The Last Dragon Heir

The Grave Keeper

Grrrrrr...

A low growl echoed from behind the ancient stone gate, making the ground beneath Kaelan's feet tremble slightly from the thick darkness, a pair of golden eyes slowly igniting, staring sharply straight at him.

Kaelan swallowed. His heart raced so fast it felt like it was in his throat.

"What... is that?"

The old man beside him remained silent, his face usually relaxed and full of a mocking smile now completely serious.

"Don't move," he whispered softly but firmly.

"Why?"

"Because if you move now..." The old man gripped his jug of wine tightly until his knuckles turned white. "I'm not sure I would still have the time to save you."

The sound of heavy chains clanging could be heard from within the darkness.

Klang... klang... klang... 

slowly approaching A giant figure gradually stepped out, its body as tall as a big tree, covered in glossy black scales that looked as hard as forged steel. Its four sturdy legs struck the ground heavily.while a pair of long curved horns extended from its head. The two golden eyes continued staring at Kaelan without blinking.

"Monster..." Kaelan hissed, taking a step back.

"Don't call it a monster," the old man's voice was low. "It's the Tomb Guardian."

Kaelan turned. "How strong?"

The old man was silent for a few seconds. "Forget that question."

"Why?"

"Because you won't like the answer."

Suddenly, the Tomb Guardian lifted its head high, its golden eyes locked tightly on Kaelan. In an instant, its voice was heard.

BOOM!

The giant body shot forward like a bullet.

"KAELAN!"

Kaelan immediately rolled to the side with all his strength.

CRASH!

The giant claw struck the ground exactly where he had been standing a second ago. Rocks flew in all directions, Kaelan was thrown several meters and fell, rolling on the hard ground.

"Agh!"

Before he could get up, the shadow of the claw struck again. Kaelan jumped to the side, the claw only slicing the tip of his clothes.The torn cloth was carried by the wind. 

"Its speed..." Kaelan panted heavily. A creature this size should be slow. But it moved faster than a galloping horse. 

The Tomb Keeper turned around and charged again. 

"Don't run straight! Turn!" shouted the old man from behind. 

Kaelan immediately made a sharp turn. A moment later. 

DUARR!

A large human-height boulder behind him shattered into pieces from the creature's tail strike. 

Cold sweat soaked Kaelan's entire body. "If that hit me, I would be dead on the spot." 

"Good. That means you can still think," replied the old man calmly. 

"Then why are you just standing there?! Help me!" 

The old man lifted his jug of arak, sipping a little. "I could." 

"Then do it now!" 

"But I won’t." 

Kaelan could hardly believe his ears. "WHY?!" 

"Because it’s not trying to kill you." 

Kaelan froze mid-run. "What?" 

The Tomb Keeper suddenly stopped.He did not attack. He did not move forward, just stood still, his golden eyes scrutinizing Kaelan from head to toe.

The old man squinted. "Look at his eyes."

"What should I look at?"

"He is testing something."

"Testing what?"

The old man was silent for a moment. Then he answered softly, "Your blood."

Kaelan's heart raced. "My blood?"

The Tomb Guardian suddenly let out a loud roar.

GRAAAAH!

The air pressure surged drastically. Kaelan immediately fell to his knees, both knees feeling heavy under an invisible force.

"Agh!"

"Get up," the old man commanded.

"I can't! It's too heavy!"

"Then die right there."

Kaelan gritted his teeth. "Crazy old man..."

He pressed both palms to the ground, enduring the pain spreading throughout his body. Slowly he lifted one leg and then the other. His body trembled violently, but he kept standing.

The Tomb Guardian observed his every movement.

"Why hasn't he attacked yet?" Kaelan asked between heavy breaths.

"Because he is waiting."

"Waiting for what?"

"Waiting for something to appear."

"What?"

The old man gave a thin smile. "That's something you have to find out on your own."

Suddenly, the Grave Keeper dashed again, faster than before. Kaelan didn't have time to dodge.

BAM!

His body was thrown far and hit the hard stone wall. Blood spurted from his mouth as he fell to the ground.

"Agh..."

Kaelan tried to crawl upright. His hands shook violently. The Grave Keeper walked closer slowly.

"No... I’m not allowed to die here."

He clenched his hands tightly. "Elder Garrick sacrificed his life so I could live. I haven't discovered the truth. I still don't know who I really am. And I haven't avenged everyone who destroyed my life!"

The Grave Keeper raised his massive claws. Kaelan felt around on the ground and found a rough stone. The only weapon he had.

The old man looked at him. "Seriously? A stone?"

"I have no other choice!" Kaelan shouted.

As the creature lunged, Kaelan threw the stone with all his might. The stone shattered before hitting it, but Kaelan took advantage of the opening to jump to the side. The creature's claws cut his shoulder, fresh blood immediately flowing down.

The Tomb Guardian stopped, his eyes stuck on the blood dripping from Kaelan's wound.

One drop, two drops, three drops of blood touched the ancient stone floor of the tomb. Suddenly

BOOM!

A dark red light exploded from beneath Kaelan's feet, enveloping his entire body.

"AAARGH!"

Extreme pain struck, as if the blood in his veins was boiling. Kaelan fell to his knees clutching his chest.

"This... what's happening..."

The old man stood upright, his face very serious. "The seal is reacting."

"Seal?" Kaelan raised his face, full of sweat and blood.

Before the old man could answer, a loud roar was heard.

GRAAAAH!

The Tomb Guardian roared loudly and ran toward him at full speed."KAELAN!"

Kaelan looked up; the giant claw was hovering right above his head. His body moved on its own, and he rolled away just moments before the ground beneath him shattered into pieces.

Kaelan rose again, though his legs trembled. He would not give up, not now.

The Tomb Guardian turned and charged again. This time Kaelan did not dodge to the side; he ran toward the creature itself.

"Hey! You crazy kid!" shouted the old man in shock.

Kaelan jumped high just as the claw swept beneath his feet. He landed on the creature’s rough back and grabbed its horn tightly.

"Stop!"

The Tomb Guardian raged, spinning and smashing its body against the stone wall. Kaelan’s back hit hard, blood spilling from his mouth again, yet his hands did not loosen their grip on the horn even slightly.

"If you want to test me..." Kaelan lifted his head against the pain. "...test to the end!"

BOOM!

Red light erupted from Kaelan’s body once more. This time, it was far stronger.The Grave Keeper suddenly stopped moving. Its entire body froze rigid. The light slowly faded and disappeared.

A tense silence enveloped the place.

The old man stared with wide eyes. "What just happened?"

Slowly, the Grave Keeper's two front legs bent.

Crack...

The giant creature knelt before Kaelan.

Kaelan froze he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

The Grave Keeper lowered its head so low that it almost touched the ground. The growl in its throat turned into a deep, heavy voice—no longer an animal, but clear speech

"Eighteen years..."

The old man stepped back, his face pale. "Impossible..."

The Grave Keeper's golden eyes looked at Kaelan with deep respect

"Eighteen years we have waited..."

Kaelan was unable to say anything. His body was weak, blood dripped from his wound, yet he no longer felt the pain.The creature bowed even lower, and then the ancient voice that echoed throughout the Forbidden Mountains could be heard clearly.

"Finally... the blood has returned.”