Reborn as the Last van Ambrose

The map room was covered with charts on the walls. Some showed the four sea realms perfectly, while others depicted locations that didn’t appear to exist in any world Lin knew.

"These maps show more than geography," Ao Run explained, moving to a section of the wall where the charts were darker and more complex. "They show the connections between realms and the flow of power."

He gestured to a particular map that showed the central cavern they had passed through, but with far more detail than they had observed. Additional passages branched off from the main chamber.

"The Dragon Emperor’s tomb," Ao Run said, pointing to the largest of these hidden areas. "Built not just as a resting place, but as a vault. A prison, if you will."

Lin studied the map carefully. "You’re saying the Dragon Emperor isn’t just sleeping? He’s been sealed away?"

"The distinction is important," Ao Run confirmed

"The outer chambers will test anyone who enters," Ao Run continued, his finger tracing the path from the entrance. "These are not mere puzzles or obstacles. They are lethal challenges designed to eliminate anyone unworthy of reaching the Emperor’s resting place."

Captain Zhen leaned closer to examine the symbols. "What kind of tests?"

"Creatures that have been waiting for thousands of years just to eat dinner," Ao Run replied.

Grim noticed that one section of the map seemed to be marked differently than the others. "What’s this area here? It doesn’t have the same symbols."

Ao Run’s expression grew more serious. "The final chamber. Where the Dragon Emperor sleeps and where the four keys must be used." He paused, studying Grim’s face carefully. "It is also where the seal is weakest, and where the greatest danger lies."

"What happens when all four keys are used?" General Huoyan asked.

"The seal breaks completely," Ao Run said simply. "But not just the seal on the Emperor. The power that the Dragon Emperor commanded—the ability to reshape reality itself."

Commander Yuehua was the first to speak. "Jiaolong doesn’t just want to wake the Emperor. He wants to claim that power for himself."

Lin felt her stomach drop. "How long ago did you say Jiaolong left?"

"An hour," Ao Run replied grimly. "Which means he’s about to open the portal."

Their chances of stopping him seemed impossibly slim.

"The defenses," Grim said, studying the map more carefully. "You said there were guardians and traps. Won’t those slow him down?"

"They should," Ao Run agreed. "But Jiaolong is not traveling alone, and his corruption has grown stronger than I anticipated. The ancient guardians were designed to stop individual intruders or small groups. They may not be adequate against a coordinated assault by corrupted dragons."

General Huoyan traced the path through the tomb complex with her finger. "How long would it take us to reach the final chamber if we left immediately?"

"Through the standard passages, accounting for the defensive trials, perhaps three hours," Ao Run calculated. "But there are alternative routes."

He gestured to a different section of the map that showed what appeared to be a more direct path to the tomb’s heart. This route was marked with symbols that were darker and more ominous than anything they had seen so far.

"The old dragon burial grounds," Ao Run explained. "They are connected directly to the final chamber, but they are guarded by dragons who are loyal to the Emperor."

"Loyal?" Captain Zhen asked suspiciously.

"Ancient dragon who would only serve the Emperor," Ao Run replied.

Grim studied both routes carefully. The standard path offered predictable dangers but required more time than they might have. The ancient route was faster but carried unknown risks that could prove just as time-consuming if they were unprepared.

"There’s something else," Ao Run said, his voice growing more urgent. "The ritual that breaks the seal—it’s not instantaneous. There are specific steps that must be completed in order, and each step takes time. If you can disrupt the process at any point..."

"We might be able to stop it," Lin finished. "Even if we can’t prevent Jiaolong from starting the ritual."

"Exactly," Ao Run confirmed. "But be warned—the final chamber is where the Dragon Emperor’s power is strongest. Reality itself becomes unstable in that space. Your weapons, your magic, even your perceptions may not function as you expect them to."

He moved to another section of the map that showed the internal layout of the final chamber. The space was circular, with four alcoves positioned at cardinal points where the keys would be inserted. In the center lay what appeared to be a raised platform marked with symbols that seemed to move when looked at directly.

"The Emperor’s resting place," Ao Run said. "But also the focal point of the ritual. Whoever controls that platform during the awakening process will have access to power that could reshape all four sea realms."

Commander Yuehua studied the chamber layout carefully. "What about the Dragon Emperor himself? What happens to him during this process?"

Ao Run was quiet for a long moment. "That depends on who completes the ritual and what their intentions are. The Emperor could be awakened as himself, restored to his full power and consciousness. Or..."

"Or?" Grim prompted.

"His body could be used as a vessel for someone else’s will," Ao Run finished grimly. "The physical form of the most powerful dragon who ever lived, but controlled by a different mind entirely."

The possibility sent chills through the group. Jiaolong with the Dragon Emperor’s power would be dangerous enough, but if he intended to possess the Emperor’s body directly...

"We have to stop him," Lin declared. "Whatever it takes."

"Then you need to leave immediately," Ao Run said.

As they prepared to leave the map room, Grim took one last look at the charts showing the Dragon Emperor’s tomb. The final chamber seemed to pulse with its own dark energy, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were walking into something far more dangerous than a simple rescue mission.

"Lord Ao Run," he said, "is there anything else we should know before we go?"

"Be prepared for the possibility that stopping Jiaolong will require a sacrifice."