Dyne landed in Pao, feeling both tense and excited. He was about to become the Dragonmaster of Althena, and rejoin his comrades. However, once that was completed, he knew he would then have to face Amalek. First things first, he reprimanded himself. First, become the Dragonmaster. Then you can worry about Amalek.
Suddenly, an arrow whizzed by his head, barely missing him. Dyne turned to look at the archer. He was a young man, not much older than Dyne himself. He had light brown hair and hazel eyes. His face looked grim as he fixed another arrow to his bow and aimed straight at Dyne.
"Who are you?" the young man cried threateningly. "Why do you come to the Prairie? And how did you get through the Forest of Illusion without our permission?"
"My name is Dyne. I'm here to meet the Black Dragon of Althena so that I may become Dragonmaster. It's urgent."
The young archer eyed Dyne carefully, noticing the other pieces of the Dragon Armor and the grim look in Dyne's green eyes. "Forgive me," he said, lowering his bow. "I am Storme, the leader of the village of Pao. We are the guardians of the Black Dragon. After seeing the falling crimson star early this morning, I wasn't about to take any foolish chances. Especially with a stranger who arrives out of nowhere."
"Oh, I understand. But that falling star is what brings me here. A powerful demigod is attacking Lunar, and only a Dragonmaster has a chance of opposing him. He has already wiped out the village of Korban. I must hurry, or more will die."
Storme looked at him, concerned. "I can tell that you're serious. But you look too exhausted to face the monsters of the Black Dragon Fortress. You need a good meal and some sleep."
Dyne hadn't noticed until then how hungry he was. For the first time, he noticed it was almost sunset. He laughed. "Well, I have had a rather busy day. I spent it passing the trials of the White, Red, and Blue Dragons, plus fighting my way through their caves."
Storme's eyes widened. "All this in one day?"
Dyne nodded. "I'm in a hurry."
"Then please, spend the night here in Pao. The Black Dragon Fortress is right here, so you won't have far to go." He pointed to a massive, stone tower right at the edge of Pao. Dyne could barely see all the way to the top.
"That's a kind offer, but I must pass the Black Dragon Trial as soon as possible. The demigod is already on Lunar, and every second counts."
"You won't survive the Black Dragon Trial if you're too tired. And you're of no use to Lunar if you're dead. Besides, my wife Marion is an excellent cook."
Dyne grinned. "Fine. If you insist..."
*****
Dyne awoke the next morning fully refreshed. He looked around his tent for Storme to thank him for his hospitality, but he was nowhere to be found. He dressed and donned the Dragon armor, and headed towards the Black Dragon Fortress. Storme was there, waiting for him.
"Good morning, Dyne! I trust you slept well."
"Yes, thanks. And thank you very much for the room and board last night. I wish there was some way to pay you back."
Storme smiled. "We of the Prairie welcome those in the service of Althena. Now get going. The Black Dragon is waiting for you."
Dyne thanked him and entered the Black Dragon Fortress.
*****
Several hours and many battles later, Dyne climbed up the stairs to yet another floor of the Black Dragon Fortress. How many floors does this damn thing have? he wondered. I don't know how much more I can take!
But as he came to the next floor, he saw only a barren room. No twisting hallways, no vicious monsters, nothing. And there were no further staircases. This was the last floor. So where was the Black Dragon? He cursed, angry that all of his efforts were for nothing. But something prevented him from leaving...an instinct.
Suddenly there was a brilliant flash of light, and The Black Dragon appeared before him. He was a massive, horned creature as dark as the midnight sky. A black fur coat covered him from head to toe, except for his majestic wings.
"I am Shakor, The Black Dragon of Althena," he growled. "By making your way here, you have passed my trial. I have seen the courage and virtue within you, and so I grant you my power, and the final piece of the Dragon Armor."
Once more, a lavender orb descended, releasing the Black Dragon Armor. Dyne smiled, knowing that his task was completed.
"Now, you must hurry back to Althena's Shrine. You are needed there, and you must officially claim your title of Dragonmaster."
Dyne thanked him, and focused on Althena's Shrine. The White Dragon Wings flashed, and he was gone.
*****
"Lemia! Watch out!" Ghaleon cried as he fired a magic bolt. The bolt bore through a column of zombies, disintegrating them.
