The air grew heavier as the party descended further into the dungeon. Every step was taken cautiously, with traps hidden in the floors and walls. They’d already been ambushed twice—once by a skittering swarm of giant spiders, their webs clinging to the dungeon’s ceiling, and again by a ragtag group of goblins who’d set up crude alarms that [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]]'s quick thinking and lute-playing had distracted long enough to ambush in return. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“These traps are getting worse. Watch where you’re stepping, [[Qwimby|Qwimby]].”* $\hspace{1cm}$[[Qwimby|Qwimby]]: *“Hey, I’ve only set off... like, two.”* The banter stopped abruptly when the sound of deep, echoing groans reached their ears. It reverberated through the stone walls like the moans of some massive, unseen beast in torment. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]: *“You hear that?”* $\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“Hard to miss.”* $\hspace{1cm}$[[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]: *“Whatever it is, it’s big. Stay sharp.”* They pressed on, the sound growing louder as they approached a large chamber. The room was massive, almost cathedral-like, with jagged stone pillars reaching toward the ceiling. In the centre, they saw the source of the groans a dragon, massive and ancient, its pale white scales shimmering faintly with a metallic sheen. The beast’s body was coiled in chains of glowing magic, runes etched into every link. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Zara Blackwood|Zara]]: *“That’s... not something you see every day.”* The party exchanged silent nods, agreeing to sneak past the dragon. They crept carefully along the edges of the chamber, their movements deliberate and quiet. But as they neared the far side, the dragon’s head turned. Its piercing, ice-blue eyes locked onto them, and it let out a low growl. $\hspace{1cm}$Dragon: *“You there. Do not think you can slink past unnoticed.”* The party froze as the dragon raised its head, its chains rattling with the motion. $\hspace{1cm}$Dragon: *“I am Marik, A Lord amongst. Bound and betrayed by the vile necromancer you seek. Release me, and I shall grant you my favour. I crave vengeance against Zargathax, for he syphons my power!”* [[Ellette|Ellette]]’s hand moved instinctively to her weapon. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“And if we say no?”* The dragon chuckled, the sound deep and menacing. $\hspace{1cm}$Marik: *“Then you shall not leave this chamber alive. My bonds may hold, but my breath is my own.”* There was a tense pause as the party exchanged glances. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]: *“You said... favour?”* $\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“Don’t even think about it.”* Ignoring her, [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] stepped forward, walking confidently toward the chained dragon. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]], stop!”* He raised his hand to the dragon, his palm open as if to shake. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]: *“Deal.”* Marik let out a low growl of approval and extended a claw, its tip razor-sharp. Without warning, he slashed [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]’s hand, drawing blood. The rest of the party cried out in pain as matching cuts seared themselves into their palms, glowing faintly with an icy blue light. $\hspace{1cm}$Marik: *“The pact is sealed. Should you fail to return and honour our agreement, this mark shall claim your lives.”* $\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]], you idiot! You can’t just make deals with dragons on our behalf!”* $\hspace{1cm}$[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]: *“We need all the help we can get. This dragon could turn the tide against Zargathax.”* The dragon roared, silencing their argument. $\hspace{1cm}$Marik: *“Enough bickering. Make haste, as I long to be free.”* With a deep inhale, Marik unleashed a devastating breath of frost, shattering the wall at the far end of the chamber and revealing a hidden passage. $\hspace{1cm}$Marik: *“The way is open. Go.”* Still fuming, [[Ellette|Ellette]] grabbed [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] by the arm as they hurried through the newly created opening. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“If we survive this, you and I are going to have a *long* conversation.”* [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] smirked despite the situation. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]: *“Looking forward to it.”* The party rushed onward, the dragon’s growls echoing behind them as they ventured deeper into the dungeon, now carrying not just their mission but the weight of a deadly pact. [[Chapter 28. Corridor of Stone]]