Darkness lingered like a suffocating shroud.
For a long time, Ryujin floated between life and death, pain and silence. At first, there was nothing but void, no heartbeat, no breath. Then came a faint warmth, pulsing deep within his chest.
A heartbeat not his own.
Boom… boom… boom…
With each throb, fire spread through his veins, not burning, but knitting flesh and soul together. The venom's bite receded, the cracks in his mortal vessel sealing.
His mangled ribs pulled together with agonizing pops, and his blood, once blackened, glowed faint crimson.
When Ryujin's eyes finally opened, he was staring at a cave ceiling streaked with glowing crimson vines. Shadows flickered along the rock, cast by Nox's faint shadowflame.
The Abyssal Drake lay nearby, scales scratched but alert, watching him closely. And beyond Nox, like a slumbering storm, the Crimson-Fanged Wyvern rested with wings partially folded, its chest rising and falling in deep, guttural breaths.
Ryujin's mind jolted. Memories of the battle crashed back; the lunging claws, the unbearable pain of the soul bound, and finally… silence.
The system's faint glow hovered in his blurred vision.
~----~
[Soul Integrity Restored: 54%]
[Venom Purged: Complete]
[Crimson-Fanged Wyvern – Bond Stable (Tier B)]
[Passive Ability Unlocked: Blood Regeneration]
*Minor wounds heal rapidly.
*Soul Strain recovery rate doubled.
*Venomous effects diminished in future encounters.
~----~
Ryujin exhaled shakily, half in disbelief. "I… survived".
Nox growled softly, nudging his arm. The drake's molten eyes glinted with rare approval, though Ryujin still detected the slight disgruntled pout hidden beneath, perhaps Nox was still angry at him ordering it to stay behind in the fight against the Blood-Fanged Wyvern.
He chuckled. "You're happy now, huh?" he rasped, voice hoarse. "Thought you'd lose me?"
Nox's rumble deepened, pressing its head lightly against Ryujin's chest.
Ryujin chuckled weakly, wincing as his side twinged. "Yeah… me too".
A heavy sound drew his gaze. The Wyvern had risen, massive claws scraping against the stone floor as it lumbered closer. Its emerald-scaled head lowered, crimson-ridged horns catching faint light.
Despite its size and primal ferocity, Ryujin felt no fear. Their souls were now tied, a tether of dominance and respect forged in blood and defiance.
The Wyvern exhaled slowly, a crimson mist spilling from its nostrils. It lowered its head until it was level with Ryujin's battered frame.
Ryujin understood instinctively. With shaking hands, he placed his palm against its warm scales.
The bond flared to life.
A surge of vitality shot through him, less violent than during the initial fusion but still intense enough to make his vision blur.
DING!
~----~
[Blood Pact Formed]
*You have forged a pact with the Crimson-Fanged Wyvern.
*Healing-Blood passive now extends to all bonded dragons.
*Unique synergy effect unlocked: Dragonblood Unity – bonded dragons share vitality during battles, reducing mortality risk.
~----~
The Wyvern's deep growl resonated through the cave. For the first time, Ryujin felt something beyond primal fury; a faint recognition, almost reverence.
He smirked faintly. "I think I'll call you… Crimson".
The Wyvern tilted its head, a low rumble vibrating its throat.
Nox hissed softly beside him, tail flicking in mind annoyance.
"Don't start," Ryujin said, voice dry but amused. "You'll always be my first. Crimson's family now, too".
Nox blinked once before turning its molten gaze to the Wyvern, the image of the big guy almost harming its master not quiet fading, yet, both dragons exchanged a primal, silent understanding.
As Ryujin's bond with Crimson settled, something deeper stirred. A crimson blaze erupted along his skin, glowing sigils etching across his forearms and chest.
The cavern shook.
The vines pulsed brighter, reacting to the overwhelming draconic essence surging outward.
From the void, the Eternal Dragon Sovereign's voice rumbled like distant thunder.
"The second bond forged…. Blood defies mortality"
"One dragon at a time, you inch toward dominion".
"Rise further, and the heavens themselves will kneel".
System notifications cascaded before his eyes:
~----~
[Beast Tamer Rank Progression: 45% ~ 72% to Rank D]
[Advanced Legacy Ability Unlocked: Dragon Army Unity (Stage 1)]
*When commanding multiple bonded dragons, combat coordination enhances significantly.
*Allied dragons can briefly share elemental traits under your command.
~----~
Ryujin's breath caught. Two dragons bonded, a new ability awakened.
And yet… he wasn't elated. Instead, he stared at his trembling hands, thinking of Valtheris, his father, and the Dominion's relentless pursuit.
This power… it wouldn't be enough. Not yet.
…
Days later, Ryujin emerged from the crimson cave, stronger but forever marked by the ritual.
Crimson, his new Wyvern, stalked beside him with silent grace, blood-hued mist drifting from its claws. Nox moved on the other flank, molten eyes glowing brighter than before, its bond with Ryujin deepened by shared near-death.
From a high cliff, Ryujin surveyed the mountains stretching below.
Storms gathered on the horizon, shadowing the wilderness. Somewhere out there, the Serpent Dominion's hunters prowled, Halveth's fury boiling.
Ryujin clenched his fist, fire crackling faintly around his palm. "They thought exile would kill me. They thought Valtheris would end me. Now, even venom couldn't".
He turned to his dragons, voice low but filled with promise.
"One day, we'll break their chains. One day, dragons won't bow to serpents, or kings, or gods. Only to us".
Nox rumbled in agreement, shadowflame curling around its maw. Crimson spread its massive wings, the crimson glow lighting the Cliffside in a blood-red halo.
And Ryujin?
The heir of dragons stepped forward, dragons flanking him, leaving only scorched earth and crimson mist in their wake.
…
Far away, in the Dominion's ancestral halls, Ryujin's obelisk flared again, blazing so fiercely that emerald runes cracked.
And deep in the capital's shadowed spires, whispers began.
The dragon curse is not dying.
It's rising.