Geohme Family crypt

Laying Before Seshwan was the burial chamber of a mysterious family that was rumoured to have been cursed by their own volition. Such an act was viewed as blasphemy in the eyes of the Holy order; which lead to this tomb is sealed with a barrier after a thief attempted to grave rob here and awoke the husks of the long dead.

This chamber appeared to be dormant as Seshwan slowly made his way through the main doors and approached the altar where the sarcophagus of Lord Geohmn was displayed.

The old lord was rumoured to be buried with a treasure that was coveted by lords the world over; a gem known as the Dragon Stone.

A dragon stone was an ancient relic; these gems only formed when a dragon from ancient times gave up their life willingly. A gem condensed of dragon soul. In terms of forging, it could be fused with weapons when crafted to imbue a dragon’s ability. Rather than a random effect being imbued the gem will carry the main attribute of the Dragon whose soul resides within. Once the dragon is bound to the weapon the soul will remain within sealing the weapon if the stone is ever removed.

The bloodline of geohmn died out centuries ago and no one knows what attributes this gem holds; or if this gem even existed.

Seshwan scanned the room for traps; from what he had learned in his brief time studying in the guild library burial chambers were commonly rigged with traps to prevent grave robbing.

His eyes caught a glimpse of tiles along the floor hiding a possible trap along with a few chests along the walls with tripwire traps fixed to their lids.

Seshwan slowly made his way to the alter stepping by the possible floor traps. He couldn't help thinking 'These guys did not want to part with their treasures.'

Finally arriving at the alter after passing three possible traps, Seshwan hoped up a few steps to inspect the surroundings.

There were five chests on the alter near each stone sarcophagus; each chest covered in inscriptions most were modern language but some Seshwan had never seen before. Moving to the closest chest he tried to decode the inscription.

Seshwan began processing the glyphs in his mind. ‘” Those of righteousness who are deemed blessed by holy hands may inherit the wealth of the dead”. Hmm. No clues to the rest of it.'

These chests did not have tripwires and the inscriptions were not holy enchantments or nether curses.

Seshwan decided to take a chance and open the chest before him.

*Click* *creek*

Seshwan slowly lifted the lid expecting some kind of a trap but it opened effortlessly. Within was a small pile of gold coins; all marked with a dragon on one side and a demonic beast on the other. Along with the gold was a satchel.

'Cool a storage bag I wonder what's in it?' Seshwan grabbed the bag and flipped open the lid to find no treasures. The bag was a storage bag that could hold twenty square meters of objects. And this one was full of books.

'What a letdown.' Seshwan was depressed at the contents.

He collected the gold into his satchel along with the storage bag. The next three chests were all the same. Same inscriptions and storage bags filled with texts.

Leaving the last chest at the foot of Lord Geohmn's coffin till the end Seshwan hoped within his mind that there were better treasures than just ancient texts to be had. Why else would a lord and his entire family attempt to prevent grave robbers?

Seshwan had collected enough books to fill a personal library and about twenty dragon coins though he didn't understand their use.

The final chest was different than the first four. On the lid was inscribed, "Those who seek the flame of dragons shall seek their death." The number of ancient glyphs on this chest was far more than the previous ones.

Though this chest didn't appear to be trapped it was locked. But had no keyhole. Seshwan tried to open the lid some form of seal prevented the lid from being lifted.

Seshwan thought about how to open this chest. 'Perhaps there's something to do with the Dragon coins? No that's not it. Hmm. Maybe there's a phrase that will open it?'

As he was pondering the locking mechanism he noticed the writer’s word flame was written wrong. At that moment it made more sense. 'Not flame but life.' Seshwan Drew out one of the knives he had collected at Cedric’s manor and carved the new marks to change the character from "flame" to "life".

*click*

The lid of the chest popped open slightly. A black aura rolled out of the chest and to the floor, spreading like fog. Something that was sealed within had been released.

'Shit!' Seshwan jumped back as the chest opened all the way a black mist rose from the chest and landed on the coffin of Lord geohmn.

Slowly taking shape into the form of a man soon the body of a man materialized sitting on the side of the sarcophagus.

"Ahhhh. You mortals will never learn! Though I do appreciate releasing me from that box." The strange man spoke with his head raised to the ceiling. He was dressed in a black armour that resembled scales with gold underlying; his skin was ashen grey with piercing eyes unlike any Seshwan had seen before. He had long ashen grey hair that draped down over this shoulders.

