The moment those ancient eyes opened somewhere deep within the endless darkness—
Something changed.
Not just in one place.
Not just in one realm.
The change spread like a ripple through existence itself.
The Blood Forest reacted first.
The trees trembled violently, their twisted trunks groaning as if awakening from a thousand-year nightmare. Branches bent downward, scraping against one another with sounds like whispers of dying voices.
The air thickened.
It became heavy — dense enough to feel like invisible chains wrapped around the lungs.
Even the shadows changed.
They no longer rested beneath the trees.
They moved.
Slowly.
Crawling.
As if fear itself had gained life.
Inside the cave, both Key Fragments began pulsing violently.
Each pulse released waves of crimson light that washed across the stone walls, turning the cave into a living heartbeat.
Two hearts.
Separate.
Yearning to become one.
The hum they created vibrated through the ground, through the air… through blood itself.
Krrish felt it instantly.
His breathing slowed.
Something had shifted.
The atmosphere wasn't just heavy anymore.
It was watching.
Alive.
Across from him, the Loyal King smiled.
But it was no longer the smile of a predator playing with prey.
This smile carried anticipation.
Curiosity.
Excitement.
His golden eyes narrowed.
"Interesting…"
he whispered.
"It seems even the forest has begun to watch you."
His aura flickered subtly — like a beast stretching before the hunt.
"Let us see… whether you deserve its attention."
Without warning—
He vanished.
No wind followed.
No sound betrayed his movement.
No distortion marked his presence.
Only absence.
And then—
Space itself split.
A slash tore through the air.
Krrish moved his head slightly.
The attack missed him by less than a breath.
Another slash came.
Then another.
Then ten.
Then dozens.
Invisible strikes filled the cave, carving deep wounds into stone. Walls split apart, chunks of rock falling as the ground cracked beneath the relentless assault.
The Loyal King moved faster than sight.
Faster than instinct.
Faster than thought.
Krrish closed his eyes.
He stopped chasing movement.
Instead—
He listened.
To the breathing of the cave.
To the pressure changes in the air.
To the rhythm of intent.
Every killing intent carried weight.
Every attack carried a heartbeat.
And then—
His hand moved.
CLANG.
His fingers caught an invisible strike.
Sparks exploded.
For the first time—
Surprise crossed the Lion King's face.
"You can read my movements?"
Krrish opened his eyes slowly.
Calm.
Silent.
Still.
"No."
His voice remained quiet.
"I read your killing intent."
The Loyal King laughed.
A wild, feral sound that shook dust from the ceiling.
"Good."
His aura erupted.
"Then survive THIS."
The ground exploded.
Dark golden energy burst outward like a collapsing sun.
The cave shook violently.
Outside, the Blood Forest bent as if bowing to its king. Trees splintered under the pressure. Distant creatures cried out as ancient instinct forced them to flee.
Something primal awakened.
Something old.
The Black Dragon instinctively stepped backward.
His body trembled.
"This… this is his true aura…"
Fear colored his voice.
"Master… be careful…"
The Loyal King transformed.
Muscles expanded.
Golden markings spread across his skin like burning runes forged by ancient flames.
Behind him appeared a massive phantom lion — a spirit formed from pure dominance.
Its roar shook reality.
The cave began collapsing.
Stone rained down.
Krrish stood motionless.
The Blood Mark burned hotter.
Crimson lines spread beneath his skin like roots searching for something deeper.
He understood now.
The Blood Realm wasn't helping him.
It was judging him.
Testing him.
Waiting to decide whether he deserved its power.
The Lion King attacked again.
This time, the impact alone cracked the air.
Krrish blocked.
But the force drove him backward, stone shattering beneath his feet.
For the first time—
He felt pressure.
Real pressure.
Not overwhelming.
But undeniable.
The Lion King grinned.
"Now you understand."
"The difference between defeating the weakest… and standing before a king."
He vanished again.
Strike from above.
Krrish barely dodged.
A second attack from behind—
A shallow cut opened across his shoulder.
Blood fell.
The instant it touched the ground—
The Blood Realm reacted.
The earth pulsed.
The blood vanished, absorbed instantly.
Krrish felt something stir inside him.
The same sensation as before.
Not anger.
Not fear.
Awakening.
The Lion King appeared directly before him.
Fist raised.
"Bow."
The punch descended like a falling star.
Krrish raised his arm—
BOOOOOOOOM!
Shockwaves blasted outward.
The ceiling cracked open, revealing the crimson sky above. Lightning split the heavens.
Both fighters locked together.
Energy grinding against energy.
The Lion King's smile faded slightly.
"You are stronger than expected."
Krrish looked at him calmly.
"You talk too much."
Suddenly—
The two key fragments exploded with light.
Their resonance reached its peak.
The entire forest shook violently.
Far away—
Deep in endless darkness—
A second roar echoed.
Deeper.
Older.
Ancient beyond imagination.
The Black Dragon froze.
His eyes widened.
"No…"
"That presence…"
He whispered.
"One of the two…"
Even the Lion King stepped back.
For the first time—
Uncertainty touched his face.
"It's waking… sooner than expected…"
Krrish felt the ground vibrating beneath him.
The Blood Mark burned hotter than ever.
His vision blurred.
For a brief moment—
He saw a throne.
A shadow sitting upon it.
Crimson eyes watching him.
Waiting.
When his vision cleared—
The cave was collapsing completely.
The Loyal King laughed softly.
"Looks like time is running out, human."
His aura intensified once again.
"Let us finish this before THEY arrive."
Krrish slowly raised his hand.
Dark crimson energy spiraled around him.
The air screamed as if torn apart.
His voice deepened.
Colder.
Calmer.
Dangerous.
"Then stop talking…"
He took a step forward.
"And come."
TO BE CONTINUED… 🔥📖😈