
It wasn't supposed to happen like this.
Onyx noticed a castle nestled at the edge of the mountains from the town he was passing through. Large chunks missing from the walls and the towers seem to indicate that it was abandoned and had been for quite some time. Asking around at the local inn revealed that the castle belonged to a sorcerer who practiced unknown, but powerful magics that could be seen and heard for miles around. When asked about where the owner was now, the innkeeper said that the castle went silent one day and had been that way for many years. The innkeeper also mentioned that there was probably some treasures still up there, though the townsfolk and passing traders stay away from the place due to fears of lingering curses that may be there.
Onyx, ever the adventurer, felt like the castle was beckoning him over, much like a Siren's call. The fact that its tenant was a magician, much like himself, only amplified his desires to explore and find whatever secrets he could. It was decided. He would visit the ruins and see what it could offer him.
He set out at dawn after a night's rest at the inn. The sky was clear, the winds were calm, and path was free of any traffic. After two hours worth of walking and climbing, he finally beheld the gates to the decrepit castle and stood in awe at the size of it. Whoever lived here was certainly opulent. Even though plants were growing through the cracks and the damage to the exterior appeared to be extensive, Onyx could tell this was a palace many would have dream of owning during its prime.
The portcullis that had blocked the way was rusted over and easily taken down by a fireball. Onyx took his first steps into the grounds of the castle and his sense of wonder was amplified. Surely there is something here that most would pass over, but he could use as most would not have an understanding of magic nor would likely recognize something that had magic about it.
However, as minutes turned to hours and the sun was slowly moving across the blue sky, his awe was replaced with disappointment. Other than rotting books, furniture and the occasional rat, nothing here grabbed his attention. He explored top to bottom, tower to tower, room to room, but there seemed to be nothing of note. It looks like something other than time had ravaged the place.
One final room he would explore before abandoning his mission. He walked down a winding staircase and into what appeared to be a wine cellar. He grimaced with disgust as nothing but empty racks and large rotting barrels greeted his entry.
All this time for nothing. NOTHING. Granted this wasn't the first time he was disappointed by the lack of treasures, but it certainly wasn't any easier to stomach each time it happened. In frustration, he grabbed a loose brick from the wall and threw it at one of the large standing barrels. The sound of old wood breaking and the pattering as the stone tumbled through the stone floor that....
Wait a minute. The barrel wasn't any longer than other wine barrels he has seen before so why did the brick sound like it traveled some distance? Cautious, but curious, Onyx approached the barrel and peered through the black hole. He pointed his fingers through and fired a beam of light to penetrate the darkness that gazed back. The beam shot straight through the void like an arrow and dissipated.
A hopeful smile appeared on Onyx's face. What made it even better was that he could feel the presence of magic through the tunnel. Maybe he had found something after all. Casting an orb of light from his palm to illuminate his path, he removed the broken wood blocking his way and walked in.
The magical presence was getting stronger as he made his way through the darkness. Of course, the owner would have a secret lab somewhere or some sort of vault where he kept his prized possessions. And it looks like Onyx would be the one to claim them. The excitement that filled him earlier had returned and was now stronger than ever.
Finally, he could see it. There was a purple light at the end of the tunnel and the magical energy was coming at him in strong surges. He replaced his careful walking with a mad sprint towards the light. As he slid to a halt, his eyes grew wide and his mouth was agape at the sight that presented itself to him.
A large cavern, much larger than anything he has seen before, filled his vision. Across the ground and cavern walls were purple crystals that glowed brightly at three-second intervals before dimming back down and the pattern repeats. Equal of note were large pillars that stretched hundreds of feet up to the ceiling to prevent any cave-ins. With a grin, he began to slowly and carefully make his way through the field of crystals. These crystals were surely worth something, be it in money or power. Perhaps he could take a sample with him and return at another time once he fully ascertains its value. Crouching low next to a cluster, he tries to figure out a way to break off a piece without potentially damaging it.
Lost in thought on how to obtain a piece, Onyx almost didn't notice the gust of wind that was assailing him. Wait, a gust of wind? In a cave with no openings other than the way he came in? What is...
On instinct, he looks up to see a massive shadow descending towards him. Reacting quickly, he rolls backwards to avoid being crushed as the shadow lands with a force to slightly shake the ground beneath Onyx's feet.
As he stands and draws his sword, he begins to feel a heavy sense of fear as he finally realizes what is before him. The innkeeper warned him of lingering curse that were likely here, but Onyx dismissed it as superstition. He now realizes that this curse is far more real and tangible than he expected.
