In the ancient realm of Magnus, where the echoes of bygone eras resonated through the land, Eshinka, a venerable 1800-year-old Bronze Dragon, found herself immersed in an unprecedented chapter of her long life. For the first time, she had achieved the miraculous feat of giving birth to her very first offspring through the mystical process of Parthenogenesis, a phenomenon made possible with the assistance of a skilled Dracomancer.
However, joy and awe quickly turned to disbelief as words reached Eshinka's ears. Her precious baby dragon, the product of ancient magic and her motherly devotion, had suffered humiliation at the hands of a mere human. The revelation struck a chord deep within the ancient dragon's heart, awakening a dormant fury that only a mother's love could incite.
Eshinka doesn’t know exactly the details but the familiar she has left with her child seems to have witnessed the entire event. “Hmmm… I don’t know much about summoning magic, thus the familiar I summoned and ordered to watch over my child is not strong… I should quickly address this issue.”
The Year 1673 of the Dawn Calendar, known as the New Sorcery Age, had ushered in an era where the once-mighty dragons no longer held sway over Magnus. Sorcerers, with their potent spells and mystical prowess, now claimed the title of the strongest beings in the realm. Eshinka, whose memories harked back to the glorious Dragon Age, couldn't help but reminisce about the time when her kin reigned supreme.
Despite the turmoil stirring within her, Eshinka knew better than to rashly seek vengeance. The balance of power had shifted, and the dragons had become mere relics of a bygone era. The ancient wisdom that came with her age counseled restraint, reminding her that confrontation with the dominant Sorcerers could lead to dire consequences.
In the shelter of their secluded lair, Eshinka sought to comfort her humiliated progeny. The child, yet to come of age and devoid of a gender or name, rested beneath the protective wings of its mother. With a gentle and soothing voice, Eshinka assured the young dragon that all would be well.
"It will be fine, my precious," she cooed, her voice a melodic rumble that reverberated through the chamber. "You are strong, and the legacy of our kind flows through your veins. The incident with the human is but a fleeting moment in your long existence."
Breathing a surge of magic power into her offspring, Eshinka sought to strengthen the inherent abilities that defined dragons. These majestic beings were not only formidable in physical prowess but also masters of magic, an essence that had allowed them to once dominate the vast continent before.
The Dragonkind after all are natural magic casters.
Since Eshinka became a mother, a notable transformation had taken place within her. The once tyrannical tendencies she harbored toward the lower races had diminished significantly. The responsibility that came with parenthood had tempered her actions; after all, she couldn't afford to draw the attention of Dragon Slayers, ambitious heroes, or the various factions of sorcerers.
In the comforting confines of their cavern, Eshinka spoke reassuringly to her child. She promised that everything would be fine now, and the threats from hostile humans would no longer pursue them. The little bronze dragon, nestled in Eshinka's embrace, responded with soft chirps, a gentle affirmation of the bond between mother and child.
"Everything will be fine now," she assured the little bronze dragon, "The bad human won't chase you anymore."
The dragon responded with soft chirps, a gentle affirmation of the bond between mother and child.
Eshinka continued, "You're safe with me. Once your Spark of Wisdom awakens, you'll understand even more."
Despite their relative seclusion, Eshinka recognized the importance of exposing her offspring to the common world. To expedite the growth of her child and nurture its Spark of Wisdom, she had sent the little dragon on an adventure beyond their cavern. However, their plans were unexpectedly disrupted by the interference of a human sorcerer.
Grateful that her child had not met a fatal end, Eshinka pondered the situation.
"Maybe the sorcerer who attacked you isn't as strong as I feared," she mused, a hint of relief in her voice. "We'll have to be more cautious, though. Your safety is my priority."
It was a silver lining in a situation that could have been much darker. The challenges faced by her child were unavoidable, but Eshinka remained determined to ensure its safety and growth, navigating the delicate balance between motherhood and the dangers that lurked beyond their sanctuary.
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Deep within the cavern, where the ominous shadows danced and the air hung heavy with the ancient essence of dragons, mommy dragon Eshinka and her dragon cub rested. The tranquility of their refuge was shattered when sudden tremors reverberated through the stony walls, jolting Eshinka from her serene repose.
Frowning, Eshinka lifted herself on all four mighty limbs, her scales shimmering in the dim light. The cavern trembled with an unseen force, a surge of magical power that tingled through her very being. A sense of foreboding crept over her as she surveyed her surroundings.
