Michael stood at the ready, his senses heightened as the tension in the air thickened. His pulse raced as he faced Karl, the Dragon Slayer Sage, a man whose presence seemed to bend the very elements around him. Varmax stood by his side, a towering figure of power, his form shifting in the storm like a living embodiment of thunder and lightning.
Karl's gaze was sharp, and his expression twisted into a cruel smile.
"I have been hunting dragons for centuries, and I've seen many fall. But you, Thunder Dragon's son, you are different. This will be a glorious battle."
Michael clenched his fists, the power of the Thunder Dragon surging through his veins. He could feel the storm within him, as if it were responding to the challenge. He had trained for moments like this, but facing Karl was no ordinary trial. The man was no mere human—he was a force of nature in his own right.
Varmax's voice rang out like a thunderclap.
"Michael, remember your training. Channel the storm, don't let it control you."
Michael nodded, feeling the storm inside him pulse with energy. The power was exhilarating, but he could sense the danger in the air. Karl was a threat not just to him but to the very fabric of the world. Dragons had once been the rulers of the skies, but now, they were hunted, reduced to mere myths. And Michael, as the last hope of his kind, carried the weight of their legacy on his shoulders.
Karl took a step forward, and with a flick of his wrist, the dark clouds above them thickened. The ground trembled as lightning shot from the sky, but Michael was ready. He raised his hand, summoning the power of the Thunder Dragon. Crackling arcs of lightning sprang to life, striking the ground in a dazzling display of power. With a roar, he thrust his arm forward, releasing a blast of energy that sent shockwaves through the air.
But Karl was no slouch. In an instant, he summoned dark energy, forming a shield that absorbed the blast with ease. Thunder rumbled in the distance as Karl's eyes glowed with malevolent energy.
"Impressive," Karl sneered, "but you're still a child. You cannot hope to defeat me."
Michael's eyes narrowed. Karl was a master of the dark arts, capable of bending reality itself. But Michael had something that Karl could never understand—a connection to the Thunder Dragon, an ancient power that could rival any force.
Varmax's voice was a low growl, like distant thunder.
"Michael, use the Thunder Dragon's true power. You cannot afford to hold back."
At his words, Michael felt the power surge within him. The storm in his heart raged, becoming more intense, more focused. Varmax had given him the tools to control the storm, but now it was time to unleash its full might.
Michael's eyes glowed with electric energy as he raised both hands to the sky. The clouds above them swirled violently, answering his call. The storm roared to life, and a massive bolt of lightning shot down, striking Michael's body. For a moment, he felt as though he might be consumed by the power, but he forced himself to focus. He didn't just want the storm; he wanted to command it.
With a roar, Michael unleashed a wave of pure thunderous energy, the ground shaking beneath him as the air crackled with power. Karl barely had time to react as the wave slammed into him, sending him flying backward. He landed with a crash, his armor dented, but his expression remained unchanged.
"You think this is over?" Karl growled, rising to his feet. "I am not some fool to be defeated by mere lightning."
He raised his hand, and the dark energy around him pulsed. With a violent gesture, the ground beneath Michael began to crack, and shadowy tendrils rose up, trying to ensnare him.
Michael gritted his teeth and called on the Thunder Dragon once again, his body crackling with electricity. The tendrils of shadow tried to coil around him, but Michael fought back, summoning a storm of lightning to slice through the darkness. The tendrils hissed and recoiled as the lightning struck them, disintegrating them into nothing.
"You cannot hide behind your darkness forever, Karl," Michael declared, his voice filled with resolve. "I will destroy you and protect my people!"
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The Dark Arts Unleashed
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Karl's eyes narrowed in fury as Michael advanced, his power surging with each step. He had underestimated the Thunder Dragon's host, but now it was too late. The battle had only just begun.
"Fool," Karl sneered, raising his hand high. The air around him began to darken, and the ground cracked open beneath their feet. The very earth itself trembled as Karl summoned a cataclysmic wave of dark energy. A black vortex began to form around him, its pull growing stronger with every passing moment.
Varmax's voice boomed in Michael's mind.
"Michael, do not fall into the trap. That is the Dark Entity Karl wields. It is his greatest weapon."
Michael clenched his fists, his body shaking with the intensity of the energy coursing through him. The air was thick with tension, and the storm above them intensified, responding to the danger below.
Karl laughed maniacally as the vortex expanded, pulling everything around him into its dark center. Michael could feel the darkness attempting to consume him, but he refused to give in. He called on the power of the Thunder Dragon, summoning every ounce of strength he had.
With a mighty roar, Michael released a pulse of thunderous energy that cut through the darkness like a blade. The storm above them crackled with power as the energy surged, pushing back against Karl's dark vortex.
But Karl wasn't done. He raised both hands, and the dark vortex expanded, swallowing the very air itself. Shadows erupted from the ground, surrounding Michael and attempting to choke him. His vision blurred as the darkness threatened to overwhelm him.
Varmax's voice echoed in his mind, urging him to fight.
"Michael, you are the Thunder Dragon. Let the storm inside you guide you. You have the power to break through this!"
Michael's heart raced as he took a deep breath. He could feel the storm within him, the raw, untamed power of the Thunder Dragon. It wasn't just lightning—it was a force of nature, a primal energy that could tear the world asunder.
With a cry, Michael unleashed the full force of the storm, his body surrounded by crackling lightning. The very air around him seemed to burn as the storm became an extension of his will. The dark vortex trembled as the thunderous pulse of energy blasted outward, disintegrating the shadows and breaking Karl's hold on the battle.
Karl staggered back, his face twisted with shock and anger.
"No!" Karl shouted, his voice filled with fury. "You cannot defeat me! I am the Dragon Slayer Sage!"
Michael's eyes burned with determination. He had proven himself worthy of his heritage. The power of the Thunder Dragon was not just a tool—it was his strength, his legacy. And he would use it to protect the dragons and bring an end to the reign of Karl.
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The Battle Continues
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As the clash between lightning and darkness raged on, Michael could feel the storm within him growing stronger. The battle was far from over, and Karl's fury was not to be underestimated. But Michael had learned something invaluable from his time with Varmax. He was no longer a mere boy—he was the Thunder Dragon Host, and he would rise to meet this challenge.
Karl's eyes flickered with a hint of fear as Michael advanced, the storm intensifying around them. With each step, Michael could feel the energy coursing through him, his power growing with every breath. This was his fight. This was his destiny.
And he would not let it slip away.
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End of Chapter 4
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The battle between Michael and Karl has only just begun, with the forces of light and darkness clashing in a struggle that will determine the fate of the dragons. Michael's power is growing, but so too is the threat posed by Karl, the Dragon Slayer Sage. The storm is rising, and with it, Michael's resolve.