The Crown's Fire
Chapter 292: Reeks of Darkness

Chapter 292: Reeks of Darkness

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Apollo and Atlas moved forward with their plan, accompanied by a select group of warriors and mages. After much effort, Apollo successfully tracked Marla down to a hidden cave nestled in the hills.

It hadn’t been easy; he had worked tirelessly, leveraging every connection in his network to gather information. His determination to confront Marla was fueled not just by a sense of duty but also by the longing to wrap up this Chapter and finally spend more time with Cora.

"Are you ready?" Atlas asked, his voice low but steady as they approached the mouth of the cave. The scent of sulfur wafted out, a foreboding sign of the dragon’s power.

Apollo nodded "We have to put an end to this."

Together, they stepped inside, their footsteps echoing in the cavernous space. The walls glistened with moisture, and the air felt charged with magic. As they delved deeper, the sounds of hissing and growling reached their ears, a clear indication of the dragon’s restless slumber.

"Stay alert," Atlas warned, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Marla could be anywhere, and the dragon is likely under her control."

They moved cautiously, scanning the shadows for any sign of the enemy. Suddenly, a figure stepped into the dim light. A woman with wild hair and piercing dark eyes. Marla stood before them, her lips curling into a wicked smile.

"Welcome, gentlemen. I’ve been expecting you," she taunted, gesturing behind her. The ground trembled, and a massive green dragon emerged from the shadows, its scales shimmering ominously. The beast let out a deafening roar, its eyes glowing with rage.

Apollo’s heart raced as he stepped back, feeling the intense, almost suffocating power emanating from the dragon. This one was different; darkness clung to it, thick and unnatural, swirling in its fiery gaze.

As he stared into the dragon’s eyes, a wave of sadness washed over him. Beneath the creature’s ferocious exterior, he sensed something more, a deep-seated fear and hesitation, as if it were resisting the control forced upon it.

The dragon was enormous, nearly matching Aurum in size, but its growth was unnaturally accelerated, distorted by the dark spell that chained it.

Marla laughed, a chilling sound that echoed through the cave. "You think you can defeat me? This dragon is mine! It will destroy you!"

Before they could react, the dragon lunged at them, its massive jaws snapping dangerously close. Apollo and Atlas barely dodged out of the way, adrenaline pumping through their veins. They worked in tandem, attacking the beast with fierce determination.

"Focus on Marla!" Atlas shouted, parrying a blow from the dragon’s tail. "We need to break her control!"

Apollo nodded, his mind racing. As the dragon swept its tail, he leapt to avoid the impact, landing a few feet away. He spotted Marla, who was weaving spells with a flick of her wrist. The dark energy crackled around her, feeding the dragon’s wrath.

With a surge of courage, Apollo charged at her, dodging the dragon’s attacks as he closed the distance. "You woman should stop this already!" he yelled, raising his sword.

But just as he reached her, a wave of green energy exploded from the dragon, knocking him back against the cave wall. Pain shot through his body, and he struggled to regain his footing as Marla turned her focus back to him.

"Fool!" she spat. "You cannot break the bond between me and my dragon! You will both perish here!"

Apollo gritted his teeth, pushing through the pain. He could feel the energy of the dragon calling to him, a tortured soul trapped beneath Marla’s dark spell.

He looked at the dragon’s eyes. ’Help me.’

His eyes widened, wondering if it was that green dragon he heard. If so, then it was not too late to save this dragon. He had to purify it, to free it from the chains of control.

"Atlas, keep her distracted!" he shouted, his voice strained.

With a fierce battle cry, Atlas charged at Marla, engaging her in a fierce duel. The two clashed, steel ringing against steel, as Apollo steadied himself, focusing on the dragon.

"Create a protection spell around me and the dragon!" Apollo commanded the two mages by his side, his voice steady despite the chaos. The mages nodded, quickly forming a shimmering barrier that encased Apollo and the dragon, sealing them in a cocoon of energy.

Atlas and the rest of their team engaged Marla, keeping her occupied with every ounce of strength they had. But Marla’s power was undeniable; the dark energy radiated from her in waves, pulsing with a malevolent strength that clawed at anyone who dared come too close.

"Damn, that woman reeks of darkness," Apollo hissed, his gaze never wavering from the dragon as he steeled himself to confront the sinister magic clinging to its scales.

He could see the pain in the creature’s eyes, a flicker of its true self fighting against the darkness. "I can help you!" he called out, extending his hand. "I can purify the magic controlling you!"

The dragon hesitated, and Apollo seized the moment, channelling his energy to create a wave of light that enveloped the beast. The black energy crackled violently, and the dragon roared in agony, struggling against the dark magic binding it.

"Hold on!" he yelled, pouring every ounce of his strength into the spell. "I won’t let you suffer anymore!"

Just then, Marla, realizing her control was slipping, unleashed a torrent of dark magic toward him, penetrating and breaking through the protection the mages with them created. Apollo barely managed to shield himself, but the blast knocked him off his feet, sending him sprawling to the ground.

"Apollo!" Atlas shouted, momentarily distracted by his friend’s plight. At that moment, Marla struck, catching him off guard.

The two fought fiercely, but Apollo could feel his strength waning. He knew he had to finish the spell before it was too late. He pushed himself up, gritting his teeth against the pain, and reached out again, focusing on the dragon.

The energy flowed through him, a brilliant light cutting through the darkness. The dragon roared again, but this time the sound shifted to an echo of pain mixed with relief. Apollo felt the bond breaking, the chains of black magic unravelling before him.

"I can see and feel you!" he shouted, feeling an unexpected connection strengthening between them. "You are stronger than this! Let go of the darkness!" he encouraged.