Markus dashed through the thick forest canopy, leaping over roots and ducking under gnarled branches. His breath came quick, heart pounding in sync with the beat of the system's timer ticking in his mind. Every rustle, every growl in the distance kept him on edge.
He was getting close.
Following the glowing blue trail on the translucent map hovering before him, Markus finally arrived at the edge of a ridge overlooking a wide clearing.
There, nestled between jagged cliffs and shrouded in fog, was the entrance to the Black Dragon Cave.
Unfortunately, something else was there too.
Perched like a coiled nightmare in front of the mouth of the cave was a colossal serpent-like dragon. Its pitch-black scales shimmered like oil in the moonlight, its yellow eyes glowing with primal intelligence. Smoke hissed from its nostrils as it exhaled, the ground beneath it scorched and cracked.
Markus skidded to a stop and dove into a thick patch of bushes. "Oh… dang," he whispered. "That thing is huge. I don't think I can fight that—at least, not yet."
Umbra popped into view, lounging lazily on Markus's shoulder, one arm propped under his chin like he was watching a play. "You're not kidding. If you try to fight that thing now, I'd bet you last about two—"
"Two minutes or two hours?" Markus whispered.
Umbra grinned, showing fang. "Two seconds."
Markus scowled. "Comforting…"
He took another peek through the brush, eyes narrowing as a plan slowly formed. "Okay… I got an idea."
He pressed his palms into the dirt and focused.
"Draconic Hold."
The ground trembled as force energy surged out from his fingertips. Nearby boulders and slabs of stone levitated into the air, shaking as if resisting him. Markus gritted his teeth, concentrating harder, shaping them into arms, legs—form and purpose. The rocks slammed together into a crude but massive humanoid golem, glowing faintly with the system's sigils.
"Ah… it worked!" Markus grinned, wiping sweat from his brow.
Umbra raised an eyebrow. "Okay, that's actually impressive. Ugly, but impressive."
"Good enough to get the job done." Markus directed the golem forward with a sharp flick of his fingers.
The stone giant stomped toward the dragon with heavy, deliberate steps. The serpent's eyes snapped open, and the moment the golem leaped and punched its thick-scaled hide, the beast reared back with a deafening hiss.
The punch had done no damage.
But it had gotten its attention.
The dragon coiled, muscles rippling, and with a thunderous roar, lunged at the golem. Markus didn't wait.
He sprinted the other way, using the dragon's blind spot to slip through the edge of the clearing and make a beeline for the cave entrance. Behind him, the golem was already crumbling under the dragon's fury—but it had served its purpose.
The dragon took the bait.
It barreled into the forest after the golem, crashing through trees with explosive force, disappearing into the mist.
Markus slid to a stop just outside the cave, catching his breath.
Umbra floated beside him, looking impressed. "Well, well… seems I've got a genius on my hands. You actually got that thing away from the entrance."
Markus smirked. "Hey, I am pretty great when I'm not panicking."
"Don't get cocky. There's no telling what's inside that cave. And don't forget, you've still got a prisoner to rescue."
Markus's face hardened. He nodded, stepping into the cave's mouth as the light of the outside world dimmed behind him.
The temperature dropped. The walls were lined with jagged obsidian, and the air was thick with ancient magic.
From the darkness ahead came the sound of chains rattling.
Markus clenched his fists, his voice low.
"Alright let's see what's next"
Descending deeper into the cave, Markus discovered a small camp nestled in the cavern's shadows, illuminated by flickering torchlight.
Kobolds.
Dozens of them, yipping and scurrying between crude huts made of bone and scavenged wood. In the center of the camp, multiple cages held a variety of prisoners—elves, dwarves, beastmen—each one looking worse for wear.
Markus narrowed his eyes.
Crouching low, he dashed up the cave wall and perched himself on a high ledge surrounded by jagged stalagmites. Hidden in the stone, he scanned the camp from above.
"Okay… which one of the prisoners is the target?" he whispered.
Umbra appeared on his shoulder, legs casually crossed as he leaned back like he was watching a show. "The beautiful redhead shortstack. She's right there, near the center of the camp."
Markus squinted. "Okay, can you be more specific? I don't—"
Then he saw her.
A dwarven woman with long, fiery red hair braided thick down her back. Short—obviously—but striking. Freckles dusted her cheeks, and her build was pure power: wide hips, thick thighs, and a surprisingly flat chest. Her face twisted in fury as she slammed her fist repeatedly against the cage bars, screaming at the kobolds to "fight like they had guts."
"…Damn," Markus muttered. "She's hot."
Umbra smirked. "I know, right? Too bad you've got no game."
Markus shot him a deadpan look. "And how would you know that?"
Umbra snickered. "I looked through your memories. Your attempts at flirting? Depressing, really."
Markus blushed and looked away. "Okay, changing the topic. You think I can take those guys on?"
Umbra's grin turned sharp, his fangs glinting in the torchlight.
"Only one way to find out."
Still in his Hybrid Dragon Form, Markus dropped into the center of the kobold camp like a thunderbolt from the heavens. His obsidian-scaled feet cracked the stone beneath him as he landed in a crouch.
He stood tall, eyes glowing violet—and then—
ROOOOOAAARRRR!
The sound shook the cavern. The kobolds froze, every creature in the camp locking eyes on the towering dragon hybrid now standing in their midst.
Dozens of kobolds surged forward, yipping and screeching, spears drawn and ready to strike. Around the perimeter, their shamans began chanting, arcane sigils glowing beneath their feet.
Markus simply stared, a low, guttural growl building in his throat.
GRRRRRRRRRR…
The bloodlust in his eyes made even the prisoners flinch. The dwarven redhead, clutching the bars of her cage, muttered under her breath, "Great. Now there's another monster. Let's just hope they kill each other."
