The sky loomed dark and heavy, thunder growling through the clouds as cold rain fell in sheets over a ruined battlefield. Shattered remnants of buildings pierced the muddy terrain like broken bones, and the metallic scent of blood clung to the air.
In the center of it all stood a figure, rain streaking down his soaked black hair and pale face, his cloak torn, his breathing steady but heavy. Around him, four others stood in formation—weathered, battle-hardened, and grim.
Kael, gripping a glowing longsword etched with runes, broke the silence.
"Lin Feng, Rose, Sakura, Luca… it's just the Dragon King left. Once he's down, the dragon race will be forced to retreat, and humanity will finally get a foothold again. This is it. Let's give it everything we've got."
He turned his head slightly, eyes flashing violet under the stormlight.
"Sakura, buff us. Rose, patch Luca up—we'll need him to tank the worst of the damage. I'll take him head-on. Feng… wait for my signal and strike from behind."
A synchronized response followed:
"Understood." "Yes, Captain." "You can count on me." "Make it count, Kael."
Then, a voice thundered across the desolate field—deep, mocking, and full of disdain.
"Do you pathetic humans truly believe you can kill me?"
"Hmph. Arrogant insects."
The air split as a massive form descended from the storm clouds—scales as dark as night, gleaming with obsidian brilliance every time lightning struck. The Dragon King hovered in midair, wings like torn banners of black steel, eyes glowing with primal rage. Each flap of his wings sent shockwaves across the broken ground.
But Kael and his team remained silent.
And the fight began.
CLANG!
Kael's enchanted blade met the iron-like scales of the Dragon King with a blinding flash, sparks flying in all directions. The impact sent a shockwave that cracked the ground beneath them.
"[Luminous Blade: Second Form]!" Kael shouted, his weapon igniting with searing holy light.
THWOOOM!
A glowing barrier pulsed from Rose as she raised her staff—[Divine Ward]—shielding Luca as he charged forward like a human battering ram.
"[Ethereal Chorus]!" Sakura's voice rang out like a symphony, her harp vibrating in tandem with her skill. A golden aura enveloped the team, boosting their strength and speed.
"[Phantom Step]," whispered Lin Feng, vanishing into thin air.
CRACK!
Luca slammed his greatshield into the Dragon King's leg, staggering the beast. Kael darted in with blinding speed, slashing across the creature's exposed neck. The dragon roared in fury, dark flames spiraling from its maw.
"NOW, FENG!"
A flicker—then Lin Feng emerged from the dragon's blind spot, dagger glowing with shadowy energy.
"Backstab—[Shadow Rend]!"
The dagger pierced the base of the dragon's skull, just as Kael's sword arced down in a holy blaze.
"FOR HUMANITY!"
SHLUCK!
With a final scream, the Dragon King's head fell from his shoulders, crashing to the ground with a thunderous boom.
Kael landed hard, collapsing to one knee. Blood seeped from a gash in his side as he panted, exhaustion washing over him.
"We… we did it," he murmured.
"We actually killed him," Rose whispered, eyes wide.
"Heh, didn't think I'd live to see it," Luca said with a laugh, still catching his breath.
"Don't relax yet," Kael said. "Something feels—off."
And then... the world shifted.
The sky above twisted, dark clouds turning crimson. The rain halted abruptly, as though frozen in fear. A colossal shadow cast itself across the battlefield.
Kael raised his head weakly.
"...What… is that?"
A titanic dragon emerged, descending slowly—no flapping wings, just oppressive presence. Its body stretched endlessly, scales shimmering with layered hues of cosmic black and blood crimson, like living obsidian. Six wings extended outward, each spanning miles. Twin horns curled upward like a crown, and its eyes were galaxies of chaos and time itself.
Kael's hand trembled. He cast [Analyse] instinctively.
[Name: ???]
[Race: Primordial Dragon – "Dragon God"]
[Level: ???]
His heart dropped.
BOOM.
The pressure hit him like a tidal wave. His knees buckled, and he collapsed under the sheer force of the being's aura.
"Argh…" he grunted, forcing his head to the side.
His gaze caught the others—Lin Feng, Luca, Rose, Sakura. But they weren't struggling like him.
They were bowing. Deeply.
Not from pressure.
But in servitude.
"You've done well, my loyal servants."
The voice of the Dragon God echoed like a divine bell, yet it froze Kael's blood.
"S-Servants?"
Kael's eyes widened.
"What the hell are you doing!? Get up!"
But none of them moved.
Luca lifted his head, grinning ear to ear, a fanatic gleam in his eyes.
"Thank you for your praise, my Lord… but we are unworthy of it."
Kael's voice cracked.
"Luca… what—what are you saying?"
"We abandoned humanity long ago," Rose said softly, as if speaking to a child. "There was no future for them. Our Lord offered us power and survival. All this time… we've been preparing to deliver you to him."
Kael staggered back.
"You're lying. You have to be—we fought together! Bled together! You were my friends!"
They didn't deny it.
They only smiled.
Kael turned to Lin Feng.
"You… you were my best friend. My brother."
Lin Feng finally spoke.
"The human race was doomed from the start. We simply chose to survive on the right side of history."
He raised his dagger.
"Goodbye, Kael. It was… nice knowing you."
SHUNK.
The [Ten Thousand Poisons Dagger] slid between Kael's ribs, burrowing into his heart. His breath hitched. Blood poured from his lips.
His vision dimmed.
"So this… is how I die... betrayed, used… worthless."
His knees gave out.
"If I get another chance… I'll live for no one else. I'll never trust again. I'll take power for myself."
And then, everything went dark.