This strange man gave off an aura that froze Seshwan in place causing him to break out into a cold sweat.

The man lowered his gaze and turned toward Seshwan. "Well mortal why did you open the chest? Did you seek the treasures of the Geohmn family?"

Seshwan couldn't find his voice, his head nodded even against his whole being screaming for him to run!

"Since your unable to speak I'll assume what you’re here for. Take it! You've released me and I'll grant you this small favour. Take whatever you like from this room but you must leave the Dragon stone." The strange man raised a waving hand dismissing him.

Seshwan was shocked. 'Who is this man? what should I do?'

Seshwan had an idea he broke free of his paralyzed state walking towards the chest within was five more dragon coins, a scroll and a clear white gem.

"I've done as you've said I'll take my leave. Though before I do would you reveal your name?" Seshwan trembled as he spoke to this man before him.

With a booming voice, the stranger laughingly announced "Ha! I'll tell you as a show of my gratitude. My name in your tongue is Drax Dagon the dragon of the west! Immortal Lord of dragonkin! Since I’ve gone first who are you mortal?"

"My name Seshwan Jade. Thank you for your grace lord Dagon." Seshwan cupped his hands and began to leave as quickly as possible.

As Seshwan got to the crypt doors Dagon stood, “now old man where have you hidden my stone!” Drax roared as he tossed the lid of Lord Geohmn’s coffin open. Seshwan did not wish to remain in the chamber any longer. He sprinted toward the exit.

After a few minutes of running past corpses, he came upon Vanessa and old man grey slumped in a corner. Vanessa was cover in blood and her short sword broken; she had disabled or defeated several undead and collapsed here from exhaustion. Old man grey had taken a hit to his shoulder and was bleeding badly.

"Where the fuck did you go?!?" Vanessa was shocked to see Seshwan turn the corner quickly.

"What do you mean it's been like fifteen minutes since I tossed you both from the rift? I got separated and found some stuff now I've found you! We can leave now." Seshwan neglected to tell Vanessa about Dagon or the finding the Lord burial chamber.

Seshwan fished a tonic to help replenish essence and stamina from his pouch and tossed it over to Vanessa as he bent down to help grey.

"fifteen minutes?!? Are you that dense!? We waited who knows how long for you to come out of the rift and you never did! We've been wandering around for what feels like an eternity!" Vanessa looked as though she had not slept in days. Heavy bags had formed under her eyes.

"We can talk after we're out! Let's go!" Seshwan walked past the two helping old man grey to his feet and leading the way to the entrance.

Vanessa stood and got an arm around Grey who looked as though he would pass out any minute. They ascended the stairs to the exit of the tomb a roar rumbled up from the depths of the crypt. As if shaking the solid stone around them. "JADE!"

Seshwan felt his blood run cold. He had done something to upset a dragon lord.

"Run!" Seshwan struggled to get his words out.

"What the hell was that?" Vanessa asked cold sweat beading on her forehead.

"Run to the keep get the knight commander to seal this tomb! Go! Go now!" Seshwan was panicked his expression caused Vanessa to remain for a moment before sprinting out of the tomb.

Old man grey struggled but managed to leave after Seshwan had assisted him out of the main doors.

A black cloud plumed as the crypt was smothered in darkness and smoke. Another roar rolled through the halls as Drax materialized before Seshwan grabbing him by the throat lifting him off the ground and slamming him against a wall.

Seshwan fought to remain conscious as he tasted blood in his mouth.

In a deep voice as if from the bowels of hell Drax spoke slowly. "Mortal you’re a despicable soul and I shall see you burn in hell for deceiving me!"

"Lord Dagon I didn't take the Dragon stone I swear!" Seshwan could hardly breath

"Lies! You dare lie to me! Produce it or die!" Drax would not listen to excuses.

"Put me down I'll show you!" Seshwan demanded trying to convince this monster to release his grip.

Drax set Seshwan on his feet.

Seshwan went into his bag opening the lid for Drax to see he wasn't being cheated no dragon stones were in his bag. As Drax scanned the contents his eyes settled on the sword from the vault that was sealed.

"You!" Drax exclaimed

Drax seized Seshwan again before lowering his head.

"How do you have that sword!?" Drax had gone from a frenzy to a depressed state at the sight of the sword.

