Three hours later, Uriel wakes with a deep crack, the sound of bones breaking and creaking around him. He blinks his eyes, still disoriented, and soon realizes that he is surrounded by several skeletons in rusty armor, their swords and spears glowing faintly under the dim light that permeated the dark cavern.
One of the skeletons, more imposing than the others, with a helmet engraved with arcane symbols, steps forward, its bones creaking eerily. It stares directly at Uriel, and its voice, deep and hollow, echoes through the cavern.
"What is the reason you're here in my home, mortal?" it asks with a silent authority that seems to float in the cold air.
Uriel, still a bit dazed, looks around. The cavern is dark, only lit by small flickers of light that escape through cracks in the walls. He lets out a cynical laugh, mocking the situation.
"What a pitiful home," Uriel mutters with a sarcastic smile. "It looks more like a prison for lost souls."
The skeleton, seemingly irritated by the disrespect, takes a threatening step forward. But Uriel, without hesitation, raises his hand in an imposing manner, as though already in control of the situation.
"Will you surrender now, or will you face the consequences?" Uriel says with a firm and commanding voice.
The skeleton shows no fear. On the contrary, it looks directly into Uriel's eyes, and a strange calm seems to envelop it. It takes another step forward, and with a barely audible laugh, speaks.
"Surrender? We are dead, young one. We have nothing left to lose. What can you offer us that would make us give up the one thing we still seek?"
Uriel stares back, a calculating expression on his face.
"I plan to dominate everything," he says, his voice deep and powerful, as if the world itself were his to conquer. "And I can offer you the power to serve a new master. A master who knows no limits."
The skeletons exchange glances, tension hanging in the air. The leader skeleton remains silent for a long moment, analyzing each word of Uriel's. Then, it steps closer slowly and finally breaks the silence.
"Dominate everything..." it repeats, its voice echoing with something that resembles a long sigh. "That is what we desire as well. We no longer want this cave, nor this empty existence. We wish to return to the battlefield. The one where war was our reason for living."
Uriel smiles, as if he knew he had struck exactly the right chord. He turns to the other skeletons, who, despite their lack of flesh and emotions, share the same battle-hungry desire. Slowly, all the skeletons begin to kneel before Uriel, one by one, with the sound of bones shifting, signaling their surrender.
"We are at your disposal, master," the leader says, its words full of a strange respect, coming from creatures that no longer possess life.
Uriel looks at those kneeling, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. He knew he had just gained powerful followers, ready for the battle to come. The dominion over everything was within his reach, and those who would serve him were only the beginning.
Uriel looks around and sees several piles of gold scattered across the ground. Ancient coins, dusty jewels, and small relics shimmered under the faint light filtering through the cracks in the cavern ceiling. He hadn't noticed this when he first entered, exhausted and wounded, seeking only a safe corner to rest. But now, with his energy partially restored, his eyes gleamed with a new kind of desire.
"It's mine..." he murmured, his voice deep, almost childlike, like a spoiled child seeing a new toy. "All of this is mine!"
Without wasting any time, Uriel starts gathering the gold with his hands, dragging shining piles toward him. His eyes never left the golden gleam, and a satisfied smile spread across his face.
The skeletons, motionless in the shadows, watched in silence. None of them moved, no protest or reaction. They seemed indifferent to Uriel's sudden greed, like forgotten guardians who had long since lost any attachment to wealth.
After gathering everything he could carry—coins, bracelets, broken crowns, and necklaces with precious stones—Uriel lies down on the golden pile like a satisfied dragon. The coldness of the metal against his skin didn't bother him; on the contrary, it was comforting. He closed his eyes with a heavy sigh, a smile still on his lips.
"My treasure..."
And he fell asleep right there, wrapped in the gold.
The most notable skeleton, the one with the helmet engraved with arcane symbols and markings almost erased by time, remained motionless at the entrance of the cavern. Its empty eyes stared into the dark abyss beyond the stones, as though waiting for something—or someone. The light filtering through the cracks in the ceiling touched its corroded armor lightly, making it shine in muted tones, like nearly extinguished embers.
It said nothing. Only watched, like a silent sentry. Its bony fingers gripped the shaft of a broken spear, but firm, as though it was still ready to march into battle. A cold wind blew into the cavern, causing some dust grains to dance in the air, swirling between the motionless skeletons.
Then, slowly, it turned its head.
Its empty eyes fell upon Uriel, lying on the golden pile, sleeping deeply, a satisfied smile still on his lips. The golden light from the coins reflected off his face, making him almost angelic—or monstrously greedy. There was something childish about that sleeping expression, but also something dangerous, something that seemed... out of place.
The other skeletons, scattered in the shadows of the cavern, remained as motionless as he. No gesture. No words. No sound, except the faint echo of the wind cutting through the silence like an invisible blade.
The notable skeleton remained still for a moment, its bones creaking softly as fragments of its former life gathered in its mind. The sensation that filled its being was something indescribable—a distant fire, almost tangible, that seemed to run through its dry veins. Even without blood, the energy of its memories seemed to bring a visceral unease.
It began to recall the countless battles it had once thrown itself into with fervor, its flesh-and-blood body becoming one with the sword and spear. Each blow struck was a prayer for victory, each enemy defeated a step closer to glory. But now, its body was merely a collection of bones and armor, empty of any sign of humanity. The feeling of power, the pride of being a great warrior, still burned in its soul, and it longed for action, as if its existence had to be filled with battle.
With a deep sigh, the skeleton whispered softly, its voice rough and metallic, but tinged with a certain melancholy, as if speaking to an old friend.
"Dragon, I hope you don't disappoint me..." Its words were accompanied by a faint glow in the hollows of its eyes, a spark that reflected a distant hope.
It knew that the goal ahead would not be easy, but a part of it, the part that still dreamed of the glorious battles of the past, was ready to dive headfirst into this new purpose. No longer human, but still with the flame of the warrior. It waited, hoping that Uriel, the dragon, would be the key to its redemption.