Game of Thrones: The Red Dragon Lord

As Gavin's boat drifted closer to the shore, the water became more ominous. Unknown objects floated on the surface, rising and falling with the undulating waves. Occasionally, the remnants of bones surfaced, reminding the crew of the tragedy that had once unfolded here. Gavin was acutely aware that countless dangers lay hidden within the ruins, and he knew he had to tread carefully.

The rhythmic sound of the paddles slicing through the water was the only noise that broke the eerie silence. Each stroke felt like breaking an invisible barrier. Gavin stood at the bow, eyes scanning the horizon, his senses on high alert. The Blood Dragon Guards, positioned behind him, kept their gaze fixed on the water, ever ready to face the unknown threats lurking beneath.

As the boat drew nearer to the shore, an oppressive, malevolent presence grew stronger. The air felt thick with corrosive energy, and Gavin could almost taste the foulness in the air.

The land on the shore reeked of decay, and the ground beneath their feet seemed to pulse with hostility. The very earth appeared to resist their arrival, as though it could sense the intrusion of living beings in a place long abandoned by time.

Once they had successfully landed, the Blood Dragon Guards immediately took defensive positions, scanning their surroundings for danger. Gavin knew they could not transport all the horses and soldiers in a single trip, so he was forced to rely on the small boats for multiple crossings.

With each journey, Gavin's anxiety grew. Time was against them. The longer they remained in this treacherous land, the more the unknown risks would mount.

Finally, after several trips, all the horses and guards had been ferried to the shore. The direction of their advance was clear. Gavin mounted his horse, the sound of hooves echoing across the desolate landscape as they galloped toward their destination, clouds of dust swirling in their wake.

But as they charged forward, disaster struck. From the corrupt jungle lining the roadside, the same monster they had encountered earlier lunged at them with terrifying speed.

Before the lead Blood Dragon Guard could react, the creature tore him and his horse apart in a grotesque display of violence, the mangled bodies left in a bloody heap on the ground.

Gavin's instincts kicked in. "Fire!" he commanded as he swiftly drew his longbow, nocking a flaming arrow with practiced precision. The bowstring hummed as he released the arrow, which soared through the air and struck the monster directly. The explosion of fire and force blew off one of the creature's front paws, leaving it severely burned and crippled. The other Blood Dragon Guards wasted no time, rushing forward to finish the beast. Together, they hacked it to pieces, ensuring it would never harm them again.

Without pausing, Gavin urged his horse forward. "Move!" he barked, his voice steady but urgent. They had no time to waste.

Hours later, the remains of a small town appeared on the horizon. Gavin reined in his horse, motioning for the others to stop as he carefully surveyed the ruins before them.

What had once been a thriving town now lay in ruins. Collapsed houses and crumbling walls were all that remained of its former glory. The once-proud buildings were little more than broken remnants, their carved decorations worn away by the ravages of time and disaster. Gravel and rubble filled the streets, silent witnesses to both past prosperity and present desolation.

Some pillars still stood, but they were fragile, as though they might collapse at the slightest touch. Broken doors and windows stared vacantly into the emptiness, and the wind howled through the ruins, its mournful sound resembling the wail of the dead.

"Stay alert," Gavin muttered, eyes narrowing as he scanned the surroundings. "This place may be dead, but there's no telling what's still lurking here."

Gavin, ever vigilant, walked into the town, his guards trailing closely behind him. This place, once full of life, now felt as if it were nothing more than a tomb.

As they moved through the town, it became clear that it had been a thriving Valyrian settlement. The architectural style was unmistakably Valyrian, even though the stonework had been ravaged by time and neglect. Some buildings were so decayed that a mere touch would send them crumbling to the ground. Among the wreckage, Gavin noticed the remnants of dry bones—Valyrians who had failed to escape when the disaster struck.

Suddenly, a blood-curdling screech shattered the stillness. A monster, feral and savage, burst from one of the dilapidated houses, charging at the nearest Blood Dragon Guard. With lightning speed, it tore into the guard before he had a chance to react. The guard's sword barely pierced the creature's thick hide before the monster shredded him in a brutal, unstoppable frenzy.

The creature, still impaled on the sword, didn't falter. It was as if pain meant nothing to it. With unnatural strength, it ripped the guard in half, the sickening sound of tearing flesh filling the air.

"Watch out!" shouted a senior Blood Dragon Guard as he rushed forward, drawing his sword. Before he could land a blow, the monster's fierce roar echoed, and it charged directly at Gavin, its bloodied jaws snapping with deadly intent.

Gavin wasted no time, stepping aside and raising his sword. A senior Blood Dragon Guard quickly intervened, cleaving through the beast's body and ending the attack. "Are you alright?" the guard asked, his face pale but determined.

But the roars of other monsters continued to echo in the distance, signaling that this was only the beginning.

"Move, now!" Gavin commanded, his voice sharp. "We need to leave before we're overrun!"

The group hurried away from the town, but they were too late. Two more monsters appeared, blocking their path.

The battle erupted in an instant, a cacophony of blood and steel. Gavin's sword flared with fiery magic as he cleaved through the monster's defenses. "Stay together!" he yelled, leading the charge. One monster fell after a few swift strikes, its body burning from the flames. But the battle was far from over.

More monsters charged from the surrounding ruins, and the Blood Dragon Guards were overwhelmed. Within moments, three guards had been torn apart, their bodies mutilated beyond recognition.

Seeing the tide of battle turn against them, Gavin made a quick decision. "Leave ten guards to hold the line. The rest of you, fall back!"

As the remaining guards retreated, Gavin's mind raced. The monsters were relentless, and no matter how many they killed, more seemed to appear from the shadows.

What kind of creature is this? Gavin wondered, his heart pounding with both fear and curiosity. Why do they feel no pain? What secrets does this ruin hold?

The fear of the unknown gripped him, but Gavin steeled himself. He could not afford to turn back now. There was still much to discover in the heart of Valyria's ruins.

Gavin and the surviving guards pressed on, encountering more monsters along the way. With each attack, the group grew more weary, but they could not stop. After enduring countless horrors, they finally reached their destination—the secret dragon cave recorded in Belleris' maps.

By then, thirty Blood Dragon Guards had fallen, and only the senior guards remained. But they were still alive, and that was enough.

Before them stood a massive black temple, built into the base of a volcano. The temple seemed to grow organically from the volcanic rock itself, its grandeur still evident despite the years of erosion and decay. Towering stone pillars supported a massive dome, though part of it had collapsed over time. The temple's exterior walls were weathered, with strange moss and vines clinging to the surface.

The two massive stone doors at the entrance lay shattered on the ground, half-hidden by the ruins. They seemed to mourn the lost glory of what had once been.

According to the ancient records, this temple had been built by the Valyrians to worship their gods. Hidden behind it was a passage leading to a dragon's lair, carved into the heart of the volcano. This lair had been meticulously constructed to house the ancient dragons, and it was here, Gavin knew, that he would find the answers he sought.