I Received System to Become Dragonborn

Chapter 482: The Risk

Far beyond the palace walls, the realm was under siege. The thick forests, once vibrant and teeming with life, were now battlegrounds of chaos and destruction.

Swarms of bug-like creatures, similar to those that had assaulted the Elven stronghold, poured through the ancient woods, their advance relentless and unstoppable.

The once serene canopy was now a scene of devastation. Trees, centuries-old sentinels of the forest, were torn asunder, their roots upended, and their leaves stained with the same ominous red rain that had soaked the Elven courtyard.

The creatures rampaged through the forest, their chitinous bodies crunching over fallen branches and undergrowth. Animals, unable to escape the onslaught, fell victim to the swarm, their cries of terror adding to the cacophony of destruction.

The forest, a sanctuary for many, became a hellscape of death and despair. Despite the efforts of the forest-dwelling creatures, the swarm advanced, leaving a trail of ruin in its wake.

Further afield, the human kingdoms were not spared from the calamity. Villages and towns, nestled within their fortified walls, found themselves besieged by the same nightmarish creatures.

Panic spread like wildfire as the swarm descended upon them, breaching defenses with terrifying ease. The humans fought valiantly, but the sheer number of enemies overwhelmed them.

Families were torn apart, homes were destroyed, and the once orderly streets ran red with the blood of the fallen.

In the heart of one of these kingdoms, the grand city of Astoria stood as a beacon of human civilization. Its high walls and formidable defenses had stood the test of time but even they seemed vulnerable against the oncoming horde.

For days, the people of Astoria had heard whispers of the approaching danger, the tales of devastation from neighboring regions sending waves of fear through the populace.

---

High above the bustling streets, Adrius and Lysander, stood side by side on their chamber. The weight of their responsibility bore heavily upon them as they gazed out over the vast expanse of the kingdom they had sworn to protect.

The Magic barrier that encased Astoria shimmered faintly, a translucent shield against the encroaching horrors that lurked beyond its borders.

This barrier was not just a simple ward; it was a complex weave of ancient spells and arcane energy, bolstered by powerful artifacts strategically placed throughout the city. These artifacts were the city's lifeline, amplifying the barrier's strength and providing a crucial line of defense.

Adrius glanced at Lysander. The Archmage's robes billowed in the gusting wind, his eyes closed in concentration as he channeled his Magic into the barrier.

"How is it holding?" Adrius asked, his voice steady despite the underlying tension.

Lysander opened his eyes, the faint glow of Magic reflecting in their depths. "The barrier is stable for now," he replied. "The artifacts are doing their job, but we must remain vigilant. The swarm may not be concentrated here, but we cannot afford to be complacent."

The two men turned their attention to the artifacts, each one a masterpiece of arcane craftsmanship. Embedded in key locations around the city's perimeter, these ancient relics pulsed with Magic, their energy feeding into the barrier and enhancing its protective capabilities.

Adrius and Lysander moved from one artifact to another, their practiced hands infusing them with fresh Magic energy as needed.

As they worked, the swarm of bugs outside the barrier seethed and roiled, their chitinous bodies pressing against the invisible shield. Unlike the overwhelming force that had besieged the Elven palace the swarm here was less concentrated, more dispersed.

It was a small mercy, but a significant one, allowing Adrius and Lysander to focus on maintaining the barrier rather than engaging in direct combat.

Lysander placed his hand on one of the artifacts, his fingers tracing the intricate runes etched into its surface. He muttered an incantation under his breath, and the artifact flared with renewed brilliance.

Adrius stood by the large arched window, his hands clasped behind his back. Outside, the world was in chaos. The shimmering Magic barrier that surrounded Astoria was under constant assault, the bugs' relentless attacks sending ripples across its surface like stones dropped into a pond.

He watched intently as the chitinous creatures hurled themselves against the barrier, their bodies exploding in bursts of dark ichor upon impact. The barrier held, its Magical energy shimmering with each assault, but Adrius could feel the strain.

The ancient wards and artifacts that powered the barrier were strong, but even they had limits.

"This is just the beginning," he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible over the muffled sounds of the storm outside.

His eyes were drawn to the horizon, where the dark mass of the swarm seethed like a living entity. He knew that the real threat had yet to reveal itself. These bugs, though fearsome, were merely a prelude to the greater danger that loomed over their world.

