Arc XV – Chapter 1: "The Realm of Shadows"
(Wraith's POV)
The air was thick… wrong.
It burned her lungs with every breath.
The sky above was black and twisted, streaked with violet lightning that crackled without sound. Beneath her feet, the ground was magma—flowing rivers of molten rock cutting through broken statues, shattered swords, and old banners of knights long forgotten.
One statue stood out—a statue of Strom.
Not her Strom… this one was different: sharper armor, colder eyes, spear plunged into the head of a dragon.
Her lips trembled. "This isn't our world…"
She knelt on the blackened stone floor, not chained but too weak to stand. The heat was unbearable; even for her hardened demon blood, it clawed at her veins, making every muscle twitch. Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth, hissing as it touched the hot floor.
Above her, the castle loomed—a fortress made of obsidian and bone, jagged towers scraping a warped sky.
Footsteps echoed.
A shadow leaned from the gate—tall, armored, familiar but wrong.
Dark Strom.
His face was Strom's… but the eyes were hollow, glowing crimson instead of blue, his grin twisted into something cruel.
"On your knees," he said, voice dripping with mockery. "You don't deserve chains, beauty."
Wraith trembled—not because of fear of death, but because of him. Her ribs ached from where he'd struck, her Arm felt like lead.
He tilted his head. "Your knight… your Strom… will come for you, yes? I want him to see what his mercy created."
Wraith clenched her fists, forcing herself to look at him. Her voice cracked but steady:
"He's coming… and when he does, you're done."
Dark Strom chuckled.
"Oh… I hope so."
He walked away, leaving her alone in the heat and silence, the magma's glow painting her tears in crimson light.
Wraith closed her eyes, whispering through the pain:
"...Hurry, idiot. Please."
( The previous Dark Strom was the shadow of the real one )
Arc XV – Chapter 2: "Breaking Chains"
The forge shook as Strom slammed his hand on the stone table, fragments of metal and broken gears scattering across the floor.
His eyes glowed faint blue—Dragon Aura leaking uncontrollably—each pulse cracking the ground under his boots.
On the table lay the broken black spear of the duplicate Dark Strom, its jagged edges still humming with corrupted energy.
"Where is she?" Strom's voice was low, trembling with rage.
The pendant at his neck flickered weakly—Dravyss trying to respond—but the seal Malvek placed burned across it like molten iron.
Astrid placed her hand on his shoulder. "Strom, focus. You can't brute force the seal—"
"Watch me!" Strom roared, slamming his palm on the pendant and channeling every drop of aura. Blue flames erupted around him, swirling like a storm, but the pendant only sparked and fizzled, rejecting him violently and throwing him back.
Sam rushed to his side. "You'll rip your soul apart if you keep pushing like this!"
Strom gritted his teeth, clutching his fist. "I can't… call her. He locked her aura. Malvek knew this would break me." His eyes narrowed at the broken spear. "But I'm not waiting… I'm coming for him."
Sam knelt by the broken spear, running his hands over the strange etchings. "This thing is a link… a direct connection to their realm. I can feel it, but the magic's fragmented. We need coordinates, some stable anchor, or stepping through will rip you apart."
Astrid slammed her blade into the floor beside them. "Then fix it, mage! She's in there alone!"
Sam's hands shook as he poured mana into the spear shard, glowing purple sigils appearing. "There's something wrong with this spear. It's… not just a weapon, it's a key. But half of it's corrupted. If I stabilize it, I might open a doorway… but once it's open, there's no guarantee it'll stay that way."
"Open it," Strom growled, standing with a clenched jaw, blue aura licking off his body like fire. His eyes were colder than they had ever seen—like a beast barely chained.
Sam looked up, sweat dripping from his brow. "Strom… if you step through like this, you're going to war alone."
Strom looked at both of them, eyes blazing:
"I'm already at war."
Astrid exchanged a glance with Sam, her voice low but fierce:
"Then we're going with you. I'm not letting you fight whatever's waiting alone."
