Kael stood in the cavern, the last echoes of the guardian's death still trembling in the walls. Smoke curled from his lips. His fists burned with power, but inside, his heart was not calm.
The system's voice still rang in his head.
> [Quest Complete.]
Reward: Dragon's Roar – Unlocked.
He could feel it—the new skill resting inside him, raw and dangerous, like a caged storm. But the fire in his chest was not only from power. It was from memory.
Slowly, Kael closed his eyes.
And the darkness of the cavern was replaced by another darkness—the battlefield where he had fallen.
It was raining that day.
Cold drops fell on his armor, mixing with the blood that already stained him. His men were still fighting, holding the line. They trusted him, followed his command, believed he would lead them to victory as always.
But behind him stood Darion.
His brother-in-arms. His closest general. The man he had trusted most.
Kael remembered the exact moment.
Darion's smirk—small, sharp, and cruel. A signal.
Arrows rained from behind.
"Wha—Darion?!" Kael had shouted, spinning around.
But the answer was betrayal. The men he thought were loyal turned their blades, their spears, their bows. His own army—half of it—was already bought and broken.
The pain came fast.
Arrows piercing his back. One in his thigh. Another in his shoulder.
He fought on, cutting through men like grass. His sword had burned with fire, his roar had scattered enemies. But the tide was endless.
And then—the spear.
A single thrust, straight through his chest.
He remembered the heat of his blood spilling, the strength leaving his body. He had fallen to his knees. His vision had blurred.
Darion had stood before him, armor shining, eyes filled not with pity, but with cold ambition.
"Your bloodline ends here, Dragon Lord," Darion had whispered. "Your reign dies with you. The throne belongs to me now."
Kael had spat blood and glared up at him. His voice was hoarse but steady.
"Darion… even if I fall today… I will return. And when I do… the world will burn."
Those were his last words. His vow.
And then—darkness.
Kael's eyes snapped open in the cavern. His fists shook. His nails dug into his palms until blood dripped.
The fire inside him roared, hotter than before.
"Darion," he growled, his voice echoing against the stone. "I will tear everything from you. Your crown, your land, your life. You will choke on the ashes of betrayal."
The crystals on the walls pulsed faintly as if answering his rage.
For a long moment, Kael stood there in silence, breathing heavily. His vow was not just a memory anymore—it was a promise etched into his very soul.
Then the system chimed again.
> [Main Quest Updated.]
– Rebuild Your Throne.
– Hunt down the traitor Darion.
– Reclaim the Dragon Lord's legacy.
Reward: ???
Kael laughed quietly. A bitter, sharp sound. "Good. Even the system remembers my promise."
He moved deeper into the cavern. His steps echoed in the silence. The runes glowed faintly under his feet, guiding him forward. At the end of the tunnel, light appeared—a thin crack of daylight spilling through stone.
The exit.
For the first time since his death, Kael breathed the open air.
It was fresh, heavy with the scent of earth and forest. The sky above stretched wide, painted with clouds. The world was alive, bright and cruel, waiting for him.
He stepped out of the cavern. The forest spread before him, vast and ancient. Tall trees reached upward, their leaves whispering in the wind. Birds scattered at his presence. Small animals hid in the undergrowth.
But something else moved too.
From the shadows of the forest, red eyes glowed.
Kael stopped. His instincts sharpened. His hand curled into a fist.
The beasts came out—wolf-like creatures, but wrong. Their fur was black as soot, their bodies twisted, their teeth too sharp. Dark smoke leaked from their mouths. Corrupted beasts.
Three of them.
They circled him, low and snarling.
Kael exhaled slowly. He was still new to this power. His fight with the guardian had been raw instinct. But these creatures were real enemies—fast, hungry, and deadly.
The first lunged.
Kael sidestepped, fire flashing from his hand as he struck. The flames burned the beast's side, and it yelped in pain. The other two attacked together, claws slashing. Kael ducked under one strike, then kicked the second beast hard enough to send it crashing into a tree.
But they did not stop.
One claw grazed his arm, drawing blood. The sting was sharp. Kael's eyes narrowed. He wiped the blood away with the back of his hand.
"Good," he muttered. "Pain reminds me I'm alive."
The beasts circled again. Their growls grew louder.
Kael felt the power in his chest—the new skill he had earned. Dragon's Roar.
He inhaled deeply. Fire swirled in his lungs. His chest expanded.
The beasts leapt together.
Kael roared.
The sound was thunder. It shook the trees, bent the branches, scattered the birds. Flame exploded from his mouth in a wave of fire. The beasts were caught midair, their bodies burning, their screams short and sharp. When the fire cleared, only ash and smoke remained.
Silence fell.
Kael stood tall, his chest rising and falling. His lips curled into a grim smile.
"So this is Dragon's Roar…" he whispered. "Darion. You don't know the fire you have woken."
The system spoke again.
> [Skill Proficiency Increased: Dragon's Roar.]
Kael clenched his fists. His power was still small, still unshaped, but it was growing. Every breath he took felt sharper. Every step felt heavier. He was not a broken man anymore. He was the Last Dragon Lord, reborn.
But he knew one truth.
He could not reveal himself yet. Not until his power was complete. Not until his throne was ready. Darion thought him dead. Let him keep thinking so—for now.
Kael turned toward the horizon. The forest stretched endless, and beyond it, kingdoms waited.
He whispered to the wind
, a promise carried into the world.
"I will rise again. And when I come, the world will kneel."
The fire in his chest burned brighter, answering his vow.