บท 27: The Dark Dragon

Ethan's POV

Above me floated a woman clad in full-body black armour, her presence dominating the air around her. She hovered effortlessly, her piercing gaze fixed on me. The moment our eyes met, my body froze completely. I couldn't move a single muscle, as if an invisible force had locked me in place. Even the magic power coursing through my body came to a halt, solidifying and refusing to respond to my commands. In this paralyzed state, instinct took over, and I did the only thing I could that was observing her.

Her features were otherworldly, surpassing the beauty of anyone I had ever encountered in both of my lives. Her long, black hair cascaded like a waterfall of silk down to her waist, shimmering even in the dim light of the cave, her eyes were vertical dark golden orbs that captivated me the most. They seemed to pierce directly into my soul, unravelling my secrets effortlessly. Her gaze was not just penetrating but it was as if she held dominion over all that she surveyed.

The most striking feature, however, was the pair of black draconic horns that adorned her head. They were sleek yet formidable, adding an unmistakable aura of power to her already imposing presence. Her body was a vision of mature allure, with a voluptuous figure that would make her the envy of any goddess. Her ample D-cup breasts, slim figure and a nearly six-foot stature seemed to speak of her elegance and strength.

Her demeanour however, set her apart from the type of a delicate beauty one might feel a desire to protect. She exuded a regal authority, an aura of arrogance born not of entitlement but of absolute power and confidence. Her pride wasn't the worthless kind often seen in the pampered young masters of nobility. Instead, it was the kind that came from an unshakable belief in her strength, her abilities, and her place above all others.

I found myself captivated, unable to tear my gaze away from her, even as her eyes seemed to evaluate me in return. It was as though she were appraising me, measuring my worth with an intensity that left me feeling exposed and vulnerable.

Suddenly, a golden chart opened across my soul space and the voice of Aurelis Prime echoed, on listening it I was stunned though I had guessed some things,

[Abyssbound Night Dragon : A rare and elusive subspecies of dark dragons, renowned for their unparalleled affinity to true darkness and the eternal night. Unlike more common dark dragon variants, such as Abyssal Dark Dragons or Evil Spike Dark Dragons, Abyssbound Night Dragons stand apart due to their rarity and profound connection to primordial shadows. Even within the vast expanse of the Blaze Dragon Great World, they are seldom seen, their existence steeped in mystery and legend.]

Snapping out of my reverie, I realized that her expression hadn't changed. She was still assessing me, her gaze as sharp and unwavering as before. The silence between us was heavy, her presence commanding and overwhelming. I was amazed at hearing the description of this being before me.

Nyx's POV

I had been resting in my lair atop Ebonspire Peak, surrounded by the comforting silence of my lair when I felt a surge of pure dark essence ripple through the air. Intrigued, I left my sanctuary and teleported to the small cave at the foothills of the peak which was source of the disturbance. What I found astonished me. A figure, young and unassuming was in the midst of ascending to the Elemental Sea realm.

I peered down and was taken aback to see a boy who appeared no older than fifteen or sixteen sitting alone in a damp pool. His demeanour was calm, composed, and devoid of the naivety one would expect from someone his age. He exuded the presence of a seasoned mystic, his tranquillity an enigma that piqued my curiosity.

His long, flowing violet hair shimmered faintly in the dim light, and his crimson eyes seemed to hold a depth far beyond his years. They glimmered like jewels, surpassing even the countless treasures I had collected over my long life. I couldn't help but imagine that he would surely grow into a strikingly handsome man destined to leave the hearts of women in turmoil and make them mad wherever he went.

As I observed him intently, he suddenly seemed to sense something and opened his eyes. My reflection in the pool caught his eye and he looked up. Our gazes locked and under the weight of my scrutinizing stare, he froze, his body stiff and unyielding, completely at my mercy.

Curious to uncover the secrets of this boy who had drawn my attention so profoundly, I activated my clairvoyance eyes, intending to peer into his soul space. Yet, to my astonishment, I found myself unable to do so. Though his soul space existed, a formidable and unseen force barred my entry. It was as though something primal or divine protected him, shielding his innermost essence from my gaze.

Even without delving into his soul, I could sense his immense potential. His magic power was pure and his magic dimension boundless at such a low realm. Though newly formed the magic dimension radiated a strength and stability unmatched by anything I had ever seen. And I had seen much in my long life be it conquerors, kings, and the most depraved of villains but this boy's potential eclipsed them all, even surpassing my own in its brilliance.

Instantly, I made a decision in my mind. For the past few years, I had been thinking about finding a successor worthy of my legacy and now, fate had delivered someone perfect. Ignoring such an opportunity would be unthinkable an foolish.

But before I had to take him as my disciple, a test was necessary. I needed to gauge his character, strength and mental state. I didn't want to feed a treacherous snake and regret my decision later.

Releasing a fraction of my oppressive aura, I fixed him with an unyielding gaze and spoke in a forbidding tone, my voice echoing through the cave like rolling thunder,

"Who are you, boy, and what are you doing on my Ebonspire Peak? Do you not know this is my domain? Any trespasser who dares set foot here without my permission meets their death."

To my intrigue, he did not panic. Instead, he calmly saluted me with respect, his tone steady and composed as he replied,

"O Great One, I am but a wanderer and was unaware that this was your domain. I humbly ask your forgiveness and request your permission to leave."

For a fleeting moment, his polite demeanour and respectful words stirred an unusual amusement within me. Yet, my expression remained imperious as I responded,

"Oh, you may leave," I said with an edge of authority, my lips curling into a faint, enigmatic smile. "But only on one condition and that is to pass my test."

I descended gracefully to the ground, the clink of my black armour resonating faintly in the silence. Fixing him with my golden, piercing gaze, I pointed a single, commanding finger at him. With a simple wave of my hand, I teleported him out of the pond to the shore.