Chapter 27:The Name of the Beast
1272 Words
The wind howled across the northern mountains like a warning carried by the spirits of the ancient world.
Far beneath the jagged peaks, deep within the hidden cavern sealed by forgotten magic, the air trembled with a dark power that had slept for centuries.
Torches flickered violently along the stone walls, their flames bending and twisting as if even fire itself feared what lay inside the iron cage.
The rebel wolves stood in a tense circle around the chamber. None of them spoke. None of them dared to move too close.
The chains binding the creature in the center of the cavern were enormous—thicker than a warrior’s arm and covered in glowing runes carved by the ancient Lycan kings.
Yet the chains were shaking.
Slowly.
Violently.
Each movement of the creature inside the cage sent a metallic echo through the chamber.
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
Magnus stood only a few steps away from the prison, his dark cloak falling around his shoulders like the wings of a shadow. Unlike the others, he did not look afraid.
If anything, he looked fascinated.
His sharp eyes studied the massive silhouette inside the cage.
A deep growl rolled through the cavern again, vibrating through the stone floor.
One of Magnus’ soldiers swallowed nervously.
“My Alpha… we should reconsider this. The legends say this creature destroyed entire armies.”
Another wolf whispered, his voice shaking.
“The ancient kings sealed it away for a reason.”
Magnus slowly turned his head toward them.
His gaze was cold.
“Fear is the reason we have been weak for so long,” he said calmly.
“No more.”
The wolves immediately lowered their heads in silence.
Inside the cage, the creature moved forward again.
The torchlight finally revealed more of its terrifying form.
Massive black scales covered its body like armor. Its claws were long and curved like blades, scraping against the iron floor.
Two enormous horns curved backward from its skull, and its eyes burned with an ancient golden fire.
Even chained, the beast radiated a power that made the air feel heavy.
The creature stared at Magnus for a long moment.
Then it spoke again, its voice deep enough to shake dust from the cavern ceiling.
“You are either very brave… or very foolish, little Alpha.”
Magnus smiled faintly.
“Perhaps both.”
The creature’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“You seek to break the prison created by the ancient Lycans,” it said slowly. “Do you even understand what you are awakening?”
Magnus stepped closer to the cage.
“I understand power when I see it.”
The creature studied him carefully, as if searching for weakness in his soul.
But Magnus did not look away.
For several long seconds, the cavern fell completely silent.
Finally, the beast let out a low, rumbling laugh.
“You are different from the other wolves who came before you.”
Magnus raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?”
“Yes.”
The creature leaned closer to the bars of the cage.
“They came begging for strength.”
Its golden eyes burned brighter.
“But you came offering freedom.”
Magnus’ smile widened slightly.
“Now we understand each other.”
The creature’s massive tail shifted behind it, dragging against the stone floor.
“Before we make any bargains,” it growled, “you should know the name of the power you are trying to unleash.”
The rebel wolves exchanged nervous glances.
Magnus folded his arms.
“Go on.”
The creature lifted its head proudly.
“I am Dravoryx.”
The name seemed to echo unnaturally through the cavern.
Several of the wolves gasped.
One of them whispered in terror.
“That name… it’s in the forbidden records.”
Another wolf’s voice trembled.
“The Devourer of Kingdoms…”
Magnus’ eyes gleamed with interest.
“So the legends are true.”
Dravoryx’s golden eyes flashed with dark amusement.
“Oh, they are very true.”
The chains around his body rattled as he moved.
“Long before your Lycan kingdom existed… before your kings sat on their fragile thrones… I ruled these lands.”
His voice grew darker.
“But the Lycans feared my strength.”
He slammed one claw against the iron floor.
“So they betrayed me.”
The impact echoed through the cavern like thunder.
“They tricked me with promises of alliance… and then bound me with cursed chains forged by moon magic.”
Magnus glanced at the glowing runes carved into the chains.
“They must have been very desperate to imprison you.”
Dravoryx’s lips curled into a monstrous grin.
“Oh, they were.”
Magnus turned to his soldiers.
“Begin the ritual.”
The wolves hesitated for a moment before moving quickly.
Four of them stepped forward and placed large black stones around the cage.
Each stone was carved with ancient symbols.
Another wolf opened a scroll filled with forbidden runes.
He began to chant.
The words were old… older than the Lycan kingdom itself.
As the ritual began, the runes on the chains started to flicker.
Dravoryx watched with growing interest.
“Impressive,” he murmured.
Magnus crossed his arms again.
“I keep my promises.”
Far away in the Lycan palace…
Aria stood on the balcony outside her chamber, staring toward the northern mountains.
The night wind lifted strands of her silver hair.
Her heart would not stop racing.
Ever since she woke earlier, the strange energy inside her had been growing stronger.
It felt like something ancient was calling to her.
Or warning her.
Behind her, Kael stepped onto the balcony.
His armor gleamed faintly in the moonlight.
“You shouldn’t be standing out here alone,” he said quietly.
Aria didn’t turn.
“You feel it too.”
It wasn’t a question.
Kael walked to her side and looked toward the distant mountains.
“Yes.”
His voice was grim.
“Something old has awakened.”
Aria wrapped her arms around herself.
“The power feels… wrong.”
Kael studied her face carefully.
“You’re scared.”
Aria hesitated.
Then she nodded.
“I don’t know why… but it feels like whatever is waking up… it’s connected to me somehow.”
Kael frowned slightly.
“That’s impossible.”
Aria finally turned to face him.
“Is it?”
Her silver eyes glowed faintly in the moonlight.
“You told me my powers are older than the Lycan kingdom.”
Kael didn’t answer immediately.
The truth was… she was right.
Her Moon-Bound power came from a time long before the modern Lycans.
If something ancient was awakening…
It might recognize her.
Back in the cavern beneath the mountains…
The ritual was reaching its final stage.
The glowing runes on the chains were beginning to crack.
Dravoryx’s golden eyes gleamed with hunger.
“Yes…”
Magnus watched the chains carefully.
“Almost done.”
One of the wolves shouted suddenly.
“My Alpha—the seal is breaking!”
The largest chain snapped with a deafening crack.
The sound echoed through the entire mountain.
Dravoryx slowly stood to his full height.
Even partially freed, he was enormous.
His wings—huge and shadowy—unfolded slightly behind him.
The rebel wolves stepped back in fear.
Magnus didn’t move.
Dravoryx lowered his massive head toward him.
“Remember our deal, little Alpha.”
Magnus smiled coldly.
“I always keep my deals.”
The creature’s eyes burned with excitement.
“Good.”
Because when the final chain breaks…
The world will remember why they once called me…
The Devourer of Kingdoms.
- Writer
