Most of those present at the arena saw my battle as a full victory against the dragon.  I knew that the fight was not over yet, but I too saw victory that day.  I saw the return of my warrior's spirit: the confidence that allowed me to take on this quest in the first place.  It returned to me for the first time since before I began recording my quest here.

I traveled alone to the dragon's lair, for as before, I was the only one able to wield a sword against this evil beast.  As I entered the lair, I felt a surreal aura around me.  I realized that the next time I saw the light of day, my quest would be finished.

Many of the dragon's minions attacked me on the way to the back of the lair, but they were more of a nuisance than anything else.  The adrenaline rush was enough for me to cast these minions aside with little effort.

Finally, I reached the dragon's room at the back of the lair.

"So, you've come to fight," the dragon said, seeing my sword.  "Your people could have lived in peace had you forgotten about me.  I will not allow you to leave here."

My reply to the dragon's threat was the simple drawing of my sword and readying my fighting stance.  I said nothing to him.  As the dragon spoke, I surveyed his battle-torn body.  He hadn't had the chance to fully recover himself, and it showed.  This realization lit the fire inside me even more.

The dragon saw my reply and made the first attack.  He lifted his head and took a deep breath.  Black smoke emerged from his nostrils.  Noticing the unguarded midsection, I ran to him before he lowered his head and stabbed the dragon in the chest with my sword.  He roared in agony as his HP count lowered to critical levels.  His initial 620 HP was now below 30.

The dragon wildly began flailing his claws as I reading my final blow.  Dazed, the dragon could not do anything as I ran to him and jumped high.  As I came down, I dealt the final crushing blow to his head.  The dragon's head fell to the floor of his lair with a thunderous sound that sent loose stalactites to the ground.  I was weakened after this battle; the adrenaline rush had worn off and I began to feel my fatigue.

"You'll never get out," the dragon said as he drew his last breath, "my strongest minions will seek vengeance on you."  His eyes closed for the last time.

No sooner than he finished did I hear footsteps.  I began to make my way out of the lair, the completion of my quest a stone's throw away.