As John's eyes fluttered open, he found himself no longer at the Gate of Things but under a clear sky, where a magnificent galaxy stretched above him, its brilliance showering down upon him. The silver dragon, Heimdall, who had been waiting patiently, greeted him with a soft whisper, "You're awake."
John sat up, realizing they were still beneath the cliff, yet everything seemed transformed. The cliff now bore a striking resemblance to a galaxy, with the crystal channel above mirroring the celestial beauty.
Suppressing his excitement, Heimdall lowered his head in a gesture of deep respect and announced, "You have completed the test, solving the millennium-old trial of the Dragon's Land. Your true name has been revealed to the world, and it is my honor to bestow upon you the title of the supreme dragon."
As Heimdall's wings unfurled, reflecting the galaxy's light, the silver dragon appeared ethereal under the starlit sky. "Shadow of World Destruction, your presence commands infinite power. Your shadow sweeps across the land, extinguishing all life in its path. Your breath conjures storms, and your gaze obliterates light. You are the Dragon of World Destruction, born from the ashes of ruin."
John pondered the title, realizing its similarity to the system's blessing. It made sense now; this blessing was his true name.
Following Heimdall's proclamation, a surge of magical power erupted from within John, a testament to the strength his true name bestowed upon him. His body underwent a transformation, scales sprouting across his skin. However, this time, the scales took on a golden hue, signifying a profound change.
As John's Animagus form expanded, growing from 55 to 60 feet, he still appeared smaller compared to Heimdall, yet his aura exuded an undeniable dominance, a testament to his royal lineage.
Heimdall, despite his blindness, sensed the resurgence of a long-lost power, the blood of the dragon king. It was a presence so commanding that even Heimdall, the Dragonsage, could not contest it.
Inspecting his transformed body, John noticed not just a change in color but also in form. Where his previous appearance was fierce and menacing, he now embodied a figure of sacred majesty. In this form, his magical defenses were unparalleled, rendering him nearly invulnerable to attacks that would have previously harmed him.
Discovering his ability to revert to his original form, John watched as his scales shifted back to dark green, absorbing all light and casting a shadow where life swiftly faded. This ability alone made him a formidable force, even without resorting to magic.
"This form truly suits the Shadow of the World," John mused, turning to Heimdall, who remained prostrate. Curious, John inquired about the nature of the trial that had nearly cost him his life, a trial that even the mighty Ambrosius could not influence, leaving John to face it alone after a thousand years.
Heimdall shook his head, admitting his ignorance. "It's a trial every king must endure. It's the reason why Gu Long established the Dragon's Homeland here." Even as a sage, Heimdall knew little about the Ice Box, having only witnessed its challenge for the first time with John, who had achieved what no king before him could.
This feat convinced Heimdall of John's rightful place in the prophecy, further solidified by the ongoing blessings of John's true name. Above the starry night sky, the ethereal remnants of a giant dragon's soul hovered, their roars echoing through the dome of the heavens, a tribute to an unseen king. John felt the dark power within him surge, a mark forming on his forehead, visible only to him. This mark, pulsating with a mysterious bloodline ability, seemed to burn into his very being. Transforming back into his human form, John conjured a mirror with a flick of magic. Stripping off his clothes, he saw a magical mark etched over his heart in the mirror's reflection. It was eerily familiar, reminiscent of a pattern found on the enigmatic Gate of Things—a large tree encased within squares, as if an oak had been trapped in a block of ice.
John remained silent, pondering. This mark must have been the work of his mentor, though the nature of the deal struck with the Gate of Things to bestow such a mark upon him was a mystery. In a fit of contemplation, he shattered the mirror, summoning the system panel. His magical power had significantly increased, a gift from his true name. Moreover, having been blessed by the oak mage, John's body now continuously absorbed magic, accelerating his growth exponentially. This journey had indeed been fruitful, yet the cost was not light. Without his mentor's intervention, John feared he might have been claimed by the Gate of Things—a fate he wished to avoid at all costs, given its perilous nature.
But the blessings of his true name extended further. The stars above seemed to have a newfound affinity for John, their light restoring his weary body when he reached out to them. "Absorbing starlight?" This was John's first encounter with the magical essence of the stars, a serendipitous boon that seemed to resonate with his founding of the Stars Club. Now, it appeared, the stars themselves offered their blessing.
Heimdall, the sage guardian of the Dragon Field, escorted John away with great reverence, addressing him as the young king. To Heimdall, John's age was irrelevant; his power to slay an adult dragon was undeniable, making his human origins a mere footnote. Their farewell was brief, at the same platform where John had arrived.
Outside the Dragon Field, in the homeland of dragons, the Spear of Thunder awaited at the cave's entrance. Upon seeing John emerge, it couldn't help but feel he had grown taller. "You've returned? What is your true name?" it inquired, its voice betraying a hint of awe. John's response, "The Shadow of Destruction," unsettled the Spear of Thunder. The name seemed to carry a weight even greater than its own, causing a ripple of unease.
John observed the dragon's reaction, concluding that dragons likely favored a more straightforward approach to life, their emotions and thoughts as transparent as glass. With his true name now known, John no longer needed to tread carefully. He spread his wings, blending into the night, leaving even the elder Spear of Thunder unable to discern his form, a fact that filled it with dread.
Descending from the Dragon's Nest, John returned to Never Rest Valley. Though only a day had passed, it felt like an eternity to him. His journey had been fraught with challenges: from Merlin of Hogwarts to the artifacts of the Kingdom of Giants, and the dealings with the Gate of Things to becoming the young king of the Land of Dragons. Exhausted, John was relieved to have returned unscathed.
The three female dragons also made their return, though they had not acquired their true names. Amohan, in particular, was insistent on learning John's true name. Eventually, John relented, revealing it. Amohan's reaction was explosive, deeming "The Shadow of Destruction" far superior to any name among the giant dragons, a testament to John's newfound status and power. John's name had become a symbol of strength and recognition among the dragons of Never Resting Valley. The female dragons, along with their counterparts, held a deep respect for him. His ferocity had not only intimidated the colossal dragon that loomed behind him but also earned him the unique distinction of being the only giant dragon to receive his true name that year.
After spending three days in the valley, John prepared to depart. It was during this time that he noticed the peculiar mark that had emerged on his forehead. This mark was more than just a simple design; it was a symbol, laden with significance. The mark was an ancient runic script known as Wotan, representing an existence as ancient and profound as the script itself.
The appearance of the Wotan rune on John's forehead was no mere coincidence. It signified a deep connection to the ancient powers and mysteries that the dragons of Never Resting Valley revered. This mark was a testament to John's strength and his place among the legendary beings of the valley.
As John reflected on the meaning behind the mark, he felt a sense of responsibility and destiny weighing upon him. The Wotan rune was not just a recognition of his past feats; it was a call to a greater purpose, a reminder of the ancient lineage and power that now flowed through his veins.
With a newfound sense of purpose, John bid farewell to the dragons of Never Resting Valley. The respect and recognition he had earned among them bolstered his confidence as he set out on his journey. The mark of Wotan on his forehead was a constant reminder of his connection to the ancient and the powerful, guiding him as he ventured into the unknown.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge