Here's how the chapter unfolds, focusing on Snowy's intense, almost surreal journey through his dreamscape, revelations about his past, and the unexpected arrival of the Pyrothraxis child. This will be around 1,500 words and sets up the next stage of the story while building the suspense anSnowy groaned as he stirred awake, the soft hum of his alarm clock piercing the silence of his room. He reached out groggily, but his head pounded, a dull reminder of the night before. The taste of a hangover lingered on his tongue, and he cursed under his breath, remembering the small amount of alcohol he'd been coaxed into drinking at the party. The night had been a blur of cheers, clinking glasses, and celebrations he wasn't used to.
As he reached for the clock, his vision blurred, and suddenly, he was no longer in his room.
Snowy found himself standing in the midst of chaos. Towering dragon spires loomed above him, engulfed in dark, swirling smoke. Flames crackled, and the earth shook beneath his feet. Shadowy figures darted in the distance—dragons, but unlike any he had ever seen before. He realized with a start that these were the dragon colonies, and they were being terrorized by none other than the Shadow Dragon.
Amidst the carnage, a sharp cry cut through the smoke. Snowy turned and saw a young girl, no older than thirteen, with small horns peeking from her silver hair and scales running down her arms. She was in her human form, and Snowy's eyes widened at the sight. He hadn't known that dragons could take human forms. The girl's eyes locked onto his, a desperate, pleading look in them. She whispered something, a choked, fragile word—"Help."
Snowy's heart clenched. She shouldn't be able to see him—this was a dream, his dream. He was merely a spectator, trapped in a vision that was not his own. But before he could make sense of it, he felt the oppressive weight of another presence. The air grew thick, and a shadow fell over him. Snowy turned and was met with the burning gaze of the Shadow Dragon, eyes filled with malice and hunger.
Snowy stumbled back, his mind racing. How could she see him? Why could the Shadow Dragon sense his presence? Then it hit him—this girl, this dragon child, had some sort of connection, something that bridged the gap between dreams and reality. Not necessarily strong in power but intertwined in a way that allowed her to see beyond the veil.
But before he could process any further, the vision shifted, pulling him into darkness. Snowy's surroundings morphed into an endless void. His heart pounded as he squinted through the dimness. At the center of the darkness, a faint, pulsating glow drew his attention. As he approached, his eyes widened.
There, suspended in the air, was an orb—fractured and broken, with mana leaking out in sporadic bursts. It was cracked, like shattered glass barely holding itself together. The mana flowed in and out, flickering like a dying flame, and the sight of it sent a chill through Snowy's core. He stared at it, feeling a strange connection, a pull that he couldn't quite understand.
"Is this… my mana nexus?" he whispered, reaching out tentatively. The moment his fingers brushed against the orb, his chest tightened, and he stumbled back, gasping for breath. It wasn't just a vision; this was real. This broken, fragile thing was the source of his limitations, the reason he couldn't fully harness his magic.
Before he could touch it again, his vision was drawn upwards to the sky. A burning red object streaked across the heavens, tearing through the darkness and hurtling straight toward the earth. Snowy's eyes widened in horror as he realized it was on a direct course with his room. He watched helplessly as it plummeted, faster and faster, and just as it was about to strike, the world around him shifted again.
Snowy found himself standing before a grand throne, draped in shadows. A figure sat atop it, his presence commanding and fearsome. Scales lined his neck, and sharp, twisted horns crowned his head. Snowy had never seen this dragon before, but he exuded a power that was unmistakable. Unlike the dragon girl, this one didn't seem to notice Snowy's presence, and Snowy wondered why. Perhaps the girl's ability to see him wasn't about strength but something more profound, like a connection forged from desperation.
A servant entered the throne room, bowing deeply as he presented a scroll. The dragon lord's expression darkened as he unrolled the parchment and read its contents. Fury twisted his features, and his voice boomed like thunder, shaking the very foundation of the chamber.
"That mere imitation dares to claim the title of a dragon? To think that this creature, born of shadow, believes it can challenge us!" The dragon's voice echoed with disdain. Snowy pieced together the dragon's words, realizing that the Shadow Dragon wasn't a true dragon by their standards but a twisted version, an aberration created from shadow and hatred.
Snowy's thoughts raced. This confirmed what he had suspected: the Shadow Dragon was an outsider, a parasite who had invaded their realm through dark means. And the vortex that had swallowed the Pyrothraxis child—a direct pathway between realms—had likely served as the bridge.
Snowy's eyes darted back to the throne. He watched the dragon lord clench his fists, his scales shimmering with barely contained rage. It was clear now; the dragons were aware of the threat, and their disdain for the Shadow Dragon was palpable. But the threat was growing, and the Shadow Dragon's ambition knew no bounds. It was gathering the seven essences, becoming stronger with each victory, and the looming battle would not be just against a mere imitation but a force that sought to rewrite the order of their world.
As Snowy was lost in his contemplation, he heard a faint groan. It wasn't from the dream but from his room. The sound pulled him back to consciousness with a jolt. Snowy blinked, his surroundings coming into focus. He was back in his bed, the room dimly lit by the morning sun.
The groaning persisted, and Snowy's gaze snapped to the corner of his room. There, amidst the debris and the shattered remnants of the crash, lay a creature with fiery scales and a pair of small wings curled protectively around its body. Snowy's breath hitched—he recognized it instantly. It was the Pyrothraxis child, the same one he had seen swallowed by the vortex.
Snowy stood up, his expression turning grim as he approached the small dragon. Its wings unfurled slowly, revealing eyes that flickered with both fear and defiance. Snowy stared at it, and a cold realization settled over him. If this creature could cross realms and find its way to him, then the Shadow Dragon could too.
With a steely resolve, Snowy whispered under his breath, "If this can come through, then that Shadow Dragon can too."
He knew now that time was running out. The war wasn't just approaching—it was already here.