Reborn as the Last van Ambrose

The Inner Sanctum of the South Sea realm was a marvel of engineering and natural beauty that had been turned into a fortress of desperation. Built around the largest volcanic vent in Ao Qin’s domain, the structure rose in spiraling tiers that channeled the superheated water into defensive barriers and power sources for the city’s magical defenses.

Or it had been, before the battle. Now, as Grim and Lin approached through the thermal maze of the outer approaches, they could see that much of the Sanctum’s elegant architecture had been shattered. Entire sections of the spiral structure had collapsed into the volcanic vent below, and the defensive thermal barriers flickered erratically, their power sources damaged or destroyed.

"The defenses are failing," Lin observed, noting how the thermal currents that should have created an impenetrable maze around the Sanctum were now chaotic and unpredictable. "Whatever Jiaolong did here, he broke more than just walls."

Bodies floated in the water around the Sanctum’s base—mostly South Sea dragons, their distinctive red and gold scales dulled by death and the corrupted magic that had killed them. Some showed signs of having fought valiantly, their weapons still clutched in their claws, while others appeared to have been overwhelmed by forces beyond their ability to resist.

"There," Grim pointed to a section of the Sanctum’s lower levels where lights still flickered behind reinforced coral barriers. "Survivors."

They swam toward the fortified position, but were intercepted before they could reach it. Three South Sea dragons emerged from concealed positions, their movements quick and aggressive despite obvious injuries. Unlike the North Sea dragons Grim was accustomed to, these creatures were built for speed and agility rather than raw power, their bodies sleek and streamlined for rapid movement through heated water.

"Halt!" the lead dragon commanded, his voice carrying the distinctive accent of the South Sea realm. "Identify yourselves or face the consequences."

"I am Princess Lin of the North Sea," Lin called out, as ice began to form around her . "This is Grim van Ambrose, ally to the Dragon Kings. We seek audience with Lord Ao Qin."

The lead dragon’s eyes widened with recognition and relief. "Princess Lin! We had heard... the reports said the North Sea was under attack as well."

"It was," Lin replied grimly. "We’ve been pursuing the one responsible. Is Lord Ao Qin...?"

"Alive," the dragon confirmed, though his tone suggested that was about the only positive news he had to share. "But gravely wounded. Come, he will want to hear what you know."

They were escorted through a series of defensive checkpoints, each one more heavily fortified than the last. The South Sea dragons manning these positions looked exhausted, their scales dulled with fatigue and their movements showing the strain of prolonged combat. Many bore injuries that had been hastily bandaged, and the air was thick with the scent of medicinal coral and healing salts.

"How many survived?" Lin asked their escort as they swam through a corridor lined with wounded dragons.

"Perhaps a quarter of our forces," the dragon replied, his voice heavy with grief. "The attack came from multiple directions simultaneously. We had been... distracted by other concerns."

"What kind of concerns?" Grim pressed.

The dragon hesitated, glancing around to ensure they weren’t overheard. "Internal disputes. There had been... disagreements about Lord Ao Qin’s leadership. Some believed he had grown too accommodating to the other realms, too willing to compromise South Sea interests for the sake of diplomacy."

"A rebellion," Lin realized with growing understanding. "Jiaolong exploited a civil war."

"Not quite a civil war," their escort corrected quickly. "But... tensions. Factions within the court who questioned whether Lord Ao Qin’s policies were truly serving our realm’s best interests."

They reached the innermost chamber of the fortified section, and Grim immediately understood why it had been chosen as a refuge. The room was built directly into the volcanic vent’s walls, drawing power from the thermal energy to maintain defensive barriers and healing pools.

But even here, signs of the recent battle were evident. Scorch marks on the walls spoke of corrupted magic that had penetrated even these defenses, and several of the healing pools showed signs of having been contaminated by whatever dark forces Jiaolong had brought with him.

At the center of the chamber, floating in the largest of the healing pools, was Ao Qin himself.

The South Sea Dragon King was immediately recognizable, even in his current condition. Where Ao Shun was built for endurance and defense, Ao Qin embodied the fierce energy of his realm. His scales were a brilliant red-gold that seemed to glow with internal fire, and even wounded as he was, power radiated from him like heat from a forge.

But the extent of his injuries was shocking. Dark marks covered his hide—not simple wounds, but areas where corruption had eaten away at his natural defenses. One of his wings hung at an unnatural angle, and when he breathed, it was with obvious pain.

"Princess Lin," Ao Qin’s voice was still strong, despite his condition. "And the human. I had not expected to see representatives of the North Sea in my domain, especially under these circumstances."

"Lord Ao Qin," Lin bowed respectfully, though her eyes were wide with concern at his condition. "We’ve come in pursuit of the one who did this to you. Jiaolong."

"Jiaolong," Ao Qin repeated, his voice carrying a mixture of pain and anger. "My own nephew."

"He’s not acting of his own will," Grim said carefully. "There’s some kind of corruption influencing him, making him—"

"Making him nothing!" Ao Qin’s roar of rage sent ripples through the healing pool and caused several of the wounded dragons around the chamber to flinch. "He chose this path! He chose to align himself with dark forces rather than find his own way to greatness!"

The Dragon King’s fury was like a physical force, heating the water around him until it began to steam. "Do you know what he said to me when he arrived here? He demanded my key, claimed it was his by right as the bridge between realms. When I refused, he laughed and told me that family bonds were a weakness he had learned to overcome."

"Lord Ao Qin," Lin said gently, "we understand your anger, but—"

"Do you?" Ao Qin turned his blazing gaze on her. "Do you understand what it’s like to watch someone you loved like your own child become a monster? To have him use your own healing techniques against you, corrupting them into weapons of torture?"

He gestured to the dark marks on his hide. "These wounds won’t heal normally. The corruption he used ensures that. Every breath I take reminds me of his betrayal."

Around the chamber, the surviving members of Ao Qin’s court watched the conversation with obvious tension. Grim could see the political tensions Lin had mentioned—groups of dragons who stood closer together, whispered conversations that stopped when others approached.

"My lord," one of the court members stepped forward—a sleek female dragon whose scales held hints of blue and gold. "Perhaps we should focus on the immediate crisis rather than past grievances."

"Past grievances?" Ao Qin’s voice rose dangerously. "Shen Yue, my realm lies in ruins, my people are dead or corrupted, and you speak of past grievances?"