Aiden's bare feet pressed against the cold stone floor. His breath came in sharp, steady draws as he stood beneath the dim red glow of the runes that pulsed beneath him. His skin still burned where the Dragon Code had branded its mark into his flesh, but the pain had already faded into something else.
Power.
He clenched his fists, the dark red patterns along his forearms pulsing faintly with heat. His senses had sharpened—the echo of dripping water down the stone tunnel was unnaturally clear. His heartbeat hammered in his chest, strong and deep, a steady thrum of energy vibrating beneath his skin.
"Welcome, Heir of the Dragon."
The system's voice vibrated through his mind—a dark, ancient whisper curling beneath his thoughts.
"Current Status: Recovery 85% Complete."
"Host Rank: F"
"Base Stats: Enhanced."
"New Skill Acquired: Dragon Claw – Level 1"
Aiden's lips curled.
"Shall we begin?"
"Where am I?" he asked aloud, his voice steady despite the emptiness around him. His fingers trailed along the damp stone walls as he surveyed his surroundings.
"A hidden dragon sanctuary beneath the Drakorian capital," the system replied. "Lost for centuries. Now yours."
"Mine?" Aiden's brow furrowed. "Why would a place like this belong to me?"
"Because your bloodline is ancient. The lost royal line of the first dragon king. This sanctuary was created for the heir of that line. You."
Aiden's eyes darkened. "Why would the council hide that from me?"
"Fear."
He laughed under his breath. "Of course."
His hand brushed over the stone, feeling the faint heat radiating from the runes etched into its surface. This place felt alive. Like it was breathing. His fingertips tingled with the sensation of energy crawling beneath the rock.
"The sanctuary responds to dragon blood. It will aid your recovery—but you are not safe yet."
"Not safe?"
A distant sound echoed down the dark tunnel—a low growl. Claws against stone.
"You are not alone."
Aiden's gaze sharpened. "What is it?"
"A dragonspawn. Corrupted by dark essence. It senses the Dragon Code's awakening."
Aiden's chest tightened. The growling grew louder, the scrape of claws echoing through the stone. A wet snarl followed.
"Combat test commencing."
"Test?" Aiden's jaw tightened. "You're throwing me into a fight already?"
"Survival is the first lesson of dragons."
A flicker of movement flashed down the tunnel—a shadow with too many limbs, dragging its body across the floor. Gleaming red eyes flickered in the dark.
Aiden took a slow breath.
"Skill: Dragon Claw available."
He flexed his fingers. Red light curled across his knuckles, crackling with heat. His veins burned as strength pooled beneath his muscles.
The creature slithered into the edge of the red glow. Its scaled hide was torn and corrupted—patches of bone protruding from its back, dark fluid dripping from its open jaws. Two rows of jagged teeth gleamed beneath the torchlight as it bared them toward Aiden.
Its red eyes flashed.
"Come on then," Aiden whispered.
The creature lunged.
Aiden stepped forward. His muscles tensed as time seemed to slow—the creature's claws arching through the air, jaws widening to crush his throat. Aiden's hand shot upward—
Dragon Claw Activated
A burst of red light erupted from his arm. His fingers curled into sharp, clawed extensions of crimson energy. He sidestepped the attack with newfound speed, pivoting behind the creature. His arm swept outward—
Claws tore into the creature's flank with a wet rip.
The dragonspawn screeched, black blood spraying across the stone floor as it crashed into the wall. Aiden's body moved without hesitation, the system's awareness guiding him. He lunged forward, driving his claws into the creature's back. The corrupted dragonspawn thrashed wildly, its tail lashing across Aiden's chest and sending him skidding backward.
Pain flared across his ribs, but his body recovered almost instantly. Heat surged through his veins, mending the damage.
"Dragon Code Essence Activated."
Aiden's hands curled as the glow of his claws sharpened. He could feel the creature's essence—its twisted, corrupted magic—vibrating beneath his fingertips.
"Absorb it."
Aiden hesitated.
"Consume it."
The creature thrashed wildly. Its scales smoked as dark essence pulsed beneath its hide. Aiden's claws twitched—his chest rising and falling in quick bursts.
"You must grow stronger."
His hand plunged into the creature's chest.
The dragonspawn howled. Dark red energy pulsed through Aiden's arm, flooding his body with heat. His vision blurred as raw strength surged through his muscles, his veins glowing beneath his skin.
[Essence Absorbed: Lesser Dragonspawn – Corrupted]
+10 Strength
+5 Vitality
New Skill Acquired: Dragon Breath (Level 1)
Aiden stumbled back, his breathing ragged. His hands trembled as the light beneath his skin dimmed. The creature's body twitched one final time before dissolving into dark ash.
Aiden's chest heaved. He stared down at his trembling hands. His skin still glowed faintly beneath the red markings. The energy swirling in his blood felt… dangerous.
"Power gained. Path unlocked."
Aiden's jaw clenched. He slowly straightened his back, shoulders squaring beneath the weight of his new strength.
"That… felt good," he said, his voice low.
"Careful."
"Why?" Aiden's eyes narrowed.
"Power comes at a price."
Aiden smiled darkly. "I don't care."
A burst of heat rippled across his palm. He raised his hand, and red fire curled across his fingertips.
Valeria Dawnspire had left him to die.
The council had stolen his birthright.
They were about to find out exactly how big of a mistake that was.
Aiden turned toward the tunnel's exit, crimson light flickering behind his eyes.
"Shall we begin?"
Aiden's smile widened. "Oh, yes."