Dragon Ride

As I walked through the dark corridors of the dungeon, my heart raced with anticipation and fear. This was my first time exploring a dungeon, and I wasn't sure what to expect. But as I entered the final chamber, my fears melted away. The boss was a low-tier dragon, its scales dull and weak. With one swift swing of my sword, it fell to the ground in defeat.

I couldn't believe how easy it was to conquer such a feared creature. As I sat atop the dragon's massive body, basking in the glow of victory, I noticed its once fiery eyes now held a sense of calm acceptance towards me.

With trembling hands, I opened my inventory to see my spoils. Among them were shards that could be used for various purposes, but the most valuable item was the "Dragon's Breath." My eyes widened in excitement as I realized I could attach it to my sword for even more power.

But I also gained an unexpected prize - a tamed dragon. It would surely come in handy for future battles.

I hold the Dragon's Breathe up to the light, admiring the way it dances and sparkles within its small glass vial. A potent mixture of moonstone dust and dragon blood, this substance has been crafted by ancient alchemists to enhance any weapon it touches.

With trembling hands, I unscrew the lid, and a faint trail of glittering mist escapes, filling my nostrils with a heady scent of smoldering spice and raw magic. Excitement pulses through me as I pour the substance over my sword, watching intently as the metal seems to come alive under its touch.

The blade hums with energy, morphing into a vibrant shade that matches the color of the legendary dragon whose breath inspired this elixir. I can't help but imagine myself wielding this enhanced weapon against hordes of enemies, each swing leaving behind a trail of fiery destruction.

However, there are more important things to attend to at the moment. I give a gentle pat on the dragon's head, and it stands up.

"Let us return to my castle," I command the dragon.

With a powerful roar, the dragon takes off, and in a matter of seconds, we leave the dungeon behind and soar into the Underworld's skies.

As we soar through the darkened skies of the Underworld, a thrill courses through my veins. The wind whips against my face, tousling my hair as the dragon effortlessly navigates through the turbulent currents. The sight below is a mesmerizing tapestry of vibrant purples and midnight blues, illuminated by the ethereal glow of phosphorescent flora.

As we approach my castle nestled on the edge of a precarious cliff, the dragon gracefully descends, its colossal wings folding neatly against its scaled body. With a soft thud, we touch down on the stone courtyard, and I dismount from its back.

The castle stands tall and imposing, adorned with intricate carvings that hint at forgotten legends and tales of power. The double doors swing open at my approach, revealing a grand hall illuminated by flickering torches and adorned with opulent tapestries.

As I enter, my loyal servants bow before me, their eyes filled with admiration as they catch a glimpse of my majestic dragon by my side.

"Congratulations, Your Highness, on taming such a powerful creature," one of the demons speaks with reverence.

I nod graciously, acknowledging their praise. "Thank you." I reply, my voice carrying the weight of authority. "This dragon shall serve as a guardian and protector of the Underworld."

The demon bows again, his voice filled with awe. "May its fiery breath scorch the enemies that dare to threaten our borders, Your Highness."

Even though this is just a game and not reality, I still feel a sense of responsibility to protect the inhabitants of the Underworld. Whether or not I am in the spotlight, I can still take action to ensure their safety. It's probably time for me to search for Lilith; Zeus will likely be back soon and our next encounter may not be as pleasant. With a heavy sigh, I turn to one of the demons and request, "Can you lead me to the library?"

Before they could respond a message appeared in front of me. "Pirithus and Theseus are on their way to retrieve the Goddess Persephone for Earth. The main quest objective has been updated: bring Persephone to the Underworld."

I am taken aback. How could I have forgotten about Hades' wife, the Goddess Persephone? Does this mean that I still need to marry her and bring her to the Underworld? If this changes the main mission at hand, then I will have to postpone my plans with Lilith.

I hear footsteps approaching from behind me, and I see a familiar face from my college days. "Phoenix, it's been a while," Arlo says, smiling at me. He was my only friend during our time at college. I walk over to him and we shake hands. "This is unexpected!" I say with a grin. "Who would have thought we'd end up in a game where I'm Hades and you're Thanatos?" Arlo laughs at the irony of our situation.

"Looks like there are thousands of us who got pulled into this game," he says, scanning our surroundings before turning back to me. "It's been a strange experience being stuck here."

I guess I haven't thought much about it, one thing for sure is I haven't gathered any information, or talked to other players. My social skills still lack even in this false reality. 

"How long have you been here Arlos? Sorry, I mean Thanatos. I guess we should use our new names, but can you tell me more?"

Arlos nods solemnly, his expression becoming serious. "We are currently trapped in a virtual reality game called The Battle of the Gods. It's based on Greek mythology and somehow, we've all been reincarnated here. The game revolves around the struggles of the gods. As for how long I've been here...it feels like a lifetime. But from what I've gathered, some players have been here longer than others. You just arrived, so it's hard to tell how time works here compared to the real world. The only thing I know is that Zeus seems to be the strongest player."

He stops speaking for a moment, his voice heavy with worry. "But what concerns me the most is that there are whispers going around amongst the players about the true intentions of this game. Some say that dying in the game means dying in reality. Others believe that these events are being orchestrated by powerful deities seeking control over our souls."

I pause, my mind swirling with questions. "So are we meant to embody these Gods? How did you gather all this information, Thanatos?"

Arlos lets out a heavy sigh, his eyes showing both exhaustion and wariness. "I've been spending all my time in this game gathering intel and talking to other players, trying to piece together the fragments of this twisted world. It seems we are supposed to play as Greek gods, completing quests and facing challenges straight out of ancient mythology. But the true purpose behind it all remains a mystery; there are thousands of players, some playing as minor gods or even reincarnated as creatures or humans." Thanatos massages his tense shoulders before taking a deep breath. "I'll continue gathering information since I have the power to collect souls as a god." He winks at me slyly.

I nod realizing now that I'll have to learn more about this game as I go along, but for now, my only option seems to be completing quests and dungeons in order to uncover its secrets. I glance at the blinking mission indicator, then turn to face Thanatos. "What do you think about joining me in saving Persephone?" I can't help but wonder what other surprises await me on this journey.

Thanatos raises an eyebrow, a mischievous smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Well, well, Hades. Who would have thought you'd need my assistance to save your precious Persephone?" His voice drips with sarcasm, but there's a flicker of excitement in his eyes.

I cross my arms, feigning annoyance. "Don't get too excited, Thanatos. We both know I could handle it on my own."

He chuckles, his demeanor shifting as he scans the room for any unwanted ears. "Of course, Lord Hades. But where's the fun in that? Besides, saving the wife of the notaries Hades might mean getting back at Zeus in some way. Count me in."

Zeus wasn't even on my mind. This quest to save Persephone could end up being more dangerous than I ever imagined.