Austin and his soldiers reached the northern village before sunset.
The sight shocked them.
The houses were untouched.
The market was untouched.
The farms were untouched.
There were no signs of battle.
No blood.
No broken doors.
Nothing.
It was as if the people had simply vanished.
Captain Jack walked through the empty streets.
"This makes no sense."
Austin dismounted.
He looked around.
"Search every house."
The soldiers separated.
Minutes later, they returned.
"Nothing."
Austin walked toward the center of the village.
There he noticed something strange.
A small stone stood in the middle of the road.
He approached it.
The moment he touched it, the stone cracked.
A blue light appeared beneath it.
Austin stepped backward.
The ground began to shake.
Then a voice came from beneath the earth.
"KING AUSTIN."
Everyone froze.
Captain Jack raised his sword.
"Who is there?"
The voice answered.
"The blood of the dragon runs through you."
Austin's eyes narrowed.
"Show yourself."
The ground opened.
A staircase appeared.
It descended into darkness.
Captain Jack stared at it.
"We should return to the palace."
Austin shook his head.
"No."
"Your Majesty—"
"If someone took an entire village without leaving a single wound, then hiding behind palace walls will not save us."
Austin drew his sword.
"We go down."
They entered the underground passage.
The deeper they went, the colder it became.
After several minutes, they reached a massive stone door.
A symbol was carved into it.
Austin placed his hand against the door.
The door opened.
Inside was a gigantic underground chamber.
Hundreds of statues surrounded the room.
Each statue represented a king.
Austin looked at them.
"Who built this place?"
A voice answered behind him.
"I did."
Austin spun around.
An old man stood in the darkness.
He wore a long silver robe.
His eyes glowed faintly.
Captain Jack raised his sword.
"Identify yourself."
The old man smiled.
"My name is Elder Samuel."
Austin studied him.
"Are you part of the Eternal Order?"
The old man's smile disappeared.
"Yes."
Austin tightened his grip on his sword.
"Then tell me where the villagers are."
Samuel looked toward the ceiling.
"They are alive."
Austin lowered his sword slightly.
"Where?"
"Somewhere you cannot reach."
"Why were they taken?"
"To prove something."
"What?"
Samuel looked directly at Austin.
"That your kingdom is not ready for what is coming."
Austin stepped closer.
"Tell me what is coming."
Samuel whispered:
"The return of the First Dragon."
Everyone became silent.
Captain Jack shook his head.
"The First Dragon is a legend."
Samuel smiled sadly.
"So was King Austin's transformation."
Austin froze.
The old man continued.
"The dragon you defeated was only a servant."
Austin's heart dropped.
"What?"
"The true dragon has been asleep for a thousand years."
Samuel pointed toward the mountains.
"And tonight…"
He looked at Austin.
"…it will wake."