As the dust settled, Hiro quickly scanned the area. He could no longer see Rose or Elysia—he was alone, separated from them by collapsing walls of dirt and stone.
Hiro stood up, wincing slightly from the fall. His senses immediately went into overdrive, trying to locate the others. "Ms. Rose! Elysia!"
No response came, only the distant sound of shifting earth. He narrowed his eyes, gripping his sword tightly as he surveyed his surroundings. The air felt different here—heavier, almost ancient.
He had fallen deeper than the others, into a place long forgotten. As he moved forward, faint symbols began to glow on the cavern walls, their light dim but unmistakable. He remembered his father showing him this symbol before; they were signs of the god who had once blessed the Sword of Blasphemy. This same power had been linked to his family for generations.
Hiro's body moved instinctively, drawn toward something deeper within the cavern. He could feel it, a pull toward a presence he couldn't explain. Each step echoed in the quiet darkness as he ventured further into the unknown.
Suddenly, the ground shifted beneath him, activating hidden traps designed to keep intruders out. Wooden spikes shot from the walls, and blades swung from above. But Hiro was quick. His training kicked in, allowing him to dodge and weave through the traps, instinct guiding him as if he had walked this path before.
He didn't know where his body would take him; he simply followed the urge deep inside. As he rounded a corner, he found himself at a dead end. The wall before him shimmered with ancient energy, pulsating like a heartbeat. He could feel a powerful force coming from beyond it, calling to him.
Without thinking, Hiro's body produced a bright light, a response to the power within the wall. It felt like something was awakening inside him, urging him to break through. Taking a deep breath, he clenched his fists and summoned all his might. "Dragon Tyrant!" he yelled, unleashing a wave of energy. The wall crumbled at his command, dust and debris flying in every direction.
And as he stepped inside, the crumbled walls rebuilt themselves, causing the entrance to close.
When the dust settled, Hiro's eyes widened in shock at what lay beyond the wall.
Before him was a massive dragon, its scales glistening like gems in the dim light of the cavern. The creature was curled up, sleeping soundly, but its aura radiated power, making the air around Hiro feel suffocating. He couldn't move, fear and awe gripping him.
The dragon slowly opened one eye, a fiery orange that seemed to pierce through the darkness. "A human, huh?" it said in a deep, rumbling voice that echoed through the cavern. "What do you need, human? Go back now before I kill you. Don't disturb my sleep."
Hiro's heart raced. He felt small and insignificant in the presence of such a being. "I—I can't," he stammered, his voice trembling. "My body instinctively brought me here."
The dragon raised its head, intrigued by Hiro's response. "So you want to die, huh?" it asked, a slight growl in its tone.
"No! Even if I wanted to run, I can't! My body just won't let me!" Hiro shouted, desperation creeping into his voice.
The dragon narrowed its eyes, considering Hiro's words. "Interesting. You have guts for a human." It slowly stood, revealing its massive form. "Who are you? Don't think about lying; you'll be dead if you do."
Taking a deep breath, Hiro stood a little taller. "Hiro Amadeus."
The dragon's eyes widened in surprise. "Amadeus? Are you a descendant of Hiryu?" it asked, its voice laced with disbelief.
"Y-yeah, but how do you know my great ancestor?" Hiro asked, confusion swirling in his mind.
The dragon let out a booming laugh that echoed through the cavern. "Hahaha! What a great destiny! Are you messing with me?"
"No! I'm serious!" Hiro exclaimed, his heart racing. "I need to know more about my family and the power connected to my bloodline!"
The dragon studied Hiro closely, its expression shifting from amusement to curiosity. "You seek knowledge of the Amadeus Clan?" it asked, lowering its massive head to Hiro's level. "But before that– I'll ask you the same question what happened to Amadeus clan?"
Hiro became serious "They've been wiped out."
The dragon is shocked and said "So your descendants is weaklings huh, Hiryu!" He seriously said. "Hey you, if you truly are Hiryu's descendant, you may have the potential to wield my power. But first, you must prove yourself. If you wish to learn from me, you must face your fears and unlock the true potential of your bloodline."
"I understand. I'm ready to face whatever it takes. I want to become stronger, to protect those I care about."Hiro replied, determination filling his voice.
The dragon's demeanor softened slightly. "But understand this: I have been sleeping for centuries for a reason."
"I know," Hiro said, his voice steady. "Though I don't know the exact reason."
The dragon settled back slightly. "Long ago, I was bound by the dark magic of a demon king, a cursed to bring destruction upon the land. So my comrade at that time, Hiryu and the Gods sealed me so we don't need to kill each other. But with the demon king death over a thousand years ago, that cursed faded. But I have remained sealed, waiting for someone worthy to awaken my slumber. And you, as exchange for what Hiryu did to me, I'll help you make the Amadeus clan great again."
The dragon watched with keen eyes, waiting for the moment when Hiro would either rise to his destiny or fall to the depths of despair.
"I won't fail," Hiro declared, feeling the weight of his resolve. He was ready to embrace whatever challenges lay ahead.
"Then let the training begin," the dragon said, settling back into a more relaxed position, its aura pulsing with energy. "You will learn to harness your true power, but be prepared to face the darkness within yourself."