the biting cold began to ease.They fed the newborn fire patiently until it grew into a reassuring orange glow, casting dancing shadows on the cave walls. Only then did the chill in their bones begin to thaw. The trio huddled close around the fire, each wrapped in their thick cloaks. Outside, the blizzard raged, but in here there was a fragile pocket of warmth and light.For a long moment, none of them spoke. They simply listened to the mournful howl of the wind outside, grateful to be alive and together. Ethan flexed his tingling fingers as feelin
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