One of the shamans raised his staff, magic flaring at the tip—
"Draconic Pull!"
The spell never fired.
The shaman screamed as his body was ripped from the ground and yanked straight toward Markus, who caught him midair by the throat. With a single thrust, he drove his claw straight through the kobold's chest.
The shaman twitched once—then went limp.
Markus tossed the corpse aside like garbage.
That was the breaking point.
The rest of the kobolds screamed in rage and charged him.
"Come on, then," Markus growled.
"Draconic Echo!"
A shockwave blasted outward from his body. The kobolds flew in every direction—some smashing into stone walls with sickening cracks, others skidding across the dirt, weapons flung from their hands.
Markus didn't hesitate.
He darted toward the downed kobolds in a blur of speed, claws flashing. He tore through them like a beast unleashed—heads rolling, arms severed, skulls caved in with brutal swipes of his fists.
Blood splattered the ground.
A kobold lunged at him from behind, dagger raised, screaming.
SHINK!
Markus's tail shot out like a spear, impaling the creature mid-air.
THUD.
The lifeless body slid off and crumpled to the ground. Markus grabbed it by the leg and flung it at a cluster of nearby kobolds—SLAM!—crushing them against the cavern wall.
Then—
"Draconic Hold."
He raised his hand, eyes glowing brighter. All around the camp, the kobolds' spears trembled, lifting into the air with invisible force. They hovered for a split second—glinting in the firelight—before raining down like iron hail.
THUNK. THUNK. THUNK.
The spears impaled those who hadn't yet fled. Screams rang out. The battlefield went silent save for the crackle of the fire and the drip of blood.
Markus stood tall in the center of it all, chest rising and falling, the savage glow in his eyes slowly dimming.
From her cage, the dwarf blinked, mouth slightly open.
" what is that thing its soo powerful"
The few remaining kobolds, witnessing the slaughter of their kin one by one, turned tail and fled, their shrieks echoing down the twisting tunnels of the cave.
Markus raised his head and let out one final, thunderous roar—a raw, tearing sound that shook the stalactites above and sent the last of the kobolds scrambling in pure terror.
Silence followed.
The camp was still—except for the crackling fire and the faint groans of wounded prisoners.
Inside her cage, the redheaded dwarven woman stared at Markus, wide-eyed.
"Agh… looks like we're next on the chopping block," she muttered, gripping the bars tighter.
From another cage, an elf woman sobbed, eyes pleading. "Please… please don't hurt us!"
Markus said nothing. His glowing eyes swept over them, cold and unreadable.
Then—
"Draconic Hold."
With a flick of his hand, all the locks on the cages shuddered and snapped open with metallic clinks. The doors creaked wide, the enchantments broken. The prisoners froze as Markus stepped forward, scanning them silently.
The dwarf's brows furrowed. "What—what is this? You want a fair fight before you kill us, aye, beast?"
The elf hesitated, then stepped cautiously out of her cage, hope in her voice. "No… I think he's on our side."
The dwarf shot her a glare. "I'm sorry to tell you this, tree-hugger, but dragons aren't one of your little farm animals. They don't exactly show up to save you when you're in trouble."
Before another word could be said, Markus's form began to shift.
Scales receded. Claws shrank. His tail vanished in a wisp of smoke. Muscles realigned, bones cracked, and the fierce glow in his eyes faded.
Within seconds, he was human again—panting slightly, covered in cuts and bruises, his hair sticking to his face with sweat.
He wiped a smear of blood from his cheek and looked around at the stunned prisoners.
"No one's dying today," he said. "Not unless they're a kobold."
The dwarf blinked. "...You're human?"
Markus nodded. "Last I checked.
"You're all free. But this cave isn't safe. There could be more down here."
The elf rushed forward, eyes wide with gratitude. "Thank you! I thought we were all dead for sure. My name is Sylara."
The dwarf stepped out of the cage, dusted off her tunic, and gave Markus a sideways glance. " may Ironspine. And I still don't trust you."
Markus smirked. "Fair. I wouldn't trust me either."
May snorted. "At least you're honest."
Umbra grinned, floating over her. "Oh, you two are going to be hilarious together."
"Shut up, Umbra," Markus snapped, clearly irritated by the teasing.
May raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Who are you talking to?"
Markus froze.
He quickly realized she couldn't see Umbra. Most people couldn't—not unless Umbra wanted them to. Thinking fast, he waved a hand dismissively and forced a half-smile.
"Oh, uh… no one. Just thinking out loud."
May stared at him for a beat, then slowly brought a hand to her face and groaned.
"Great. We finally get a half-dragon on our side… and he's schizophrenic."
Markus flinched, his eyes dropping to the ground. That stung more than he expected.
Nice. First the whole monster thing, now she thinks I'm insane.
Umbra hovered lazily above his shoulder, resting his chin on one clawed hand and grinning like a cat who just knocked over a glass.
"Ooooh, of course," he cooed sarcastically. "The legendary Markus charm. Never fails to amaze. Truly a masterclass in first impressions."
Markus sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm starting to regret having you around ."
May crossed her arms, clearly still skeptical but now just a little amused. "Right. Well, voices in your head aside, thanks for not killing us, I guess."
Markus muttered, "You're welcome," then turned to check the remaining prisoners as if it could distract him from the slow spiral of embarrassment sinking into his gut.
Sylara the elf placed a hand gently on his arm. "Ignore her. You saved our lives. That's what matters."
May scoffed. "Sure, but I'll still be sleeping with one eye open."
Markus mumbled, "I'll take what I can get."
Umbra giggled again, flipping upside down mid-air. "This is going to be so much fun."