"Tsk, pathetic human. You think you can take one of my eyes and get away with it."
"How did that scum even manage to survive here for so long..."
"Those bastards will pay for calling me all the way over here to deal with such an inconsequential problem."
Vorthar prepared to fly until he noticed a strange presence behind him.
"Wha-"
Damien dashed towards the dragon's feet, slashing behind the knee, directly aiming for the tendon.
The tendon snapped.
The dragon dropped, and its leg gave out. It roared and swiped blindly. He ducked under the massive limb and stabbed up into the exposed gut. Scales here were soft. The blade bit deep.
He climbed. Blood coated his hands. Muscle shifted under him.
The dragon tried to roll. He kept going.
Claws tore into the rock. Smoke poured from its mouth.
He found a path between the scales. A narrow groove leading toward the throat.
He jammed the knife in. Twisted.
The creature bucked wildly. It slammed itself against a wall. Stone exploded. His body went limp.
When he opened his eyes, he was on the ground.
Breathing.
The dragon was panting. Bleeding. Its chest heaved. It pulled back for one final breath of flame.
He sprinted.
But instead of away from the source of fire, he ran directly towards it.
Towards the mouth.
The dragon fired.
Too slow.
Damien sidestepped and was directly in front of the dragon's other eye.
The dragon suddenly had a look of panic on its face.
The fire sputtered.
Damien stabbed the remaining eye with all of his might.
He plunged the blade again and again.
The dragon jerked. Collapsed.
Its neck twitched.
Then, nothing.
He looked up.
The sky was clear. The air was cold.
He suddenly heard the whisper of the spell.
[You have slain an Awakened Terror, Vorthar.]
[You have received an echo.]
[Blood Cage requirements have been fulfilled.]
[Wake up, Damien! Your nightmare is over.]
[Prepare for appraisal...]