The smoke slowly cleared, revealing a scene that would be etched into memory forever.
Ryu stood atop the Black Dragon's massive head, his small frame trembling but proud. The Dragon Fang Katana glimmered in his hands, its black aura swirling around him like a shadowy flame. Beneath his feet, the dragon lay sprawled, beaten and exhausted, its enormous wings twitching as the wind carried the scent of scorched stone and blood.
A voice, calm yet cold, cut through the cavern like a knife.
"How… can a seven-year-old brat defeat a Black Dragon?"
Ryu froze, his eyes darting toward the cave entrance. Nyx stood there, her assassin's cloak fluttering, silver hair shining in the dim light. Her crimson eyes examined the battlefield, then him. There was shock in her gaze—but also an emotion Ryu desperately wanted to see: pride.
His heart began to race.
He imagined her smiling… feeding him with her hands… even kissing his cheek. His little heart felt like it might explode.
He leaped down from the dragon's head and ran to her, holding the Dragon Fang Katana high.
"Master Nyx! Look! I got this for you!"
He held it out with both hands, his eyes sparkling.
Nyx's gaze lowered to the sword, then back to him.
"This sword chose you, Ryu. No one else can wield it… not even me."
Ryu blinked, stunned.
"B-But… I wanted to impress you. I wanted to give you the best present!"
Nyx's eyes softened for a heartbeat, then turned cold again.
"You've already impressed me. Your training… is complete. I have nothing more to teach you."
The words hit Ryu like a punch to the chest.
"W-What? No! You can't leave me! I'm not strong yet!"
She turned away without another word, the sound of her boots echoing in the cavern as she walked toward the exit.
Panic and fear twisted in Ryu's chest. He looked at the massive, defeated dragon behind him… then back at her fading silhouette.
"…Okay, maybe I'm a little strong. But I'm still weak! I… I need you!"
Nyx didn't stop walking.
Tears stung the corners of his eyes. His aura flared instinctively, crackling like black fire.
"I WON'T LET YOU GO!"
Nyx paused, her voice calm but sharp as steel.
"You know I can kill you instantly, right?"
Ryu's hands tightened around the Dragon Fang.
"I… don't care!"
In the next instant, he lunged.
---
CLANG!
Nyx's dagger appeared as if from thin air, intercepting his katana with a burst of sparks. The impact sent a shockwave through the cavern, dust raining from the ceiling.
Ryu attacked wildly, slashing with all his strength. His small body blurred with super speed as his black aura flared brighter than ever.
Nyx moved like a shadow. She parried with effortless grace, her cloak flowing as she sidestepped his every strike.
Slash! Clang! Swish!
Metal clashed against metal, the sound echoing like thunder. Ryu gritted his teeth, leaping and spinning with his blade, but every time he thought he landed a hit, Nyx vanished like smoke.
Suddenly, a sharp whisper brushed his ear.
"Too slow."
A sting of pain followed as her dagger sliced a thin line across his cheek. Blood dripped. Ryu's breathing grew ragged, but his spirit refused to break.
"I… WON'T… GIVE… UP!" he roared.
His black aura burst outward, forming shadowy wings from his back. His speed skyrocketed. He zipped through the cavern like a living shadow, finally forcing Nyx to take a step back.
"Hmm… impressive," she muttered, and for the first time, her expression shifted to one of mild surprise.
Ryu's swings became heavier, faster. He flipped through the air, coming down with a devastating slash. Boom! The floor cracked under the force.
Nyx blurred away and struck his side. Pain exploded through his ribs.
Ryu staggered but didn't stop. He lunged again, eyes burning, heart screaming for her to stay.
"I need you, Master Nyx!"
But skill alone wasn't enough.
---
Within moments, Nyx's movements became a storm. Her dagger danced like lightning, cutting his aura apart piece by piece. She slipped behind him and kicked him hard in the back, sending him tumbling across the stone floor.
Ryu coughed, the taste of iron filling his mouth. His wings flickered and shattered into black sparks.
Still, he struggled to his feet, gripping the Dragon Fang with trembling hands.
"I… won't… let… you…"
Clang! Clang!
He charged again, but his strength was fading. Nyx sidestepped smoothly and struck his wrist, sending the Dragon Fang clattering across the ground.
Before he could react, she appeared in front of him, her dagger resting lightly on his throat. Her voice was calm, final.
"You're strong, Ryu. But you're not ready to chain me down."
With a swift motion, she knocked him back, leaving him sprawled on the cold stone.
Nyx sheathed her dagger and turned her back to him.
"Survive on your own, little prince."
Ryu reached out with a trembling hand, his vision blurred by tears.
"N-No… don't… leave me…"
But Nyx didn't look back. She vanished into the mist outside the cave.
For a long moment, silence filled the cavern. Only the faint rumble of the defeated dragon and Ryu's choked sobs remained.
He lay there, face pressed to the cold stone, his small body shaking.
"Why… why does it hurt this much…?"
His voice cracked. He clutched the Dragon Fang tightly to his chest, tears streaming down his face.
Alone in the dragon's den, with the shadows of his black aura fading, Ryu cried… and cried…