“That. Is a very. Big. Dragon.” I muttered to Inkler, who rubbed against me in agreement. “Got any bright ideas? Or even one that is only mildly insane?” Inkler gave me a worried look. “Hey, my only idea is just this side of batshit insane. No? Nothing? Damn. I guess we are going with batshit insane then. [Shadowgheist].” Once I summoned my clone, I whispered the plan to both of them. Inkler wasn’t amused. The clone did what they all did and showed absolutely no emotion whatsoever. Using some shadow chains, I raised myself up to the ceiling and got started on the plan.

Stepping from behind the pillar we had been hiding behind, the shadowgheist started walking towards Plaguedeath. Once he crossed inside the ring of pillars, the dragon cracked open an eye. Shaking itself from its slumber, it slammed a paw where the clone had been but moments before. A cat and mouse game ensued, as the clone used [Dancing shadow steps] to stay just ahead of the slamming paws of the dragon. Just as the clone used the last of the steps abilities, the dragon got fed up. Raising its head slightly, it took a massive breath, before straightening out and unleashing a torrent of black and purple flames. The clone was obliterated, but it had done its job admirably. The dragon had its neck stretched out, perfectly in position.

“Let’s hope this works. [Cold grasp of death].” Freezing the dragon, I used shadow chains to loop around the massive blade of stone I had just made with stone manipulation. As I started pulling down with the chains, hoping to have this thing moving far faster than just a gravity assisted drop, I broke the last connection to the ceiling. “[Reaper’s edge].” I tried a mad gambit, hoping that the skill would recognize it as a blade and activate. Success! Of course, I was now plunging down from a vaulted ceiling, riding a massive stone blade so that I could keep the reaper’s edge skill active, aiming for an undead dragon’s neck.

“Jeronimooooooo!” I screamed with exhilaration as I plunged downward. Sadly, I didn’t think through the ramifications of my plan.

Heavily injured!

You have broken both of your legs. Movement speed reduced by 85% until corrected.

Stunned – can’t take any actions for 30 seconds

“Gyaaaaaah!” I cried out in pain as I was thrown from the back of the blade. As I laid on the ground staring at the ceiling, movement in the bottom of my vision caught my eye. Inkler’s head came into view, grabbing me by the shoulder and dragging me away.

“YOU GOTTA BE SHITTING ME!” I yelled after my stun wore off. “HOW THE HELL DOES A DECAPITATED UNDEAD DRAGON STILL LIVE?!” The reason Inkler had pulled me away was the snapping jaws of the dragon’s head was still trying to come and bite me. I reached into my emergency stash for a Major Mending potion. Grimacing at the taste, and the snapping of my legs as the bones were immediately healed, I got up. I had to drink a health potion as well, since the mending potion only fixed broken bones. Standing up, I absentmindedly patted Inkler’s head. “Thanks bud. Probably saved me from a gruesome death there.”

Sighing, I used stone manipulation to climb up onto the shattered remains of the ceiling blade. The body of the dragon was still writhing around as well, and the lifebar indicated that it still had almost half of its life left. “Well, let’s see if we can just put this thing down for good, eh?” I threw seven of my remaining inferno potions into a cluster right between the wings of the dragon. “[Purging flames].” I added more fire to the burning bonfire, watching as it flared with green energy. I downed a mana potion to keep the channeled flame going, spraying it back and forth like a flamethrower. Three mana potions later, and one mana headache from channeling a spell for so long, and the dragon finally dropped in death.

Titles earned!

Dragonslayer

Legend killer

You may choose which title to display in public. Beware, reactions to titles may vary wildly!

“Well, that’s finally done.’ I said, dropping onto the floor and sitting down. I decided to go with the Legend Killer title for the moment, as drakelings were supposedly descended from dragons. That title might not go over so well back at home. Inkler came up to rub against me, before trotting off to clean his paws. Typical cat. Oh well, I had looting to do.

Loot

Worn wyvern belt

Jeweled torque

Grand golem cores x5

Grand mana gems (empty) x5

100 platinum, 99 gold, 99 silver, 99 copper

Altered Magical Contract x1 (quest item)

“Oh you gotta be shitting me! I didn’t even get something magical from killing a legendary creature? This is bullshit!” I yelled, shaking my fists at the developers. Sure, I wasn’t ever going to need money again, but worthless gear was ridiculous. Muttering a string of obscenities that would make a sailor blush, I started looking around for any other items I could use. Nothing. What kind of a dragon doesn’t have a hoard to plunder! They’re breaking all sorts of tropes here!

“Damnit. I guess we should head back to Oberon. See what he has to say about how to destroy this tablet.” We started our long trek back to Oberon’s area. The only issue we truly ran into was the area where Drul’kaath had kept his hoard. It seemed that flesh golems were different from normal necromantic monsters, as killing the one who raised them didn’t kill the golems. It must have something to do with having a golem core as well as a mana core.

So we did what we had to on our trek back. We snuck by where possible. Patrols we had to battle. Two hours. It took two entire hours to make our way past what originally was a ten-minute harrowing run. A handful of shields and some vials of ichor were our rewards. By the time we reached Oberon, we were exhausted. Mentally and physically.

“You’re back.” He said upon noticing us. “Have you succeeded?” A small bit of hope crept into his voice. His corruption had increased to 90%, and he was looking much worse for wear. Pulsating purple veins had crept up his neck, and were threatening to move onto his face.

“We were. All three of the original tablets, as well as the altered tablet are ours. Is there anything special we need to do to destroy the fake tablet?”

“No, just smash it into pieces. You must at least obliterate half of the writing.” At his words, I took out the tablet and started swinging away with my hammer. It resisted my attacks, but I quickly fell into a rhythm. Starting on the outside, I would move around the circumference of the circular tablet, gradually moving inward. Lost in my work, I didn’t realize when I had completed the task. I kept going until the last bit of it had been reduced to a fine powder.

“Thank you, adventurer. Now, I have one last request. Kill me, and refuse the mantle of Fairy King. It will then pass on to my son, and he will know the reward I have planned for you. This will also break the curse’s hold on my kind, and allow us to reunite the original tablet. Will you do this?”

“Of course.” I said. “Are you prepared?”

“I have been longing for this moment for centuries.” He replied, holding his head back and closing his eyes.

“[Reaper’s edge].” I said, slashing through his neck.

You have slain the Fairy King, Oberon!

The mantle of the power wielded by the fairy king must have an owner. Having bested the previous king in single combat, you are the prime heir. Will you accept the mantle of fairy king? Y/N

You have rejected the mantle!

You have turned down the power of the mantle of the fairy king, something that has only happened three times in recorded history. As is tradition, the first male heir of Oberon’s line is offered the mantle. All hail King Zephire! Long live the King!

A large cocoon of green with swirls of silver and gold slowly opened up. Standing and stretching was a fairy that I assumed to be Zephire. His hair was pale yellow, and his green wings had silver swirls patterned on them. Once he was done stretching, he glided down to where Inkler and I awaited.

“Greetings and our thanks, adventurer.” He said, giving me a slight bow. “I am Zephire, the new king of the fairies.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, your majesty.” I answered with a bow. “I am Angus, and this is my companion Inkler.”

“We find ourselves in your debt, for freeing not only ourselves, but also our people. Time and the lich have stolen much from us, but upon seeing you our father devised a worthy reward for your trials. If you would, please loot his body.”

Loot

Worn wyvern helm

“We notice your confusion. You have come across other items with this description, yes?”

“Yes. I had room to spare, and have kept the items despite their lack of value.”

“Excellent. Before we can get to the rewards, we have noticed that the sets of equipment you have are not suited to you.”

“How can you tell that?” I asked, intrigued.

“Fairies are very much in tune with the essence of items and people. From your aura, you deal in death. Swift, and before the target knows death approaches. Your armor feels like a wolf. Ferocious, deadly up close. But nimble, it would dodge blows rather than trade them. The other set, ah. That’s it. Magical mayhem. The archmages of old would have fought wars over such a set.” All of this was said with his eyes closed. Opening them, he continued, “So, Angus. We come to the reward my father promised you. Like all things, though, it requires a sacrifice. Are you willing to sacrifice the two sets you currently wear, in order to use their magic to forge a set that truly suits you?”

“I.” Damn, I wasn’t sure. Even if these sets didn’t suit me, I had thought of passing them on. If Derrick could equip the Djinni King’s set, he would be equivalent to a raid boss. Likewise, Phoebe would be devastating with the Armored Lizard King’s set.

“Know this. The only time this set may be forged is with the magical energies released when the fairies are reawakened.”

Screw it. This was a chance for a unique set of armor, they would understand. “Very well. Let’s craft the set.”

“Excellent.” Zephire replied with a smile. “Place your old sets on the altar to your left, and the worn wyvern set on the altar to your right. The three tablets go in the center, and when we both combine the pieces, the magic will be unleashed. Are you ready?”

“I am.” I answered, setting everything up. As one, we pushed the three magical pieces together, and in the very center of it Zephire placed a round cut emerald of startling quality. Everything clicked together, and I felt waves of magic passing through me. The two armor sets started glowing, and the magic from the old sets flowed into the wyvern armor.

Where once there was ancient looking leather, scuffed and brown, now sat a masterpiece. Blacks and browns chased each other, breaking the outlines of the outfit. The arms and legs had small spines traveling down their length, and the wider areas had triple the thickness of the joints to boost defense. Joints in the plates allowed for a full range of motion, and I was in awe as I identified the new set.

Unseen King’s Fanged Helm

Set item (1 of 8)

Crafted from the hide of a legendary wyvern and restored thanks to the rebirth of the fairies, this armor set is perfect for those who strike down their enemies from the darkness.

Defense: 160

Durability: 10,000/10,000

Keen sight: All visual skills range increased by 25%

+30% chance for critical hit

Unseen King’s Leather Gambeson

Set item (1 of 8)

Crafted from the hide of a legendary wyvern and restored thanks to the rebirth of the fairies, this armor set is perfect for those who strike down their enemies from the darkness.

Defense: 400

Durability: 20,000/20,000

+15% chance to dodge blows

+15% harder to detect while in stealth

Unseen King’s Spiked Bracers

Set item (1 of 8)

Crafted from the hide of a legendary wyvern and restored thanks to the rebirth of the fairies, this armor set is perfect for those who strike down their enemies from the darkness.

Defense: 55

Durability: 10,000/10,000

Retribution: 10% of melee damage reflected back onto attackers

+50% poison damage

Unseen King’s Unyielding Grip

Set item (1 of 8)

Crafted from the hide of a legendary wyvern and restored thanks to the rebirth of the fairies, this armor set is perfect for those who strike down their enemies from the darkness.

Defense: 55

Durability: 9,000/9,000

+20% melee damage

+20% critical hit damage

Unseen King’s Grace (belt)

Set item (1 of 8)

Crafted from the hide of a legendary wyvern and restored thanks to the rebirth of the fairies, this armor set is perfect for those who strike down their enemies from the darkness.

Defense: 40

Durability: 7,500/7,500

+50% ranged damage

+100% damage from stealth

Unseen King’s Leather Pants

Set item (1 of 8)

Crafted from the hide of a legendary wyvern and restored thanks to the rebirth of the fairies, this armor set is perfect for those who strike down their enemies from the darkness.

Defense: 60

Durability: 9,000/9,000

+20% critical hit damage

+10% chance to parry

Unseen King’s Boots of Seven Leagues

Set item (1 of 8)

Crafted from the hide of a legendary wyvern and restored thanks to the rebirth of the fairies, this armor set is perfect for those who strike down their enemies from the darkness.

Defense: 55

Durability: 10,000/10,000

Stamina consumption reduced by half

Muffled: Walking sounds reduced by 50%

Unseen King’s Jeweled Necklace

Set item (1 of 8)

Worn by the Unseen King as a symbol of his authority, it has been restored through the magical rebirth of the fairies.

All cooldowns reduced by 10%

Movement speed increased by 10%

Unseen King’s set complete!

For equipping the entire set of the Unseen King, you receive the following bonuses:

3 of 8 set items:

+15% critical damage

5 of 8 set items:

Out of combat regeneration increased by 75%

+25% damage

7 of 8 set items:

AoE attacks gain a poison component. Can choose between mana, stamina, or health poison

+100% poison damage

Eagle Eyes: All visual skill ranges increased by 50% (stacks with Keen sight)

8 of 8 set items:

+50% chance for critical hit

+5 to all stealth skill levels

+15% dexterity

+15% agility

My hands were shaking as I looked over the set bonuses. I might have drooled a little as well. This set was a rogue’s wet dream, and it actually had better defenses than the Armored Lizard King’s set.

“We take it you are happy with your armor?”

Startled out of my musings, I looked up to see Zephire smiling at me. “Indeed, this is a most gracious gift.” I said with a bow. I came back up, and inadvertently let out a long yawn. Behind the king, several of the newly woken fairies were fluttering around the tree, and landing on the island in the middle that it grew out of. Odd, they seem much smaller than Zephire and Oberon.

“We sense you are distracted by the rebirth of our brethren. Come, relax on the island with us.” He said, conjuring a boat in the shape of a large leaf. “We promise that no harm from the dungeon shall come to you here.”

“Many thanks, your majesty.” I said as Inkler and I climbed into the boat. With a gentle push, and a flap of his wings, a calm wind carried us across to the island. Once there, Inkler and I got out. After a quick dinner, we both laid down and fell sound asleep.