• Chapter 24: The Blue Crystal Dragon

    Once inside the crystalline cavern, Nauplius stepped forward.
    “Follow me,” he said. “I’ve been through these caves long before these events, so I know them like the back of my hand.”
    The dwarf guided his friends through the glittering cave, as some of the crystals glowed to give light, as did some of the mushrooms and lichen. Magic in them gave some luminescence to provide light for those visiting.
    But there were creatures in the caverns that wanted to put the adventurers’ lights out permanently. Some bats flitted down from the ceiling—their wing fingertips having some of the crystals infused in them to either give them extra cutting power when they flew by, or aim light at them. Some light was made as a flash to disorient them, while others were focused into laser beams that could do serious gashes to them.
    Also, some skeletons of past travelers rose up. The bones of these skeletons had crystals growing on to them, and some even have crystal spikes growing on their knuckles. No doubt Erebus was here, and had raised these skeletons to “life” to cause the heroes trouble.
    “Looks like the welcoming committee!” said Valerius as he got his plasma blade out.
    “Leave the bats to me!” said Galina as she whipped up some small whirlwinds to send the bats spiraling away.
    Valerius and Nauplius turned the skeletons back into dust.
    Valerius then chuckled, “Rest in peace—or in this case, pieces.”

    The five soon entered a large crystal chamber, and they soon beheld a giant blue crystal dragon. The large reptilian had a large hawk beak on its mouth, and straight horns that looked like crystal spikes. Its wings looked very organic despite being made of hard minerals. There were even more crystal spikes running up its spine.
    The dragon opened its mouth and spat out a cyan and cerulean beam of energy. The party just got out of the way in time. When the beam hit the floor, a large flash of energy resulted.
    “Maybe I don’t want to know what happens if a target is hit!” said Zanthe.
    “We need to stop this dragon no matter what!” said Nauplius. “Even if it means risking Erebus getting what he wants from it!”
    “Right!” replied Valerius. “We can still try to stop him from completing his plan! For now, let’s deal with this overgrown lizard!”
    Rouvin shot a few arrows at the beast. One got lodged in its left nostril, the other in its left eye. Combined, they caused enough pain for the beast to rear back and roar.
    “Get it now, Valerius!” yelled Rouvin.
    “I’m on it!” Valerius replied. He then ran up and made a quick diagonal slash at the beast. The blow was enough to cause the Blue Crystal Dragon Heart to fall out.
    The beast then fell over to one side, still. After about a minute, it “melted” into blue crystal sand.

    The group then went to see the Blue Crystal Dragon Heart. It was shaped like the heart of a Komodo dragon, but was made entirely out of blue crystals and gems. It was as though some very talented artist took a crystal garden set and arranged it so the crystals—and gems that were added just right—could form into such a strange shape.
    “This must be the Blue Crystal Dragon Heart,” said Zanthe.
    “It is indeed!” said a frighteningly familiar voice. It was Erebus.
    A beam of light shone down on the heart, driving off the heroes. Erebus appeared, with Delphinia in his grasp.
    “Thank you for going through the hassle for me!” said Erebus with a laugh. “I woke up the long sleeping dragon to get everyone’s attention, but I waited for you to slay it for me and spare me the trouble. I’d have fought it myself, but even I’m not THAT crazy!”
    Valerius growled, “Erebus, you coward!”
    “Flattery will get you nowhere,” mocked Erebus. “Anyway, to help you prepare for a possible confrontation with me, you should check out my soon-to-be army in Rhudis when you get the chance!”
    Erebus then warped away, with both Delphinia AND the Blue Crystal Dragon Heart.
    “Erebus!” snarled Valerius. “You will pay for your troublemaking! Mark my words!”
    “Calm down,” said Zanthe. “We’ll help you save Delphinia and the rest of Olympalantis.”
    “Remember,” said Rouvin, “you have your friends with you.”

    The five soon returned to Archapalopolis. The escort then allowed them back to the palace of the prince.
    “You’ve survived!” said Prince Palamedes. “Thank the gods!”
    “Erebus still got the heart of the Blue Crystal Dragon,” sighed Valerius, “despite our efforts to prevent it.”
    Nauplius added, “He mentioned something about Rhudis.”
    “Please rest in the palace for now,” said Prince Palamedes, “for it is starting to get late. Then tomorrow, I’ll prepare your sloop for travel to Rhudis.”
    Valerius thanked the prince, as did his friends. But he was feeling uneasy. He knew he needed to rest from time to time, but knowing his beloved was in peril made it hard to relax.

    The next day, the prince soon stood near the ship as the last bit of supplies was being put on.
    “So you’re off to Rhudis,” said Prince Palamedes. “Be very careful. That island is said to be teeming with monsters of various varieties.”
    “No doubt Erebus has something to do with it,” said Rouvin. “He did say they were his soon-to-be army.”
    “Most likely he plans to use them once he completes the Forbidden Ritual,” added Zanthe.
    “Rumors have it,” said Prince Palamedes, “that someone even used a mix of science and magic to augment the monsters. Take every precaution necessary.”
    “We will, Your Excellence,” replied Valerius.
    The party soon got on the sloop and set sail.
    The people soon gave their thanks, farewells, and prayers as they sailed off to their next destination.