"It was labelled as trash in the treasure vaults so I picked it up because I had a feeling it could be unsealed by some means." Seshwan was confused. 'What does this have to do with the Dragon stone?’

Drax pulled the sword from Seshwan's bag. "This blade is made of dragon claw. There's a similar one to it in a shrine to the east; made of fangs. The twin dragons. Drax and sol."

After a brief moment, Drax raised his head along with his gaze came a wave of murderous intent.

"Seshwan Jade this sword was crafted from my body almost a millennium ago. But cannot be unsealed without the Dragon stone. I smell it on you! Hand it over!"

Seshwan found courage as he stared into the eyes of this former dragon lord. "If I had it do you think I'd hide it! Drax you are free just leave the crypt! Take the sword and leave!"

Drax gritted his teeth "You fool I'm just the intent of Drax Dagon I can't leave the area of the Dragon stones! Not without a new master and the last ones long dead! I can't leave!"

Seshwan had a moment of insight, ‘he’s restricted to remain here and can’t harm me once I leave.’ Seshwan thought, his plan to escape this monster would no longer work. He only had one option.

"If you need a new master why now return to that sword and serve me?" Seshwan boldly said as he locked gazes with Drax. He stared at the dragon lord with no fear in his eyes.

"You!? You’re so weak you couldn't even draw my blade! Even if you had the stone." Drax laughed as he broke eye contact.

‘what’s wrong with this kid a mount ago he was terrified. Could he have figured it out?’ Drax thought.

"At least you won't be trapped here till someone else comes to claim you? Do you want to remain in the darkness for a few more millennia?" Seshwan reasoned. He originally planned to escape, but a powerful dragon to serve him would have its uses later in life.

"Human you have a point I don't want to be trapped here anymore but I could never serve as a vassal to someone so weak!" Drax taunted.

With this Seshwan was at the end of his patience.

"I'm sick of this! Everyone calls me weak! To hell with you all! I'll become the strongest in this world even if that means defeating my father! Or killing the masters of the realms! I swear one day Drax I'll become so powerful I'll destroy this rotten world! So people like you will stop looking down on me." Seshwan had had enough of people talking down to him. he hated being weak.

Drax was dazed before breaking out into laugher. "Kid did you know that a demon laughs every time you humans talk about the future. I do find it amusing though. What's your father have to do with any of this!? Why mention it?"

Seshwan gritted his teeth "My full name is Tiberius 'Seshwan' Jade the third, my father is the fifteenth jade emperor and master of this domain!"

Drax went silent.

"Tiberius…Hmmmm, Tiberius??? I’ve heard that name before” Drax pondered a moment before striking the palm of his hand.

“Of course! you’re that old monsters’ grandson? Boy, I allied and submitted to serve with Geohmn just to fight the Jades during their rise to power and was defeated in my original form by the first emperor before I became one of the twin swords that slew him. If you even become half as strong as the old man. You'd be a worthy master to me." Drax laughed deeply. His laughter bellowed through the halls.

Seshwan was speechless he had no idea of the history he would discover here on the fringe of their territory.

"I'll remain within the sword for the time being. You'll need to find the stone to unseal the weapon and you must become stronger. If not, the first time you draw the sword it'll burn you alive." Drax finished speaking.

His head turned sharply toward the entrance. “I can sense a Knight headed toward the crypt I will give you a chance. For the first time in millennia, I’m excited to see how humanity will change the world.” Drax dispersed as the smoke was pulled into the hilt of the sword.

Seshwan slumped to the floor as Knight Commander Remus arrived to seal the entrance.

Remus was the acting commander of the port city garrison and the only stationed Holy Knight within the city able to seal undead.

He was a middle-aged man with dark brown hair and a noble brow; he had been bred, groomed and trained to serve the order until death. The Knight Commanders of the Holy order were the most loyal and powerful soldiers in the empire; they would serve as a special operations unit in war times, and were tasked with hunting undead and demons in times of peace.

Remus showed no interest in Seshwan as he left the tombs. He only thought a brief moment about his as he left. 'Damn young nobles; they need to find somewhere else to take pretty girls this is the second time I've had to close this damn crypt.'

Seshwan had finally escaped death’s door. He had gained insight into the past as well as laid out a better future for himself. The only task left was to find Old man grey some medical help and return to the guild.