Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend-Chapter 334: They Won’t Stop

Raegar was sitting on Marlow's back as they flew across the empire, seeing people going about their day while others glanced up when they soared above. Nivara and Drusilla were chatting over some hot chocolate the Dark Elf pulled out of a storage ring, offering him some with a smile.

''Do you want some?'' she offered.

''Thank you, Niv,'' he replied, taking the cup.

The cup was hot as Raegar lifted it, the heat biting at his fingertips. Still, he didn't flinch. The moment the liquid slid down his throat, a wave of warmth spread through his chest and limbs, chasing away the lingering chill as they journeyed farther south. The air grew thicker, the scent of earth and wild grass mingling beneath the vast open sky.

A sudden, thunderous roar shattered the stillness of the journey. The Fusion Wyvern's cry rolled across the plains, echoing through the hills until it faded into the horizon. The sound was both terrifying and magnificent, a reminder of the Dawnfire Guardian as everyone knew who he was by now.

By the time the sound died away, the day had begun its slow descent into night. The sun bled into the horizon, painting the world in shades of amber and crimson. Shadows stretched long across the road, and the peaks of the western mountains disappeared beneath veils of silver fog.

Raegar turned toward the glow of the setting sun, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Dawnfire lay in front of him, bathed in molten gold and shadow, a promise of both beauty and danger waiting in the coming dusk. The ground below was shifting from rolling hills to open grassland, dotted with the faint glimmer of water.

A small lake mirrored the fading orange sky, its surface smooth as glass, untouched by the chaos of the world around it. Beyond it lay a cluster of thatched rooftops, a village, quiet and unassuming. ''Take us down,'' Raegar called over the roaring wind.

The Fusion Wyvern responded with a guttural rumble, its molten eyes flickering as it banked sharply. The descent was anything but peaceful. The creature's wings sliced through the air with thunderous force, kicking up a storm of dust and loose earth as it dropped toward the lakeside.

When it finally struck the ground, it landed with a resounding crash that sent ripples across the water and startled a flock of birds into flight. Nivara yelped, clutching at the side of the saddle as her braid whipped across her face. Drusilla, who had been laughing moments ago, lost her balance and nearly tumbled backward, catching herself.

Both glared at him in unison. ''Gods above, a little warning would have been nice!'' Nivara snapped, brushing stray dust from her cloak.

Raegar dismounted, his boots sinking into the damp earth near the lake's edge. ''If I warned you, you'd still be talking,'' he said with a smirk.

He looked toward the village, its chimneys trailing thin wisps of smoke into the cooling air, its lanterns flickering to life one by one. The Wyvern gave a low, contented growl as it folded its wings, steam curling from its nostrils while slumping down, becoming their guard for the night.

Drusilla looked surprised and giggled in amusement. ''Looks like he's a big dog, wanting to always be around you despite there being more of his kind in the Fusion Realm.''

''He was the first so it makkes sense,'' Raegar answered, taking out the tent to set it up as he asked. ''Do you two mind grabbing some firewood please? I need to set up the Night Creature Runes.''

''Why are we camping and not just flying to the village?'' the Dark Elf inquired, a curious glint in her blue eyes.

''I prefer the outside world and don't like inns but we'll stay in them once we pass across the Southern Wilds,'' he revealed.

Following that, the trio began setting up for the night just as screaming erupted nearby. His head snapped in the sounds direction only to see a merchant caravan rushing toward this campsite. Horse were going fall speed, Nivara turned to him, smirking. ''Want me to deal with the monsters?''

Moments later, movement in the distance caught Raegar's eye, a swarm of Night Creatures tearing through the air behind them, their wings beating like a storm. Shadows spilled across the sky, shrieks cutting through the wind. At his nod, the Dark Elf didn't hesitate. In a blur of motion, she was gone, vanishing like a streak of lightning.

A heartbeat later, she reappeared amidst the enemy ranks, twin daggers flashing like death. She moved so fast the creatures couldn't keep up, weaving between the snarling figures as steel met flesh. Each strike was merciless, a dance of shadows. Black blood sprayed across the ground.

