The colossal machine roared louder.<\/p>\n
Massive iron chains trembled violently above the blazing fire pit while golden symbols spiraled across the cathedral-like chamber in endless circles of light. Dust rained from the ceiling as terrified guards stumbled backward across the stone floor.<\/p>\n
Something inside the relic was waking up.<\/p>\n
The boy stood perfectly still against the glowing metal, his green tunic whipping through the storm of magical energy while the dragon-shaped medallion burned bright against his chest.<\/p>\n
Then\u2014<\/p>\n
A deep metallic heartbeat echoed from within the ancient machine.<\/p>\n
BOOM.<\/p>\n
The sound shook the entire hall.<\/p>\n
BOOM.<\/p>\n
Cracks spread across the floor beneath the fire pit as the enormous relic rotated faster overhead. The priest gripped his wooden staff tightly, fear spreading across his pale face.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo\u2026\u201d he whispered. \u201cSeal the chamber immediately!\u201d<\/p>\n
But nobody moved.<\/p>\n
The guards were frozen in terror.<\/p>\n
Because now they could hear it too.<\/p>\n
Breathing.<\/p>\n
Heavy.<\/p>\n
Ancient.<\/p>\n
Alive.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, one of the glowing runes exploded with light.<\/p>\n
A gigantic claw burst through the center of the relic.<\/p>\n
The entire hall erupted into screams.<\/p>\n
The claw was enormous\u2014black metal fused with scales that glowed like molten lava beneath the surface. Sharp golden talons scraped against the ancient machine as the creature slowly forced itself outward.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s impossible\u2026\u201d one guard whispered.<\/p>\n
The boy didn\u2019t run.<\/p>\n
Instead, he stepped closer.<\/p>\n
The dragon medallion around his neck pulsed brighter with every heartbeat coming from inside the relic. Golden energy wrapped around his arms like flowing fire while the ancient symbols circled him faster and faster.<\/p>\n
Then the creature\u2019s eye opened.<\/p>\n
A massive glowing eye.<\/p>\n
Burning gold.<\/p>\n
The fire pit exploded upward as the relic finally cracked apart completely. Giant pieces of metal crashed into the chamber while soldiers dove for cover beneath the raining debris.<\/p>\n
And from the center of the awakened machine\u2014<\/p>\n
The dragon emerged.<\/p>\n
Its enormous body unfolded slowly through smoke and sparks, covered in black armored scales lined with glowing runes. Heavy chains snapped apart as the beast spread its gigantic wings for the first time in centuries.<\/p>\n
The force alone extinguished half the flames in the chamber.<\/p>\n
Guards dropped their weapons in horror.<\/p>\n
The priest fell to his knees.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Shadow Dragon\u2026\u201d he whispered shakily. \u201cThe ancient guardian\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The beast lowered its colossal head toward the child.<\/p>\n
For one terrifying moment, everyone believed the dragon would devour him instantly.<\/p>\n
But instead\u2014<\/p>\n
The creature bowed.<\/p>\n
Complete silence filled the hall.<\/p>\n
The boy gently placed his hand against the dragon\u2019s massive face as golden light reflected across both of them.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt remembers me,\u201d the child said softly.<\/p>\n
The priest\u2019s eyes widened.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s impossible\u2026 the bloodline died long ago\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The boy slowly turned toward him.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d he replied calmly. \u201cYou only thought it did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then suddenly\u2014<\/p>\n
The dragon lifted its head and unleashed a deafening roar that shook the entire kingdom beyond the stone walls.<\/p>\n
And far away in the darkness beyond the mountains\u2026<\/p>\n
Something else heard it awaken.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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