Having passed the Legendary Blacksmith, Kai, Arthur, and Elara stepped into the Ancient Dragon Sanctuary. The atmosphere within this vast cavern was completely different from outside. It was warm, peaceful, and filled with an ancient, breathtakingly powerful energy. A soft blue light emanated from colossal crystals twinkling on the cavern's ceiling and walls, illuminating a clear pool of water at its center.
In the middle of the pool, a radiant column of light stretched upwards, and within that column, a massive, majestic dragon soul materialized. It wasn't a physical entity, but a transparent silhouette formed from blue and golden light, with eyes that exuded infinite wisdom. This was the Progenitor Dragon - Elder Dragon, the resting soul of the Great Legendary Guardian.
"You have come, Bearer of the Ancient Soul Emblem," a voice, echoing like thunder from deep within the earth, yet carrying the stillness of millennia, resonated within Kai's mind. It wasn't language, but a direct transmission of thought.
Arthur and Elara felt the pressure, but they were not afraid. They stood back, observing in silence.
"Progenitor Dragon?" Kai whispered, feeling a deep connection between his soul and the entity before him.
"I am the memory of the Council of Ancient Dragons, the guardian of the Seal," the Progenitor Dragon replied. "You have overcome every trial, proving your courage, wisdom, and pure soul. You are the hope we have awaited."
A surge of energy from the Progenitor Dragon flowed into Kai, not to attack, but to impart knowledge and power.
You have received 'The Progenitor Dragon's Prophecy'!
You have received 'Ancient Dragon Lore: Shadow Seal'!
Skill 'Crystal Manipulation (Water)' has been upgraded to 'Crystal Energy Manipulation' (Level 2)! - Now able to manipulate pure crystal energy, increasing spell effectiveness and creating stronger crystal constructs.
Skill 'Soul Taming' has been upgraded to 'Soul Guiding' (Level 2)! - Stronger soul damage, able to temporarily control multiple lower-level spiritual entities.
Your Mana and Wisdom (WIS) attributes have significantly increased.
Information flooded Kai's mind. The Shattered Prophecy was a terrible warning.
"The Seal is weakening rapidly," the Progenitor Dragon continued. "The Shadow Cult has already acquired two fragments of the Crystal Heart, not just one. One from the Crystal Dragon Hall, and the other... from the distant Quicksand Valley, guarded by the Sand Dragons."
Kai shuddered. "Two fragments already?"
"The Shadow Cult's goal is not merely to unleash the Devourer," the Progenitor Dragon said, its voice filled with sorrow. "They wish to control it. They believe that by sacrificing life energy and souls, they can command that destructive demon and use it to reshape Aethel to their will, becoming new gods."
"They're insane!" Arthur roared.
"We have to stop them!" Elara said.
"Only three Crystal Heart fragments remain," the Progenitor Dragon stated. "One fragment is hidden in the Cloud City atop the highest mountain, protected by the Wind Dragons. One lies deep beneath the Serene Deep Sea, guarded by the Sea Dragons. And the final fragment... rests at the Eternal Volcano Peak, guarded by the Fire Dragons."
The Progenitor Dragon projected a beam of light from its eyes onto the Ancient Soul Emblem on Kai's chest. A mental map appeared in his mind, marking the locations of the three remaining fragments.
"Your journey will be arduous," the Progenitor Dragon said. "Each Dragon Guardian tribe is secluded, and not all will welcome you. Especially after the disaster of the Dragon Hall and Quicksand Valley. You must earn their trust. And you... must also find another crucial piece."
The Progenitor Dragon paused, its voice growing graver. "Before the Council of Ancient Dragons sealed the Devourer, we separated a portion of our own soul energy and sealed it within a final artifact: 'The True Dragon Eye'. It is the key to fully awakening the latent power within your Ancient Soul Emblem, and more importantly, it can peer into the deepest mysteries of Aethel, including the Devourer's true origin and how to permanently seal it."
"The True Dragon Eye?" Kai asked.
"I can only sense it hidden deep within an 'Unmarked Shrine', situated between the territories of the three remaining Dragon Guardian tribes," the Progenitor Dragon said. "It awaits a pure soul, a courageous heart. You must find it."
Suddenly, the Progenitor Dragon's soul began to flicker, its light weakening.
"My time is at an end... My soul... too weak to persist..."
"Will you disappear?" Kai asked, feeling a profound sadness.
"I shall return to the mother earth," the Progenitor Dragon replied. "But my memories and strength will live within you, Bearer of the Emblem. Use them wisely. Protect Aethel. And... find your way home..."
With those final words, the Progenitor Dragon's soul dissipated into countless shimmering specks of light, rising and merging with the crystals on the cavern ceiling, making them glow even more brilliantly. The energy within the Ancient Dragon Sanctuary became quieter, but the Progenitor Dragon's presence still lingered in Kai's mind.
Zane, still on the stretcher, stirred faintly. The light from the crystals seemed to have miraculously aided him.
"We don't have much time," Kai said to Arthur and Elara, conveying what the Progenitor Dragon had revealed. "The Shadow Cult already has two fragments. They want to control the Devourer. We must find the remaining three fragments and 'The True Dragon Eye'."