Noctharis was cloaked in darkness, transforming his massive, ancient, draconian shape into something that seemed to embody life itself. Two strong, fiery orbs blinked steadily, focused on Kael, who lay unconscious and motionless on the cold tile. Several cuts adorned the man's figure from ingesting the heart of the dungeon's downfall, yet most had already healed. Why? Because, improbable as it seemed, Kael still lived. His body was utterly still, yet his chest rose and fell slowly, a fragile rhythm that defied the odds.
As Kael lay pale and seemingly lifeless, the dragon tilted his great head sideways, concealing his true emotions. He had survived. Noctharis was both shocked and intrigued. The dragon despised wasting power, yet to consume it recklessly was sheer stupidity. Kael's physical form remained intact, but it was clear the core had broken him—he was devoid of the ability to traverse between worlds.
Noctharis muttered aloud, discontent evident in his tone, "Weaklings do not survive such trials."
Several seconds passed as these thoughts stirred within his magnificent mind. Small embers of power still emanated from Kael's smoldering body, prompting the dragon to examine him more closely. Predators did not alter their essence to take on ordinary forms; their core nature was forever changed.
But did Noctharis truly doubt Kael's soul was strong enough? Perhaps. The boy's physique appeared weak, his mana veins underdeveloped, and it was almost inconceivable that he could hold even a sliver of the core's energy. And yet here he was—defiant, moving forward.
"In fact, I might have underestimated him," Noctharis pondered, somewhat impressed. "Perhaps he possesses something extraordinary we have not yet seen."
Still, the dragon's musings were untimely and misplaced.
---
As his attention wavered, Noctharis found his thoughts drawn elsewhere. Dragons were rare in the world, their existence almost impossible to conceal. To soar beneath the clouds without a care was their birthright, an allure that inspired countless bards to compose epics about them. Yet, this human standing before the core stirred memories within the ancient beast.
A peculiar sensation lingered. Not one soul, but two. Two distinct entities had intersected within Kael.
"A union of souls…" Noctharis whispered, the words heavy with intrigue. He had assumed such an anomaly would spell the end of the boy. When two souls clashed, the stronger typically devoured the weaker, leaving only chaos. But Kael's soul had stabilized the fusion into something entirely new.
"How strange," Noctharis murmured, his vast curiosity nudging him further.
---
The contract between them had been simple for Kael, but to Noctharis, it was anything but. Desperate and ignorant of the consequences, Kael had left the terms entirely in the dragon's hands. Proud and ancient, Noctharis ensured the bond was binding, tighter than Kael could comprehend.
Through this bond, Noctharis had nudged Kael's mana, aiding in the process of assimilating the core. Despite being a weakened spiritual being teetering on the brink of death, it was through his intervention that Kael now survived. But the contract granted Noctharis more than just access to Kael's mana—it allowed him to delve into the boy's thoughts and memories.
"Let us see who you truly are," Noctharis growled, his voice a low hum of power. Reaching out with his consciousness, he probed the depths of Kael's mind. His intent was clear: to uncover why this human had come to the dungeon, how he had found it, and why he seemed so familiar with dangers far beyond his capabilities.
He hadn't expected resistance.
What he encountered wasn't a wall but an impenetrable barrier of arcane force. This was no ordinary obstruction. Kael, in his weakened state, could not have erected it. No, this was something far more powerful.
Noctharis recoiled slightly, his sharp gaze narrowing. This is no ordinary human, he thought. Someone—or something—has tampered with his mind.
The locked memories stretched across Kael's soul like a fortress. Even the fragments Kael himself could access were fractured and incomplete, leaving the boy unaware of his past. The ancient power guarding these memories radiated a silent warning.
---
Noctharis hesitated. Beyond his haughty pride, a shiver of unease coursed through him. He pressed on, intent on forcing his way, but as his will clashed against the barrier, the power within stirred.
A presence—vast and incomprehensible—awoke.
It wasn't Kael. It wasn't even something bound to this plane. It was otherworldly.
The force inside the barrier lashed out, sending a shockwave into the dragon's mind. Noctharis stumbled back, his eyes wide with shock, as a cold, infinite voice echoed directly into his consciousness:
"Do not meddle, dragon. He is not yours to control."
For the first time in centuries, Noctharis felt fear. The presence wasn't just powerful—it was beyond comprehension. An ancient being, he felt like an insect before it.
He withdrew from Kael's mind, his heart pounding with a sensation he had nearly forgotten.
Kael stirred, his unconscious form writhing as if trapped in a nightmare. His features contorted in pain, beads of sweat rolling down his brow. The dragon observed him closely, his earlier confidence replaced by doubt.
"What have you hidden, mortal?" Noctharis snarled, though his voice lacked its usual arrogance. He gazed at Kael, attempting to piece together the puzzle. The child was weak, his body frail—yet his soul…
His soul was something else entirely.
---
The room fell silent. Noctharis watched Kael with a mix of wary curiosity and begrudging respect. The boy's potential was limitless, yet perhaps fatally dangerous. He had survived the core's power, now bearing its scars, but the secrets hidden within his soul remained beyond even Noctharis's grasp.
"A weak human with limitless potential," the dragon mused, his gaze fixed on the unconscious figure before him. "You are much more than you appear to be, Kael Thorne. And I shall discover why."
But for now, the dragon would wait. Whatever secrets Kael held, they would reveal themselves in time. And when they did, Noctharis would be ready.