Sam's hands glowed brighter as he shouted over the energy storm:
"Then pray this works… because if I mess up, we're all gone!"
The broken spear cracked, releasing a surge of black and blue light. The air bent, reality itself tearing open—a swirling rift to Malvek's realm.
Strom gripped his new spear, the one he forged himself, and whispered through clenched teeth:
"Hold on, Wraith… I'm coming."
Arc XV – Chapter 3: "The Hunt Begins"
The air was heavy, each breath thick with sulfur and ash. The ground beneath their boots pulsed faintly like it was alive, magma veins running in every direction. The oppressive heat made Astrid's armor glow faint red at its edges.
They had been walking for over an hour—no Wraith, no movement except the endless statues of fallen warriors, many bearing Strom's face.
Sam rubbed his forehead. "This place… it's like someone built a shrine to your death a hundred times over."
Strom frowned, gripping his spear tightly. "Yeah, looks like Malvek's hobby is collecting versions of me. Guess he's obsessed."
Astrid wiped sweat from her brow. "We can't keep wasting time. Wraith's not built for this kind of heat… she won't last long."
Strom stopped and turned to them. His face was cold, eyes glowing faint blue. "We split up. Whoever finds her, or sees something weird, fire a spark into the sky. I'll reach you before you can blink."
Sam hesitated. "You sure about splitting up here? If one of us gets jumped, we—"
Astrid cut him off. "She's dying if we don't move faster. Stop complaining, little mage."
Sam scowled but nodded, and they each took a separate path. The silence grew thicker.
Dark Strom's Hunt
High above, perched on a broken spire, Dark Strom watched them split up. His eyes glimmered black and red, his grin sharp and wicked.
Dark Strom (to himself): "One at a time… easier to break them."
He dropped soundlessly, landing behind Astrid first. Before she could react, his hand clamped around her throat, lifting her off the ground like she was weightless.
Astrid gasped, slamming her armored fists into his arm, but it was like punching stone.
Dark Strom grinned. "You're strong… but slow." He flung her into a pillar, cracking it in half.
Before Sam could even cast a spell, Dark Strom blurred forward, striking him in the stomach with a single kick. Sam flew back, coughing blood.
Dark Strom: "Two down… only one left. The Dragon Knight."
He vanished into shadow, heading for Strom.
The Cage
Strom followed a trail of cracked stone, statues of himself shattered and piled like trophies. His eyes narrowed.
Strom: "This guy… seriously has a problem. Collecting my corpse like trading cards? What a freak."
A sharp whistle cut the air—then a black spear came spinning at him with killing speed.
Strom didn't even blink. He twisted his arm, his forearm bracelet shield activating, glowing blue. One flick of his wrist redirected the spear harmlessly to the ground, sparks flying.
Strom smirked. "Weak throw, Dummy."
Dark Strom emerged from the shadows, smirking. "I was hoping for a challenge."
Before Strom could close the distance, black runes lit up around him. A dark cage of cursed metal slammed down, locking him in place.
Dark Strom chuckled, pacing around him. "Wow… that was easier than I thought. The famous 'Blue Dragon Knight'… caught like a rookie."
Strom lowered his spear, staring at him with a killer smile, eyes glowing bright blue. "You think sticks can stop me?"
With one swing of his spear, glowing blue dragon aura, the cage shattered like glass, pieces flying in every direction.
Strom stepped out, dragging his spear along the ground, sparks and blue light following each step.
"You wanted me? Here I am."
The Clash
Dark Strom roared and charged, summoning his corrupted aura, black flames wrapping around his fists.
Strom countered instantly, blue aura erupting off him like a storm.
They collided, spear clashing with corrupted spear-shard. The impact created a shockwave so strong it shattered nearby statues.
Dark Strom swung wild, faster than any human eye could track—but Strom was faster, each block precise, each strike deliberate.
Dark Strom: "You fight… like me. That's why you'll lose."
Strom grinned: "No. I fight better then you , that's why I'll win."
A knee to Dark Strom's ribs, followed by a spinning strike from Strom's spear, sent Dark Strom flying back through two statues.
Dark Strom wiped blood from his mouth, grinning like a maniac. "Good… GOOD! This is what I wanted!"
Strom pointed his spear forward, eyes locked: "Then come and take your beating."
Arc XV – Chapter 4 How dare you to touch her
Strom's eyes locked on the blue streak across Dark Strom's armor—Wraith's blood.
For a second, his hand trembled, not from fear but from rage.
Strom (low and cold): "...What did you do with her?"
Dark Strom tilted his head, smirking like it was a joke:
Dark Strom: "Relax… she's alive. I just got… bored beating her."
The Aura Burst
A sudden surge of blue dragon aura erupted around Strom, the ground beneath him fracturing like thin glass. His eyes glowed, voice dropping even lower:
Strom: "...You dare to touch her."
He blurred forward, one hand grabbing Dark Strom by the neck, slamming him against a broken wall so hard the stone cracked like paper.
Strom (growling): "Wrong move."
Close Combat
Dark Strom swung, but Strom ducked and knee-struck his stomach, throwing him up before catching him midair and slamming him back down with bone-shaking force.
The dark helmet shattered with Strom's follow-up elbow strike. Dark Strom's face, identical to Strom's, was exposed—an arrogant grin even as he coughed.
Dark Strom: "Heh… you're fast… but I'm stronger."
Strom: "You were."
Strom tackled him, fist after fist pounding Dark Strom's guard, each hit shaking the ground. He flipped him over and drove his shoulder into the ground, pinning him like prey.
Rage Peak Moment (But No Finish)
Strom held Dark Strom by the chest plate, blue aura sparking at his palm:
Strom: "Say one more thing about her… I dare you."
Dark Strom struggled, coughing dark energy, finally silent as the blue aura burned against his armor.
The ground around them glowed from heat of Strom's aura surge—like he was seconds away from doing something irreversible.
Cliffhanger: Dark Strom's glare shifts, a flicker of unease appearing for the first time.
Strom's voice drops to a whisper:
Strom: "feeling the pain."
Arc XV – Chapter 5 The Dragons Duo
Strom had Dark Strom pinned and one final strike would end it—
WHOOSH!
A massive black tail crashed into his side, launching him across the battlefield and through a stone pillar.
He landed hard, coughing as dust and shards rained down.
Strom (glaring): "...What now?"
Two Massive Shadows
From the haze of heat and smoke, two colossal dragons emerged:
Darkius – pitch-black scales, eyes glowing crimson, wings spread wide like a black cloud.
Malvek – dark purple, molten cracks glowing along his scales, his roar shaking the entire ground.
Strom (shocked): "…Darkius? I ended you before."
Darkius (chuckling): "A human's strike doesn't end a dragon, Strom ."
Malvek: "And you stand alone in my realm. Brave… but foolish."
Relentless Attack
Strom raised his spear, but they didn't wait.
Darkius lunged first, claw strike slamming into Strom's guard, sending shockwaves across the lava-filled ground.
Malvek followed instantly, tail sweep forcing Strom to leap back.
Before he could regain footing, Darkius's wing bash sent him spinning. Strom gritted his teeth, landing in a crouch but sliding backward.
Darkius (mocking): "Too slow…"
Malvek: "And too alone."
They circled him, constantly switching angles, attacking so fast that Strom barely had time to breathe, let alone counterattack. His blue aura flickered as he blocked blow after blow, every strike heavier than the last.
Strom's Struggle
He jammed his spear into the ground to stop sliding, his hand bleeding from the pressure.
Strom (thinking): I can't keep this up…
Darkius breathed a wave of dark fire, forcing Strom to roll. Malvek instantly struck from the opposite side, claws raking sparks off Strom's spear.
One last strike from Darkius's tail smashed him into the ground again, his armor dented.
Darkius (grinning): "This is what happens when you fight real dragons, Knight."
Malvek: "Where's your guardian now, hmm? Locked away where you can't reach her."
