The group stopped in their tracks as they reached a massive iron door, its surface engraved with intricate patterns of beasts and flames. The air around it was thick with magic, the kind that made their skin crawl.
"This is it," Angel said, her voice barely a whisper.
Mark placed a hand on the door, looking back at the group. "Ready?"
JC nodded, his expression calm but his crimson eyes alight with anticipation. Lissy gripped his hand one last time before stepping back, letting him take the lead.
As the door creaked open, a wave of heat washed over them, and their eyes widened at the sight before them.
---
The Dragon and Its Horde
In the center of the vast cavern stood a dragon, its massive body coiled protectively around a glowing hoard of treasure. Its scales shimmered with an eerie red hue, and its golden eyes glared at the intruders with a primal fury. Surrounding the dragon were smaller beasts—wolves with burning manes, serpents with glowing eyes, and massive armored boars.
"Uh… how many are there?" Jackson muttered, trying to count the beasts.
"Too many," Angel replied, gripping her weapon tightly.
JC, however, wasn't looking at the smaller beasts. His gaze was locked on the dragon. A slow grin spread across his face, his excitement unmistakable.
"I've only fought a dragon once," he said, his voice calm but brimming with energy. "Looks like I get to do it again."
---
Wrath Unleashed
Before the others could respond, JC stepped forward, his hand gripping the hilt of his new sword. The blade, sleek and sharp, hummed with a faint light as he unsheathed it.
The marks on his arms began to glow, their intricate patterns crawling up to his shoulders and down to his sword. The air around him seemed to vibrate with power, and a fiery aura enveloped him.
"JC, wait!" Lissy called out, but her voice was drowned out by the sound of the dragon's roar.
JC turned back to her, his expression stoic yet reassuring. "Stay back. This one's mine."
The group watched in awe as the energy from his marks transferred into his sword, the blade now glowing with a fierce crimson light. The mark of wrath, the sin he bore, pulsed through him, amplifying his strength and focus.
---
The Charge
The dragon roared again, its massive wings unfurling as it prepared to strike. The smaller beasts snarled and charged forward, but JC didn't flinch.
With a single step, he vanished from sight, reappearing in the midst of the horde. His sword slashed through the air, a wave of crimson energy erupting from it and sending several beasts flying.
The others could only watch as JC moved with unparalleled speed and precision, his every strike devastating the smaller beasts.
"He's… different," Mark muttered, his grip tightening on his weapon.
"More than different," Lissy whispered, her eyes locked on JC. "He's stronger than ever."
---
Facing the Dragon
As the last of the smaller beasts fell, JC turned his attention to the dragon. The massive creature roared, its fiery breath scorching the ground as it charged at him.
JC's grin widened as he raised his sword, the energy of wrath surging through him. This was the moment he had been waiting for—the ultimate test of his strength.
"Let's see what you've got," he said, his voice steady and full of resolve.
And with that, he launched himself toward the dragon, his blade glowing brighter than ever. The cavern erupted in a clash of power as the two forces collided, the others watching in awe as JC unleashed the true power of the mark of wrath.