Nara POV
His weight slumped against me, heavier than I remembered. Not just from exhaustion—but from something deeper, something stirring inside him that even he couldn't contain. I tightened my grip around his arm, holding him upright as we climbed the last stretch of the mountain path. The wind was cruel here, howling through the peaks like a mourning ghost, whipping strands of my hair across my face.
But then I saw it—the ridgeline, cloaked in mist—and my heart clenched
The clouds above had begun to darken, and the mountains ahead loomed with an eerie, ancient silence—as if no soul had dared to walk these paths for decades. The priest hadn't told me how to enter this place, only where it would be.
Then, without warning, a massive figure emerged from the mist—a silver-black dragon with piercing yellow eyes.
I knew who he was. The gatekeeper.
He was just one of many, but if I showed even a hint of fear, he would sense it... and kill me on the spot.
I remembered what my Lord once told me long ago: "When you face a gatekeeper dragon, never show fear. Speak with confidence, as if the place he guards already belongs to you."
With that memory firm in my heart, I walked forward and stood tall before the great beast.
He lowered his head, so close that his warm breath brushed against my face, threatening to knock the air from my lungs.
Then, he pulled back slightly and asked me—
"Who are you?" the dragon asked, his deep voice rumbling as his massive tail struck the ground behind him.
Seriously? Can't he sense who I am? The Sixth Sword is standing right in front of him. Whatever.
"I am the Sixth Sword—Nara, the Blood Carnation of Dragon Lord Typhon Kaelzar," I declared with unwavering confidence.
He began circling me slowly, his deadly gaze locked on mine.
"The Dragon Lord died centuries ago," he growled. "And his swords faded with him. The only ruler of this realm now is the Shadow Lord. Don't tell me you truly believe Typhon will return. He abandoned us when the Shadow Lord conquered the Dragon Realm and claimed it for himself."
I clenched my fists. How could I explain the truth? The betrayal… the conspiracy… No, it wasn't the time. I needed to stay calm. Control yourself, Nara. One day, you will cleanse your Lord's name.
"The Priest of the Dragons himself sent me. He told me to visit this library," I said, my voice firm as I kept my composure.
But something was off. I could sense a pulse of mana… and it wasn't coming from the gatekeeper dragon. No—this was something different. Another dragon. Watching.
"And why should I believe you?" he asked.
"This," I replied, reaching to my side. I pulled out the dagger hanging at my waist. "The priest gave me this before I left."
He froze. For a moment, he simply stared at the dagger in silence.
Then, slowly, he stepped aside. The sharp screech of his claws echoed off the stone, and with a sweep of his massive wing, he revealed the path ahead.
"You may enter."
As I stepped beyond the dragon's wing, the clouds above parted just enough for a soft beam of moonlight to guide my path. The mountain split open into a narrow, crumbling bridge—stretching toward a towering structure nestled deep within the cliffs.
The Forgotten Library was no ordinary place. It stood like an ancient castle carved from obsidian stone, its spires rising like jagged teeth into the sky. Vines of glowing silver wrapped around the pillars, pulsing faintly with ancient runes—magic that had long been asleep but never forgotten.
A colossal gate—double the height of any dragon—stood at its center, etched with old draconic language and sealed by chains of rusted gold. Gargoyle statues shaped like winged serpents guarded each corner, their eyes glowing dimly as if judging every soul who dared enter.
Cracked stained-glass windows lined the sides, each one depicting fragments of the old war—Typhon at the center, surrounded by the Seven Swords. The glass shimmered in shifting shades of violet and crimson, painting the ground with sorrow and flame.
As I walked closer, the wind carried the scent of old parchment and magic—an air heavy with forgotten knowledge. This place wasn't just a library.
It was a mausoleum of truth.
The moment I crossed the threshold, a rush of air brushed past me—warm, ancient, and humming with arcane memory.
Inside, the library was vast… cathedral-like. Round marble pillars, carved with swirling dragon motifs, spiraled upward into the high vaulted ceiling. Each one glowed faintly with threads of gold and midnight blue, as if the stone itself remembered spells whispered long ago.
Books.
Hundreds, thousands—maybe more—lined the endless shelves that curved along the chamber's walls like a cocoon. Some were chained in place, sealed with molten wax or guarded by sigils. Others hovered gently above the ground or floated lazily near the ceiling, turning their own pages as though lost in thought.
A massive chandelier made of dragon bone and crystal hung in the center, illuminating the space with a cold, magical light. Below it, a circular platform displayed a few ancient tomes atop stone pedestals—likely forbidden texts that only the priest himself could touch.
The air crackled softly with layered mana, echoing every footstep and heartbeat. Somewhere in the distance, gears shifted and staircases realigned themselves, revealing even more hidden passages. This place was alive—breathing, watching, and remembering.
I looked around in awe. Even the silence here felt sacred. No wonder the priest never spoke of this place casually.
This wasn't just a library. It was the heart of the lost era.
I stepped forward, my boots echoing softly against the marble floor, and noticed a worn mattress nestled in the left corner of the library. Carefully, I lowered him onto it. His body remained still—too still.
Why hasn't he woken up yet?
My eyes drifted to his hand… and then I saw it—those ancient markings, slowly etching themselves onto his skin. Just like centuries ago.
That means… he's beginning to awaken. His power is returning.
I sank to my knees beside him, brushing his hair back with trembling fingers. My heart ached with a quiet hope.
Please… at least remember Chrysantha.