The Monster King's Legacy

A cloaked figure sat on the edge of the narrow bed in the dimly lit inn room, his breaths quick and shallow, a glimpse of the eggs from his bag visible. He wiped a bit of sweat from his brow with a trembling hand, cursing under his breath.

"They're here," he muttered to himself. "Those damn wyverns."

He glanced toward the window, barely cracking the shutter open to peer at the street below. Guards patrolled the cobblestone roads in pairs, their torches casting flickering light across the buildings. The once lively capital was unnervingly quiet, the curfew choking the usual hum of activity.

The man's mind raced, replaying the events that had led him to this moment. It had been a simple plan, or so he'd thought. Sneak into the wyvern nesting grounds, grab the eggs, and sell them to the highest bidder. He'd heard the legends of wyvern eggs fetching fortunes in the underground markets. A single egg could secure him a lifetime of luxury, far from the wretched life he'd known as a lower rank adventurer.

He had even tried robbery before, out of desperation, but he didn't have the heart for it, and didn't quite like the idea of hurting others, so he quit. This heist he had been quite lucky… or now, rather unlucky, to be part of, was supposed to go smoothly, but he hadn't expected the wyverns to retaliate so fiercely. He had underestimated their intelligence and bond with their young.

"Why now?" he whispered, gripping his hair in frustration. "Why couldn't they just forget about the damn eggs? It's been months already…"

His gaze fell on the bag. The eggs almost pulsating faintly, the reflected light almost hypnotic. For a moment, he hesitated, the weight of his actions pressing down on him, but then, the sound of heavy boots outside his door jolted him from his thoughts. He froze, his heart pounding as he heard the muffled voices of guards patrolling the hallway.

"Any suspicious activity on this floor?" one guard asked.

"Not yet," the other replied. "But keep your eyes open. If this thief is hiding here, we'll find them."

The man clenched his jaw, his fingers twitching toward the small dagger at his belt. He knew fighting wasn't an option, not with the kingdom's forces so close… not that even wanted.

He waited in suspense until the footsteps faded, then moved to the door, pressing his ear against the rough wood. Satisfied that the coast was clear, he slipped back to the table where his belongings were scattered.

"I can't stay here," he muttered, rummaging through his pack. "I need to get out before they figure it out."

Even though that was his plan, escaping was easier said than done. He had already tried slipping out through the main gates earlier in the day, only to find the entire city had been closed off, with guards stationed at every turn. Fearing for the worst, he quickly went back to his room.

Everything was thorough, and it left him with few options.

He placed a hand on the eggs, feeling their warmth through the fabric. A flicker of guilt crossed his face, but he quickly shoved it aside.

"It's too late now, they're mine," he said, as if convincing himself. "I risked everything to get them. No wyvern, no king, and no guard is going to take them from me."

Even though he spoke those words, deep down, he knew the odds were stacked against him. The city was locked down tighter than any place he'd ever been, and his every move was being hunted, not to mention, he was never a thief to begin with.

He moved to the window again, his eyes scanning the guards below. The soldiers looked vigilant, their focus unwavering. Even if he managed to slip past one patrol, he knew others would be waiting.

Defeated for the moment, the man slumped back onto the bed, his mind churning with half-formed plans. He couldn't afford to make a mistake, not when the stakes were this high.

As the hours dragged on, the room seemed to close in around him. The once almost comforting walls of the inn now felt like a prison, and the eggs in his possession felt like both his treasure and his curse.

"Tomorrow," he whispered, clutching the bag tightly. "Tomorrow, I'll find a way out."

…

The following morning, sun cast a golden hue over the goblin kingdom's capital, its rays shimmering against all things under it, but despite the sun's benevolence, not all things beneath it in the monster city received its rays, as a massive shadow swept across the city.

With a wingspan that seemed to blot out the sky, the Wyvern King descended into the central square of the capital, the space that can hold thousands barely a fit for it. The ground trembled as it landed, its colossal frame dwarfing the gathered crowd of soldiers. Standing at around 50 metres in height and 74 metres in length, the Wyvern King's obsidian scales glistened with a dangerous beauty, and its eyes, deep and piercing, scanned the surroundings with its monstrous form.

More than twenty wyverns flanked their king, each emitting an aura of power and authority, circling the skies, as there was no space left for them to set their feet upon. The citizens watched from afar through their windows, a mix of awe and fear in their expressions.

At the head of the "welcoming party", Lance stood tall, his golden eyes unflinching as he faced the imposing figure of the Wyvern King. The air crackled with tension as the two leaders locked gazes, a silent battle of wills unfolding between them it seemed.

The Wyvern King's voice rumbled like thunder as he spoke, reminiscent of the dragons Lance used to deal with. "You are the ruler of this kingdom?" he questioned.

Lance stepped forward, his calm and commanding presence silencing any murmurs from the crowd. "I am," he said simply, his tone unwavering.

The Wyvern King tilted its massive head, studying Lance with an intensity that seemed to peer into his very soul. Its aura pressed down on everyone present, a dominating force that sent shivers down the spines of even the strongest warriors… well, a few like Aelyndra were unharmed, or resistant.

Even then, Lance remained unfazed, his golden eyes steady. The Wyvern King let out a low chuckle, a sound that reverberated through the entire city almost. "You do not falter under my gaze. It seems you are no ordinary human, after all."