Aiden moved through the narrow tunnel, his footsteps sharp against the cold stone floor. The flickering red glow of the draconic runes along the walls cast long shadows across his path. The faint scent of sulfur lingered in the stale air. Heat curled beneath his skin, a steady pulse of strength humming through his bones.
He could feel the Dragon Code's influence, coiling beneath his thoughts like a dark tide. His senses were sharper than ever—he could hear the distant rumble of stone shifting, the subtle scrape of claws against rock. The taste of molten iron lingered faintly at the back of his throat.
"The exit is close."
The system's voice was low and steady beneath his thoughts.
"But you are not alone."
Aiden's steps slowed. His eyes narrowed.
He could feel it now—movement ahead. The pressure of presence. Heat stirring beneath the rock. His instincts sharpened.
"Another dragonspawn?"
"No."
Stone groaned. Dust rained down from the ceiling as the tunnel trembled beneath his feet. A deep rumble echoed ahead, followed by a low growl.
"Something older."
The tunnel widened into an open cavern. Dim red light pulsed through the cracks in the stone, illuminating jagged pillars of black rock rising toward a ceiling lost in shadow. The ground beneath Aiden's feet trembled.
A shape emerged from the dark. Massive. Coiled.
A dragon.
But this one was different from the corrupted spawn he had faced earlier. Its massive body was bound in black iron chains that stretched into the walls, secured by glowing crimson runes. Its dark scales shimmered beneath the low light—obsidian and silver, marked with ancient patterns. Its eyes—glowing violet—opened slowly, focusing on Aiden with cold, reptilian precision.
Aiden's breath hitched.
"What the hell…"
"Blood guardian."
The system's voice sharpened.
"An ancient dragon, left here to guard the sanctuary. Its duty is to kill anyone who awakens the Dragon Code."
"Great."
The dragon lifted its massive head. Its iron chains rattled, magic burning through the runes etched into the metal. Its chest heaved, steam curling from its flaring nostrils. Its wings flexed slightly beneath the weight of the chains.
Aiden took a slow step back.
The dragon's gaze sharpened. A deep, rumbling growl reverberated through the cavern.
"Threat Level: A-Rank."
Aiden's pulse quickened. "A-Rank?"
"You cannot defeat it at your current level."
"Then what the hell am I supposed to do?"
"Survive."
The dragon's mouth opened.
Light gathered at the back of its throat—a pulsing core of violet flame. The runes along its chains flared brighter. The dragon's body strained against its bindings as the energy built.
Aiden's instincts screamed. His muscles tightened.
"MOVE."
A blast of violet fire exploded from the dragon's mouth.
Aiden's body moved on instinct. He shot sideways, twisting in mid-air. His enhanced reflexes stretched the moment—he could feel the heat searing the air beneath him as the blast tore into the stone floor. Rock shattered beneath the impact, molten fragments exploding outward.
Aiden hit the ground in a roll, springing to his feet just as another burst of flame erupted toward him. He launched himself upward, twisting between two jagged pillars as the heat rushed past his skin.
The dragon's chains snapped taut as the creature pulled against them, shaking the cavern walls. Cracks spiderwebbed through the stone.
"The chains are weakening."
"Fantastic."
Aiden's eyes narrowed. His hands curled. Red light flickered across his fingertips as his claws ignited with crimson fire.
"Do not engage."
"Not planning to!"
Aiden sprinted toward the far side of the cavern. The dragon's head twisted toward him. Another pulse of violet light ignited in the back of its throat. Aiden's eyes narrowed.
"Skill Available: Shadow Step (Level 1)."
"Perfect."
Aiden's body tensed. He focused on the far end of the cavern—on the narrow passage beyond the dragon's flank. The red runes along his skin flared brightly.
Shadow Step Activated
Aiden's vision blurred. Cold air twisted around him. His body dissolved into dark smoke—and reappeared ten feet ahead. He hit the ground running, already gathering heat beneath his ribs.
The dragon roared.
Chains shattered.
The sound hit Aiden like a shockwave. He stumbled, nearly losing his balance as the iron bindings exploded outward in a burst of molten shards. The dragon's wings snapped open, sending a pulse of wind crashing through the cavern.
"Chain integrity compromised."
"You think?!"
Aiden sprinted toward the tunnel.
The dragon's mouth opened again—violet light gathered within its throat. Aiden's jaw tightened. His eyes sharpened.
"Fine."
He turned, sliding to a stop. Heat curled beneath his ribs. His veins burned. His fingers curled.
Dragon Breath Activated
Aiden exhaled.
Red fire erupted from his mouth.
The two blasts of flame collided mid-air—crimson and violet light crashing into each other. The cavern erupted with heat and force. The rock beneath Aiden's feet splintered as the shockwave sent him skidding backward.
Aiden hit the ground hard, his breath ripping from his lungs. His vision blurred.
"Warning: Physical damage increasing."
"Yeah, no shit!"
Aiden pushed himself to his knees. His body trembled, the heat beneath his skin still surging dangerously. The dragon reared back, its body coiled beneath the shifting shadows of the cavern.
The narrow tunnel lay just beyond its left wing.
Aiden's breath steadied.
"Alright…"
"What are you doing?"
Aiden's smile sharpened.
"Betting everything."
The dragon lunged.
Aiden moved.
He sprinted toward the dragon. Its massive head swept toward him. Its claws struck out—Aiden ducked beneath them, twisting low.
Heat gathered beneath his feet. His body flickered—
Shadow Step Activated
He reappeared mid-air—directly above the dragon's left wing. His foot slammed down into the joint, driving the dragon's massive body downward. Its claws scraped at the stone as it struggled to balance.
Aiden's hands curled into claws. He dragged them through the dragon's wing as he vaulted off its back—red light cutting deep through dark scales.
The dragon roared.
Aiden's feet hit the ground, momentum carrying him toward the tunnel's exit. He heard the dragon's body twisting behind him—the crack of stone beneath its claws as it turned.
Aiden's eyes sharpened.
His body dissolved into smoke.
Shadow Step
He reappeared at the tunnel's mouth, just as the dragon's tail struck the ground behind him. A shockwave blasted outward, sending cracks racing up the cavern walls.
Aiden twisted back toward the darkness of the tunnel.
Behind him, the dragon's massive body crouched low beneath the crumbling stone. Its burning violet eyes narrowed through the dark. Its mouth curled back, steam curling from its fangs.
"You will face it again."
Aiden's eyes narrowed. His body trembled, the lingering burn of fire still coiling beneath his skin. He turned toward the dark tunnel ahead.
"When I'm stronger."
He stepped into the black.
Behind him, the dragon's low growl echoed through the lair. The ancient sound followed him into the dark.
[System Update: Host Status – Stable]
[Shadow Step – Level Up]
[+5 Strength]
[+5 Speed]
"Shall we continue?"
Aiden's mouth curled into a smile.
"Oh, we're just getting started."