Raegar glanced at Drusilla who began casting her Dark Magic, making sure to keep the monsters at bay using Dark Blast that instantly killed the Night Creatures. explosions echoed across the landscape and alerting the nearby village. He noticed guards rushing to the wall but not stepping out of their protection.

Without waiting, he took out his weapons before exploding forward, slicing through the enemies, aiding Nivara in thinning out the horde as the Dark Fairy ushered the merchants into the campsite, to safety away from the horrifying monsters that was close to killing them but was saved.

Following that, Raegar stopped killing Night Creatures as he stepped behind the runes. Seconds later, Nivara appeared beside him, breathing heavily. ''That was fun but doesn't there seem to be more of them this time around?''

''There is,'' he replied. ''Seems like they are converging on Dawnfire, and now we've become heroes.''

The trio turned to the merchants who were staring at them with wide eyes and shocked expressions. Raegar chuckled as there was parents, and three childre. Two boys who seem a bit older then himself and a young woman who seemed to be his age. The father stepped forward, a bright smile crossing his face.

''Thank you, young man!'' he exclaimed. ''Those skills were amazing.''

He chuckled at the older man's words and replied. ''You're welcome, stay behind the runes until sunrise or they'll attack again.''

Just then, the wife stepped forward, offering. ''I can make us dinner, it's a nice meat stew with bread.''

The remark caught Raegar's attention, and he gave a silent nod of agreement while Nivara and Drusilla exchanged knowing smiles. Not far from them, the merchant family began unpacking their supplies, laughter mingling with the soft rustle of canvas as they set up their tents beneath the deepening twilight.

The night deepened, the stars veiled by slow-drifting clouds above them. The campfire crackled softly, its orange light painting long, shifting shadows across the grass. The scent of stew hung heavy in the cool air, mingling with the faint metallic tang of blood still clinging to the wind.

Raegar sat close to the fire, a hand resting on the hilt of his blade, eyes fixed beyond the glowing runes that encircled their camp. The markings shimmered faintly in the darkness, pulsing with soft blue light every few seconds, a heartbeat of protection against what lingered beyond.

Out there, in the gloom beyond the rune's reach, movement stirred. The Night Creatures hadn't left. He could see them, distorted silhouettes shifting at the edges of sight, their bodies lean and twisted, their eyes gleaming with predatory hunger. One of them crept close enough for the firelight to catch its face: almost human, but stretched wrong.

The skin looked pale and damp, as if half-melted; its mouth hung open in a silent snarl, teeth glinting black. Nivara noticed it too, setting down her cup. ''Persistent, aren't they?'' she murmured.

''Hungry,'' Raegar replied, his voice low. ''But smart enough to fear the runes.''

The creatures paced and whispered among themselves, guttural clicks and rasping hisses weaving through the still night air. Occasionally, one would lunge forward, only for the runes to flare with blinding light and a sharp crack, forcing it back with a shriek. Drusilla shivered despite the fire's warmth.

''They're waiting,'' she whispered. ''They won't stop until sunrise.''

Raegar didn't answer immediately. He simply watched as another creature pressed against the barrier, its face inches from the invisible wall. Its eyes met his, cold, unblinking, filled with a kind of hatred that wasn't entirely mindless. He leaned forward slightly, voice barely above a whisper. ''Then let them wait.''

The creature hissed, slamming its claws against the light before vanishing back into the dark. Behind him, the merchant family huddled near the tents, their faces drawn and pale. The children whispered nervously, and the wife tried to keep them calm, her hands trembling as she stirred the stew.

Raegar turned his gaze skyward. The clouds were thinning, and a sliver of moonlight began to touch the treetops. The runes pulsed again, brighter this time, steady and strong. He exhaled, finally allowing himself to rest. ''Just a few more hours, he muttered to himself. ''Then they'll burn away with the dawn.''