A boy could be seen checking the area around him after making sure no one was present. He closed his eyes and touched the strange ring on his finger. A burst of light was released from the ring, and the next moment, the boy's figure disappeared.
***
A place straight out of one's dreams, a peculiar and ominous forest shrouded in an aura of foreboding mystery. Towering trees, their trunks twisted and gnarled, reach skyward as if trying to grasp the heavens. Their bark, an eerie shade of dark violet, is etched with intricate patterns that seem to pulse with an otherworldly energy.
As you step deeper into this strange woodland, you can feel the air grow heavy, as though it carries the very essence of magic itself. A place where mana, the lifeblood of mystical power, hangs thick like a mist. It weaves through the air, making every breath you take feel like a taste of enchantment. That was not all; the atmosphere is fraught with another presence.
An ancient and powerful force seems to emanate from the very heart of this place. As if the spirits of long-forgotten dragons linger here, their presence manifests in the form of eerie, ghostly roars that echo through trees. These phantom calls send shivers down your spine, reminding you of the forgotten ones that ruled this land.
The presence of this lingering force had a particular effect on the creatures that resided here. Amid the vast expanse of these towering trees, one can easily encounter creatures with draconic features. Some have scales that shimmer with iridescent colors, while others bear wings that stretch to impossible lengths. Razor-sharp, daggered fangs gleam in the dappled sunlight that manages to penetrate the canopy.
The land itself seems to be in a state of perpetual chaos. Vines hang like serpents from the branches, ready to ensnare the unwary. The ground that follows it shares the same idea but in a different way, with roots that writhe and twist beneath your feet, seemingly with a mind of their own. Every step feels like a test of your mettle, a challenge from the very heart of this wild and untamed land.
Amidst the chaos, a sense of wonder and danger intertwines, drawing you deeper into this mystical forest. It's a place where the boundaries between the mundane and the mystical blue are blurred, where the line between beauty and peril is razor-thin, and where the presence of the ancient still lingers as a constant mystery, waiting to be unveiled someday.
The air shook around the area, and soon, a figure appeared out of the void. He looked at the area around him, blinking his eyes. He stepped forward and took a deep breath, trying to feel the area around him. His eyebrows raised as he looked around. "Why does it look different from before? It's as if mana and dragon presence have increased a lot. Thanks to the blessing, I don't need to worry about it."
The further he went, the more changes he discovered. He then suddenly sensed the presence of multiple creatures. Activating his zone, he turned into the shadow of a bat and started traversing. He soon found strange humanoid lizards moving around; they were seven-foot-tall giants, their bodies filled with muscles.
They checked the area but discovered that they could not sense the presence of the creature they had sensed before. They tried to take it around, only to get further disappointed. The one leading them, wearing a hairband, hissed and started moving; others followed him, and they soon left the area.
'Aren't they Saurus-type Lizardmen, but how did they look so much stronger? One of them looked stronger than the multiple lizardmen I faced before; the strange markings and tattoos on their bodies also made them look different. Let's follow them and see which tribe they are from.'
They kept moving, and he followed them. They hunted for a while before dragging their corpses in a particular direction. Following behind them, he found himself in a remote part of the forest. His eyes soon widened when he discovered something he had never imagined.
Nestled beneath the canopy of the ancient jungle appeared a grand town inhabited solely by the formidable Lizardmen. Standing at an average height of six feet, their muscular bodies exude an air of strength and resilience. The heart of the Lizardfolk community is a sprawling network of wooden houses, intricately built to blend seamlessly with the lush surroundings. These dwellings rise proudly amidst the colossal trees, their wooden foundations, and woven front roofs reaching toward the skies.
As he approached the remarkable town, he was greeted by the rhythmic sounds of daily life. With their reptilian heads and sharp claws, Lizardmen go about chores with an air of purpose. Some can be seen tending gardens filled with vibrant, exotic flora, while others deftly weave patterns into their clothing to create mesmerizing tattoos on the scales of young ones.
Some could be seen wearing headbands adorned with vibrant feathers, each symbolizing their individuality and rank within the community. These headbands, a vivid contrast against their rugged, green-toned scales, speak of the deep connection between tradition and unity.
Walking through the town's winding paths, he encountered communal spaces where Lizardmen gather to exchange stories, experiences, music, and laughter. The grandeur of their wooden architecture, hand-carved with intricate designs, reflects their reverence for their environment and unique culture.
It was a living testament to their harmonious coexistence with the wild jungle surrounding them. It's a place where strength, tradition, and nature intertwine, creating a tranquil yet powerful presence that leaves a lasting impression on all who are fortunate enough to visit.
He saw many watch towers made of tough wood, each with female lizardmen reading with their large bows and arrows. They were delicate, thin, and had many features, but this couldn't hide the ferociousness in their presence; they didn't look like someone one could ignore.
He wanted to go further and try to discover more information, but he stopped himself as, at the center, he could see a large shrine. Unlike the one in which Raven resided, this one looked to be in good condition, and many Lizardmen visited it to pray.
It was the shrine of the forgotten ones, the true masters of this realm. They were guarding their legacy, waiting for the day they would return, and letting their race regain its former glory. He wanted to look at things further, but he noticed the presence of senses that were way stronger than the ones he had discovered before.
He might be revealed if he delays any further. The senses stopped and returned to the shrine. An old lizardman with a gray beard and thin body opened his light yellow eyes. They had big, cold eyes without pupils, completely different from the other lizardmen.
The common Lizardmen enjoying their daily lives didn't know that. The eyes of the bringer of ill omens had befallen them. It was only a matter of time before chaos dissipated here. After the dance of death, not even a hundred of them may survive from the initial ten thousand population.
.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel