Chapter 45: Summoner's Path
The merchant caravan wound its way across rolling hills, a colorful procession of wagons and mounted guards stretching nearly half a mile. Lance had been given a private wagon near the center, offering both comfort and protection as they traveled toward the coastal city of Azuremere.
Morning fog clung to the valleys as they passed, creating the illusion of islands floating in a white sea. Lance sat on the wagon's edge, his elemental markings pulsing gently as he observed their progress. Beside him, Fenris watched the surrounding countryside with ancient vigilance.
"We need to discuss our approach," Lance said, his maniacal grin softening into something more contemplative. "The Academy will have expectations about who and what we appear to be."
Fenris's massive form shifted, shadows rippling across his evolved body. "You have a specific role in mind, master?"
"Summoner," Lance's laugh carried that edge of deadly amusement. "A convenient explanation for your presence, and versatile enough to accommodate various abilities without revealing my true nature."
The shadow wolf considered this, ancient eyes studying the passing landscape. "A reasonable choice. Summoners are rare but not suspicious. Their abilities span multiple elements depending on what they call forth."
"Exactly," Lance's elemental markings pulsed with satisfaction. "I can demonstrate various elemental affinities through 'summoned' entities rather than direct shadow manipulation."
He turned to regard Fenris properly, assessing the wolf's imposing stature. "However, your current form might prove... excessive for academy life. Fifteen feet of evolved shadow wolf would attract undesirable attention."
Fenris rumbled with something approximating laughter. "Size is merely perception, master." The shadow wolf's form began to shift, darkness condensing and reforming. "What scale would better serve our purpose?"
"Something less overwhelming to the average student," Lance suggested, his grin widening as he watched the transformation. "Yet still impressive enough to establish appropriate standing."
The shadows settled into a new configuration. Fenris now stood approximately seven and a half feet tall - still imposing but no longer impossibly massive. His evolved features remained, though slightly muted, the third eye now appearing as a faint marking rather than a fully manifested orb.
"Better," Lance approved, his laugh echoing across the hillside. "Remarkable but not impossible. A high-level familiar rather than an ancient entity beyond classification."
"The Academy faculty may still sense something unusual," Fenris warned, testing his new form with careful movements. "Those with sufficient perception might recognize my true nature."
"Let them wonder," Lance's grin promised beautiful devastation. "Curiosity without confirmation will serve us better than outright deception."
The caravan continued its advance, but as they approached a forested region, Lance suddenly straightened. His elemental markings pulsed with recognition, responding to a familiar sensation.
"Halt!" he called out, causing the wagon driver to pull back on the reins with a startled expression.
Merchant Prince Darian, a corpulent man draped in silk and jewels, rode back from the front of the procession. "Is there a problem, Lord Seraphis?" His voice carried the practiced deference of one accustomed to accommodating powerful clients.
"A slight detour," Lance replied, his maniacal grin making the merchant shift uncomfortably in his saddle. "There's something of interest nearby. We'll rejoin you before nightfall."
"But the schedule—" Darian began.
"Will adjust," Lance finished, his laugh carrying that edge of deadly amusement. "Unless you'd prefer to explain to Lord Vex why his... associate was inconvenienced?"
The merchant's face paled at the mention of Vex. "Of course. We'll make camp at the river crossing ahead. Please take whatever time you require."
As the caravan continued, Lance and Fenris turned toward the forest's edge, where Lance had sensed the unmistakable presence of a dungeon. The surrounding vegetation showed subtle signs of influence - flowers with slightly too-perfect symmetry, trees growing in patterns that suggested organization rather than natural dispersion.
"An A-rank dungeon," Lance noted as they approached a stone archway half-hidden by vines. Ancient runes carved into the weathered stone identified it clearly:
SKYREACH EYRIE
A-RANK
Last Inspection: 328 Days Ago
Warning: Griffin Nesting Ground
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
"Griffins," Fenris observed, shadows rippling with interest. "Prideful creatures. Their feathers contain trace wind elemental properties."
Lance's elemental markings pulsed with anticipation. "And their territory now borders mine." His grin widened as he approached the entrance. "Let's introduce ourselves properly."
With a gesture, Lance released his accumulated familiars - the shadow-touched beasts he had bound during previous conquests. Each emerged from rippling darkness, their transformed natures evident in their shadow-infused forms. They assembled before him in silent rows, awaiting command.
"Secure all levels," Lance instructed, his laugh echoing against ancient stone. "No survivors, no resistance. This domain joins our network today."
The creatures dispersed with practiced efficiency, each taking different passages into the dungeon's depths. Even without Lance's direct presence, they knew their purpose - to systematically clear the griffin dungeon for their master's claiming.
Lance and Fenris followed at a more measured pace, observing as their advance forces engaged the resident griffins. The creatures were magnificent - part eagle, part lion, with wingspans reaching twenty feet in the largest specimens. Pride and power radiated from their regal forms, at least until they encountered Lance's shadow-infused servants.
The griffins fought with admirable courage, but they faced entities that had evolved beyond conventional classification. Lance watched with that maniacal grin as his familiars overwhelmed the defenders, shadow-touched abilities canceling out the griffins' natural advantages of flight and elemental attunement.
"They fall quickly," Fenris noted as they passed a particularly large griffin being systematically dismantled by three shadow-infused spider familiars. "Their pride prevents proper coordination."
"Individual strength without unified purpose," Lance agreed, stepping over fallen feathers that still crackled with wind energy. "Another limitation of the current system."
They reached the dungeon's heart within two hours, a massive roosting chamber where the griffin alpha made its nest. The chamber's ceiling opened to the sky above, allowing natural light to illuminate the massive hoard below. The alpha griffin was truly impressive - twice the size of its kin, with metallic golden feathers that caught sunlight like polished armor. Each feather edge gleamed with razor sharpness, while eyes that burned with elemental power fixed on the intruders with ancient hatred. It stood atop a mountain of treasures collected over centuries - gold, gems, and magical artifacts from unfortunate adventurers who had challenged its domain.
The alpha's roar shook the chamber, causing smaller crystals to shatter and gold coins to cascade down the treasure pile. Its wingspan, fully extended, nearly touched the chamber walls on either side - easily forty feet of deadly majesty.
"This one," Lance said, his voice carrying that edge of deadly amusement, "deserves special attention." He turned to Fenris, whose reduced size belied his true power. "Show it what it means to face a true predator."
Fenris stepped forward, shadows writhing around his form as he reassumed his full battle stature. The griffin's eyes widened as the shadow wolf grew to match its size, evolved features becoming more pronounced as restraint fell away.
"With pleasure, master," Fenris growled, the sound making reality itself tremble.
The alpha griffin launched itself forward with surprising speed for its size, talons extended and beak open in a screech that shattered nearby crystal formations. Wind elements swirled around its golden wings, creating cutting currents that would have sliced lesser opponents to ribbons.
Fenris met the charge with ancient precision, shadows coalescing into deadly force. As the griffin swept past, attempting to rake with its talons, the shadow wolf twisted impossibly, jaws clamping around one golden wing.
The sound of divine metal being crushed filled the chamber as Fenris's teeth penetrated the elemental-infused feathers. With a savage wrench of his massive head, he tore the wing completely free from the griffin's body.
Golden blood that seemed to contain actual sunlight sprayed across the treasure hoard, sizzling where it touched shadow. The griffin's screech of pain and rage echoed through the chamber as it crashed into its own treasure pile, sending precious items scattering across the floor.
Despite its injury, the alpha rose again, primal fury overriding survival instinct. It charged with its remaining wing creating localized windstorms that sent smaller treasures flying like projectiles. Its beak, designed to tear through armor and bone alike, snapped at Fenris with killing intent.
"Pride," Lance observed from his position near the entrance. "Even in defeat, it refuses to yield."
Fenris moved with liquid grace, shadows flowing around incoming debris. As the griffin lunged for a killing bite, the shadow wolf feinted left, then pivoted with unnatural speed. His massive form circled behind the wounded alpha, and before the beast could turn, Fenris struck.
His jaws closed around the griffin's neck, teeth sinking through golden feathers and divine-touched flesh. With one savage motion, he wrenched upward, separating the proud creature's head from its body entirely.
The severed head, eyes still burning with defiance, tumbled across golden coins before coming to rest at Lance's feet. Its final expression remained one of regal fury rather than fear - a testament to the creature's nature.
"Well done," Lance's maniacal grin widened as he observed the execution. "Another domain falls to superior predators."
Fenris released the headless corpse, which collapsed atop its treasure hoard in a final indignity. The shadow wolf's muzzle dripped with golden blood that evaporated into mist as it touched the air.
"Their king was strong," Fenris acknowledged, shrinking back to his more modest form as the battle concluded. "But strength without evolution is merely stagnation."
"Another dungeon claimed," Lance observed as his familiars completed their systematic conquest of the remaining levels. "And another payment for Moga."
With the dungeon secured, Lance approached its Dragon Statue - smaller than others he had encountered, but still bearing that unmistakable connection to deeper powers. Placing his hand on the weathered stone, he activated the Ring of Summoning.
[Divine Resonance Detected]
Statue Type: Dragon Lord Conduit
Status: Active
[Dungeon Conquest Complete]
Skyreach Eyrie (A-Rank) added to network
Daily Dungeon Points: +2,500
Current Total: 6,025 points per day
The statue's eyes blazed with familiar power as Moga's presence filled the chamber.
"Well, well," Moga's voice carried ancient amusement. "Paying debts ahead of schedule? How refreshingly responsible."
"Efficiency, not responsibility," Lance corrected, his maniacal grin never faltering. "We have a journey to complete, and outstanding obligations are inefficient."
"Indeed," Moga chuckled, the sound making reality shiver slightly. "And what have you brought me today?"
"25,000 dungeon points," Lance confirmed. "15,000 for the loan, plus 10,000 for this griffin domain."
"Generous," Moga's presence seemed to study Lance with increased interest. "Especially considering our agreed timeline allowed much longer for repayment."
Lance's laugh echoed through the newly claimed dungeon. "Consider it an investment in future cooperation."
"How pragmatic," Moga's voice carried that mix of ancient knowledge and barely contained chaos. "The Academy journey proceeds as planned, then?"
"With minor detours for resource acquisition," Lance gestured to the transformed griffins now bearing his shadow influence. "The more dungeons in my network, the stronger my position becomes."
"And the closer you come to properly challenging the Eternal Tomb," Moga observed. "Though even A-rank acquisitions may prove insufficient against SS-rank death energy."
"Hence the Academy," Lance's elemental markings pulsed with anticipation. "Knowledge of fundamental principles may reveal alternatives to brute force approaches."
"Clever," Moga's presence began to fade. "But remember, young king - the Seven Spires have their own agenda. Their knowledge comes with... perspectives."
As the Dragon Statue's eyes dimmed, Lance connected the newly claimed dungeon to his expanding network. The familiar purple-black energy spread through ancient pathways, transforming the griffin domain into another node in his growing constellation of power.
"Another successful acquisition," Fenris noted as they prepared to return to the caravan. "Though perhaps we should limit further detours if we wish to reach the Academy before the entrance examinations begin."
"True," Lance agreed, his silver hair catching afternoon light as they emerged from the dungeon. "But each domain added strengthens our position. The Academy may offer knowledge, but practical power has its own value."
By sunset, they had rejoined the merchant caravan, Lance's maniacal grin giving nothing away about their profitable "detour." Prince Darian asked no questions, merely noting that they remained on schedule despite the delay.
As night fell over the camp, Lance sat beside the fire, watching the flames dance with that familiar edge of deadly amusement in his eyes. The journey to the Seven Spires continued, now with another dungeon added to his growing network.
Knowledge awaited at the Academy, but power accumulated with every step along the way.