"There's too many of these damn things!" Mel roared, smashing swarms of skeleton warriors to pieces with his mighty axe.
Lemia cast a flame circle spell on a group of carrion vultures, hideous birds with skeletal wings and skulls. They shrieked in agony as the magic flames tore them apart. "We have to keep fighting! We can't let them enter the Shrine!"
Ghaleon nodded wearily. Since Korban's destruction yesterday, three other villages had been destroyed, with no survivors, merely for Amalek's entertainment. Now an army of undead was laying siege to Althena's Shrine. Amalek's work no doubt. Where is Dyne? Has he failed on his mission?
He quickly pushed these thoughts out of his head. Casting a spell of holy light, he reduced a horde of zombies to ash. But he and Lemia were running out of magical energy. Mel was still going strong, but he was still a mere mortal facing a supernatural army, and not even he could win against that. It looked like the end...
Suddenly, there was a strange rumbling sound, and everything stopped short. The image of a red dragon started to form in the air, its face a mask of rage and fury. Then a familiar voice started to chant: "Red Dragon of Althena, hear my command! I summon your anger to defend the children of the Goddess and to destroy her enemies!"
The image of the dragon roared, and gigantic fireballs rained from the sky, brutally smashing into the undead army, wiping them out dozens at a time. The hordes of zombies, skeletons, and ghouls were completely annihilated. The carrion vultures tried to flee, but the blazing fire blasted them from the sky. Within a minutes, the undead army was no more.
The image of the Red Dragon faded, and Lemia, Mel, and Ghaleon stared in amazement at their rescuer.
"Dyne!"
Dyne stood before them, looking every bit the hero in the Dragon Armor. Boldness shone from his eyes and his smile. "Sorry I'm late. It's been a rough couple of days." Then the boldness turned to fury as he looked upon the slaughter that had taken place here. The bodies of several priests, slain by the undead army lay strewn about the steps of the temple. "What's happened here?"
"I happened here!" a sinister voice hissed, echoing through the air. In a brilliant flash of crimson light, Amalek appeared before them, his blood-red cloak flowing from his shoulders like a sheet of flame. He looked at the four of them, his face radiating confidence and scorn. "I don't believe we've met. I am Amalek, general to the Dark Lord Zophar."
"Amalek! At last!" Dyne cried. Drawing his scimitar, he swung at the demigod. But faster than the eye could see, Amalek already had his sword drawn, and he effortlessly blocked Dyne's blow.
"That was rather pathetic," Amalek laughed. He lashed out with his own blade. Although the Black Dragon Armor protected Dyne from serious injury, it still knocked him off his feet. As Amalek prepared to strike again, Ghaleon unleashed his Nitro Dagger spell. The powerful ice shards slammed into Amalek, but did no serious damage. Nevertheless, it distracted Amalek enough to let Mel lash with his axe, nailing him in the side. As Amalek was off-balance, Lemia cast a Thunder Shot attack.
Amalek sneered. "Is that all you've got?"
His eyes took on a greenish glow, and green light began to pulsate from his hands. Chanting an ancient spell, he fired powerful, deadly streams of magical energy at the four heroes who dared oppose him. But Dyne countered with a spell of is own, and a White Dragon appeared above him and his friends. "White Dragon of Althena! Use your light and shield me and mine allies from evil!" The dragon roared, and shields of bright light surrounded Dyne and his companions. The spell struck against the shields, protecting the group from harm. The shields faded, unable to withstand any more force.
Amalek glared at Dyne furiously, and fired a powerful magic bolt at Dyne. He dodged, although the bolt grazed his side, and slashed with his scimitar. The blade found a vulnerable spot in the leg of Amalek's armor. The wound was a minor one, but blood still flowed. The blade of Dyne's sword sizzled as it turned a dark shade of gray, Amalek's blood permanently staining it.
Amalek's eyes blazed with pain and anger, although his expression was a mere frown. Since when can mortals possess such power? What kind of warrior is this, with the green eyes? He has the potential for more power than anything I've imagined possible in a human! But how is this possible? I must get to full strength quickly, so that I may take my revenge on Althena and her children in the name of Zophar!
