Chapter 21: Spirit Essence
A crescent moon hung like a hook over the Rock Gnawer Tribe, stretching the shadows cast by the low hills into twisted shapes.
Garoth's dragon pupils gleamed dark and profound in the night as he crouched low, the crimson patterns on his obsidian-like scales faintly glowing.
"Let your deaths soothe the unease in my heart."
With a sweep of his tail, he smashed a leaping goblin warrior into a radial splatter of pulp. The meticulously tanned leather armor reinforced with alchemical runes shattered like water-soaked paper upon impact.
"Damnable dragon!"
Broken-Tusk Grolk roared in fury as his eyes reflected the flames and ruined territory.
Bzzzt!
An engine roared to life as black oil rapidly burned and converted into energy.
Black oil—formed over eons from the accumulated remains of magical creatures—was a viscous, tar-like substance serving as the foundational fuel for many alchemical devices. Similar to petroleum but far more potent in energy output.