His gaze shifted upwards, to the sky above. The storm clouds roiled, an impenetrable black that blotted out the stars. Lightning arced through the heavens, illuminating the scene in brief, blinding flashes. The rain, a crimson torrent, fell in relentless sheets, pounding against the stone walls of the city and adding to the surreal, nightmarish atmosphere.

The wind howled like a mournful wraith, its icy fingers clawing at the battlements and towers of Astoria. Each gust seemed to carry with it a whisper of dread.

Adrius felt the weight of that prophecy pressing down on him, a heavy mantle of responsibility that he could not shirk.

He turned away from the window, his expression grim. "The real battle is yet to come," he thought, his mind racing through the countless preparations that still needed to be made.

The defenses had held for now, but how long could they withstand the onslaught? How long before the true enemy made its appearance?

Adrius knew that the Elven palace was bearing the brunt of the assault. The bugs attacking Astoria were fewer, their focus drawn elsewhere, but that was little comfort. The storm was intensifying, the signs of the Great Calamity growing more ominous with each passing moment.

---

Back at the Elf Palace, the once tumultuous courtyard now lay in an eerie calm. The swarm of bugs had been vanquished, their grotesque bodies littering the ground, a testament to the ferocity of the battle that had raged mere hours ago.

The air was thick with the scent of blood and ichor, mingling with the lingering aroma of ozone from spent Magic.

The Elven warriors, their armor dented and splattered with the viscera of their fallen foes, were finally able to rest.

Some sat on the ground, leaning against the cold stone walls, while others tended to their wounds or simply closed their eyes, trying to regain their strength. The courtyard, once a battlefield, now served as a place of respite and recovery.

Groups of Mages moved among the warriors, casting spells of healing and restoration, their hands glowing with soft, soothing light.

They murmured incantations, their voices a low hum that blended with the gentle rustling of the trees and the distant call of nocturnal creatures.

The red rain had stopped, leaving behind a slick, crimson sheen on the ground, but the howling wind had quieted to a mere whisper, as if the storm itself had taken a moment to breathe.

Erend and Eccar stood apart from the others, their eyes scanning the scene before them. Their Dragon Eyes, still active, pierced through the remnants of the magical fog, ensuring that no hidden threat lingered.

They watched as the Elven warriors slowly began to recover, their spirits lifting as the reality of their victory settled in.

Erend looked around the courtyard, taking in the sight of the warriors resting and the Mages working tirelessly to heal them. Despite the exhaustion and the injuries there was a clear sense of camaraderie and relief. They had faced the swarm and emerged victorious, at least for now.

He clenched his fists, frustration boiling within him. "The world bleeds. We can't just stand by and watch as innocent lives are taken by this relentless scourge. We need to find a way to minimize the casualties, to protect those who don't have the same defenses as we do here."

Eccar took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "What if we used our power to attract the Great Calamity here? If we can draw its attention and concentrate its attacks on this place, then maybe... just maybe, the rest of the world would have some reprieve. They wouldn't face the same relentless onslaught.

The Elven Kingdom's defenses, combined with our strength, could withstand the attacks better than any other place."

Erend's eyes widened at the suggestion. The idea was audacious, and the risks were enormous. To intentionally bring the full force of the Great Calamity upon themselves was a gamble that could either save countless lives or lead to their utter destruction. Yet, the logic behind it was undeniable.

"You want to bait the Great Calamity here," Erend said slowly, the weight of the proposal sinking in. "It would mean putting everyone here at even greater risk. But if it works, it could save lives across the realm."

Eccar nodded, his expression serious. "It's a gamble, yes. But we have to take risks. The Elves are strong, and with our help, they could endure. Meanwhile, other places would have a chance to rebuild, to fortify their defenses."

Erend pondered the idea, his mind racing with the implications. The thought of drawing the Great Calamity to their doorstep was daunting, but the potential to save countless lives was a powerful motivator.

He looked out over the courtyard, watching as the Elves found brief moments of peace amidst the chaos.

Finally, he turned back to Eccar, resolve hardening in his eyes. "It might be our best shot at turning the tide of this war. We'll need to discuss it with the king.

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