As Xavier stood over the dissipating remnants of the dragon, he noticed something shimmering in its place. Unlike the previous floors, where rewards were simple yet practical treasures, this one was extraordinary. A fiery orb encased in translucent crystal hovered above the ground, pulsating with waves of heat and spiritual energy. Its core flickered like a living flame, almost as if it were a fragment of the dragon's essence.
Xavier reached out and grabbed the orb. The moment his fingers touched it, a surge of energy coursed through his body, renewing his spirit and filling him with a sense of profound power. The orb seemed to hum in his hands, resonating with his Infernal Soul Blade. It was no ordinary treasure—it was a treasure meant to strengthen fire-based warriors, and Xavier could feel it awakening something deep within him.
But he was exhausted. His spiritual reserves were dangerously low, and his body screamed in pain from the grueling battle. He knew he couldn't afford to push forward without recovering.
With the orb clutched tightly in his hand, Xavier sat down in the center of the chamber and closed his eyes. He began to meditate, channeling the residual energy from the dragon's essence and using it to replenish his strength. The warmth of the orb surrounded him like a protective cocoon, allowing him to heal faster and fortify his spirit.
Meanwhile outside the tower…
Meanwhile, outside the tower, Jessica, Felix, Eddie, and Mara stumbled into the open air. Eddie leaned heavily on Felix, his face pale and his breathing shallow. Mara's arm was slung over Jessica's shoulder, her steps unsteady but determined.
As they emerged, the heavy doors of the tower groaned and slammed shut behind them with a deafening clang. The sound echoed through the courtyard, and a faint shimmer of spiritual energy sealed the entrance. Jessica turned back, her heart sinking as she realized what this meant—no one could re-enter until the current trial was complete.
Her eyes lingered on the glowing flame atop the tower, which indicated activity within. She whispered under her breath, "Xavier…"
The moment was interrupted by mocking laughter. Alexander Reyes and his entourage were waiting nearby, having followed the group from the tournament grounds out of curiosity. Alexander's eyes sparkled with malicious delight as he took in the sight of the injured group. His attention quickly shifted to the tower, where the flame still burned.
"So," Alexander began, his voice dripping with mock sympathy, "your little champion didn't make it out, huh? I told you, Jessica, Xavier wouldn't last in the tower. Guess I was right."
Jessica's hands curled into fists, her knuckles white as she glared at him. "Xavier's not dead. That flame means he's still alive, fighting or healing."
Alexander smirked, shaking his head. "Or it means he died, and the tower hasn't extinguished the flame yet. Either way, it's over for him. You can deny it all you want, but your boyfriend's luck ran out."
He took a step closer, his entourage laughing behind him. "Honestly, it's for the best. He was an annoyance—getting in my way, humiliating my family, killing Colby. I couldn't touch him directly, but I didn't need to. The tower is a perfect execution ground."
Jessica's eyes widened in realization. "You sabotaged the tower," she hissed. "The dragon wasn't supposed to be there."
Alexander's grin widened. "Who knows? The tower is unpredictable. Sometimes things just… happen. But if I did pull some strings, it was only to prove that Xavier didn't belong here."
He leaned in closer, his voice a venomous whisper. "Face it, Jessica. He's gone. And now that he's out of the picture, maybe you should reconsider who you align yourself with."
Jessica's slap came without hesitation. The sharp crack echoed across the courtyard, stunning everyone into silence. Alexander's cheek reddened instantly, and his smile twisted into a snarl.
"You'll regret that," he growled, turning on his heel. His entourage followed, though some cast uneasy glances back at Jessica. Alexander called over his shoulder, "Enjoy your mourning. It'll suit you."
Jessica stood frozen, her heart pounding with anger and fear. Felix stepped up beside her, his expression grim. "Jessica," he said quietly, "don't let him get to you. Xavier's stronger than anyone gives him credit for."
She nodded, her resolve hardening. "He's alive," she said firmly. "And he's going to prove all of them wrong."
Inside the tower, Xavier emerged from his meditation with renewed strength and clarity. The dragon's reward had not only restored his spiritual energy but also left him with a deeper understanding of his own power. He opened his eyes, the fiery glow of the orb now faintly reflected in his irises.
Rising to his feet, Xavier glanced at the staircase leading to the eighth floor. He tightened his grip on the Infernal Soul Blade, the warmth of the dragon's essence still pulsing through him.
"They're waiting for me," he said softly, his voice filled with determination. "I can't stop now."
With steady steps, he ascended the stairs, ready to face whatever challenge awaited him—and to prove, once and for all, that he was unstoppable.
As Xavier reached the imposing door to the eighth floor, he paused, the faint hum of energy in the air resonating with his very soul. Suddenly, his system interface appeared before him, its familiar glow somehow brighter, more intense.
[System Notification: A dormant bloodline has been detected. Would you like to awaken your bloodline? Y/N]
Xavier blinked, his breath catching in his throat. A bloodline? He had heard rumors of rare bloodlines being passed down through certain families, granting incredible powers to those fortunate enough to inherit them. But he had never considered the possibility that he might possess one himself.
With no hesitation, Xavier whispered, "Yes."
The moment the word left his lips, the dragon's orb in his possession began to glow fiercely, releasing a torrent of heat that surged through his body. A fiery pain erupted in his chest, spreading to every corner of his being. It felt as though his veins were being filled with molten lava, but beneath the searing agony, there was something else—power.
The dragon's essence from the orb merged with him, infusing his very blood. The aura of the ancient creature swirled around him, coalescing into an inferno that enveloped his entire body. Flames erupted from his skin, but instead of burning him, they danced like loyal guardians, protecting him and amplifying his strength.
The heat intensified, seeping into the walls of the tower itself. The metal in the chamber glowed red-hot, and the very air seemed to shimmer. Xavier's eyes flared with a golden light, and his muscles pulsed with raw energy. He could feel it now—his bloodline was not ordinary. It was something ancient, something primal.
The system spoke again in a calm, neutral tone:
[Bloodline Awakened: Draconian Inferno Bloodline.]
[Abilities Gained: Flame Dominion, Enhanced Vitality, Draconic Will.]
[Warning: Bloodline awakening is incomplete. Further refinement required to unlock full potential.]
Xavier didn't have time to process the words fully, as the flames surrounding him surged outward. The immense pressure triggered the door to the eighth floor, which groaned and creaked before flying open, unable to withstand the heat radiating from him.
The moment Xavier stepped into the chamber, the temperature skyrocketed. The floor, which had been shrouded in an eerie, cold fog, was instantly consumed by the flames emanating from his body. The enemies that had been waiting—a legion of spectral warriors, each clad in icy armor—were caught off guard.
Their ethereal forms began to melt and disintegrate as Xavier's heat swept across the room like a tidal wave. The spiritual dummies had been crafted to test even the most resilient of warriors, but they were no match for the awakened Draconian Inferno Bloodline. Each step Xavier took left scorch marks on the ground, and with every motion, the fiery aura around him intensified.
In less than a minute, the entire chamber was cleared, leaving only a faint, glowing mist in the air where the spectral warriors had once stood.
As the flames subsided, Xavier stood in the center of the room, his chest heaving. His entire body felt rejuvenated, yet there was a lingering ache deep in his bones—a reminder that the awakening had only been the beginning. He could feel the dragon's essence coursing through him, and with it came an overwhelming sense of responsibility. This power wasn't just a gift; it was a burden, one he would have to carry and master.
Looking around, Xavier noticed a pedestal rising from the floor. Atop it was another reward, this one radiating a light so pure it seemed untouched by the destruction around it.
As he reached for it, he couldn't help but smirk. "Jessica and the others are going to be so annoyed they missed this one." But beneath his humor, there was resolve. He knew that the journey ahead would only grow more perilous, and this power—his bloodline—would be the key to facing whatever came next.