A Draconic Rebirth - Chapter 76
Surprise early chapter! I am going to be gone most of the day tomorrow so I rather you all enjoy this chapter early than late!
— Chapter 76 —
David's body hurt and he didn't wish to waste another affinity charge until he was certain the battle was truly over. The initial assault had been brutal but like a pack of untrained beasts the Queen's scouting force had run full force into their trap. Their lair had two gates and two walls guarding it. There were the outside fortifications and then underground they had another set. These underground fortifications were created in anticipation of repelling anything trying to force its way towards them from the Underway. The stone walls were shorter than those outside but still quite effective and the tight confines of the cavern had made their ballistae even more deadly.
The wyrms and lessers were slaughtered with relative ease and the kobolds were even able to take out some of the weaker adults using coordinated fire. The ballistae were performing adequately and David had no doubt that they could threaten all but the most hardened of the Queen’s children. The kobold heavy infantry had also held their own and their heavy equipment had proved critical in holding the line. All said and done there had been close to three dozen wyrms and lessers slaughtered. The four adults had also perished, with David personally aiding in taking down two. The battle wasn’t one sided though as they were now close to two hundred kobolds unaccounted for in the aftermath.
The metaphorical dice had been cast and there was no turning back now though, David rumbled to himself. He was already in the process of chewing through the remains of the dragons killed. One of the adults, the last to fall, had lingered in the back line and thrown concentrated blasts of sharpened ice at them. This individual had by far done the most damage to David’s clan and its affinity reserves seemed endless. His prompt eventually pinged him and he knew his suspicions had been right.
Magical Sacs - You develop specialized dense energy sacs inside your body that help you utilize your affinity more often. These semi-organic magical sacs can expand and deflate as required, ultimately increasing the creature's magical capabilities. These special sacs drastically increase your current affinity capacity by 1.5x.
Magical Sacs trait available. Absorb Y/N?
He quickly accepted and then braced himself for the wave of pain that was going to follow. Compared to his previous traits this one was far less painful so he only flailed around and cried out for a single brief moment. Once everything had finished it felt like a massive pit had formed in his center which hungered for more affinity. His prompt pinged him a moment later with the addition of the new trait.
David nodded his head at his new updated information and waited. Despite the fact his traits were maximized there was no follow up prompt about another evolution or change. Ambass was clearly speaking the truth about there being far more to becoming an Elder than just topping off your traits.
“Master. I spoke with Greyhide and they are in full retreat.” Red’Blue spoke as he approached. His own armor was worn and his spear cracked.
David nodded his massive head, “Good. Do we have all the wounded gathered?”
Red’Blue nodded and motioned to just behind the now broken stone walls.
“Have the rest of the troops and workers gather nearby too.” David rumbled as he turned and began to walk away. He found and settled near the massive group of injured kobolds, some were simply bruised and battered while others were missing limbs or hovered close to death. A few kobolds that had slain a lesser were also currently curled up in balls of stone nearby. As Red’Blue finished gathering the rest of the kobolds David took a moment to look over each of the hundreds of kobolds gathered before speaking.
“Clan Onyx has repelled the first of many assaults by the Broodmother. You all have slain more Masters in one day than any kobold could dream of in the last century. Be proud.” Roared David.
His kobolds, even some of the seriously injured, raised their arms as they cheered. David grinned and then pulled at his affinity as he curled it into a ball, much like Healing Orb, and spiraled it together tightly. He closed his eyes and willed his intention behind it as he shot the orb high and right before it impacted the ceiling he felt his intentions fulfilled as it exploded violently. His life affinity spread out wide and then rained down upon the gathered kobolds. As each rain drop of pure energy touched the kobolds they gasped as their wounds healed and their stamina was restored.
Satisfied, David quickly fought back against the dizziness caused by twisting his affinity in a new direction for the first time and gathered another orb. He quickly fired the second orb and watched it fly high before exploding like the first. Despite the second orb causing rain just like the first the effect was clearly different. It caused each kobold touched to glow a slight green as they were all empowered by his Lingering Regeneration. He could alter the strength and spread of his new rain abilities by how much energy he poured into them exactly like his Healing Orb.
David dropped to his haunches in pure exhaustion as his affinity reserves were emptied completely. His prompt was already pinging his fatigued mind as he grinned wide. His kobolds danced with a renewed energy as they sang his praises before Red’Blue quickly marshelled them into action once more.
Life Affinity expanded. Healing Breath (Rain) learned.
Life Affinity expanded. Lingering Regeneration (Rain) learned.
His sheet had also changed quickly again with the new additions. Their cost was expensive but its application across a wide battlefield would be extremely beneficial. He was particularly excited about the implications of being able to grant a whole host of kobolds Lingering Regeneration before a big battle.
