The group escaped the dungeon, but Rae's relief was short-lived. A massive lizard with colossal wings stood in their path, its sheer presence exuding overwhelming power. This was no ordinary creature—it was a true dragon. Its scales shimmered in an array of colors: red, blue, green, silver, and black, each gleaming with its own unique brilliance.
The dragon's voice rumbled, low and resonant. "Humans? No, not completely. Demons? No… maybe both? Intriguing. You are the first visitors I've had in ages. I've been dormant for centuries, enjoying a peaceful slumber. But your presence woke me. You must be a formidable group. Dungeon conquerors, perhaps? Few from the material realm even pass the first level of a dungeon. Yet, here you stand. Tell me—are you here to challenge the labyrinth?"
Rae took a steadying breath. "Not yet… but eventually."
"Then I propose a duel," the dragon said. "Your strongest member against me."
Rae's stomach churned. A one-on-one duel with a dragon? She didn't stand a chance—not alone. The thought of retreating crossed her mind. She could create a gate back to the shadow plane and ask the queen to return her to the academy. There, she could better prepare and learn to wield the Sea of Shadows without depending on others.
As she began crafting the magic circles for the gate, a brilliant, blinding light filled her vision, forcing her to shield her eyes. For a moment, panic gripped her—was she injured? But no. The light faded, and in its place came a vision.
Flames engulfed a city, reducing it to ruin. From afar, Rae saw herself, the lone survivor, tears streaming down her face. She moved closer, feeling the raw anguish of her other self. The realization hit her like a hammer—if she refused the duel, this devastation would come to pass.
The vision dissipated, and Rae was back before the dragon. Its gaze bore into her, unyielding. "Will you duel me?" it rumbled again. "You are the strongest of the three."
Rae clenched her fists, steeling her resolve. She wouldn't let that future come to pass. "I'll duel you," she said, "but your massive frame hardly makes this a fair fight."
The dragon chuckled, a deep, rolling sound. "You're concerned about my size? What if I were your size? Would you fight me then?"
"Yes," Rae replied confidently. "If you were my size, I'd gladly duel you."
"Then we have an agreement," the dragon said, its voice laced with excitement. "It's been centuries since I've faced a worthy opponent."
Before Rae could react, the colossal dragon shrank, its massive body morphing into a humanoid form. Standing before her now was a human-sized figure with a striking, draconic presence.
"You can take human form?" Rae asked, surprised.
The dragon nodded. "True dragons possess the ability to assume the shape of any race they desire. But be warned—my form may have changed, but my abilities remain. I am still a chromatic dragon."
A chromatic dragon. Rae's mind raced. This creature was unlike anything she'd ever encountered.
"Now," the dragon said, flexing its new limbs, "arm yourself. I won't hold back."
The dragon lunged, its speed and force leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Rae barely had time to react as it unleashed a flurry of punches. Though powerful, the attacks lacked precision and finesse. Rae quickly realized the dragon was unaccustomed to fighting in a human body. Even so, its strength was undeniable, and Rae's strikes seemed futile—its impenetrable skin absorbed every blow.
Her mind whirred, analyzing her opponent. The dragon's anatomy was a mystery, but she needed to find a way to overcome it.
"Enough holding back," the dragon growled, releasing a pulse of mana. The environment shifted, becoming oppressively hostile. Eleanor and Cilia collapsed to the ground.
"This is a duel," Rae snapped. "They shouldn't be harmed!"
"They've only lost consciousness from the mana's potency," the dragon assured her. "No harm will come to them. I promise." With a flick of its wrist, Eleanor and Cilia vanished.
"Where did you take them?" Rae demanded.
"They're safe in the material realm. We, however, are now in the ethereal realm."
"The ethereal realm?" Rae repeated, confused.
"It is the essence of dungeons and labyrinths," the dragon explained. "It exists parallel to the material plane and is believed to be the axis connecting all other realms."
Rae nodded, determination flaring in her chest. "Then let's continue."
The duel resumed, each blow more punishing than the last. Rae found herself at a severe disadvantage as the ethereal realm itself seemed to conspire against her. Her strength waned, and her body screamed in protest.
Then, her dark amethyst ring began to glow, shifting from its usual hue to a bright yellow-orange. Warmth coursed through her, easing the pain in her battered body.
The ring's magic activated, and without realizing it, Rae cast a light magic spell. The dragon roared in agony as the spell struck. The ring's glow faded, returning to its original color.
The dragon staggered, then stilled. "So, you are one of them," it said, a note of reverence in its voice. "I yield. What is your name?"
"Rae," she answered, catching her breath.
"Well, Rae, I am the Chromatic Princess. It's an honor to meet you."
The dragon hesitated, then added, "Will you become my master?"
"Master? What brought this on?" Rae asked, incredulous.
"You are one of the celestials," the dragon replied.
"I'm not one of them," Rae countered. "I just share their genes. In fact, I plan to dethrone them."
"Even better," the dragon said. "For chromatic dragons, it matters not. We are bound to serve a celestial master. If not you, someone else will claim me—and I would rather my power not be used for tyranny."
Rae considered the offer. "How do I know you won't betray me?"
"My heart judges you as good," the dragon said simply.
Rae sighed. "All right. What do I have to do?"
"Give me a true name, and I will pledge myself to you."
"That's it?"
The dragon nodded.
"Then your name is Riley," Rae declared.
The dragon bowed. "Thank you, Master."
With the duel resolved, Rae turned her thoughts to her next destination. It was time to return to the royal academy.