The roar of the dragon-lion echoed through the arena, shaking the very foundations of the ground beneath Yuto's feet. The creature's massive form loomed before him, its wings beating the air with a power that caused the surrounding pillars to shudder. Its fiery breath scorched the air, and its golden eyes locked onto Yuto with an unyielding intensity. There was no doubt in his mind—the creature was ready for battle.
Yuto felt the adrenaline rush through him, his heartbeat quickening as the dragon-lion's presence bore down on him. The first trial had been intense, but this… this was a whole different level. The beast in front of him was massive, its body radiating a terrifying aura of power. It wasn't just strong—it was ancient, imbued with a primal energy that made the Flame Tiger seem like a mere shadow in comparison.
The creature's massive paws scraped against the stone floor, and with a mighty roar, it charged toward him. Its jaws opened wide, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth, and its wings beat with such force that they sent gusts of wind crashing toward Yuto, forcing him to brace himself against the oncoming pressure.
Yuto's mind raced. He could feel the raw energy pulsing inside of him, urging him to act. But the dragon-lion's speed and power were unlike anything he had encountered before. He needed to think—he needed a strategy.
In an instant, the beast was upon him. Its claws slashed through the air, aiming for his chest. Yuto twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the strike, but the force of the blow sent him stumbling backward. His feet skidded on the slick stone floor, and he barely managed to regain his footing before the creature was on him again.
"Focus," he told himself, breathing heavily. The energy inside of him surged once more, and without thinking, he let it flow through him. His body reacted instinctively, and he leapt to the side as the dragon-lion's fiery breath shot past him, scorching the stone in its wake.
Yuto's heart raced as he darted across the arena, his movements fluid and fast. The creature's eyes never left him, its focus unyielding. It was no longer a simple beast; it was a predator, calculating and deadly, and it was intent on ending him.
The dragon-lion lunged again, its wings snapping outward, creating a powerful gust of wind that threatened to knock Yuto off balance. But he was ready this time. Drawing on the strange power inside him, he pushed his body to its limits, bursting forward in a blur of motion.
He collided with the creature's side with all the force he could muster. His fist, enveloped in a surge of energy, landed squarely on the creature's ribcage. The impact reverberated through the air, and the dragon-lion let out a guttural roar of pain as it staggered back.
Yuto didn't waste a second. He pressed the attack, his body moving faster than he had thought possible. The power inside him, the Saiyan blood that flowed through his veins, was awakening something new—something primal. It was like tapping into a wellspring of strength that had been lying dormant within him all along.
With a ferocious yell, Yuto punched the dragon-lion again, this time targeting its head. The force of the blow was enough to send the creature reeling, its golden eyes wide with shock. It snarled in fury, and with a mighty flap of its wings, it launched itself into the air, out of Yuto's reach.
Yuto watched as the creature soared high above the arena, its wings casting a massive shadow over him. It was preparing for something. He could feel it—this wasn't just a normal beast. It had intelligence, it was calculating, and it was waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
The dragon-lion opened its mouth again, and this time, a concentrated beam of fire shot toward Yuto. The attack was fast, and Yuto barely had time to react. He leapt to the side, but the blast singed the edges of his clothing, and the heat from the fire seared the air around him.
His muscles screamed as he landed, his knees buckling slightly from the effort, but he quickly regained his stance. His eyes locked onto the creature, his focus sharp. The beast was relentless, and this fight was far from over.
Yuto could feel his body growing tired. The second trial was proving to be much more taxing than the first. The strange power that had surged within him earlier was still there, but it wasn't infinite. He couldn't keep going at this pace forever. He needed a breakthrough, something that would give him the edge he needed to end this battle.
His eyes flicked toward the pillars around the arena, and in that moment, a plan formed in his mind. He needed to turn the environment against the dragon-lion. It wasn't just about raw power—it was about strategy.
With a fierce determination, Yuto focused all of his energy into his legs and launched himself toward the nearest pillar. He slammed his fist into the stone, cracking the surface and causing debris to fly in every direction. The force of the blow caused the pillar to crack, and Yuto gritted his teeth as he forced it to collapse, sending the jagged pieces of rock tumbling toward the ground.
The dragon-lion, still circling high above, saw the falling debris and made a swift descent, its wings beating furiously to close the distance.
Now was his chance.
Yuto reached into his body and drew on the last of his strength, his muscles screaming as he prepared his final move. He gathered all the energy he could into his right fist, his arm glowing with a fierce blue light. The power was overwhelming, but he couldn't hesitate now.
With a roar, he threw his fist forward, sending a concentrated wave of energy directly at the dragon-lion. The attack was unlike anything he had done before—a focused beam of raw power, crackling with energy and intensity. The beam collided with the beast in mid-air, and there was a moment of pure silence before the explosion shook the entire arena.
The impact sent shockwaves through the ground, and the dragon-lion's scream of pain echoed throughout the arena as it was sent spiraling to the ground.
Yuto stood panting, his legs shaking beneath him as the dust settled. The creature lay on the ground, its massive form unmoving, its body scorched from the attack.
The arena fell silent once more, and for a long moment, Yuto could hear only the sound of his own breathing. The dragon-lion was defeated.
The silver-haired elder stepped forward, her expression inscrutable as she surveyed the battlefield. "You have passed the second trial," she said, her voice cool and steady. "But you are not yet finished. The final trial awaits."
Yuto stood tall despite the exhaustion threatening to overtake him. The second trial had been grueling, but he had proven his strength. And now, he had only one trial left to face—the final test that would determine his fate within the Golden Dragon Sect.
As he prepared for what was to come, one thing was certain—he would fight with everything he had. He had come this far, and he would not back down now.