"Have you finally decided to go through the Draconic Reforge?" Amatsurai asked.
"Yes, I've decided, I want to become the strongest that no one would be above me when they're ranking people of pure power." Ethan said standing in front of Amatsurai in his Ethereal Nexus.
"Then let us begin." Amatsurai said.
"Yes. But if we are going to do it here won't it affect the young boy." Ethan said.
"This is just a child's play to him, don't worry, the time will come for you to know about him." Immediately,Amatsurai started going up into the sky as lightning covered the whole sky in the Ethereal Nexus like clouds.
"What's happening?" Ethan asked but got no reply.
"Ancient knowledge, Draconic Reforge: Ninefold Thunder Baptism."Amatsurai said and roared. Ancient text and sigils rained down from the sky as if forced to. The text and sigils glowed with brilliance as they started gathering around.
Instantly, the lightning in the sky started rushing into the dragon's body, making its maximum release of lightning in its body increase.
Arcs of lightning traveled between the tree's roots, the water, and the dragon in the sky. The storm darkened the horizon while the tree and Ethan glowed faintly in contrast.
"First hammer: storm's embrace." The dragon said, looked down at Ethan and roared, sending all the lightning it had absorbed into its body straight at him.
"Argh!" Ethan screamed in agony as the dragon's lightning ran through each and every last of his skin cells.
"Don't give up on the pain or else this reforge fails." Amatsurai said.
Ethan felt the pain so much that he laid on the surface of the water and raked his nails across his whole body in agony. The pain he felt was like a thousand needles forcing their way through his skin all at once.
"This stage is a crucible, forged to temper your resolve. Through its trials, you shall be purged of the impurities that shackle your true power. Only those untainted and steadfast may proceed." The dragon stated.
"Argh! I can't take this anymore." Ethan continued screaming.
"Do you truly believe that becoming the strongest comes so easily? The path to power is paved with trials and seared by pain. Only those who endure its flames may rise to claim their place among the mighty." The dragon said relentlessly.
It was more than five minutes and Ethan had started calming down as the surge of lightning into his body also calmed. But it could clearly be seen as it seemed as if Ethan had been stripped of all his strength that he couldn't even move a finger.
"Ah, I sense your spirit is attuned, and you are poised to ascend to the next realm of this journey." The dragon stated wisely.
"Second hammer: Crackling Resonance." The dragon said.
Pulses of light moved like veins through the tree and water, surrounding Ethan with rhythmic flashes. Then Ethan's body glowed brighter, syncing with the storm.
This time Ethan started smiling as he felt a soothing energy rush through his body. "What is this? It is just like I'm a baby in my mother's arms." Ethan said as he smiled more.
"The energy that soothes you now is the very same that once brought harm to your body. That is the lightning, in perfect alignment with your inner force. As the old teachings say, every power has its dual nature—both light and shadow." The dragon said mysteriously.
After another five minutes, Ethan was fully healed with no signs of scars to be seen.
"That is awesome." Ethan stood up amazed at what just happened but it was just the beginning, the reforge was nowhere near its end.
"Have you already begun to rejoice? Beware, for the worst is yet to come." The dragon stated coldly.
"What do you mean by that?" Ethan asked as he started shaking from trauma from the first stage.
"Which level of hammer did I mention and what is the full name of this reforge?" The dragon asked.
"The second . And the full name of this reforge is Draconic Reforge: Ninefold Thunder Baptism." Ethan said before realising what was yet to come.
"Yes, that is the expression you must have now. You are now moving to the third stage." The dragon said without sympathy for Ethan.
"Third hammer: Voltforge Awakening." The dragon said.The tree shed radiant, lightning-infused leaves that drifted down into the water, turning it a luminous blue.
The dragon's lightning surrounded Ethan, forming a swirling cocoon of energy. All of a sudden, Ethan started having a strange feeling about his body as the soothing energy in his body intensified. It was as if his nerves were being burnt and reconstructed at the same time.
