I Only Tame Dragons

Von tightened his grip on his mace, his jaw tightening as the gravity of the situation began to weigh on him. The atmosphere around him seemed to grow colder, charged with tension and the latent power radiating from the artifact in Aeloria's hands.

He wasn't sure if his defenses could hold against the combined strength of the Kingdom of Stars and their artifact. It wasn't just the raw power they now wielded—Von could sense their renewed determination, the kind that turned desperation into something dangerous. They weren't holding anything back this time.

Von had been playing the long game, relying on his strategy to wear down their weapons before they realized his plan. But now, with the artifact in play, that strategy was quickly unraveling. His calculations were falling apart, and for the first time since the battle began, a sliver of doubt crept into his mind.

The artifact's energy surged, its light casting sharp shadows across the battlefield. Von knew what was coming. A concentrated, devastating attack designed to overwhelm him completely.

His eyes flickered to Lydia, who stood at the ready behind him, her bow lowered but her gaze fixed on their enemies. Without hesitation, Von reached into his inventory and pulled out a small, unassuming vial, the liquid inside glowing faintly. He turned and tossed it to her in one smooth motion.

Lydia caught it, her brow furrowing as she studied the object in her hand. "What is this?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion and concern.

"It's a medicine," Von replied, his voice low and steady. "If things go south, use it. No questions, no hesitation. Just trust me."

Lydia's frown deepened, but she nodded, pocketing the vial without further argument. She could see the seriousness in Von's eyes, the weight of his words. Whatever the elixir was, it wasn't something to take lightly.

Before she could press him further, the battlefield erupted.

The Kingdom of Stars made their move.

Aeloria raised the artifact high above her head, its light intensifying until it was almost blinding. The air around her shimmered and warped as the energy inside the orb reached its peak. "Now!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.

The artifact unleashed its power in a dazzling burst of energy, a concentrated wave of destruction that surged forward like a tidal wave. Aeloria, Trish, Liora, and Theron synchronized their attacks, channeling their own mana to amplify the artifact's effect.

Blazing fireballs, razor-sharp wind currents, and piercing beams of light converged into a single, devastating assault aimed directly at Von.

The ground quaked under the sheer force of their combined power. Rocks shattered, trees splintered, and the very air seemed to vibrate with the intensity of the attack.

Von braced himself, his crimson eyes narrowing as he prepared for impact. He planted his feet firmly, his mace glowing faintly as he channeled his mana into it. He couldn't afford to counterattack—not without risking the darkness within him.

All he could do was defend and hope that his endurance would outlast their assault.

The wave of energy slammed into him like a hurricane, each strike testing the limits of his defenses. Von gritted his teeth, his muscles straining as he deflected the incoming spells with precise, deliberate movements. His mace clashed against the onslaught, the shockwaves from each impact reverberating through his body. Enjoy exclusive adventures from empire

It wasn't just strength that kept him standing—it was strategy, experience, and sheer force of will. But even those had their limits.

Von could feel the strain in his arms, the cracks forming in the shaft of his mace, the faint ache in his core as his stamina waned. If this continued, he wouldn't last much longer—not without unleashing the power he had been suppressing all this time.

But he couldn't afford to do that. Not yet. Not unless he had no other choice.

The artifact's energy surged again, this time sharper and more focused. Von's eyes widened as he realized what they were doing—they were testing him, probing for a weakness in his defense. And if they found one, they would exploit it without hesitation.

A massive wave of energy burst forth, surging toward Von like a tidal wave of raw magic. It was a combined attack—an overwhelming force designed to break through any defense, no matter how strong.

Von's eyes glowed brighter, the crimson hue intensifying as he raised his staff. Dark tendrils of energy coiled around him, forming a shield of shadow against the oncoming attack. He knew this was the moment of truth—either his shield would hold, or he would be forced to unleash the darkness within him.

=== ===

Meanwhile, on another part of the battlefield, Horizon and Cedrick had already locked into their own intense clash.

The massive Dracolich under Horizon's control was locked in a brutal struggle with the conjured copy summoned by Cedrick's artifact.

Each swipe of their skeletal claws sent shockwaves through the ground, and their piercing roars filled the air like the prelude to an apocalyptic storm.

Despite their identical stats, Horizon's Dracolich was holding its own, skillfully countering the mimic's relentless attacks. Still, it was clear the battle between the two titanic creatures was far from over.

Horizon darted and weaved, narrowly avoiding the explosive spells Cedrick hurled at him. Fireballs the size of boulders scorched the ground, and jagged shards of ice rained down like spears. Each spell was powerful, and Cedrick's aim wasn't sloppy—far from it. Yet Horizon's agility and sharp instincts kept him one step ahead.

But he wasn't retaliating. Not yet. He was biding his time, waiting for the artifact powering Cedrick's mimic to lose its effect. The duplicate Dracolich was a headache to deal with on its own—an exact replica of his own, with identical stats and abilities. To engage recklessly would be to risk unnecessary damage, or worse, outright failure.

No, Horizon thought. Better to let time work in my favor. Once the artifact's energy runs dry, the tide of battle will shift.

Above the chaos, Cedrick stood atop a rocky outcrop, a smug grin plastered across his face as he rained spells down with reckless glee. His voice grated on Horizon's nerves, sharp and high-pitched, taunting like nails scraping across metal.