The Monster King's Legacy - Chapter 123

Chapter 123: A Light Confrontation
Seeing the wyverns, Aelyndra dove down, landing in an open area. She was going to have a discussion with them, rather than result to violence when unnecessary.

The wyverns, six of them, landed after them with a thunderous crash, their sharp talons digging into the rocky ground. Though smaller than Aelyndra, their brawny forms and jagged teeth made them an intimidating sight.

The largest of the group, though Lance couldn’t tell, was a male with scarred scales and piercing yellow eyes. He stepped forward, hissing aggressively at the strangers before him.

“What brings a dragon to our skies?” he snarled, his voice filled with venom.

Aelyndra stepped forward, her head held high. “I am Aelyndra. I am simply passing through. Stand aside.” She said. Though her tone was calm, there was no sliver of subservience in her voice.

The wyvern sneered, baring his fangs. “You think your kind can command us? We bow to no dragon.”

The next wyverns behind him hissed in agreement, their wings flaring as they prepared to attack.

Lance tightened his grip on his sword, but Aelyndra raised a claw to stop him. “Stay back,” she said firmly. “This is a matter of… honour.”

The wyverns lunged at Aelyndra, their movements quick and chaotic. Aelyndra stood her ground, waiting until the last moment to strike. With a swipe of her tail, she sent two of them tumbling, their screeches echoing through the canyon, Lance even fearing that they might have broken something.

The leader charged her head-on, his claws extended. Aelyndra sidestepped gracefully, her wings beating once to propel her forward. She pinned the wyvern with one massive claw, her golden eyes locking onto his.

“Strength without control is nothing but foolishness.” she growled, her voice calm but commanding.

The wyvern hissed and struggled beneath her, snapping at her claws. Aelyndra released him, allowing him to scramble to his feet.

The young wyverns exchanged confused glances, but their leader snarled and lunged again. The fight continued, Aelyndra tempering her strength with each attack. She swatted one wyvern out of the air, knocked another off balance with a flick of her tail, and basically bullied all of them without even breaking a sweat.

Lance who had been watching from the side could see clearly, while the wyverns were so outclassed. Unlike Aelyndra who had four limbs and a pair of wings, the wyverns’ wings were connected to their front legs. In a sense, they had no front legs, just wings for arms. Maneuverability on land was undoubtedly going to be their worst attribute.

That aside, Lance couldn’t help but spit on this concept of honour, seeing as they all ganged up on Aelyndra… or perhaps, she was the one who misunderstood, after all, they never said anything about honour themselves… as far as he knew.

After a brief separation, the leader glared at Aelyndra, his pride clearly wounded. In no time, heat began to build in his mouth, growing slowly. But before things could escalate further, an older wyvern descended from the cliffs, his silvered scales glinting like polished steel.

“Enough,” the elder wyvern said, his voice deep and resonant. “I have seen enough.”

The younger wyverns immediately stepped aside, bowing their heads in submission. The heat from the leader’s mouth subsiding immediately.

Aelyndra straightened, meeting the elder’s gaze with calm confidence.

“You have shown restraint and wisdom, Aelyndra,” the elder continued. “These younglings needed a lesson, and you have delivered it well. You may pass through our skies freely. Naturally, we have no reason to obstruct your journey. Please, forgive their reckless immaturity.”

Aelyndra inclined her head slightly, showing respect. “Thank you, elder. Your wisdom reflects well through your words alone.”

The elder laughed lightly. “Please, don’t flatter me. Hahaha.”

As the wyverns retreated, Lance approached Aelyndra, his expression a mixture of awe and amusement. “That was… impressive. You didn’t just beat them, you taught them a lesson?”

Aelyndra glanced at him, her golden eyes glinting with satisfaction. “They were young and foolish… It is only natural.”

Lance nodded, his admiration clear. “You are correct.”

With nothing left to do, they flew the rest of the way, until they reached The Frozen Pass. Aelyndra had made sure that Lance got enough rest the night before they made their way past the mountains that signified the border separating the wyvern lands and the Frozen Pass.

As soon as they crossed over, it was like magic. The air grew colder the farther they went, the change so abrupt that it felt magical. Looking back, Lacne could see a treacherous mountain trail carved through jagged peaks, completely cloaked in ice. Snow whipped through the air in violent gusts, reducing visibility to mere feet. It was unreal just how much the weather and perhaps climate had changed.

The wind howled louder as they made their way through, Lance gritting his teeth harder than he did in the nights when they were in the desert.

“So lucky, we just had to arrive right when a storm would occur.” Lance said, making the most of what little covering he could provide himself.

Every few steps, Aelyndra glanced back, her golden eyes narrowing with concern.

“You sure you’re keeping up?” she teased, though her tone carried a hint of genuine worry.

“At least I’m sure I won’t die, right?” Lance replied through chattering teeth just as soon as he used his healing magic on himself, countering the unnatural speed at which he his fingers had begun to get frostbitten.

Aelyndra chuckled softly, a plume of mist escaping her nostrils and through her teeth. “If you say so.”

Suddenly, a low rumbling echoed through the frozen canyon, making Lance stop in his tracks.

“What was that?” he asked, his hand instinctively moving to his sword, shivering intensely now.

Aelyndra sniffed the air, her golden eyes narrowing. “We’re not alone.” She said, scanning their surroundings more keenly.

Just then, the snow ahead of them shifted, rising unnaturally into the air. From them, humanoid forms began to take shape, their bodies made entirely of jagged ice. Their glowing blue eyes locked onto Lance and Aelyndra with predatory intent. By their side, collections of cold mist took form also, their eyes holding the same glow as the ones formed from ice.

“Ice elementals?” Lance muttered, drawing his blade.