An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

Nathaniel approached the vault and quickly knocked a few times on the door. With a deep rumble, the heavy door slowly began to open.

Inside, the treasures were dazzling-emerald pendants glowing with an otherworldly light, a bronze cauldron engraved with mysterious symbols, and tablets shimmering with a strange, eerie glow.

At the center was an ornate box encased in bulletproof glass.

Nathaniel stepped forward, entered the code, and lifted the protective cover. He opened the box lid to reveal another Dracan essence inside.

The orb, about the size of a chicken egg, shimmered faintly. Inside, a stream of dragon-shaped energy swirled continuously.

“This one’s a keeper,” he muttered.

Nathaniel placed the Dracan essence Dustin had given him beside the first one. He couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear.

These orbs were a force capable of defying fate and a power that could turn everything around.

He’d gone to great lengths to get the first one but never imagined he’d find the second so quickly. Clearly, his luck had improved.

Once he had all three Dracan essences, he could set up a formation to harness their power. At that point, he’d be the luckiest man in Dragonmarsh. Then, the throne would be his, and no one would dare to question it.

As he carefully stored the two orbs, he admired them for a while before reluctantly closing the box lid and lowering the protective cover.

Nathaniel walked out of the vault, then returned everything to its proper place.

He had meticulously designed the vault and this hidden chamber. It was guarded by elite fighters and protected with deadly traps and mechanisms. Anyone who tried to break in wouldn’t make it out alive.

stepped out, Nathaniel sternly reminded the guards to remain alert and not

everything was secure, he hummed a tune, clasped his

routine patrols still moving through the

guesthouse, Dustin suddenly sat up in bed. He was

crafted compass, then channeled a trace of true energy into

with a faint glow. After spinning a few times, it pointed toward the

to test it, but the needle

works,” he muttered

seal, which

with this compass, Dustin could pinpoint its

“It’s about time.”

sky. Then, he changed into dark clothes, put on a mask, and quietly sneaked

room as a

he leaped on

the layout and memorized the patrol routes. He could avoid the danger zones

a thorough search, he finally found the secluded courtyard. He took a quick look around and noticed guards were everywhere. Every entrance

chamber without alerting someone. His only option was to take down the

had come prepared. He pulled out a stick of intoxicating substance and

to fan them. A gentle breeze carried the smoke toward the two guards at

of the strange scent, and before they could react, they had

was impressed and muttered,