A large dragon, scales as black as night reflecting the purple light from the crystals and wings that are as crimson as his eyes overlooks Onyx with a grin filled with large teeth.
"Well, a visitor!" exclaimed the dragon with a rumbling voice. His crimson eyes lustfully examined Onyx, his toothy grin growing bigger. "I haven't had any visitors in quite some time! And a dragon no less! You know, I didn't believe the villager when he told me that you were coming."
Onyx's palm glows blue as he begins to channel electricity, though the black dragon didn't seem to notice.
"So I kept watch at the mouth of the cave on the other side, waiting for your arrival. I about gave up and was about to go to the village to burn it down for wasting my time, until I could feel your presence! It was faint, but it was the unmistakable feeling of magically attuned creature. It almost didn't occur to me that you might have found the way through the old wine cellar. I keep forgetting that the old fool put it there. I should've just destroyed his castle after killing him, but..." The dragon stops, his face dropping. His face then widens again, as if he had just realized he had forgotten something. "Oh! Goodness me, where are my manners? I haven't even properly introduced myself. My name is Demetrius. I am the current occupant of this fine cave. What about you? What's your name?"
"Uh...er...Onyx." Onyx replies, gulping with fear.
"A pleasure! Always nice to meet another dragon! But ah..." Demetrius's piercing gaze examines him again. His face twists with confusion. "Why you would chose to walk on two legs and wear that robe is beyond me." He shakes his head with disapproval.
"De-Demetrius. Demetrius, was it? Listen, I'm sorry for t-trespassing like this." Onyx stammered, barely able to keep himself still. "B-but if you'd be willing to overlook this transgression then I can leave quietly."
Demetrius's face went aghast. "Leave?!" he exclaimed. "You only just got here! Oh, no no no!" His horrified expression then twists into a smile. "We can't have that."
As if on cue, Onyx throws his left hand forward and launches the lightning he had been building. The electrical streams hit Demetrius square in the chest, but he offers no reaction other than a rumbling chuckle. His response to bring up his right fore-paw and slam it down onto Onyx before he can roll away or hold his sword up.
Onyx yelps as he is pinned, squirming as he tries to bring his sword around to try and slice Demetrius's paw.
The blade glances off of his hard scales.
"Now, what to do with you?" Demetrius muses, sadistically grinning. "Normally I torture any trespassers that come this way on their own or if the town sends them my way. They provide me with days of amusement before I get bored and dispose of them," He scratches his chin with his free paw. "Now that I think about it, they haven't sent me one in quite some time. I'll have to speak to them about that. And of course by 'speak', I mean 'made an example of'. I can't have them be infrequent with their deliveries. We did have an agreement. They send me toys and I don't destroy the town. "
Onyx squirms some more underneath Demetrius's grip, grunting with effort as he does so, but to no avail.
"Which one should I pick?" Demetrius asks to himself, his gaze trailing off to a purple crystal cluster close to them. "Maybe that fat pig that calls himself mayor. I'm sure he'll squeal nicely." Demetrius chuckles at the thought. "And what should I do? Maybe break his legs and make him walk the whole length of my home? Maybe peel his skin off? Oh decisions, decisions..."
"Please!" Onyx cries out, struggling some more. "Let me go!" Demetrius seems not to have heard him.
Demetrius then finally focuses his fierce gaze on Onyx. "Don't you worry," he reassures with a mocking voice. "Consider yourself fortunate. Your magic is not very good, but it has a lot of potential. I'll help you with that." His eyes begin to change from their normal crimson to the same purple glow as the crystals that dot the cavern. His mouth follows suit, adopting the same purple glow and his grin widens even more. "As I said before, it's always nice to make the acquaintance of another dragon. As much fun as I have, it does get quite lonely here. I could do with the companionship."
Onyx gasps as he looks into Demetrius's glowing eyes, feeling the black dragon's mind slowly probe into his own.
"Hush now. It'll be over soon." says Demetrius softly. With a small chuckle, he says, "You belong to me now."
Soon, all of Onyx's thoughts are replaced with only one that overpowers all others.
To serve his new Master.
Onyx seems to have bitten off more than he can chew. A LOT more than he can chew.
Big black dragon that is Demetrius belongs to

Art by

Onyx is myself
Category All / Fantasy
Species Western Dragon
Size 1280 x 770px
File Size 187.4 kB
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