After flying for about twenty minutes, Nox and the group finally arrived at the place said to be the vault of the Corrupted Realm.
It was a ruined tower, slightly tilted to the side, with parts already crumbling. It was clear that a little push was all this tower needed to collapse.
"Are you sure this is the place?" Nox frowned as he looked at the structure. It seemed like a single blow from him could raze it to the ground.
Drake glanced at the map again and nodded. "According to the map, yes."
"Alright then. Let's get inside," Nox said as he stepped forward, his movements filled with purpose and confidence. The others followed behind him.
Upon reaching the entrance, they were met with a large door. Valkor blasted it into smithereens using his purple flame, which had turned several shades deeper after his recent upgrade.
Inside, they were greeted by several winding paths leading in different directions.
Nox felt a slight headache coming on. He hated this kind of setup. Why couldn't everything be simple? Just a straight path leading to the treasure. Why did it have to be so complicated?
Regardless, he had to make a decision, especially with the eyes of his subordinates on his back, waiting for orders.
"We split up," Nox said calmly, then proceeded to divide the group into four teams. He instructed them to keep track of their paths so they could meet later in the large central chamber.
Taking his own group, Nox entered one of the winding hallways. As he ascended the stairs, he couldn't help but admire the ingenuity of the ancient corrupted kingdom's architects.
'They probably built all these winding paths to confuse enemies in case of an invasion,' he deduced. 'There will probably be traps too.'
"Everyone, be careful!" Nox warned.
Some time later, everyone returned to the main chamber.
"Did you find anything?" Nox asked calmly when the others regrouped.
"It's like the whole place has already been thoroughly ransacked."
"I did see some crates though," someone said suddenly. "But they were empty."
"Now that I think about it, the Scourge Dragons probably moved all the treasures to a safer location—most likely the castle," Drake said.
Just to be sure, the group searched the building once more. Aside from a few booby traps, there wasn't much to find. In the end, they had no choice but to give up.
"Let's use this as our temporary base," Nox suggested that evening.
Though the tower looked like it might collapse at any moment, he had to admit it was relatively secure and offered a high vantage point.
Inside one of the largest rooms, overlooking the corrupted castle, Nox called a meeting. The Earth Dragons, using their ultimate-tier earth skill, had erected a makeshift round table and chairs for everyone.
From the balcony window, the colossal silhouette of the Scourge Alpha's castle loomed in the distance like a silent god watching them.
It was a quiet reminder that the real battle hadn't even begun.
Their current position had its advantages. Since the tower faced the Scourge Castle, they could keep a close eye on their enemies.
The dim orange hue of the corrupted sky leaked in from the tower's broken windows, casting long shadows over the stone table now sitting at the center of the ruined chamber.
The group remained silent for a few moments, each person trying to come to terms with the new power surging through them. The adrenaline was just as strong as the first time. They were eager for battle.
Nox looked out at the distant castle, shrouded in thick mist, before returning to one of the chairs, arms crossed.
"So," he said at last, his voice calm. "What now?"
Everyone looked to Drake.
The Dragon Prince exhaled deeply and placed the ancient map flat on the table. "Our original goal was to locate and gather information about the Alpha and report back to the Monarchs... That hasn't changed."
"Except now we've lost half our allies," Valkor muttered in a barely contained tone of anger.
"The Remnant Eye and the Scavengers gave us this shot, and I made a promise to them," Drake said quietly. "We owe it to them to see it through."
Celestis nodded faintly. She had now returned to normal. Fortunately, the group had arrived early—had she been submerged for the full seventy-two hours, she would've been lost forever.
"What's even the plan now? That castle's locked up tighter than a dragon's tomb," the Water Dragon Princess asked.
All eyes returned to Drake.
He hesitated, then slowly said, "There's something I didn't tell you all."
Nox listened attentively. Having been away for some time, it was only natural that he didn't know everything.
Drake's tone turned serious. "During our first meeting with Voron and Ashren, we learned the history of the Scourge Alpha—and why they became mindless, corrupted monsters bent on destroying everything in their path."
Nox's eyes narrowed as Drake explained everything.
"So the Eight Monarchs are actually the true villains, huh." Nox muttered. He imagined himself in the same position. What would he have done?
It was simple. He would definitely seek revenge—but not at the cost of turning his people into mindless puppets.
During the explanation, Nox also learned about the so-called cure.
But only the Alpha knew how to use it. According to Voron, the Alpha could easily restore everything to the way it was. But the real question was—would he? Would he be willing to let go of the hatred he had harbored for hundreds of years and forgive the Eight?
Nox turned to Drake. "If what you're saying is true, then our next move is obvious."
He paused, eyes fixed on the looming castle. "We infiltrate the Scourge Castle."
"Easier said than done," Celestis muttered. "That place is probably fortified with hundreds of elite guards."
"That shouldn't be much of a problem." Nox smiled as a screen flickered before him, detailing the rewards he had received from his two evolutions.