The cold morning air wrapped around Shivay as he stood at the edge of the clearing, gazing toward the distant horizon. After two weeks of travel, they were finally nearing the Elf Kingdom, the towering forested mountains marking the boundary of their realm just barely visible in the distance. But it wasn't only the Elf Kingdom that awaited him—Shivay could feel the growing power surging within him, and he knew that the training and battles of the past two weeks had made him far stronger than he had been before.
He flexed his hand, watching as a faint glow of ether danced across his fingers, effortlessly responding to his will. His control over the glyph magic, which had once felt foreign, was now second nature. Every battle, every encounter with a monster had only deepened his mastery over the powers of the hearts he had absorbed, and now, after weeks of intense grinding and leveling up, Shivay had reached a significant milestone.
"Level 50," he muttered to himself with a grin. "I've come a long way."
Senira, who had been resting nearby, glanced up at him with a smile of her own. "It's impressive, Shivay. You've grown stronger at an incredible pace. Your control over the Dragon King's power is becoming formidable."
Shivay felt a warmth at her praise, but his mind was focused on the new skill that had just unlocked. "I think the Dragon King's heart is starting to reveal its true potential," he said thoughtfully. "I can feel the strength inside me... something ancient, something that's been dormant until now."
The system notification that had greeted him when he reached level 50 had been the most exciting one yet.
[New Skill Unlocked: Dragon King's Fury Description: Unleash the full might of the Dragon King's power. A devastating attack fueled by primal ether and dragon fire. Its destructive potential is unparalleled, but it requires immense control to wield safely.]
"Dragon King's Fury," Shivay whispered, feeling the sheer weight of the name alone. The Dragon King's heart, one of the most powerful entities in the ancient world, was offering him a glimpse of its full strength.
"Are you going to test it out before we reach the Elf Kingdom?" Senira asked, her golden eyes glimmering with curiosity.
Shivay nodded. "I need to understand it fully before I use it in battle. The system said it requires a lot of control... I'm not going to take any chances."
Senira stood up, her tails swaying behind her as she joined him at the edge of the clearing. "We've still got some time before we reach the kingdom. We should find a secluded spot to test your new power and go over the other abilities you've absorbed."
Over the past two weeks, Shivay had faced a variety of monsters, each one more dangerous than the last. But they had also been valuable sources of power, offering unique abilities that he had eagerly absorbed using the system's devour function. Each new skill had expanded his repertoire, making him more versatile and dangerous in combat.
One of the most powerful monsters they had encountered was the Karnethor, a hulking, undead creature that roamed the dark forests of the eastern wilderness. Its body had been a fusion of decayed flesh and dark ether, and its mere presence had drained the life from the area around it. After a grueling battle, Shivay had absorbed its core, gaining the ability to manipulate dark magic.
[Skill Absorbed: Dark Ether Manipulation Description: Control the dark ether to weaken enemies, drain their life force, or summon shadows to attack.]
Another monster, the Vyrath Wraith, had been a terrifying, ghostly creature that existed in the realm between life and death. It had the power to raise the dead and summon undead soldiers to fight on its behalf. After defeating it, Shivay had gained its necromantic abilities.
[Skill Absorbed: Undead Summon Description: Call forth the spirits of the dead and summon undead creatures to fight by your side. The strength of the undead increases with the caster's level.]
Shivay had also encountered the Necrofang Basilisk, a serpent-like beast with the ability to manipulate shadows and poison. Its defeat had granted him another useful ability.
[Skill Absorbed: Shadow Step Description: Move through shadows, becoming invisible and untouchable for a short time. Ideal for surprise attacks or avoiding danger.]
In addition to these formidable skills, Shivay had mastered ether manipulation and glyph magic. The glyphs, which had once been a complex and mysterious form of ancient magic, were now as easy for him to use as breathing. He could weave them effortlessly into his combat techniques, combining them with his dragon fire and fox powers to create devastating attacks.
"So, what's next?" Senira asked as she stretched her arms, the morning light catching the silver highlights in her long, flowing hair.
Shivay glanced at her and then out toward the wilderness that surrounded them. "I think it's time to put the Dragon King's Fury to the test. Let's find somewhere secluded, away from the village or anyone else. I don't want to accidentally burn down the forest."
They ventured deeper into the hills, away from any prying eyes or wandering travelers. Shivay could feel the weight of the power within him, the primal, ancient strength of the Dragon King eager to be unleashed. But he knew he had to control it—raw power without control was more dangerous than any enemy he could face.
After walking for a few hours, they found a clearing on the edge of a ravine, far from any settlements. Shivay took a deep breath and stepped forward into the center of the clearing, his heart pounding with anticipation.
"Alright," he said quietly. "Let's see what the Dragon King's Fury can do."
He closed his eyes, feeling the ether within him, channeling it into his core. The power of the Dragon King's heart surged to life, burning like molten lava in his veins. His body began to heat up, the air around him crackling with energy. Flames licked at his skin, but they didn't burn—they were his to control, his to command.
"Shivay," Senira's voice came from behind him, a note of concern in her tone. "Be careful. Don't push yourself too hard."
Shivay nodded but didn't respond. He needed to focus, to control the raging power inside him. The flames grew brighter, swirling around him in a vortex of heat and light. He raised his hand, and with a fierce roar, unleashed the Dragon King's Fury.
A massive torrent of fire erupted from his palm, shooting into the sky like a blazing comet. The sheer force of the attack shook the ground beneath them, and the ravine's walls trembled from the impact. The flames roared higher and higher, burning with a ferocity that rivaled the sun itself.
Shivay's eyes widened as he realized the extent of the power he had just released. The Dragon King's Fury was more than just an attack—it was a force of nature, capable of reducing entire landscapes to ashes.
After a few moments, the flames began to die down, leaving behind a trail of scorched earth and smoldering embers. Shivay lowered his hand, breathing heavily, sweat dripping from his brow.
"That was... intense," he muttered, wiping his forehead.
Senira approached him, her eyes wide with amazement. "You did it. You controlled it, Shivay. But that attack... it's incredible."
Shivay nodded, feeling both exhilarated and exhausted. "I still have a lot to learn, but I think I'm getting there. The power of the Dragon King is... overwhelming, but I'll keep working on it."
They stood together in the clearing, the scent of burnt earth lingering in the air as the sun began to set. The Elf Kingdom was close, and with it, new challenges awaited. But Shivay knew that with Senira by his side and the growing strength within him, he was ready to face whatever came next.
As they packed up and resumed their journey, Shivay couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. His powers were growing, his bond with Senira was deepening, and his understanding of ether and magic had expanded far beyond what he had ever imagined. The Elf Kingdom awaited, and with it, new mysteries and challenges that would test everything he had learned.
But Shivay was ready. The journey had only just begun.