The Monster King's Legacy - Chapter 139

Chapter 139: Unforeseen Consequences
An hour passed by, and the luminous pool of the Chasm of Life shimmered as Lance stood in its centre, his body aglow with newfound energy. The gathered dragons, silent and watchful, studied him with a mix of awe and apprehension.

But then, something happened that shattered the tranquil reverence of the moment.

Suddenly, the glow of the chasm intensified, its light flooding the chamber. The liquid around Lance began to churn violently, sending ripples and waves crashing against the rocky walls. Gasps echoed through the gathered dragons as the liquid started to rise, lifting Lance’s submerged form into the air.

“What’s happening?” Aelyndra asked, her voice tinged with panic.

Kaelthara’s golden eyes narrowed. “What a strong response. This… shouldn’t be possible for a mortal.”

The liquid wrapped around Lance like tendrils of light, seeping into his skin and veins. He could feel it tearing through his body, a sensation that felt like the world’s end.

Memories of his past flashed before his eyes; his struggles on Earth, his death, his reincarnation, and every challenge he had faced since arriving in this world. The faces of his people, his companions, and his allies appeared in vivid clarity, their voices echoing in his mind.

As the energy of the chasm reached its peak, Lance let out a cry, the sound echoing across the valley. Then, he was encased in a cocoon of golden liquid that flowed and churned like molten lava, still connected to the bountiful chasm which flowed around, slowing draining into the cocoon.

The dragons watched in stunned silence as the sacred liquid, which had existed for millennia, began to spiral downward, drawn into Lance as though he were a holding vessel. The glow around him grew brighter and brighter, until the light became nearly blinding.

“What is this madness?!” roared the red-scaled elder, his voice shaking the walls of the air and earth. “He’s absorbing the chasm’s essence! This is an abomination!”

Another elder hissed, his wings unfurling in anger. “This mortal desecrates our most sacred treasure! We must put an end to this!”

Kaelthara stepped between them, her imposing form radiating authority. “Hold your tongues,” she commanded, her voice sounding like thunder even when it was transmitted directly into their minds. “No one will interrupt this process.”

The red-scaled elder growled in a low tone. “Explain this, then. Why does the chasm react in such a way to a mortal? This has never happened before.”

Kaelthara’s expression remained calm, though her voice carried a note of uncertainty. “I do not know. But the chasm’s power is tied to the dragon god’s will. If it reacts this way, it may be because Lance is destined for something beyond what we can comprehend.”

The other elder stepped forward, his eyes blazing. “Destined? Or cursed? The chasm is sacred, meant to elevate dragons to greater heights! For a mortal to take its power is a violation of everything we hold dear! At this rate, everything will be drained, how will we then be able to use it in future?”

A chorus of angry murmurs erupted from the gathered dragons. Their claws scraped against the stone floor, and their wings bristled with tension.

“This cannot be allowed to stand!” another elder snarled. “The chasm has been desecrated. Its essence is gone!”

Kaelthara’s golden eyes flared with anger as she turned to face the. “Enough! Do you not see? The chasm did this of its own will! The human did not take the power, it has been granted unto him!”

The red-scaled elder growled, his massive claws flexing. “Given? Or stolen? This mortal must pay for this transgression.”

Kaelthara stepped closer to the chasm, her towering presence shielding Lance from the enraged dragons. Her voice was steady but filled with authority. “Do not dare challenge me, child. I vouched for him, and I stand by my decision. The human did not desecrate the chasm. The dragon god’s will is beyond your feeble understanding, regardless it is clear that he has been chosen by it. If it is not jealousy, you should remain silent, my patience doesn’t run as deep as you may believe.”

Her words carried weight, and the murmurs among the dragons instantly seized. Even the angriest elders hesitated under Kaelthara’s piercing gaze.

Elder Naerys then stepped forward, supporting Kaelthara while also making an attempt to calm the rest. She was already satisfied as Kaelthara had not been angered and instead passed out a simple warning, so not only did she wish to support Lance with the rare chance she got, she also didn’t want to witness Kaelthara’s wrath.

Elder Thoryx stepped closer to Kaelthara, transmitting his voice to her alone. “Kaelthara, the chasm is empty. Its power is gone. Do you truly believe this mortal is worth such a loss?”

Kaelthara’s eyes held resolve as she gazed at him. “I do.”

With those words, he resigned, choosing not to pursue the matter any longer.

…

An unknown amount of time went by as Lance’s consciousness was suppressed and submerged in darkness.

Lance’s consciousness returned slowly, as if emerging from a long and dreamless sleep. The world around him felt distant and muffled, and for a moment, he wondered if he had failed the ritual.

Then the sounds began to filter in…

The murmurs from the surrounding dragons grew louder in his ears. The red-scaled elder leaned forward, his massive claws gripping just at the edge of the pool. “He… survived?”

Elder Naerys narrowed her eyes. “Not just survived. Look at him. This isn’t a mortal anymore. He has been remade.”

“It defies reason… But it is right before my very eyes… this is unprecedented indeed.”

Kaelthara, standing at the edge of the group, crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. Her golden eyes scanned Lance with a mixture of pride and curiosity.

Lance opened his eyes, his vision sharper than ever before. The surroundings of the Chasm of Life came into focus, the faces of dragons surrounding him etched with a mixture of different expressions.