From the myriad holes that served as both entrances and exits to the cavern, flames emerged, licking the air and casting an eerie glow. Eshinka's eyes narrowed in concern. This was no ordinary disturbance; it was a manifestation of potent magic, the kind wielded by a Sorcerer of formidable prowess – perhaps even at the level of a Champion.
Worry etched across Eshinka's scaled features as she contemplated the implications of such a presence. Her proficiency in Earth Magic resonated within her, a connection to the very essence of the cavern itself. Determined, she decided to investigate and protect her offspring.
With a low growl, Eshinka began to dig upwards, the ground yielding to the might of her magical prowess. She conveyed urgency to her dragon cub, a silent command for it to stay close. The young one, sensing its mother's unease, huddled obediently beside Eshinka.
However, before Eshinka could take another step or delve deeper into her protective instincts, a silhouette emerged in her peripheral vision. The figure was unmistakably human, a stark contrast to the draconic majesty of the cavern. Eshinka's gaze fixed upon the intruder, her eyes narrowing with a mixture of caution and curiosity. The unexpected visitor cast an enigmatic shadow against the flickering flames, and Eshinka's instincts bristled as she prepared for the unknown encounter.
“Who are you!?” The Bronze Dragon demands.
Appearing before Eshinka, the Great Bronze Dragon, was a woman with fiery crimson hair and golden eyes ablaze. “Sanaryn Flamberge,” she introduced herself, “Hmmm… this is annoying…”
"Great Bronze Dragon Eshinka Famora," Sanaryn Flamberge spoke, her voice carrying a tone of authority that matched the intensity of her fiery gaze. "Your time of dominion is at an end. Surrender peacefully, and perhaps we can avoid unnecessary destruction."
Eshinka, maintaining an air of confidence, responded, "Human, you tread on dangerous ground. Dragons and Sorcerers have long honored an unspoken agreement. You violate that delicate balance with your demand."
Sanaryn Flamberge scoffed, her eyes narrowing with disdain. "The agreements of old have no bearing on the present. Magnus needs a new order, and I am here to enforce it as per my decision requires of me. Surrender, or face the consequences."
With an almost regretful look, she scratches her cheek in embarrassment, “To be honest though, forget the new order… I am just here to arrest you for another purpose, but I’d rather not say what it is… Just know that with me coming at you, there is no option but to surrender.”
This fiery woman who seems so inconsequentially small if compared to a dragon is one of the Three Sages, the three strongest combat Sorcerers in all of Magnus!
Despite her outward show of strength, Eshinka's internal turmoil raged. She knew the reputation of the Three Sages, and facing one of them directly was not a situation any dragon took lightly. Desperation fueled her actions as she unleashed her strongest Earth Magic.
"Earthquake!" Eshinka roared, causing the cavern to tremble. Rocks and debris fell, as she intended to bury Sanaryn beneath the weight of the earth.
But Sanaryn merely rolled her eyes, unfazed by the impending danger. "You think rocks can hold me?" she taunted. In an instant, she burst into a brilliant flame, soaring with incredible speed towards the dragon.
Eshinka's panic intensified as she realized the sorceress was too quick. "You underestimate the power of Magnus itself! I am a Dragon of Old, and I am of Magnus!" she bellowed.
Sanaryn Flamberge, now hovering before the dragon with fists ablaze, chuckled. "Your antiquated magic is no match for the force of change, Eshinka. Magnus bows to a new era, and you will bow with it."
The fiery clash between dragon and sorceress seemed inevitable, and the cavern echoed with the impending clash of two formidable powers.
Sanaryn's irritation simmered beneath the surface like molten lava. Ever since her defeat at the hands of the upstart Sage Randel, she found herself ensnared in a role she despised - hunting for sacrifices. The bitterness of her recent failures seemed to fuel the fire within her, and her temper grew more volatile with each passing day.
On this particular day, frustration manifested in a furious display of power. Sanaryn extended her fists, ablaze with bright orange flames, and unleashed a relentless barrage upon the formidable Bronze Dragon, Eshinka. The dragon responded by invoking her own magic, attempting to fortify her scales against the searing assault. However, Sanaryn's flames proved too potent, mercilessly melting through the dragon's protective layers.
Eshinka's child, sensing its mother's plight, roared in fury and lunged at Sanaryn in a desperate attempt to intervene. Unfazed, Sanaryn casually dispatched the juvenile with a well-aimed fireball, a stark display of her overwhelming power.
