I Received System to Become Dragonborn

Adrius could feel the strain of the spell beginning to wear on him. There's just too many of them.

Sweat started to bead on his forehead, even though he tried to maintain a calm face. He could feel the power surging through the Starsteel staff, its golden light still blazing. Thankfully, he got this staff.

But Adrius knew better than anyone. The longer he held the spell the more it will eventually drained him, and he could already sense the vast reserves of his Magic slowly dwindling.

His jaw clenched as he pushing aside the growing fatigue. The kingdom depended on him for now. At least until Aethor begin to act.

This was not the first time he had faced dark forces but never had he encountered something of this magnitude. The sheer number of portals, the overwhelming tide of beasts, and the ominous energy that seeped through the air—it all pointed to something far more sinister than a mere invasion.

Suddenly, a shift in the air caught Adrius' attention. One of the largest beasts—a towering monstrosity covered in jagged bone-like protrusions—paused in its advance. It let out a deep, guttural growl that reverberated through the night, its yellow eyes narrowing as if sensing something amiss. That growl is going to alert the citizen at least.

The giant beast swung its massive head from side to side, scanning the battlefield.

Adrius' breath hitched as he realized what was happening. The beast had noticed the unnatural stillness around it, the slowing of its brethren and it was searching for the source of this disruption. Its nostrils flared as it sniffed the air, its eyes glowed even brighter and piercing through the darkness.

The Archmage's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the creature's search. It was only a matter of time before it found him—before it understood that the force holding back its army was not some natural phenomenon but a single mage, high above them. And when that realization came, Adrius knew the beast would not hesitate to strike.

Still, the giant beast had not yet pinpointed his location. Its frustration grew with every passing second as it failed to locate the source of the spell. It let out another roar, this one louder and more furious than the last.

Adrius gritted his teeth, maintaining the spell even as his body began to tremble from the effort. The weight of the staff grew heavier in his hands, and the sweat now poured freely down his face.

"Be quick, Aethor!"

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The news of the beast invasion spread like wildfire through the kingdom, carried by the frantic shouts and the urgent tolling of bells. The kingdom now erupted into chaos. Soldiers scrambled from their barracks, hastily donning armor and grabbing weapons as they rushed to their posts.

The air was thick with the clang of steel, the barked orders of commanders, and the hurried footsteps of men preparing for battle.

Citizens roused from their beds by the commotion. They stumbled into the streets, their faces pale with fear and confusion. The once-quiet night was now filled with the sounds of panic.

"What's happening?" a man asked, his voice trembling as he clutched his wife's hand.

"Beasts! Monsters are coming!" another replied, his eyes wide with terror.

Fear rippled through the crowd. The people of Astoria had faced threats before, though never on this scale.

In the castle, the king's advisors were already gathering in the grand hall, their faces set with grim determination. They exchanged hurried words and maps were spread out on tables as they strategized, their voices rising over the din.

"We must fortify the walls!" one advisor urged.

"And send word to the surrounding villages," another added. "We need to evacuate as many as we can before the beasts reach them."

Through the rapidly organizing chaos, Lysander moved with purpose. After delivering his dire warning to the king, he wasted no time in joining the preparations. He barked orders at the soldiers he passed, ensuring that every man knew his role in the defense. Despite the turmoil, his mind remained clear, focused on what needed to be done.

The castle grounds were now a flurry of activity. Torches flared to life as soldiers took up their positions. The clatter of armor and weapons mixed with the distant cries of panicked citizens, creating a symphony of impending war. Warhorses were being saddled, and archers were already lining the battlements, their arrows nocked and ready.

As Lysander continued his rounds, checking on the soldiers and issuing final commands, something caught his eye—an unusual glow in the night sky. He paused, squinting. The sight that met his eyes filled him with both awe and concern.

Adrius was there, hovering high above the kingdom, his silhouette outlined against the backdrop of a crimson-tinged sky. His golden staff blazed with light like a beacon in the darkness. Lysander knew that he is holding back the advancing horde with his powerful spell.

Even from this distance Lysander could see the strain etched on his master's face, the toll that the battle of will and Magic was taking on him.

Without hesitation, Lysander turned and strode quickly toward the chamber where his own staff lay. It was an ancient artifact that have been passed down through generations in his family. The staff was forged from a Moonjade stone, its surface blue and shimmering with an ethereal light when touched by Magic.

He reached the chamber and took hold of the staff. The moment his fingers wrapped around it, he felt a familiar surge of energy pulse through his veins. Lysander closed his eyes for a brief moment, steadying himself, before making his way back outside.

The night was now fully alive with tension, the crimson glow from the portals that getting bigger casting eerie shadows across the land. Lysander could feel the ground trembling ever so slightly as the beasts, though slowed by Adrius' spell, continued to press forward ever so slowly.

Lysander didn't hesitate. Drawing on the Magic within him he invoked an ancient incantation and in an instant the staff responded. Blue light erupted from its core wrapping around Lysander and lifting him into the air and he ascended toward the heavens where Adrius hovered.

As he approached, Lysander could see the strain on Adrius's face more clearly now. Sweat glistened on his brow, and though his expression was calm, his eyes betrayed the fear that lay beneath the surface. Lysander slowed his ascent, hovering beside his predecessor, the golden light of their staffs mingling to create a brilliant, protective halo around them.

"I didn't expect you to join me up here," Adrius said.

"How could I not? The king already moving the soldiers. Andthe situation is worse then I think, Sir."

Adrius nodded grimly. "There are too many of them. The spell is holding them back for now but it won't last much longer." He paused, his gaze turning to the horizon where the largest of the beasts, the giant with jagged bone-like protrusions, was barely visible but unmistakably menacing. "Lysander, that giant beast… If we take it down, we might buy ourselves more time."

Lysander's heart skipped a beat. The giant beast was easily the most terrifying creature he had ever seen—a massive. The idea of facing it head-on was daunting, even for someone of his experience and power.

He gulped, feeling the dry swallow scrape down his throat. His grip on the staff tightened. But when he looked into Adrius's eyes, he saw the unwavering determination there.

"Alright, sir," Lysander said, his voice steadier than he felt. "I'll take it down."

Adrius gave him a small, reassuring nod. "I'll keep the others at bay for as long as I can. But you must hurry. The spell is weakening."

Lysander glanced down at the giant beast again, its grotesque form towering over the others as it led the charge. He could feel the darkness radiating from it, a palpable force that made his skin crawl. But there was no turning back now.

"Be careful, Lysander," Adrius said, his voice carrying both warning and hope.

Lysander met his Adrius's gaze, giving a brief, determined nod. "Yes, sir."

And with that, Lysander took a deep breath and began his descent toward the battlefield, his staff blazing with power. The wind whipped around him.

Below, the giant beast seemed to sense his approach, its glowing eyes turning upward, locking onto him with a predatory glare.

Lysander's heart thundered in his chest. But he have no choice but to fight it now.

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