14. Knox

Chapter 14

Knox

The descent into the depths of the castle feels like a journey into the heart of darkness itself. My beloved mate, once a gentle soul filled with love and compassion, now transformed into a formidable dragoness fueled by rage and ancestral power. The Blood Queen, her illustrious ancestor, was revered for her mastery of three great dragon bloodlines, a legacy that now courses through Tiamat's veins alongside the ferocity of the Marelup Lycan.

Beside her, my mother-in-law Aurora, a force of nature in her own right, possesses a legendary thirst for battle and a penchant for consuming the blood of her enemies. It's a trait passed down through generations, an inheritance of violence and bloodlust that now manifests itself in Tiamat's relentless pursuit of vengeance.

As we draw closer to the chamber where our enemies lie in wait, a new fear gnaws at my heart. I cannot help but wonder what toll this transformation will take on Tiamat once the battle is over and the fury subsides. Will she be able to reckon with the devastation she has wrought in the heat of battle, or will the weight of her actions crush her spirit?

With each step we take, the tension in the air becomes palpable, a heavy weight pressing down upon us as we prepare to confront the darkness that lurks within the castle's depths. I steal a glance at Tiamat. Her features twisted in a mask of determination. I feel a pang of sorrow for the gentle soul she once was, now lost amidst the fury and bloodlust that consumes her.

But there is no time for hesitation or doubt, no room for second-guessing as we stand on the brink of battle. With a heavy heart, I steel myself for the trials that lie ahead. I know I must stand by Tiamat's side no matter the cost.

As we reach the chamber entrance, a sense of foreboding washes over me, the weight of our mission pressing down upon my shoulders like a leaden cloak. I can hear the sounds of combat echoing from within, the clash of steel and the roar of fire mingling together in a symphony of chaos.

Taking a deep breath, I steel myself for what lies ahead, my grip tightening on the hilt of my sword as I prepare to face our enemy's head-on. Whatever horrors await us in the darkness, I know I must stay strong for Tiamat's sake, to be her rock amidst the storm that rages within her.

With a silent prayer on my lips, I follow Tiamat into the chamber, ready to face whatever fate may await us on the other side. For better or for worse, we are bound by blood and by love, and I will stand by her side until the very end.

The tension in the air is thick as we stand before the door, our gazes fixed upon the barrier that separates us from our final confrontation. Draven's restlessness is palpable, his movements betraying the anxiety that simmers beneath the surface. I reach out, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, offering what little comfort I can muster in the face of impending danger.

"We're almost done," I murmur softly, my words an attempt to quell his unease, though I can feel the weight of uncertainty pressing down upon us all. It's a heavy burden to bear, this knowledge that our fate hangs in the balance, teetering on the edge of victory or defeat.

But before I can offer any further reassurance, a deafening boom reverberates through the chamber. The sound echoing off the stone walls with a force that makes me stagger backwards. Tiamat's force weapon, a fearsome manifestation of her draconic power, rends through the door with a single devastating blow. The door shatters it into splinters and shards that rain down upon the ground.

As the dust settles, my eyes fall upon the figures that stand beyond the threshold. A dozen or so Drow warriors arrayed in defiance, their weapons at the ready. Their faces twisted into expressions of grim determination. They are the last line of defense, the final obstacle standing between us and our ultimate goal.

"Step aside or die," Tiamat's voice reverberates through the chamber, a low, guttural growl that sends shivers down my spine. Her talons crackle with the ominous purple lightning of her force weapon, a lethal reminder of the power she wields.

For a moment, there is silence, a tense pause as both sides size each other up, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Then, with a wordless cry, the Drow surge forward, their weapons gleaming in the dim light of the chamber as they charge towards us with reckless abandon.

Without hesitation, I draw my sword; the blade gleaming in the dim light as I prepare to meet their onslaught head-on. Beside me, Aurora and Nikita move with deadly grace, their movements fluid and precise as they engage the enemy with a ferocity that belies their years.

The clash of steel fills the air, the sound of metal against metal ringing out like a symphony of war as we are engulfed in the chaos of battle. I can feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. My senses heightened as I focus on the task at hand, the weight of my blade a comforting presence in my hand.

With each strike, each parry, and thrust, I can feel the tension in the air mounting. The stakes growing ever higher with each passing moment. But we press on, undeterred by the odds stacked against us, driven by a fierce determination to emerge victorious no matter the cost.

As the battle rages on, I lose track of time, lost in the heat of the moment as we fight tooth and nail for every inch of ground. The Drow are formidable adversaries, their skill in combat matched only by their ruthless determination to protect their king at all costs.

But we are not so easily defeated. With each passing moment, our resolve only grows stronger, our determination unyielding as we press forward with unwavering determination. And as the last of the Drow fall before us, their bodies littering the ground like fallen leaves, I know that victory is within our grasp.

