I Received System to Become Dragonborn

Chapter 560: In The Valley

The journey had been swift, but tension filled the air as Adrien and Billy led their group of Elven warriors into the valley Erend had pointed out. The sun already gone and the ominous red on the sky beside the red cloud casting long shadows over the terrain.

Once a place of beauty, the valley now lay in stark contrast to its former glory. The great river that once flowed through its center was nothing more than a cracked, parched bed right now.

Adrien and Billy pulled their unicorns to a stop at the edge of the dry expanse, their expressions mirroring the grim atmosphere.

The Elves around them murmured, their voices heavy with sorrow as they looked upon the riverbed. One of the older warriors spoke with a sadness that echoed through the group.

"This river was the lifeblood of this valley, wide enough for boats to sail through. Now... gone, in mere hours."

"If this can happen so quickly here, what of the other lands?" Another warrior said and shook his head, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and disbelief.

The silence that followed was thick with unease. Adrien and Billy exchanged glances, understanding the weight of the Elves' grief. They had seen destruction before, but witnessing nature itself wither under the creeping tendrils of the Great Calamity was different. It was as if the life was being drained out of the world itself.

Suddenly, Billy's eyes narrowed, and he pointed toward the far side of the valley where dark tendrils, like twisted roots or tentacles, extended from a thick black cloud above and anchored themselves into the ground.

The cloud pulsated with a sinister energy, and the tendrils seemed to writhe, feeding on the very earth beneath them.

Adrien's jaw tightened. "There it is. We need to sever those tendrils before it takes more ground."

He spurred his unicorn forward, and Billy followed. The Elven warriors, though still shaken, prepared their weapons and followed in formation.

However, when they drew closer, the ground beneath the tendrils began to shift. From the soil emerged grotesque creatures with flesh warped and twisted into unnatural shapes.

Some had multiple limbs, others a mass of eyes and gaping mouths. They rose as if growing from the earth itself and their body pulsating with the same dark energy that filled the air.

Adrien pulled his unicorn to a halt, gripping the hilt of his sword. "Eyes up! We've got company."

Billy's eyes scanned the emerging monsters, his grip tightening on his sword as well. "They're guarding it," said Billy.

The Elves formed a defensive line with their weapons at the ready, but the unease was palpable. The creatures were not many, but their grotesque and varied forms left the warriors uncertain of their strength.

The air filled with tension, and even the most battle-hardened among them felt a pang of anxiety.

One of the younger Elves, his hands trembling, muttered, "What... are those things?"

"Stay focused. We don't know how strong they are, but we'll find out soon enough," Adrien said with steadied breath.

Billy nodded, his eyes never leaving the creatures as they began to move, shuffling and creeping toward them.

"Hold your ground. We take them down, and then we go for those tendrils."

The warriors braced themselves, weapons raised, as the creatures let out distorted cries and charged. At this point, knowing that Adrien and Billy are the companion of the mighty Dragonborn and already saw their strength, they decided to let them lead.

Adrien quickly assessed the situation, his eyes darting between the approaching creatures and his group of warriors. The grotesque forms moved with an unnatural fluidity and the way their flesh twisted as they advanced sent a chill through the air.

Adrien's mind worked swiftly, charging headlong into them without a plan would be reckless.

"Magic casters!" he called out, his voice cutting through the tension. "Attack from range. Hit them hard before they get too close!"

The Elves skilled in elemental Magic nodded and stepped forward, their hands glowing with mystical energy. Fire ignited, ice formed, and bolts of lightning crackled in the air.

They unleashed their spells and a barrage of elemental fury shot toward the creatures. Flames engulfed several of the abominations, turning them into smoking husks. Ice shards pierced others, freezing them mid-stride, while bolts of lightning arced through their ranks, causing several to collapse in spasms.

Adrien watched carefully as the first wave of Magic decimated a portion of the creatures. His eyes narrowed, analyzing their movements.

The creatures were durable but lacked any visible means of regeneration or healing. That was good news.

Billy, standing beside Adrien also saw that. He said, "We have a chance. If they can't heal, we just need to outlast them."

But before they could press their advantage, the remaining creatures suddenly surged forward. Their movements that once sluggish suddenly became unnaturally fast like a spring uncoiling.

They covered the distance between the two groups in seconds and the Elves barely had time to react. The creatures' speed caught them off guard and a few of the front-line warriors stumbled back, eyes wide with shock.

Adrien's eyes widened as he realized the danger. "Get off your mounts! Prepare for close combat!" he said.

He and Billy leapt from their unicorns, their boots hitting the ground with a thud.

The Elves followed suit, abandoning their mounts and forming a defensive line. The unicorns that sensing the threat, backed away with graceful steps.

Adrien and Billy drew their Starsteel swords, the blades glinting with a brilliant golden sheen. The weapons hummed with a faint Magic and the sight of them bolstered the Elves' spirits.

Adrien held his sword firmly, his eyes locked on the advancing creatures.

"Steady yourselves. We hold the line," Adrien commanded.

Billy gripped his own sword, feeling the familiar weight in his hands as the creatures closed the gap. "Time to see what these things are made of!"

The clash begin. Adrien's blade cut through the first creature, slicing through its fleshy mass with a swift, practiced strike.

The creature let out a gurgled screech before collapsing. Billy followed, his sword flashing in a golden arc as he dispatched another, its dark blood spraying the ground.

The Elves joined the fray, their swords and spears gleaming in the light. The battle became a blur of movement, the warriors holding their ground as the creatures attacked with relentless fury.

Adrien felt the impact of each blow as he parried and countered, his instincts guiding him through the chaos. He moved with precision, his Starsteel sword cleaving through the twisted flesh of the monsters, and with each successful strike, he found his resolve hardening.

Billy fought beside him, his movements just as swift and powerful. Together, they pushed forward, each strike of their Starsteel blades illuminating the battlefield with golden flashes. Continue reading on ???

The creatures while strong, lacked the coordination and strategy of the Elves. Slowly but surely, the troop began to gain ground.

"Keep it up!" Adrien shouted, his voice rising above the din of battle. "We take them down, and we cut those tendrils next!"

The Elves rallied, pushing back the tide of abominations.

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