9 Demonic Tarragon Cave

As various clans, tribes and factions entered the cave, they all rushed in their respective groups. Wanting to claim the crystal for themselves.

After all, it was a once in a millennium lottery. As they continued to travel for miles, they heard loud footsteps approaching them.

Using their senses, they were able to discover multiple life forms rushing towards them.

'Rawwwrrr'

"Those are- they have a dragon head, but a human body?" A cultivator couldn't help but exclaim.

"Draconites. It seems they sensed us outside the cave and were waiting for us."

One of the people in the group replied.

Draconites, unlike true dragons, were less intelligent and acted solely on their instincts. Primal instincts.

Though they lacked a method of fighting, they were barbaric with their claws and legs, and their strength was nothing to be scoffed upon.

"Warriors of the Panther Clan, assume our diamond formation. All close combat in the front and spell users at the back. Hurry!"

Without wasting a moment's time, Maria and her men gathered in a diamond formation and started to attack the draconites that charged at them.

Other tribes and factions assumed their various fighting formations and started to attack.

While Maria was attacking, through the corner of her eyes, she noticed the ice cold princess leaning against the wall without a care in the world.

In front of her, stood a bald headed and bearded man, safeguarding her.

Noticing her feign ignorance, her gaze turned venomous.

The princess looked back at her only for a second and returned to her usual demeanor.

Not wanting to be distracted, Maria turned back and focused on the fight.

Due to the cave being extremely large, the Draconites did not appear in one just direction.

Through various hidden paths, which were specifically built for them, they would then charge from various paths and kill those who were caught off guard.

While the stronger remained, the weaker ones perished immediately.

Since the casualties were at the minimum, it did not jeopardize their mission.

The rest of the warriors were able to finish off the remaining draconites.

Before the last member of the Draconites perished, it howled as loud at it could, stunning everyone as they immediately covered their ears in desperation.

"Father what was that?" Maria asked.

She knew this cry felt much different from their previous ones.

"I think it was trying to call someone, hehehe, it seems I can have more fun! Wouldn't you think so Eden?"

The old man chuckled as he tossed a look towards a man wielding a grey colored staff, wearing a black robe with a black tassel on this head.

"Don't talk to me with your creepy tone Meres, it makes me sick." The man replied without looking back at Meres.

"Hehehe... Come on now, I just wanted some help from a friend."

"Friend? Never thought you'd ever use the word 'friend', knowing how vile and pathetic you are."

"How dare you speak-"

Before Maria could retaliate, one of Eden's men appeared in between brandishing his staff.

"Ms. Maria, it would be best if you stepped back now. We all are here for the same objective. Let's focus on that first. You too master." The young man replied in a stoic tone before returning back to his position behind Eden.

The others groups maintained their silence, watching the ongoing tension brewing between the Panther Fang Clan and the Royal Sorcerers and Witches Institute.

Not minding the tension, the ice cold princess who was silent this whole time finally opened her eyes and walked forward.

"That seemed like a distress call. If my guess is right, there should be more coming. None that it really matters to me."

The other agreed in unison. At the rate at which they killed these draconites, they would soon reach the location of the crystal, and that's when the true battle to the death would ensue.

'Roaaaarrr!!!'

Before they could rejoice, an extremely loud roared echoed throughout the entire cave, sending chills down some of the their spines.

Before it could attack them, everyone went in defense trying to dispel the strength contained within the roar.

Even the princess who had a cold demeanor, couldn't help but look towards the direction, where the roar came from.

"Master did you feel that?" The same man who confronted Maria earlier, asked.

"Yes, it's auroroar. Applying mana to it's vocal cords and unleashing a strong sound wave. Depending on it's strength, it could even kill some low leveled cultivators. Alvad, tell our members to remain on guard, and send a relocation spell, so we know how far it is from us. This one seems like a tough one."

Eden replied as he setup a shield covering him and his members.

"Yes master." Alvad gather both his hands together and started to chant in a language which couldn't be discerned.

Within moments, a small eye formed in front of him.

The eye which was initially closed, opened and several beams of unharmed light rapidly shot further inside the cave.

When it reached the end, it finally disappeared.

"Master, I was able to trace a huge life form, about a hundred miles from us. Though it is huge in size, the spell was not able to determine it's power level due to a barrier deflecting it." Alvad replied several minutes later.

"Good, let us move in, we will intercept the monster and kill it."

Eden replied, and started to move in along with his men.

Soon enough, the other groups who heard this also started to move in.

With one goal in mind, immense greed flashed in everyone's eyes hoping to obtain the amethyst crystal all for themselves.

--

A hundred miles within the Demonic Tarragon cave, two men could be seen standing in front a multicolored barrier which deflected all sorts of attack thrown at it.

A black dragon which remained asleep, opened it's orange colored eyes with vertical slits in them, and stared at the two figures that had entered it's home.

'Roaaaarrr!'

"Who are you people and how dare you enter my abode?!"

The dragon roared in fury, as it continued staring at them.

"I came here for a request, which I hope you would fulfill. After that, we will leave place this and never appear again."

"Interesting words human, however, what makes you think I would ever agree to your request?"

"I think you would like it. Trust me, I want the best for the both of us." The man replied as both him and the dragon continued to stare at each other cautiously.