Seeing her child being treated like that, Eshinka pleaded for mercy, “No, please! We… We should talk it out!” her cries echoing with desperation, she implored Sanaryn to spare her child and suggested a peaceful resolution.
But it was all deception.
Despite the plea, Eshinka's desperation took a sudden turn. Out of nowhere, a torrent of pure magic power surged forth from the Bronze Dragon's maw, a dragon's breath imbued with burning orange flames that could spell death even for Champion Class Sorcerers.
Yet, Sanaryn was no ordinary Champion. She belonged to the elite ranks of Legendary Class, a tier above the formidable Champions. The force of Eshinka's magical onslaught propelled Sanaryn backward, but as the flames dissipated, it became evident that the Legendary Sorceress emerged unscathed, not a single scratch marring her formidable presence.
"Enough of this, Eshinka," Sanaryn spat, her eyes aflame with a mixture of anger and triumph. "You should have known better than to challenge a Legendary Class Sorceress."
Sanaryn Flamberge stood calmly before the battered form of the Great Bronze Dragon Eshinka Famora. Her fiery crimson hair flickered in the dim light, matching the intensity of her golden eyes ablaze with magical prowess. With a disdainful tone, she scolded Eshinka for resorting to underhanded tactics in a futile attempt to protect her child.
"How pathetic," Sanaryn remarked, her voice dripping with contempt. "A dragon using such cheap tricks. You should have known better, Eshinka."
Rattled to her core, Eshinka couldn't comprehend how Sanaryn had survived the onslaught of her Dragon's Breath. In a desperate attempt to understand, she asked, "How did you… survive? A Dragon's Breath is not something to be taken lightly."
Sanaryn, unfazed and now angered by the dragon's feeble attempts, scoffed. "Surviving your feeble attack is child's play for someone of my caliber. Dragons, especially relics like you, are nothing compared to the might of a Legendary Class Sorceress."
The once-majestic scales of Eshinka now marred and melting, she pleaded for mercy once more. "Please, spare my child! We can find a resolution, talk it out."
Sanaryn's laughter echoed ominously, a sound that sent shivers down the dragon's spine. "Talk? It's too late for that. You thought you could challenge a Legendary Class Sorceress with your outdated magic. Pathetic."
With a sudden surge of anger, Sanaryn decided she had endured enough. A dark aura enveloped her, and her fiery veins glowed a brilliant red as she cast her most potent spell—Phoenix End. The magical energy coursing through her veins amplified her already formidable attributes at an unprecedented rate, a state she rarely accessed.
The cavern trembled as the red fiery veins spread across Sanaryn's skin like molten lava. Eshinka, witnessing the transformation, was both awestruck and horrified. She had underestimated the true power of a Legendary Class Sorceress, and now, the consequences of her actions were unfolding before her.
"You have really done it now, Eshinka," Sanaryn growled, her eyes ablaze with a mix of anger and triumph. "Prepare for the true might of the Pyromanceress of the World Faction, the Sage of Flames."
Inhaling a massive amount of air, Sanaryn prepared to unleash her version of a Dragon's Breath, a stream of flames so destructive that it could melt rocks without even touching them.
With a burst, Sanaryn exhaled the fiery torrent, the intense heat causing the very air to shimmer. The flames danced and roared, engulfing everything in their path. Rocks melted like wax, and the cavern trembled under the overwhelming force of Sanaryn's magical onslaught.
Even the air itself seems to shudder.
"Your kind's reign has come to an end, Eshinka," Sanaryn declared, her voice cutting through the crackling flames. "No more terrorizing cities, slaughtering villages, or preying on innocent Sorcerers."
Despite the devastation, Eshinka, battered and scorched, stood firm, protecting her child from the searing onslaught. Eshinka’s wings envelop her child with a protective embrace. For a moment, guilt flickered in Sanaryn's eyes as she witnessed the motherly devotion before her.
"You've done enough harm, dragon," Sanaryn continued, her tone unwavering. "Now, face the consequences of your actions."
Proclaiming Eshinka's crimes one by one—terrorizing cities, killing villages, and even slaying innocent Sorcerers—Sanaryn detailed the long list of wrongdoings attributed to the Bronze Dragon. In truth, this arrest was more of a justification. Sanaryn's true goal was to fulfill a favor for Randel, another of the Three Sages.
In response, Eshinka, now battered and humbled, offered her surrender. She pleaded with Sanaryn to spare her child and promised to come peacefully. A momentary pause enveloped the cavern as Sanaryn considered the plea.
