We made our way back to the mountain, our senses on high alert for any signs of danger. As we approached the entrance, I could feel a strange energy emanating from within.
And then, as we stepped inside, the dragon reappeared, its massive form unfolding from the shadows. It regarded me with an unblinking gaze, its eyes burning with an inner fire.
"I am yours, Riven," the dragon said, its voice like thunder in my mind. "I will appear anytime you are in danger, to defend and protect you."
I felt a surge of gratitude and respect for the dragon, and I knew that I had to make a formal oath to seal our bond.
"I accept your oath, noble dragon," I said, my voice firm and resolute. "I promise to defend and protect you, and to use my powers for the greater good."
The dragon nodded its great head, and I could feel our bond growing stronger.
With the dragon by our side, we felt a sense of security and protection that we had not felt in a long time. We decided to study the ancient scrolls and discover more about the dark secrets that they held.
As we delved deeper into the scrolls, we discovered more about the forbidden magic and the secrets of the ancient city. We learned about the dark rituals and sacrifices that had been performed, and the terrible consequences that had resulted.
But we also discovered that the relics we had found could be used to cultivate our powers and to defend against the dark magic.
We decided to cultivate with the relics, using their power to enhance our own abilities. As we did, we could feel our powers growing stronger, and my bond with the dragon deepening.
We decided to return to the elders, hoping to gain more insight into the former ruler and the secrets of the forbidden magic. As we entered the elder's chamber, they looked up at us with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
"Riven, what have you learned?" Elder Elwynn asked, her eyes piercing with intensity.
I took a deep breath, recounting our journey to the ancient city, the discovery of the relics, and the oath with the dragon. The elders listened intently, their faces growing graver with each passing moment.
When I finished, Elder Thorne spoke up, his voice low and measured. "The former ruler, Azrael, was a powerful and ambitious man. He sought to unlock the secrets of the forbidden magic, to wield its power for his own gain."
Elder Elwynn nodded, her eyes clouding with memories. "We warned him of the dangers, but he would not listen. He was consumed by his own ambition, and ultimately, it was his downfall."
I leaned forward, my heart pounding with excitement. "What happened to him? What secrets did he uncover?"
Elder Thorne's eyes seemed to bore into my soul. "Azrael's fate is a cautionary tale, Riven. He delved too deep into the forbidden magic, and it consumed him. His spirit was trapped in the mechanized coffin, a prisoner of his own ambition."
The elders' words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of history and warning. I knew that I had to be careful, to avoid the same fate as Azrael.