The cave was dark, its vast emptiness stretching deep into the unknown. Shadows flickered and danced against the rough walls as David's fire magic crackled to life, casting an eerie glow across the cavern. The scent of damp earth mingled with the rising heat of the flames, filling the air with an odd mix of warmth and cold dread.
David glanced at Luna, who stood beside him, arms crossed. "I'll cook something," he said, his voice calm despite the underlying tension in the air. "No need to go hunting. I have some supplies."
Luna raised a brow. "You can cook?"
David smirked, setting down his travel bag. "You'll see."
He pulled out a small iron pot and filled it with fresh water, conjuring a small but powerful flame beneath it. The fire licked hungrily at the metal, and within moments, the water began to bubble softly. David retrieved a few vegetables, slicing them with a precise flick of his dagger, the rhythmic sound echoing through the cavern. The rich, earthy scent of freshly chopped ingredients filled the air as he tossed them into the pot, stirring with careful movements. Next came the thick slabs of pig meat. He sliced through the marbled flesh with practiced ease, the glistening surface catching the firelight. The meat hit the boiling water with a satisfying hiss, followed by a generous sprinkle of curry masala. The air grew thick with the intoxicating aroma of spices and slow-cooked meat.
Luna inhaled deeply, her expression shifting to surprise. "That smells... amazing."
David chuckled. "Just wait until you taste it."
As the pot simmered, he sliced fresh bread, arranging the golden-brown pieces on a stone slab. The food was almost ready. However, before David could call Luna to eat, something changed.
A chill ran down his spine.
The firelight dimmed. A suffocating pressure suddenly bore down on the cave, making the air heavy, oppressive. Luna stiffened, her body going rigid. The flames flickered violently as if cowering before an unseen force. A low, resonating sound filled the space—a slow, measured exhalation, deep and ancient, coming from the darkness beyond the fire's glow.
A voice, smooth yet terrifying, broke the silence.
"Smells delicious."
David's entire body froze. A monstrous presence loomed from the depths of the cave. The shadows themselves seemed to shift, coalescing into the form of a man—or something that only resembled one. His robes were white, flowing like ethereal silk, his long, purple hair cascading over his shoulders. But his eyes—his crimson eyes burned like twin stars, piercing through the veil of darkness.
A godlike being.
Luna tried to step back but found herself paralyzed. Her breathing quickened, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. The overwhelming aura pressed against them like an unrelenting tide, squeezing the breath from their lungs.
David clenched his fists, willing his magic to surge forth—but nothing happened. His powers, his connection to the divine, were completely gone.
"Why... why can't I move? Why can't I use my power?" The questions thundered through David's mind. Panic clawed at the edges of his sanity.
The man smirked, stepping forward with an almost lazy grace. The cave trembled beneath his every step, his presence alone shaking reality. He reached for a slice of bread, dipped it into the curry, and took a slow, deliberate bite. He chewed thoughtfully before licking his fingers. "Mmm. You should be honored. Not many can say they've fed a dragon."
David's heart slammed against his ribs. A dragon?
Luna's breath hitched. "No... it can't be..."
The man—no, the dragon—tilted his head, regarding David with mild amusement. "I wonder... What is your name, little one?"
David tried to speak, but the weight of the dragon's presence choked the words before they could escape. The dragon's smile widened. "Oh? Not answering? How rude."
In a flash, he was beside Luna. His hand wrapped around her throat, lifting her effortlessly into the air. Luna gasped, her legs kicking helplessly as her fingers clawed at his grip. Her golden eyes widened in sheer terror. The pressure around her tightened, her breath coming in ragged, strangled gasps.
David's mind snapped. "STOP!" he roared, his voice echoing through the cave. "I'll tell you what you want! Just let her go!"
The dragon chuckled, tossing Luna aside like a discarded rag doll. She hit the cavern wall with a sickening thud, blood spilling from her mouth as she crumpled to the ground, motionless.
David's body shook with rage, his fingers digging into the ground. His power—his god-given power—refused to return.
The dragon sighed, shaking his head. "Humans. So fragile. Now, let's get to business. Speak, or I'll make things even more... entertaining."
Before David could react, the dragon's hand shifted, morphing into a massive claw. In an instant, it plunged into David's chest.
Agony. Pure, unfiltered agony.
Blood erupted from David's mouth as his vision blurred. A gaping hole gushed crimson, his body convulsing from the sheer brutality of the wound. His breath came in shuddering gasps, the cave spinning around him.
Then, a voice boomed through the darkness.
"What a mess. I can't even rest in peace."
The dragon's eyes widened in shock. He turned swiftly, his posture stiffening in recognition. A figure materialized—shrouded in deep, cosmic purple. His form was formless, neither human nor god, a being that transcended both.
"Master..." The dragon—Drake—fell to one knee instantly, his once menacing presence now reduced to reverence.
David, barely clinging to consciousness, looked up. "Who... is he?"
The voice of the entity rumbled, filled with an ancient, absolute authority. "This dragon is Drake, my creation. A mythical being strong enough to kill gods. He is the Dark Dragon—the God Killer."
David's world spun, his pain momentarily forgotten. The God Killer?
Drake lowered his head. "Master... this human cannot be your successor. He is darkness itself, destruction incarnate."
The entity chuckled, the sound vibrating through existence itself. "And that is exactly why I chose him. Respect my decision."
An overwhelming force pressed down on Drake, rendering him immobile. The God of Darkness turned, his presence washing over Luna. With a simple gesture, she was healed completely, though still unconscious.
David coughed, his breath ragged. "You knew this would happen... didn't you?"
The god's form flickered, a knowing smile playing on his featureless face. "Many secrets remain, David. But you will learn them in time."
With that, he faded into nothingness.
Drake, still kneeling, turned to David. "I... I apologize for my actions, successor. I did not know who you were."
David wiped the blood from his mouth, staggering to his feet. "It's fine. Everyone makes mistakes."
Drake hesitated, then reached out a hand. "I swear my loyalty to you. Your command is my life."
David grasped his hand firmly. "Good. We're going to change this world."
As Drake disappeared into the shadows, David exhaled, turning toward Luna. He splashed water on her face, watching as her eyes fluttered open.
"What... happened...?" she whispered.
David smirked. "We survived. Barely."
He turned toward the cave entrance, staring at the moon. "A God Killer Dragon... This is only the beginning."
Far away, in the ruins of the orphanage, a red-haired woman stood beneath a tree, watching. The wind whispered secrets around her as Ruby stepped outside, unaware of the silent figure lurking in the night.
And so, the next chapter began.