David Manning - Otherworlder
Species: Dragon
Str: 37.5 (40.5 Jaw)
Int: 17
Speed: 10 (Flight Speed: 12)
Toughness: 22 (20 w/ Magical Pores active)
Affinity: Life (1/20 Charges -> 1/30 Charges) - Genomic Mastery
Healing Breath (Fog) - 1 Charge Cost
Healing Breath (Focused Cone) - 1 Charge Cost
Healing Breath (Singular Target) - 1 Charge Cost
Healing Breath (Rain) - 3 Charge Cost Initial, 1 Charge Increment (NEW)
Lingering Regeneration (Singular Target) - 1 Charge Cost
Lingering Regeneration (Focused Cone) - 1 Charge Cost
Lingering Regeneration (Rain) - 3 Charge Cost Initial, 1 Charge Increment (NEW)
Healing Orb (Condensed Sphere) - 2 Charge Cost Initial, 1 Charge Increment
Rapid Growth (Singular Target) - 5 Charge Cost
Rapid Cancer (Singular Target) - 5 Charge Cost
Genomic Restoration (Singular Target) - 5 Charge Cost.
Genomic Copy - 1 Charge Cost
Genomic Paste - 2 Charge Cost
Traits: 9/9
Condensed Musculature
Rupturing Jaws - Death Roll Ability
Thagomizer Defenses
Magical Pores - Magical Pores Open/Close
Carrion Sensory
Phoenix Essence
Ganglia Restructure
Sturdy Endoskeleton
Magical Sacs (NEW)
The new trait combined with the increase in his affinity reserves meant that he now had thirty charges every day. His Magical Pores would also regenerate faster throughout the day since the rate of recharge was tied directly to his maximum charges. He had a feeling that he was now near the top of the foot chain with his affinity combined with his pure raw strength. It was an unusual combination and clearly had its downsizes but it made him a devastating bruiser. Everyone so far underestimated and foolishly believed they could out last him.
His clan was already at work rebuilding the fortifications as David made his way up back towards the surface. The trip was long but by the time he found himself settling back into his chambers he received the good news.
“Stonescale and Adro were magnificent. They lead the other born Zephyrs well. The wyvern foolishly flew right into the ballistae zone and the trap was successful.” Blue beamed out as she greeted David.
“Good. The initial probes will only be the start. She will gather all of her children that owe debts again and we must be ready.” David rumbled back in response.
Blue bobbed her head, “We will Master. Master Wuja’bath has just returned as well and wishes to speak with you.”
David nodded, “Send her in.”
It didn't take long for Wuja’bath to appear and she looked tired. Her long form was covered in sweat and her companion kobold was currently passed out on her back. She offered him a firm nod and a slight bow, “I am glad you made it out, Onyx.”
“As am I. How did everything go?” David asked.
Wuja’bath rumbled and settled down nearby, “A quarter of a day after you entered there was some panic at the entrance. Flyers left and returned with a few large dragons, wyverns, and even a dread. They stood guard at the entrance as new arrivals were carefully sent down. The day after things seem to have changed and more lesser and full grown wyverns than I could imagine began to leave the lair and head off in all directions.”
David nodded his head slowly as he glanced down at Blue and then Wuja’bath, “She is calling her children for another plateau meeting would be my guess. Anything else Wuja’bath?”
She shook her head, “When I left the wyverns were still arriving and leaving at a constant pace. Whatever you did has gotten her attention. I do hope you made the right decision for us all Onyx.” She finished before quickly standing and turned to leave.
“Wait. Wuja’bath. I have something for you.” David motioned nearby to where his little kobold attendant was always lurking and he quickly ran off.
David continued, “Your affinity was a great aid to me and I wish to return the favor.” It didn’t take long for his attendant to return alongside half a dozen others carrying some metal and leather. The piece of armor was similar to David's but much smaller, and far less complex in design.
She cocked her head, “What do you mean?”
David motioned to the armor, “There is a lesser gemstone embedded at the base. It has my healing breath linked to it. It will give you longevity in a fight or even when running away.”
Her eyes went wide as she stared at the metal and leather armor piece, “Words are difficult.”
“You do not need to say anything else, just accept it. Okraz will be getting one too. You are both important and this is how we beat what is coming. We need to work together and even if you are just a scout it doesn’t mean you won’t be in danger.” David rumbled back in amusement.
She dipped her head, “Thank you. Please show me how to use it.”
David grinned, “Lets get you fitted into it. It will not only save your life but your kobolds too.” Her reaction was all David needed to know that his words struck true to her values. Once they were done here he would need to finish preparations for what was coming next, he told himself.
Here is also a link to Royal Road
Posted Feb 14, 2026, 8:00 AM UTC