Ethan gradually became emotionally paralyzed as he didn't know whether to be happy,sad,angry or afraid of what was happening to his body.
After suffering an additional ten minutes of the torment of the intensified energy in his body, everything calmed down once more. As Ethan inspected his body, he realised something strange had happened to his body but he couldn't see it.
Ethan's silhouette seemed to be crafted out of pure lighting. Sparks flew off his body as the forge of energy shaped his essence.
"Fourth hammer:Tempest's Ascent." The dragon said to continue the forge.
Ethan could now feel the pure energy of the lightning dragon rushing through his body and slowly Ethan's body started rising off the ground as a celestial storm formed around him till he hoovered right below the dragon.
Ethan floated above the tree, surrounded by spiraling lightning. The water reflected the glowing celestial tree and the dragon circling above it. Ethan felt himself ascending spiritually, his soul expanding as he gained insight of his new found power.
"Fifth hammer; Eternal Thunderseal." The dragon said and unleashed a final, earth-shaking roar and struck the water with a massive bolt of lightning.
The energy travelled through the celestial tree's roots, up its trunk, and into Ethan.
"Argh!" Ethan screamed in pain again as the energy flowed into his body. This sealed the bond between the dragon and Ethan, forever intertwining their souls.
The water calmed completely, reflecting a perfect mirror of the tree and Ethan as they stood reborn.
The dragon sigil on Ethan's nape glowed brighter as the celestial storm dissipated.
"That is what I call running my whole body through you." The dragon said.
"Sixth hammer: Lightning Convergence." The dragon said proudly as Ethan and the dragon's energies flowed together, forming a singular, harmonious force.
The celestial tree became dormant, acting as a silent witness to their unity. Lightning crackled gently around Ethan, signifying their newfound balance.
The water now reflected both Ethan and the dragon as one entity. Subtle lightning danced around Ethan's body, their reflection in the water now appeared with glowing eyes and a faint dragon-like aura.
"Seventh hammer: Soulstorm Refinement" The dragon said and Ethan closed their eyes, and the world around him disappeared.
Within his mind, an internal storm raged, representing the last remnants of doubt and fear.
The celestial tree's roots extended into his consciousness, grounding him as the dragon's lightning purged his weaknesses.
When the storm subsided, Ethan stood calm, his soul now fully refined and his power completely awakened. The water around the island glowed faintly, mirroring his inner peace.
"Eight hammer: Thunderveil Revelation." The dragon said again.
Ethan approached the celestial tree and placed his hand on its glowing trunk. The tree responded by emitting a veil of lightning that enveloped Ethan. The tree's glow intensified, creating a dome of light around Ethan.
Visions of his future flashed across the veil, and the dragon watched from above. The dragon's presence became quieter, as if allowing Ethan to process their revelations.
"And now this is where we climax the reforge. Ninth and last hammer: Celestial Rebirth." The dragon said, proud of Ethan being able to endure the pain till the last stage. The dragon roared one last time, signaling the completion of the ritual.
The celestial tree released a pulse of light that spread across the water, signifying the rebirth of the master.
Ethan stepped away from the tree, his body now radiating lightning-infused energy.
The dragon landed beside Ethan, now in a divine human form, bowing slightly to acknowledge his transformation. The celestial tree dimmed, its role fulfilled, and the water grew still, reflecting the vast, serene skies.
Ethan stood tall, surrounded by an aura of lightning. The water mirrored his form and the tree's, creating an image of unity and rebirth.
The boy who sat on the swing then smiled and started swinging harder than at first.
"Now the reforge is complete you can check out your Lexicon when you go back. And remember that you will need it one day; my real name is Amatsurai." The dragon said and in the next moment
Ethan was back to the real world.
"Where is the 'Veilspire'?" Ethan asked.
"You broke it during your reforge. Anytime I tried putting it back it shattered. That's the presence of the dragon. Nothing can keep the presence of the lightning dragon at bay. That should tell you of how powerful you're now but it is now time for you to start the real training." Shawn said and patted Ethan on the head.