Goddess of Azra

Music recommendation: "Seven Devils" by Florence + The Machine

Asher lay in his darkened chamber, the silence of the night broken only by the soft crackling of the fireplace. Moonlight spilled through the windows, casting silvered shadows across the room, but his sleep was restless. His mind, though wrapped in the tendrils of slumber, sensed an uneasy presence — something dark and ancient stirring.

In the depths of his sleep, he heard a voice, a low, rumbling growl that reverberated through his mind like a distant thunder. It was the voice of the dragon, the ancient beast he had been bound to protect. The words rolled over him, heavy with a warning that sent chills down his spine.

"Awaken, Asher," the voice echoed, seeping into the corners of his consciousness, sharp yet weighted with concern. "A darkness approaches, one that seeks to consume and corrupt. It is unlike anything you have faced, a power that could unravel not only your kingdom but the very fabric of this realm."

Asher's eyes shot open, and he sat up, heart pounding, the dragon's voice still ringing in his ears. He felt an unusual pull, a sense of dread creeping through his veins. The dragon's tone held a gravity that was rare, even for a creature as timeless as it was. He closed his eyes, trying to recapture the fading vision, to reach out to the dragon.

"What do you see?" Asher asked aloud, as if the beast was right before him.

There was silence for a moment before the dragon's deep voice reverberated again, softer now, almost like a whisper carried on a chilling wind. "A force of shadows, an ancient malice that slumbers no more. It moves within the Veilwood Expanse, seeking weakness, gathering strength. If you do not prepare, it will devour all that stands in its path."

Asher clenched his fists, the weight of the warning settling heavily on his shoulders. The Veilwood Expanse — the haunted, forbidden forest that no creature dared to tread. What was strong enough to stir the dragon, to draw a warning so ominous?

"How do I stop it?" he murmured, tension crackling within him as he fought to maintain his composure.

The dragon's answer came, somber and foreboding. "You must gather your allies, all who hold power. Trust not the appearances of loyalty; the darkness will seek to turn those closest to you."

A flicker of Zarafea's face crossed his mind, and he felt a surge of irritation. She was a mystery wrapped in intrigue, a being he could neither fully trust nor ignore. Could she be connected to this darkness? Or was she a potential ally, someone he could rely on, even in her weakened state?

The dragon's voice faded, leaving Asher alone in the dark, his mind buzzing with unease. Rising from the bed, he moved to the window, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The night seemed heavier, the stars duller, as if the very world had darkened in response to the dragon's warning.

"So, it begins," he whispered to himself, determination sharpening his features. Whatever was coming, whatever dark force threatened his kingdom, he would be ready.