The Villain's Story

Chapter 797: Guardian of Shadows.(2)

”My lord, may I inquire what plagues you?

A kneeling Shilam asked of the figure hidden in the black fog, from his grasped hand emitted golden light of such opposite power that Shilam almost quivered. His lord held an interesting... thing, in his hand. Something he was desperately clinging on too, something that was both the source of shadows, and an enemy in some sense.

It had been a while, since he had received a response, the Warden of the Forgotten had abandoned his duty. His unyielding master had yielded, and succumbed to lethargy.

Although the Realm of Shadows would perform its purpose well even if its master had succumbed to such a degree, it was still a sad sight to see for Shilam. After all, the one he idolized was gone, replaced by nothing but a corpse who held desperately to some golden light.

He sighed, as he left the hollow void, and stared at the clouds of the realm of shadows, his body supported by two grains of sand underneath each foot. He had so many questions as his eyes slowly observed the happenings below.

’What is that golden light?’

’What has happened to you?’

’What will happen to us? Oh, My Lord, are we not enough for you, to share your implications?’

After all, he was not the only to share these worries. The hundreds of Shadow Dragons that comprised the veil of clouds of the realm of Shadows were the same, each one had the same questions, countless pairs of eyes materialized as they looked at him, hungry for an answer.

Desperately waiting for it, but he had none. Shilam sighed as his field of vision changed into an endless expanse of white, a blizzard unlike any other that froze the soul, a cold unlike any other that originated from the river up above, giving both power to a supreme and the world itrself.

Now that Alan’s party was gone, Lanekia had returned to its original state. Had Alan been the only one to participate in the trials, perhaps he would be able to witness the true Lanekia. The home of the Frost Dragons, one of the truest planets in the World.

Only a Frost Dragon could survive on the surface on Lanekia, it was an undeniable truth. Even for Shilam, staying for so long would eat him from the inside. His freezing soul would collapse, and his body of shadows would be eaten by the cold. A harsh environment that was basically paradise for Frost Dragons.

He walked forward, noticing the sight of an old dragon wearing the skull of a sheep or goat as a mask sitting in an unsightly posture above the edge of a cliff, overlooking many young below.

There was nothing but an incomprehensible darkness hidden behind the holes of the mask, one Shilam wasn’t particularly curious about.

”What is the matter?”

Azmakul asked, his gaze fixed on the young dragons below. He didn’t even turn around to greet Shilam, and it wasn’t expected of him, a former supreme being and one of the oldest Ancients still somewhat sane in the head.

One of the few who still hadn’t fallen asleep, for eternity.

”...”

Shilam offered a small bow, as Azmakul came to realize what the issue was, he sighed, and said.

”Still the same? That foolish brat.”

Had anyone else talked about Lord Kulak this way, Shilam would have had their heads in his grasp already, their shadows stripped and tortured for an eternity, but Azmakul was the only one besides her majesty Ariel who could like that about the three supremes, and to the three supremes.

The only one he held in somewhat high regard was Lanesha, although that was from affection instead of respect.

”I am... troubled.”

”Why worry about it?”

”It is not just his Majesty Kulak, It is his highness Valus as well, and Queen Lanesha as well. Every supreme is behaving different, as if they have lost all hope. I still see the light in Sir Valus, a determination unlike any other, but my Lord has lost all hope. What is going on?”

Azmakul didn’t respond, merely asking another question, avoiding the topic completely.

”How are they doing?”

Shilam’s head dropped, as he resigned himself. He had thought he would get an answer here, but alas, it was hopeless.

”They have conquered their Shadows, the prince is still in the process of doing so, Although I am unable to see anything. It seems Lord Kulak is observing it personally... thankfully.”

Azmakul turned his head, taking a glance at Shilam before turning it back, focusing his gaze below at the valley.

He let him continue.

”I am just about to teach them how to utilize the true shadow, and to trust only it... I bid you farewell, Master.”

Half his body stepped into the Realm of Shadows, when Azmakul called out.

”Wait.”

Shilam turned around, returning to Lanekia, looking at Azmakul with confusion, who sighed as he crossed his legs, and patted the ground beside him. A signal for Shilam to sit.

Shilam followed, sitting on his metallic knees on the edge, looking down at the young dragons, barely out of the egg, playing in the snow.

It brought a smile to his stiff face, sadly, not a single shadow dragon had been born for centuries, all of them were a part of Kulak, and thus a limited number until his majesty thought different.

For a moment, both of them appreciated the sight, until Azmakul broke the peaceful silence.

”I see something in the future, a Black Dragon I lost against.”

Shilam turned his head, focusing on Azmakul, silently waiting for him to continue.

”A white snake appeared in the plains of Lanekia, one of devious cunning, however weak in combat. I defeated it, but what emerged was a calamity unlike any other.

I lost.”

Azmakul took a deep breath, and stood up. Shilam stood up as well.

”I’ve been having that same dream for so long... And I know why.”

Shilam unknowingly gripped the handle of his black blade.

”We are in a loop, where we have constantly faced defeat against that Black Dragon.”

For a moment, it brought pride to Azmakul.