Chapter 24:"The Dark Lord."

However, Vahaemorys  had to alter his plans for traveling to Andalos due to a significant development. A war was raging in a distant corner of Sorthoyos, an event that had never been recorded or heard of before. This war pitted the Eldians against another invader known as the Dark Lord. Among the invaders, the Dark Lord was considered neither weak nor strong, but his power lay in the formidable dark monster legion he commanded. He was one of the invaders who had survived the divine war. For countless millennia, the Eldians and true dragons had been unaware of the Dark Lord's presence, but now he had returned, and war was inevitable.

Vahaemorys  was keen to understand the outcome of this conflict, so he instructed Ignissara to prepare a teleportation array near the Eldian Kingdom. This would allow him to witness the unfolding events, as he had already tasked Ignissara with monitoring the Eldians. 

Vahaemorys arrived at the cave where Ignissara had set up the teleportation array. He followed Ignissara, and in the blink of an eye, they were transported near to the heart of the Eldian kingdom. The lush forest gave way to a breathtakingly beautiful realm, unlike any Vahaemorys  had ever seen. While Valyria was renowned for its towering structures, the Eldian kingdom was a harmonious blend of nature and architectural splendor.

Every corner of the kingdom was a testament to the Elves' mastery of design and aesthetics. The buildings, predominantly white in color, seamlessly integrated with the surrounding natural beauty. The most iconic of these structures was a castle that dwarfed even the grandeur of Disney's famous castle, rising majestically into the sky. Its white spires seemed to touch the heavens, and its intricate detailing was a sight to behold. The entire kingdom exuded an ethereal beauty that left Vahaemorys  in awe.

The entire Eldian kingdom was on high alert, with Elven knights clad in shining silver armor scurrying about to prepare for the impending war. Bells rang out across the kingdom, warning the common folk of the approaching conflict. Vahaemorys and Ignissara observed this scene from a distance.

With a casual demeanor, Vahaemorys turned to Ignissara and inquired, "Tell me, how formidable is this Dark Lord and his forces?" Ignissara replied, her voice tinged with concern, "My King, he poses little threat to us, but he is a formidable adversary for the Eldians. I can only hope they will manage to survive this impending disaster." Vahaemorys  then asked, "Is there any way we can assist them?" Ignassara, her tone filled with tension, cautioned, "My King, I implore you not to intervene. We cannot risk revealing our presence to our enemies. It would all be in vain if we were to make ourselves known." Jay fell silent, his gaze fixed on the unfolding events before him.

As the sky gradually darkened, a menacing legion of monstrous beings emerged on the horizon, their figures resembling twisted and cursed creatures with a thirst for violence. Their numbers seemed endless, a never-ending tide of malevolence. The Eldian archers grew tense, drawing their bows to rain down arrows upon the approaching horde. Meanwhile, enormous clay golems charged toward the monstrous legion.

In a synchronized display of bravery and desperation, arrows filled the sky repeatedly, forming a deadly rain that sought to quell the advancing nightmare. The battle had commenced.

The golems fought valiantly at first, holding the upper hand against the onslaught of monsters. However, the sheer numbers of the malevolent horde soon overwhelmed their formidable strength. The monsters drew closer to the walls, their fangs digging into the surface as they scaled the defenses.

As the archers were replaced by knights, wizards began to chant incantations, conjuring nets made of sturdy vines that sought to ensnare the approaching monsters and hinder their movements. The knights, armed with their lances and bolstered by their powerful auras, engaged the monsters in close combat, piercing through their ranks and striking them down as they neared the walls.

But the relentless tide of monsters seemed never-ending as they climbed.

The battle waged on relentlessly, with knights tirelessly switching positions as they grew weary from the fight. Days turned into nights without difference, but the monsters showed no signs of relenting. However, a new and dire threat emerged as the malevolent forces unleashed their wyverns.

These wyverns were formidable creatures, possessing leathery wings, cruel beaks, and ranging in size from 20 to 30 meters. The monsters mounted on these fearsome beasts took to the skies, launching devastating aerial assaults on the Eldian defenders. The people of Eldian found themselves at a loss as the monsters rained terror from above.

With no other choice, the Eldian knights made the difficult decision to fall back to their second line of defense. But as they did so, the relentless monsters seized the opportunity, surging forward and scaling the walls of the kingdom. The situation grew increasingly dire, and the survival of Eldian hung in the balance.

Vahaemorys and Ignissara continued to observe the relentless battle between the Eldian knights and the monstrous invaders. As the situation grew increasingly dire, other true dragons appeared, summoned by Vahaemorys's command. These majestic creatures were nervous, fearing that Vahaemorys  might use his immense draconic power to intervene and help the Eldians. However, they held a deep desire to regain their former glory before entering their eternal slumber.

Gathering around Vahaemorys, the true dragons looked to their dragon king with anticipation, waiting to hear his decision. Vahaemorys, wearing a nonchalant expression, finally spoke, revealing his intentions. "I want the Eldians to become mine. But if I wish to claim them, I must be prepared to pay the price."

Terramor, one of the true dragons, voiced his concerns. "My King, we are confident in our ability to deal with the Dark Lord. However, we must also consider the other invaders. They will surely strike us, especially since we lack our former numbers and strength. Without at least two more centuries of recovery, we are not a match for our enemies."

Vahaemorys  reassured them with determination. "I will personally handle this situation. Your primary duty is to protect the remaining Eldians from the relentless onslaught of these monstrous invaders. There is no need to reveal our true nature."

Terramor, still puzzled and anxious, sought clarification. "Forgive me, my King, but I'm not sure I understand your plan."

Vahaemorys  grinned and replied, "I will not use my draconic powers. In fact, I won't even assume the title of Dragon King. I shall confront this threat using my second identity. Rest assured, I am far from an ordinary mortal."

Typharon, another true dragon, expressed his concern with a hint of panic. "My King, are you certain about this decision?"

Vahaemorys's smile remained unwavering as he replied, "Without the burden of being a Dragon King, I am not to be underestimated. I have never truly been a mortal, to begin with.".

As the second defense wall crumbled, the Eldian forces were forced to retreat towards the protection barrier, their numbers dwindling. There was no escape now; it would soon turn into a bloodbath. Even the common folk, desperate to protect their loved ones, picked up weapons and prepared to defend their families.

Inside the barrier, over a 7 million Eldians, young and old, gathered in a desperate bid for survival. The Eldian king and his sole daughter stepped forward, armed and ready to fight until their last breath. They made a solemn decision to use a forbidden technique passed down from their ancestors—a technique that had saved them in the past, but now, in this dire moment, it would be a suicidal endeavor.

Cracks began to spiderweb across the protective barrier, rendering it as fragile as glass. The remaining knights charged towards the breached section, their determination etched on their faces. However, their advance was abruptly stopped, much like the monsters they faced.

A lone figure stood resolutely between the knights and the oncoming horde of monsters. A fierce wind swept through, causing his dark attire to billow dramatically in the gale.

With an air of nonchalance, the enigmatic figure uttered a command, and the knights found themselves retreating involuntarily. A simple gesture of his hand sent thousands of monstrous foes hurtling backward, their bodies colliding and crushing under the force.

As if in reverence, the blood of these defeated creatures flowed towards the mysterious figure, swirling around him like an otherworldly dance. Gradually, it coalesced into a whirling blood whirlpool, a macabre testament to the unearthly power he wielded.