The figure's mind filled with dark satisfaction as he approached the furnace. He could almost taste the success of his mission, the sabotage that would cripple the dwarves' efforts and throw their plans into disarray. The vial of dark liquid felt heavy in his hand, a potent weapon disguised as a simple tool.
"Finally, this damn job task."
His thoughts were filled with the imagined chaos that would ensue, the destruction of the precious Starsteel and the anger and confusion of the dwarves. Its even better that they will blame the failure of the forging of their rare and precious metal to the human and Elf.
A twisted smile crept across his disguised face as he imagined the rewards and praise that would await him upon the completion of his task.
As he carefully uncorked the vial. Just a few drops and the forges would produce nothing but worthless slag. He raised the vial, ready to pour its contents into the molten metal.
But just as he was about to tip the vial, a strong hand clamped down on his wrist, halting his movements with an iron grip. The figure's eyes widened in surprise and anger, his thoughts of triumph shattered in an instant.
"Not so fast," a stern voice said, low but authoritative.
The figure turned his head to see Adrius standing beside him, his face set in a hard expression of suspicion and determination. The dwarf's grip tightened, preventing any attempt to drop the vial or escape.
"Follow me," Adrius commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. He also extending his Magic to pressure the figure so that there's no way for him to resist his order.
The figure quickly realized the futility of such an action. The false dwarf nodded reluctantly, his mind already scrambling for a way to salvage his mission.
"I better get out of here first then handle him before the other dwarves suspected me." Thought the figure.
Adrius led the figure away from the furnace, his grip never loosening. They moved through the forge, passing by Erend, Saeldir, Adrien, and Billy, who had been watching the scene unfold from a distance. The group's eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them.
"You're going to tell us exactly what you were planning to do," Adrius said, his voice cold and commanding. "And who are you exactly."
Adrius led him into a secluded corner of the kingdom. It was a place far enough from the forge, yet the clanging sounds of the blacksmiths at work could still be heard. Adrius immediately set up a bubble of magical barrier around the two of them.
The figure looked around, but he still feel calm. Adrius's eyes bore into him, demanding answers.
The figure smirked, attempting to appear nonchalant. "I was just… inspecting the forge. Ensuring everything is in order," he said, his voice dripping with false innocence.
Adrius's eyes narrowed. "Inspecting, you say? Then explain the vial in your hand."
"Oh, that?" The figure chuckled. "A mere precaution. You can never be too careful, you know."
"Precaution for what exactly?" Adrius's patience was wearing thin, but the figure continued to evade.
"Just ensuring the quality of the Starsteel remains unmatched," he said, a hint of a sneer in his voice.
Adrius's temper flared. "Enough of your lies!" he roared, his aura bursting forth with an intensity that made the figure's blood run cold. The air around Adrius crackled with power, the Magical barrier shimmering with his rage.
The figure's eyes widened in shock. He had underestimated Adrius, believing him to be just mere weak human with little bit knowledge of Magic. But the display of raw power before him was something far beyond ordinary. He could feel the weight of Adrius's presence pressing down on him, making it difficult to breathe.
"You think you can fool me?" Adrius's voice was a low growl, vibrating with barely contained fury. "You will tell me the truth, or you will regret ever stepping foot here."
Realizing that further evasion could mean his demise, the figure swallowed hard. His mind raced, searching for a way out of this predicament. But as he looked into Adrius's eyes, he knew there was no escape.
The human Mage before him was a master of Magic. The figure hate to admit this but right now, he can't win againts him.
"I have some information that you would definitely want to know," the figure of the false dwarf finally said. "The Dragon, he can become something dangerous. Making him your ally is a bad idea."
What the figure said made Adrius gasp. His eyes widened in shock. Meanwhile, Adrien, Billy, Saeldir, and Erend, who could also hear his words from another place due to being connected with Adrius's magic, also gasped.
"He knows about you," Billy said, looking at Erend.
Erend stared at Billy, his mind racing, but he couldn't say anything.
"What do you mean by that?" Adrius asked.
"I will explain it to you. Don't worry, but first, please lower your magic upon me," the figure said.
"Then you will not get the answer. Trust me, what you will hear about your Dragon friend is something very important. It can save your life from him."
Adrius's mind raced with what the false dwarf had said. Could it be true that Erend would become dangerous? In reality, he didn't know much about him or even about Dragons, other than the legends that say they are beings with power beyond understanding.
"Adrius!" Saeldir said telepathically, snapping him out of his reverie.
But it was too late. The figure suddenly released black dust from both of his hands, obscuring Adrius's vision. Adrius quickly dispelled the black dust, but that split second was enough for the impostor to escape.
When Adrius opened his eyes, he only saw the crumpled skin and clothes that the dwarf had worn. The soul of the real figure within that skin had vanished somewhere.
"Damn!" Adrius cursed.
Moments later, the others came to his side.
"Sorry. I lost him," Adrius said.