"Slowly, Drakon!"
"I'm about to fall over here..."
"Damn it, I'm dead..."
Amid the relentless howling of the wind, BlackFang was lifted into the sky, soaring above the clouds. True enough, the black cat was being carried by a swirling flame hovering overhead.
"Look at you, so timid, BlackFang?" Drakon laughed mockingly at his fellow disciple. At that moment, the two of them pierced through the thick mist, heading straight for Cinderfang Mountain of the Celestial Monastery.
"I'm just scared of heights, not cowardly... Ugh... Oof..." BlackFang retorted, his face pale as he fought back nausea.
"Hahaha!"
"Alright then, brace yourself—we're speeding up!" Drakon called out.
"Oh no!!!" BlackFang wailed in despair.
High above the sea of white mist, icy winds roared. From the east, golden sunlight pierced through the clouds, heralding the dawn of a new day.
After a while, the distant silhouette of a towering peak emerged from the haze—a majestic mountain, its summit crowned with glistening snow and ice.
"Aha! That's the peak of Cinderfang—we've arrived!" Drakon announced.
BlackFang, still dizzy and speechless, could only groan in response.
"You're embarrassing me, BlackFang! Haha!"
"Do you like thrills?" Drakon shouted over the wind.
"No, not even a little!" BlackFang insisted.
"Well, you'll have to learn to! Time to land!" With that, Drakon deliberately accelerated, knowing full well his companion's fear of heights.
"When we get back to the Celestial Monastery, I'll settle this with you!" BlackFang squeezed his eyes shut as they plummeted toward the ground at terrifying speed.
Two streaks of flame tore through the clouds as the landscape below came into view—the sprawling Celestial Monastery, nestled among seven towering peaks, with Cinderfang reigning supreme.
"You're back, Drakon! BlackFang!" A fellow disciple sweeping the courtyard waved at them.
"Greetings, Ah-Shi!"
"What's for dinner? I'm starving!" BlackFang yelped as he scrambled onto solid ground, desperate to escape the flames.
"Haven't decided yet, but I'll make sure it's delicious! Hahaha!" Ah-Shi chuckled, ruffling his own hair in a friendly gesture.
"Does BlackFang know how to do anything besides eat?" Drakon teased.
"Hahaha! Maybe he's just exhausted from last night's mission. I'll prepare a meal for everyone."
"Ah-Shi's the only one who understands me!" BlackFang slung an arm around his shoulder.
"Drakon, the Grandmaster is waiting for you," Ah-Shi reminded him.
"Where are they now?"
"The ancient tower beside the Oracle Falls, near the Elderwood."
"Thank you, Ah-Shi." With that, Drakon left to meet the Grandmaster.
"Need any help in the kitchen?" BlackFang perked up.
"Of course! Follow me."
"Lead the way! If I want to eat, I'd better stick with Ah-Shi!"
Their laughter echoed through the courtyard—a testament to their close bond.
The gentle murmur of flowing water, the rustling of leaves in the wind, and the harmonious songs of birds filled the air as Drakon walked toward his destination.
"Click-clack."
His footsteps were slow but deliberate.
Now, his appearance became clear—a man of strong build, standing six feet tall, with long yet well-kept hair. His thick, sharp brows exuded the aura of a warrior, and his deep, cold eyes seemed to gaze into infinity.
He wore a crimson robe adorned with a pale pink lotus, around which a golden dragon coiled. Beneath it was a dark violet undershirt.
Slung across his back was a long sword—its crimson blade matching his attire. At the hilt rested a mysterious black stone. Curiously, he hadn't used it in his battle against the Armored Ones, opting instead for the legendary Dawnbreaker. There had to be a reason.
"You've returned."
"Yes, Master. This disciple pays his respects."
"Good. Sit."
"As you command."
Beside a sturdy stone table, an elder with a flowing white beard sat in silence. Drakon bowed respectfully before taking his seat opposite the Grandmaster.
"Master, I have something to report."
The Grandmaster said nothing, only stroking his beard with a faint smile. Drakon hesitated, glancing at the stone surface before him—a chessboard arranged in an intricate trigram pattern, its black and white pieces poised for battle.
"Clack..." The Grandmaster placed a black piece onto the board.
"Your turn."
Drakon was momentarily stunned but quickly composed himself, picking up a white piece and setting it down.
"Clack..."
"Bong... Bong..."
The moment he released the piece, a deep temple bell resonated, shaking his very soul.
"Where... is this?"
Before him stretched an endless void of darkness. The only light came from the crimson glow of the sword on his back.
"Ambush from all sides."
The Grandmaster's voice echoed in his mind, though he stood utterly alone. Suddenly, white flashes erupted around him—the sound of weapons and rapid footsteps closing in from every direction.
"What's happening?"
Gritting his teeth, Drakon tightened his grip on the blood-red sword, its radiant glow illuminating the abyss as he prepared for battle.