The cavern trembled as Kaguya stepped forward, the faint hum of the sword in his hand cutting through the dragon's deep, guttural growl. Its crystalline eyes, cold and calculating, locked onto him. The beast towered above, its massive body coiled like a serpent ready to strike. Shards of frost fell from the ceiling as the air grew colder, and the ground beneath his feet crackled with ice.
Clive and Sasha watched in stunned silence, the weight of Mathew's death and Clive's own injury still heavy in their hearts. Sasha clutched the bag of scales tightly, her breath shaky, while Clive leaned against the wall, blood still trickling from the stump of his severed arm.
Kaguya's voice was calm but resolute. "Stay back. This is my fight now."
The dragon roared, a sound that seemed to shake the very foundation of the cavern. Without hesitation, it lunged at Kaguya, its massive claws slicing through the air with deadly precision. Kaguya darted to the side, his movements faster than they had ever been. The glowing symbols in his Tenagen eyes shifted, each pattern more intricate than the last.
The sword in his hand sang as it met the dragon's claws, sparks and shards of ice flying from the clash. Kaguya slid back from the force, his boots skidding against the icy ground. The dragon struck again, its tail sweeping in a wide arc. Kaguya leapt over it, the blade in his hand glowing brighter as it pulsed with power.
With a powerful swing, he brought the sword down on the dragon's flank. The blade cut through its icy armor, leaving a deep gash that oozed an iridescent blue liquid. The dragon bellowed in pain, its wings unfurling and beating the air with enough force to send Kaguya stumbling back.
The beast's gaze met Kaguya's, and for a moment, time seemed to stop.
A flood of memories surged through Kaguya's mind, more vivid than ever. He saw a younger version of the warrior from his visions, holding the same dragon but much smaller—barely the size of a dog. The warrior raised it, fed it, trained it, and fought alongside it. The bond between the two was unbreakable, a connection forged through shared battles and mutual trust.
Kaguya's heart ached as he realized the truth. This dragon wasn't just a beast—it was a companion, a friend from a life he couldn't fully remember but felt deep in his soul.
Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision. He lowered the sword, his voice trembling as he whispered, "I know you..."
The dragon's aggressive stance faltered. Its glowing eyes softened, and it tilted its head as though recognizing him too. The air between them seemed to shift, the tension dissolving into something almost mournful.
Clive, clutching his injured shoulder, stared in disbelief. "Kaguya... what are you doing? It's going to kill us!"
Kaguya turned to him, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "No. It's okay. I know the dragon."
Sasha gasped. "What do you mean you know it? Kaguya—"
But he silenced her with a wave of his hand. The sword in his grip began to glow brighter, the hum growing louder as warmth spread through the icy cavern. The frost on the walls melted, and the temperature slowly began to rise.
He stepped toward Clive, placing a hand on his severed arm. The blade's glow enveloped them both, and within moments, the bleeding stopped. Bone and flesh knit together seamlessly, and when Kaguya pulled his hand away, Clive's arm was whole again.
Clive stared at his restored limb in disbelief. "What... how did you...?"
Kaguya shook his head, regret etched across his face. "I couldn't save Mathew," he said softly, his voice breaking. "But I won't let anyone else die today."
Sasha approached hesitantly. "Kaguya... what are you planning?"
Kaguya turned back to the dragon, his expression unreadable. "Climb on its back," he said, his voice firm. "Both of you."
"What?" Clive exclaimed. "Are you serious? That thing—"
"Do it," Kaguya interrupted. "Trust me."
Sasha hesitated, then nodded. She helped Clive onto the dragon's back, her movements careful but quick. The dragon remained still, its massive frame radiating a quiet strength.
Kaguya placed a hand on its flank, his crimson Tenagen glowing as he whispered something under his breath. The dragon lowered its head in response, as though bowing to him.
Kaguya turned his gaze toward the cavern's entrance, his grip on the sword tightening. He murmured to himself, his voice almost too quiet to hear, "It's time to change this world."
As the dragon's wings began to unfurl, Clive looked at Kaguya, his expression a mix of awe and confusion. "Kaguya... have you ascended?"
Kaguya didn't answer. Instead, he smiled a quiet, knowing smile that spoke volumes without a single word.
The dragon's massive wings beat against the air, lifting them from the ground. Ice and debris scattered as it took flight, the cavern walls trembling under the force. As they ascended toward the surface, the light from the outside world grew brighter, washing over them in a blinding glow.
But Kaguya's thoughts remained heavy. The memories of the incarnate lingered in his mind—the battles, the sacrifices, and the deep bond with the dragon. He couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far greater.
And as the dragon soared into the sky, carrying them toward the Shirohaga village, Kaguya looked ahead, his expression unreadable.
Far below, the cavern rumbled one last time, the sound echoing like a distant warning.