The Undead Dragon

The Eternal Wound of Gaia

General Information

• Name: The Undead Dragon (also called "Drakard" in Astrian records)
• Classification: Undead Draconic Beast
• Origin: Believed to be born from the corpse of an ancient Fire Guardian slain during the War of Rupture, later corrupted by shadow.
• Alignment: Malevolent; bound to the corruption of shadow.
• Status: Defeated — slain by K.J. Sharpe during the events of Embrace the Desire.

Appearance

• Size: Massive, eclipsing Astria's fortress gates when it spread its skeletal wings.
• Form: A decayed, skeletal frame draped in rotting scales and sinew; bones blackened by fire and shadow corruption.
• Eyes: Twin emerald flames burning within empty sockets.
• Aura: The air grew cold and still in its presence; vegetation withered, and even sound seemed to die.
• Distinguishing Feature: A ribcage glowing faintly with corrupted fire — the twisted remnant of its guardian soul.

Abilities

• Necroflame Breath: A torrent of green-black fire that burned flesh and corrupted spirit, raising the slain as husks.
• Undying Resilience: Conventional weapons could not destroy it; wounds closed with shadow fire.
• Bone Storm: Wingbeats scattered shards of bone like razors, devastating entire formations.
• Aura of Silence: Suppressed sound, blanketing battlefields in unnatural quiet.
• Shadow Bond: Believed to be linked to the Hollowed Veil, its existence strengthened their corruption.

Role in the Story

• The Undead Dragon emerged from caverns during the Cryostratis invasion, unleashed as both terror and test.
• Oliver and K.J. faced the beast together; Oliver fought valiantly, but the dragon nearly crushed him in its jaws.
• K.J. Sharpe struck the decisive blow: channeling balanced light and shadow, he blinded the dragon and drove his attack through its core, shattering the corrupted fire within its ribcage.
• The beast collapsed, its body consumed by its own failing necroflame. Its final scream echoed like a funeral hymn across Astria.

Symbolism in Gaia's Lore

• The Undead Dragon represents corruption of guardianship — a protector turned predator.
• Its silence mirrored Gaia's grief from the War of Rupture, as if creation itself still mourned.
• Prophecies now call K.J. "the Dragonslayer," proof that the Duskborn can stand against Gaia's greatest corrupted wounds.

Legacy and Threat

• The Undead Dragon's defeat by K.J. is remembered as one of the first great victories of the prophecy, proving his destiny as a balancer of Light and Dark.
• Its bones were left to crumble in the caverns, yet rumors whisper that fragments of its ribcage still glow, waiting for shadow to reawaken them.
• Oliver later acknowledged K.J.'s heroism, saying he had saved him "from poison and a dragon, no less."
• Even in death, the Undead Dragon warns that corrupted guardians can rise again if Gaia's balance falters.

Though slain, the Undead Dragon remains a legend — proof of K.J. Sharpe's strength, and a warning that even the deadliest shadow can be undone by light.