"Fine," Sanaryn agreed, her voice carrying the weight of authority. "You surrender, and I promise your child won't be harmed. We'll settle this peacefully."
Relieved but still wary, Eshinka canceled the Earthquake Spell she had been charging. The tension in the cavern eased, but it was clear that the outcome had been decided from the very beginning.
As they prepared to leave the cavern, the once-great Bronze Dragon bowed to the inevitable, her child nestled safely by her side.
"You've chosen a path of surrender," Sanaryn stated coldly. "Wise decision, considering your futile attempts at resistance."
Eshinka, though defeated, lifted her gaze and spoke with a measured determination, "I surrender, but let it be known that my child is not to be harmed. It is the only condition to my cooperation."
Sanaryn nodded in agreement, "Your child will remain unharmed. But remember, you face justice for your crimes."
In an act of sincerity, Eshinka, the Great Bronze Dragon, casts a polymorph spell on herself. Her majestic form shrank, transforming into a more diminutive figure, revealing her human guise. Cloaked in stylish robes with flowing brown hair and amber eyes, Eshinka presented herself in her human form, a stark contrast to the draconic majesty she once possessed.
Sanaryn, unfazed by the transformation, completed the arrest by cuffing Eshinka with enchanted restraints. These cuffs, unknown to the ancient dragon, were designed to suppress magic power. As they clasped onto her wrists, Eshinka felt an immediate strangulation of her control over the vast magic within her. Fear flashed across her amber eyes, for it was the first time she had encountered a force capable of stifling her inherent abilities.
Eshinka's child, the juvenile Bronze Dragon, weakly observed the unfolding scene. Though unable to articulate its concerns through words, the fear in its eyes spoke volumes. As Sanaryn began to drag Eshinka away, the small dragon watched helplessly, sensing the impending separation from its mother.
Turning her gaze toward her frightened offspring, Eshinka attempted to offer comfort despite her own trepidation. "Everything will be fine," she reassured in a soft tone, her human voice a stark departure from the resonating rumble of her draconic form. The juvenile Bronze Dragon, unable to comprehend the complexities of the situation, could only watch with anxious eyes as its mother was led away.
In the blink of an eye, the cavern that once housed the inseparable pair was reduced to emptiness, with only the juvenile Bronze Dragon remaining. The echoes of their bond lingered in the now desolate space, and the once-majestic refuge became a haunting reminder of a mother's sacrifice for the sake of her child.
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Sanaryn focused her energy, drawing upon the latent power within her, weaving the strands of magic into the dancing flames at her fingertips. The air crackled with energy as she summoned the essence of fire, shaping it into a majestic creature - a giant Fire Bird, a manifestation of raw elemental power born from the heart of the flames.
Her captive, bound by enchanted cuffs designed to suppress magical abilities, followed in reluctant compliance as Sanaryn led the way. Eshinka, a reluctant follower under magical constraint, couldn't help but be curious about the restraints that hindered her powers. As they traversed the terrain, Eshinka voiced her inquiry, seeking answers about the origin and purpose of the cuffs.
"What's the deal with these cuffs?" Eshinka questioned, her voice tinged with irritation. "Who made them? Humans have progressed astonishingly fast to wield such technology."
Sanaryn shook her head, dismissing Eshinka's assumption. "No, not just any humans. These cuffs are the creation of a new Sage among the Three Sages."
Eshinka's brows furrowed with intrigue, and she pressed further. "And who might this Sage be? What's their name?"
Sanaryn's response carried a weight of hostility, her words imbued with a simmering resentment. "Randel," she spat the name out like a curse, the disdain unmistakable in her tone.
Eshinka, sensing the tension, raised an eyebrow. "Hostile much? What's your history with this Randel?"
Sanaryn's eyes flared with an intensity matching the flames she controlled. "A man who married the Witch of Fate, the very woman who has betrayed everything we Sorcerers stood for. So you can imagine just what Randel is like… These cuffs are just a taste of the darkness this man is going to bring into the world. The Sorcerer War changed a lot of things... but him? This person, he is new." Her voice trailed off, the bitterness lingering in the air.
The flames of the Fire Bird danced in the night, illuminating the strained atmosphere between captor and captive, leaving Eshinka to ponder the secrets and betrayals that fueled the magic-bound conflict… but Eshinka is unsure… After all, she has heard of a person with the name ‘Randel’ very recently.
"The Witch of Fate, huh?" Eshinka murmurs aware of the legends surrounding such a figure.
