The lake’s surface churned violently, waves crashing against the island’s shores. Inside the palace, the students watched with a mixture of awe and terror, their faces pressed against the windows. Continue reading at empire

“The water’s movement is unnatural,” one student whispered, his voice trembling. “There’s something down there… He was right about the serpent!”

Altair, his belief in William unwavering, felt a surge of both excitement and fear. The other students, their skepticism replaced by a chilling realization, exchanged panicked glances.

William stood his ground, his heart pounding in his chest. Should he flee? Would the serpent attack? He steeled his nerves, Gorn’s words of encouragement echoing in his mind. He would face this challenge head-on.

The serpent’s colossal head emerged from the depths, its scales shimmering like polished obsidian, its eyes like molten gold. The four cloaked figures, who had been approaching the island, froze in their tracks, their faces a mixture of shock and disbelief.

“It…it actually exists!” one of them stammered. “I thought it was just a legend!”

The serpent’s gaze swept across the city, its ancient eyes taking in the ruined grandeur. It focused on William, its immense form dwarfing the young mage.

“Are you the one who summoned me?” the serpent’s voice boomed within William’s mind, its power resonating deep within his soul.

“Yes,” William replied, his voice steady despite the tremor of fear that ran through him. “I played the flute.”

The serpent surveyed its surroundings, its confusion growing. “The city…it’s in ruins… How long has it been? How long have I slumbered?”

“I don’t know exactly,” William admitted. “I discovered these ruins with my classmates and professors. We’re here to study them. But I believe it’s been centuries since this city was abandoned.”

The serpent recoiled, its surprise palpable. “Impossible… Why didn’t they call for me? I would have defended them, protected our home… but now…” Grief and anger resonated in its voice, a deep thrum of sadness that shook the cavern.

William seized the opportunity. “There are intruders here,” he explained, his voice urgent. “They attacked us, killed some of my friends. They’re here to cause harm, to desecrate this place. Can you help us?”

The serpent considered his plea, its massive head tilting slightly. ‘I cannot fight them directly,’ it finally replied, its voice laced with regret. “There are rules that bind creatures of my power, ancient laws that prevent our interference in mortal affairs. But I can frighten them, drive them away. And I can offer you a gift, a token of my gratitude. Would that suffice?”

William, though disappointed that the serpent couldn’t eliminate the threat entirely, knew this was a valuable offer. He yearned for vengeance, but the safety of his classmates was his priority.

“That would be appreciated,” William agreed.

The serpent turned its massive head, its gaze fixed on the four figures huddled on the distant shore. They, sensing the impending danger, unleashed a barrage of spells, their attacks striking the serpent’s impenetrable scales. The magic dissipated harmlessly, like raindrops against a mountain.

The serpent unleashed a wave of pure magical pressure, an aura of immense power that crashed against the attackers, forcing them to their knees.

“What are you doing here?” the serpent boomed, its voice echoing through the cavern. This time, the words were spoken aloud, a physical manifestation of its power that sent shivers down their spines.

Faced with the serpent’s overwhelming power and undeniable authority, the cloaked figures abandoned their pretense of scholarly curiosity.

“We seek the secrets of this lost civilization,” one of them admitted, their voice trembling. “Our organization desires the knowledge and power the elves possessed.”

The serpent let out a low hiss, its displeasure echoing through the cavern. “I am awake now,” it boomed, its voice laced with a chilling finality. “You will take nothing from this city for at least a thousand years, until I slumber once more. Do you understand? Or do you wish for me to unleash my wrath upon your lands?”

The threat was clear. The attackers, their faces pale with fear, wasted no time in making their retreat.

“W-We will leave,” they stammered, bowing their heads in submission. “We apologize for our intrusion.”

They turned and fled, their footsteps echoing through the silent city as they disappeared back into the tunnel. The serpent, satisfied with their hasty departure, turned its attention back to William.

“It is done, young one,” it said, its voice softer now. “Now, about your gift… I sense a peculiar aura within you, a bloodline both familiar and…unexpected.”

William froze, his heart pounding. What did the serpent mean?

“Are you, perhaps, a descendant of the demon royalty?” the serpent inquired, its voice filled with curiosity. “It would explain the strange energy I sense, for I, too, am of the demon lineage.”

“What the…?” the demonic sword exclaimed, its voice a mix of surprise and disbelief. “This serpent is a demon, too?”

The serpent, its senses attuned to the sword’s presence within William’s mind, chuckled. “Ah, so you even possess a demonic artifact. Impressive. I can offer you a drop of my divine blood, young one. It may prove beneficial on your journey.”

“Divine blood?” William echoed, confused. “But you said you’re a demon.”

The serpent tilted its massive head, its golden eyes gleaming with amusement. “Indeed I am. Demons are a race, not inherently evil or opposed to divinity. Are you suggesting only humans can possess divine qualities?”

“No, of course not,” William stammered, a blush creeping onto his cheeks. “I apologize for my ignorance.”

The serpent chuckled, a deep rumble that shook the cavern. “Think nothing of it, young one. Now, hold out your hand.”

William extended his hand, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. A single drop of the serpent’s blood, shimmering with an emerald luminescence, materialized above his palm.

It fell, surprisingly heavy, engulfing his hand entirely. Then, with a tingling warmth, it vanished, absorbed into his very being.

“The benefits will manifest in due time,” the serpent assured him, its voice resonating with an ancient power. “Sooner than you might expect.”

“Thank you,” William replied, gratitude filling his voice. “And is there a chance those attackers are waiting for us on the surface?”

“None whatsoever,” the serpent replied confidently. “I can sense their presence, and they have fled. You are safe.”

Reassured, William attempted to inquire further about the demonic lineage the serpent had mentioned, but the creature had already turned its attention back to the depths. With a final ripple of the water, it vanished, leaving William alone on the island.

The immediate threat neutralized, the students rejoiced. Their escape route secured, they prepared to leave the elven city, their hearts lighter despite the lingering sadness for their fallen classmates. As they rowed back towards the mainland, a somber silence fell over them, their tears a tribute to those lost.

But upon reaching the shore, a sight met their eyes that banished their grief. Standing near the tunnel entrance, battered but alive, were Professor James and Professor Martha.

“Professors!” the students cried out in unison, their voices filled with disbelief and relief.

“We thought you were…” William began, his voice choked with emotion.

James sighed, leaning heavily on his staff. “We managed to escape,” he admitted, wincing as he adjusted his position. “They were too strong. But what in the world was that serpent? We saw it from across the city!”

William, his mind still reeling from the encounter, knew he had much to explain. But first, they had to reach safety and alert Tholfnir.

The academy needed to be warned, the attackers brought to justice. The journey back, once filled with the excitement of discovery, was now heavy with the weight of loss and the looming threat of a hidden enemy.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep