Aiden stood at the edge of the ridge, crimson wings flaring wide behind him beneath the dark, storm-heavy sky. His enhanced heartbeat hammered steadily beneath the burn of strength curling through his veins. Red fire flickered beneath his claws, sharp and steady.
The shattered remains of the enhanced dragonspawn lay broken beneath the jagged edge of the ridge—black scales and dark blood curling beneath the fractured stone. The corrupted pulse of dark energy curling through their bodies had faded. Their golden eyes were dark beneath the weight of death.
The cold bite of wind tore across the valley beneath him, sharp and thin beneath the flicker of crimson light bleeding through the heavy storm clouds above. The dark pulse of corrupted magic curled beneath the thin edge of the horizon, twisting through the sharp edges of the jagged peaks below.
Aiden's claws flexed beneath the burn of strength curling through his veins. His enhanced senses sharpened toward the dark pulse of energy lingering beneath the edge of the storm.
It wasn't over.
Far from it.
Ronan's silver eyes narrowed toward the edge of the ridge. His black cloak curled beneath the sharp pull of the cutting wind. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, the polished silver edge glinting beneath the thin flicker of stormlight curling through the sky.
"They're not stopping," Aiden said darkly.
Ronan's silver gaze sharpened. "No." His hand curled toward the hilt of his sword. "They won't."
Aiden's crimson gaze darkened toward the edge of the valley. His enhanced senses sharpened toward the quiet hum of energy curling beneath the thin edge of the storm. His wings flared wide behind him.
"And neither will I."
Ronan's mouth curled faintly. "Good."
A low rumble vibrated beneath the ground.
Aiden's breath sharpened. His claws flexed beneath the burn of strength curling through his veins. His enhanced muscles tightened beneath the rise of fire curling through his chest.
Footsteps.
Slow. Steady.
Steel scraped against stone.
A dark figure emerged from beneath the edge of the ridge.
Tall. Cloaked.
The black edges of its armor gleamed beneath the flicker of stormlight curling through the sky. Its golden eyes burned beneath the thin shadows curling beneath the edges of its hood. The black sigils etched into the polished steel flickered faintly beneath the thin pulse of dark magic curling through the storm.
Aiden's claws flexed beneath his skin. His breath sharpened beneath the pulse of strength curling through his chest. His enhanced heartbeat steadied beneath the rise of tension curling through his veins.
Council elite.
A second figure stepped forward.
Then a third.
Then a fourth.
Four figures in total—cloaked in black armor lined with silver runes. Their golden eyes burned beneath the edges of their hoods. The thin pulse of corrupted energy curling beneath their armor sharpened beneath the flicker of stormlight curling through the heavy clouds above.
The first figure's head lifted. Its golden eyes narrowed toward Aiden.
"You've caused enough trouble." The elite's voice was cold and low.
Aiden's mouth sharpened faintly. His claws pulsed beneath the burn of strength curling through his veins. His wings flared wide behind him.
"Yeah?" Aiden's crimson gaze darkened. "Come stop me."
The second elite's golden eyes darkened. Its hand curled toward the hilt of its sword. The thin pulse of dark magic flickered beneath the edge of the steel blade.
"You are not a dragon." The second elite's voice sharpened. "You are an aberration."
Aiden's claws flexed. His breath sharpened beneath the pulse of strength curling through his veins. His enhanced heartbeat slowed beneath the rise of tension curling through his chest.
"Funny." Aiden's mouth sharpened faintly. "I don't feel like an aberration."
The first elite's golden eyes darkened. His sword lifted toward Aiden's chest.
"You stole the power of the Code," the elite said darkly. "It does not belong to you."
Aiden's claws flexed beneath the burn of strength curling through his veins. His enhanced muscles tightened beneath the rise of fire curling through his chest.
"Then come take it."
The first elite's golden eyes sharpened.
The second elite's sword shot toward Aiden's throat.
Aiden's body blurred.
Shadow Step Activated
Smoke curled beneath his body as he reappeared behind the second elite. His claws pulsed beneath the burn of strength curling through his veins. His wings flared wide behind him.
Dragon Claw Activated
Aiden's claws shot toward the elite's back—
Steel met claw.
Sparks erupted beneath the clash of strength and fire. The second elite's sword twisted beneath the strike. His golden eyes narrowed toward Aiden.
The first elite's sword shot toward Aiden's chest.
Aiden's claws pulsed beneath his skin. His enhanced heartbeat hammered beneath the pulse of strength curling through his chest.
Aiden's body blurred. His claws ignited beneath the burn of strength curling through his veins. His enhanced muscles coiled beneath the rise of fire curling through his chest.
Aiden reappeared beneath the first elite's wing. His claws shot toward the elite's chest—
Steel met claw. Sparks erupted beneath the clash of strength and fire.
The third elite's sword shot toward Aiden's back.
Aiden's wings flared wide. His claws pulsed beneath the burn of strength curling through his veins.
Dragon Breath Activated
Red fire erupted from Aiden's mouth.
The flames collided mid-air. Sparks exploded beneath the clash of strength and magic. The third elite's body twisted beneath the force of the strike.
The second elite's mouth opened wide.
Dark fire ignited beneath his throat.
Aiden's claws flexed. His body blurred. His claws ignited beneath the pulse of strength curling through his veins.
Aiden's claws shot toward the elite's chest.
Dragon Claw Activated
Aiden's claws punctured through the elite's armor. Blood erupted beneath his hand. The elite's golden eyes widened beneath the sharp edge of pain curling through his chest.
Aiden's claws twisted beneath the weight of the strike.
The elite's body collapsed beneath the force of the blow.
The first elite's sword shot toward Aiden's side.
Aiden's body blurred. His claws flashed toward the elite's throat—
Dragon Claw Activated
His claws punctured through the elite's chest.
Blood erupted beneath the strike.
The elite's golden eyes dimmed beneath the pulse of strength curling through his chest. His body collapsed beneath the weight of the strike.
[Essence Absorbed: Council Elites]
+35 Strength
+25 Vitality
+20 Speed
New Skill Acquired: Dragon's Rage (Level 3)
The last two elites stepped toward Aiden. Their golden eyes sharpened. Their swords lifted toward Aiden's chest.
Aiden's claws flexed beneath the burn of strength curling through his veins. His enhanced heartbeat steadied beneath the pulse of fire curling through his chest.
Ronan's silver eyes narrowed toward Aiden.
"Want some help?" Ronan's mouth curled faintly.
Aiden's claws pulsed beneath his skin. His wings flared wide behind him. His enhanced heartbeat slowed beneath the pulse of strength curling through his chest.
"No." Aiden's crimson eyes narrowed. "They're mine."
The last two elites' golden eyes darkened.
Aiden's mouth sharpened faintly. His claws flexed beneath the burn of strength curling through his veins.
"Let's finish this."
[System Update: Dragon Code – Master Stage Achieved]
[New Ability Unlocked: Dragon's Rage – Level 3]
"Shall we continue?"
Aiden's claws flexed beneath his skin. His enhanced heartbeat steadied beneath the pulse of strength curling through his veins.
"Oh… yes."