"Enough of this foolishness!" he roared. "I have work to do, and no time to waste on the likes of you!" He cut loose with a powerful wave of energy. It struck them so hard that the heroes would have been split in half, had not Ghaleon erected a magic shield in time. Still, the force knocked them off their feet.
Amalek's eyes began to glow with an unholy light as he prepared another spell. Energy spheres began to form around the heroes. The spheres exploded suddenly, bombarding them with ebony flame for a full minute. The pain was so intense that they were barely able to stay conscious. Despite their injuries, however, they managed to struggle to their feet.
"Is that all you've got?" Dyne gasped defiantly.
Amalek was about to cast another spell, but he stopped. He suddenly remembered his true purpose. He had to conserve his power for his mission. "I have more important things to do than play games with a foolish band of mortals. I have granted you a stay of execution. Play it smart, and learn that your might is no match for my own. Next time, I shall finish the job! And by the Dark G-d himself, there WILL be a next time!" With a flash of ebony flame, he was gone.
The four adventurers smiled uneasily at each other, amazed that they had survived the battle. Whatever they expected Amalek's power to be like, they didn't think it would be so strong. Althena only knew what it would be at full strength.
Mel looked at Dyne and laughed. "So, do we start calling you 'Dragonmaster Dyne' now?"
Lady Iseult smiled weakly as she staggered out of The Shrine. "You are not truly the Dragonmaster yet, Dyne, although you have received the consent, armor, and power of the dragons. There is one more task before you can truly become Dragonmaster. Follow me, please."
Dyne and his friends followed Iseult into the main sanctuary of the Shrine. "Clear the room, please," Iseult commanded. The priests and priestesses immediately walked out of the sanctuary.
Iseult knelt down on her knees, and started to pray. "Goddess Althena, a Time of Trial is at hand. Before you here is Dyne, chosen by The Four Dragons to bear their arms to safeguard your people. Grant him your blessing, and grant him the title he has strived so hard to earn."
For a minute, there was only silence. Then, a soothing light started to flow throughout the entire Shrine. Slowly, Dyne, Ghaleon, Lemia, and Mel felt their strength and energy return to its peak. Then a soft, glowing light appeared, and the Goddess Althena herself stood before them. Her face radiated kindness and gentleness, and not even the coldest of hearts could not be melted by her sweet smile.
Dyne gasped as he recognized her as the beautiful woman of his dreams. Awestruck and captivated by her beauty, he was unable to speak. He and his companions knelt before her, also captivated by her radiance.
"Rise, please," she said softly, motioning with her hand. Uneasily, they did so. Smiling, Althena waked over to Dyne.
"I am proud of you, Dyne," Althena said. "For on your journey, you truly displayed the heroism and virtue within your heart. You sought to become Dragonmaster not for your own glory, but to protect the lives of others. And therefore, your selflessness has earned you the right to bear this."
A sword appeared in Althena's hands, its blade radiating light. She handed it to Dyne, who gazed at her in wonder. As Dyne held the sword, The Dragon Ring and armor started to glow, and Dyne felt incredible power and energy building up within him. He looked into Althena's eyes, and couldn't help smiling.
"Thank you..." he mumbled nervously.
She returned his smile. "It is your destiny, and your privilege. Be brave, Dyne, no matter what comes to pass. Make no mistake - you bear a heavy responsibility, and Amalek is not to be taken lightly. But a heart of darkness cannot contend with a heart of virtue. Let rise the dreams of your heart, and they shall come to be."
Dyne gasped as she recognized Althena's words. "You...your voice...You're the one who sings while I play my song!"
She nodded, with a smile that could almost be described as michievous. Her beauty was too great, and Dyne couldn't tear his eyes away.
Her gaze turned sad. "You must hurry. More undead forces are marching across the Katarina Zone, and they are headed towards Meribia. I cannot find Amalek himself. He is in hiding and shrouds himself in darkness, while he reaches his full power. Meanwhile, protect the people from his dark minions."
Dyne bowed, too awestruck to do anything else.
She gave him one last smile before she departed. "I will protect you and your allies during this time of trial as best I can. But you all have the power within you to vanquish this evil and wipe it from the face of Lunar.
"My blessing shall go with you... Dragonmaster Dyne."