With a final, resounding blow, Tiamat strikes down the last of our enemies, her force weapon crackling with energy as she stands triumphant amidst the carnage. The chamber falls silent, the echoes of battle fading into the stillness as we catch our breath, our chests heaving with exertion.

But there is no time to rest, no time to celebrate our hard-won victory. For beyond this chamber lies our goal, the prize for which we have fought so tirelessly.

The stone door looms before us, a formidable barrier that guards the entrance to the second chamber. I step forward, my hand outstretched as I lay it upon the cool, rough surface. My fingers trace the grooves and contours of the stone, searching for any sign of weakness, any hint of how we might breach its defenses.

"How are we getting in?" I glance over at Tiamat, my brow furrowed in frustration as I await her answer. She meets my gaze, her expression grim as she too contemplates the obstacle before us.

Tiamat raises her hand, her touch light as she lays it upon the stone. I watch with bated breath as she channels her power into the stone, her fingers glowing with an otherworldly light. Beside me, Aurora steps forward, her keen eyes scanning the area with a fierce intensity.

"Her force weapon will destroy the stone and turn it to dust," Aurora explains, her voice low and steady as she assesses the situation. "But be prepared. There may be danger on the other side."

I nod, my heart pounding in my chest as I steel myself for whatever may lie beyond the door. With a determined nod from Tiamat, she channels her power into the stone, her energy flowing through her fingertips and into the solid rock.

As she does, Aurora pulls me back, her grip firm as she positions herself protectively at my side. I can feel the tension in the air, a palpable sense of anticipation as we await the inevitable outcome of Tiamat's efforts.

And then, with a sudden rush of energy, the stone melts away beneath Tiamat's touch, the once impenetrable barrier crumbling to dust before our eyes. I watch in amazement as the solid rock dissolves like sand beneath the force of her power, revealing the chamber beyond.

Most times, Tiamat's force weapon is unleashed with a blast of destructive energy, tearing through obstacles with reckless abandon. But this time, there is a gentleness to her touch, a precision that speaks to her control over her formidable abilities.

As the last remnants of the stone door fall away, I take a hesitant step forward, peering into the darkness beyond. The chamber stretches out before us, shrouded in shadows, its secrets hidden from view.

But there is no time to hesitate. With a silent nod to my companions, I steel myself for whatever dangers may lie ahead, my resolve unwavering as we prepare to enter the unknown.

Tiamat's transformation is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. As her once-human eyes blaze with the power of her dragon form, I feel a shiver run down my spine. Her gaze meets mine, and for a moment, I glimpse the ancient, primal force that lies within her.

With a swift turn, Tiamat directs her attention back to the chamber, her gauntleted hands pulsing with the raw energy of her force weapon. There is a sense of purpose in her movements, a determination that leaves no room for hesitation or doubt. She strides forward, her steps echoing through the chamber as she heads towards the other side.

I follow close behind, my heart pounding in my chest as we approach the last obstacle in our path. The Drow King stands before us, his eyes narrowing as he takes in the sight of Tiamat's formidable presence.

"Ah, the thing that should not be," he sneers, his voice dripping with disdain as he regards our mate with a mixture of contempt and curiosity.

"From what I understand, you should talk to your surface cousins. After all, they engineered me and my mother." Tiamat's lips curl into a sadistic grin, a glint of mischief dancing in her eyes as she waits for the King's next move.

But before he can react, I see Nikita vanish from sight; her form disappearing into the shadows with a speed that defies comprehension.

And then, in the blink of an eye, she reappears behind the Drow King, her scythe flashing in the dim light of the chamber. With a swift and decisive motion, she brings the blade down, cleaving through flesh and bone with effortless precision.

The King's head rolls to the ground, a look of shock frozen on his lifeless face as his body crumples to the floor. Silence descends upon the chamber, broken only by the sound of our ragged breaths as we stand in the aftermath of the sudden and violent confrontation.

For a moment, I can only stare in disbelief at the scene before me, my mind struggling to comprehend the swift and brutal end that has befallen the Drow King. But then, with a deep breath, I shake off the shock and turn to face Tiamat, my heart heavy with the weight of what we have just done.

She meets my gaze, her eyes still ablaze with the power of her dragon form. There is a fierce determination in her expression, a sense of resolve that speaks to her unwavering commitment to our cause.

"We did what needed to be done," she breathes, her voice echoing through the chamber with a quiet strength. "Now, let us retrieve what we came for and bring an end to this madness once and for all."

Moving forward, Draven goes and retrieves our father's head off the platter and sips it into a satchel. Nikita stares down at the Drow King's head and arches a brow.

"I know that look. What did you see?" Tia moves before her cousin.

"The moment I extinguished his life, I saw his last major interaction. He had met with an elf named Oberon. Do you know him?" Her question made Aurora drop the vase she was looking at and it shattered on the floor.