The Runic Artist Chapter 5: Chapter 323 - That’s a Dragon

Read chapter 5 of The Runic Artist by Ellake on NovelPedia.

Chapter 323 - That’s a Dragon Nate stared at the growing darkness that ate away at Reality. Behind him, the sirens of the Golden Tide continued to scream. The Greater Divine that had responded to Nate’s own portal seemed at a loss about what to do and Nate couldn’t blame him. The sphere of darkness gave off a heavy sense of Destruction and Nate was almost certain he knew what, or should he say who, was coming through. He just hadn’t expected such a quick response to his message. Around him, everyone except for Kiri and Frick seemed unsure of if they should stay or run. Kiri was quickly reassuring Gwen, while Fili listened in. On the other hand, Frick was taunting Wulfgar and Jak. Nate was pretty sure he heard the little goblin telling them to run lest they face Death’s Shadow. Nate turned to reassure the Greater Divine when he felt two individuals fast approaching. In a burst of dirt, Grand Marshal Grommir appeared, fully armoured with a titanic shield in place and a sword that was longer and wider than Nate. The other individual appeared in a flash behind them. A thin orc that gave off a sense of threads, not unlike the assassin back on the planet of Serpent’s Wing who had effectively functioned as a conductor for the rest of the kill squad. The difference was that this thin and unassuming orc emanated the power of a True Divine in Nate’s senses. “Should we be worried?” asked Grommir, his question directed at Nate. The sword and shield of the half-ogre never wavered, remaining as a bulwark against the growing dark maw which was now tall enough to dwarf the three-storey building that Nate had apparently been gifted. “Probably not. Just umm… don’t insult him. That would not go down well.” Grommir nodded as though it was the sanest suggestion in the world. “Dismissed, Marshal Terri’mon,” stated Grommir. The Greater Divine saluted twice. “As you command, Grand Marshal. Grand Strategist.” The second was delivered to the thin Orc who inclined his head. Then it was just Nate’s crew and the two True Divines of the Golden Tide left in the courtyard. The portal seemed to finally reach the tipping point and Nate looked up expecting to see Ankh’aris’s massive snout exiting the portal. Which was why he was surprised when there was a flash of bright white and then he was bowled over. “Nate! Nate! Nate! Where have you been?! Tell me everything!” Restraining his urge to defend himself, Nate stared up from the ground, barriers still intact, at the face of a golden and white dragon about the size of a pony. “Good to see you too, Luci,” said Nate before laughing. “That’s not a wyvern,” stated the Grand Strategist clearly, the thin Orc looking on in confusion. “Though, I thought it would be bigger based on your estimates, Grommir.” “That’s not the one,” replied Grommir, eyes glued to the still-opened portal. “Indeed, it is not,” came a voice from the darkness. Then Ankh’aris’s head emerged. Nate wasn’t sure why but the ancient dragon had reduced his size slightly. His head was only as big as a small truck rather than a bus. The change in size had absolutely no impact on his aura of destruction though, which washed out over the area. Nate did note how Luci was spared it as the pony-sized dragon vanished in a flash of light, tackling Kiri. “I missed you too, Kiri! Have you been having adventures? Dad says I can come on them now that I have my Vessel! When do we start?!” Nate took a second to appreciate how Ankh’s aura was affecting everyone else. ************* Wulfgar had known that Nate and Kiri’s master was a dragon. They’d explained it when they spoke about Vessels. But the gap between knowing that their master was a dragon and standing in its presence might as well have been an ocean. He could feel himself dying just being near the black-scaled monstrosity as it towered over them all. One breath. Wulfgar knew that’s all it would take. If the dragon breathed a single breath he’d snuff them all out. Wulfgar tried very hard not to be a coward. It