Strom spat blood, glaring up at them with a faint smirk:
Strom: "You two lizards talk too much…"
Arc XV – Chapter 6 The Real Guardian Unleashed
Strom stood, battered but unbroken. Blood ran down his face, his grip on the blue spear trembling.
He looked at his pendant, cracked and glowing faintly.
Strom (growling): "No more seals… no more limits."
He slammed his spear down, shattering the pendant's glass core and metal frame. Blue light erupted from the fragments, shooting into the sky.
Strom (roaring): "Want to see my guardian? Even if she forgets me… before me, she'll end both of you!"
( Breaking the frame has a chance to erase the memory of Dravyss )
The Sky Tears Open
A deafening roar echoed through Malvek's realm. Blue fire cracked through the black clouds, shaking the entire land.
Then she came—
Dravyss.
Her massive form descended, wings casting an endless shadow, scales shining pearl white with streaks of blue, eyes like piercing sapphire blades. Her presence alone bent the air around her.
She landed between Strom and the two dragons, claws digging into the molten ground.
Dravyss (low, furious growl): "Two lizards… dared to touch on my son?"
The Dragons React
Darkius (snarling): "So the mother comes… I thought you were sealed!"
Malvek (grinning): "I sealed you once. I can do it again!"
Dravyss (smirking, voice dripping with dominance): "Then try you ugly mess."
The Clash
Darkius struck first, claws swiping with enough force to split stone. Dravyss met it head-on, her own claw locking his, pushing him back like a child.
Malvek followed with a molten fire breath— Dravyss countered with a searing crimson-blue flame, the two energies colliding in a shockwave that shook the sky.
Strom (watching, amazed): "…She's not even angry yet…"
Dravyss's tail lashed out, cracking against Malvek's chest, sending him crashing into the castle wall.
Darkius tried to flank her, but she snapped her wing outward, catching him mid-charge and slamming him into the ground.
Darkius (grunting): "She's… stronger than before…"
Malvek (roaring in pain): "Impossible… I sealed you!"
Dravyss (eyes glowing brighter): "Sorry my mistake ."
Dragons Retreat (For Now)
Both Darkius and Malvek looked at each other, realizing they were outmatched in direct combat.
Darkius: "This isn't over… we'll finish this another time."
Malvek: "Enjoy your small victory… it won't last."
They spread their wings and retreated into the ash-filled horizon.
Aftermath
Dravyss turned, lowering her massive head toward Strom.
Dravyss (softly): "You've grown… but don't ever break that seal again unless you're ready for war."
Strom (smirking, exhausted): "We were already in one."
She glanced at his wounds, then toward the distance where Wraith was being held.
Dravyss (calm but terrifying): "Show me where they keep her. Tonight, we burn their world."
Arc XV – Chapter 7 (The Roar of Dravyss)
The group regrouped near the edge of Malvek's broken plains. Sam and Astrid supported Wraith, who still looked pale and shaken from her ordeal.
Astrid (concerned): "She's okay now… but that dark copy hit us like we were training dummies."
Sam (frustrated): "He was fast… too fast. If Strom hadn't shown up…"
Wraith (weakly smiling at Strom): "I knew you'd come…"
Strom clenched his fist but before he could respond, Dravyss's voice cut through the air, deeper and more furious than they had ever heard:
Dravyss (commanding): "No… I won't repeat my mistake. Not again."
She spread her colossal wings and shot into the sky.
Strom (to everyone): "We follow her. Now."
The Encounter
They arrived just in time to see Malvek and Darkius discussing strategy, their voices echoing over the magma plains.
Malvek: "We strike together next time—his guardian won't save him again."
Darkius: "And when she's gone, the boy is mine."
A massive shadow fell over them. Dravyss landed like a meteor, shaking the earth. Her claws dug into the ground, blue and white flames sparking from her maw.
Darkius (hissing, stepping back): "…She came herself…"
Malvek (eyes widening): "…This… wasn't supposed to happen."
Dravyss (calm but terrifying): "I will not let either of you touch my family ever again."
The Fight of Titans
Darkius roared and lunged first, his blackened scales shimmering with dark energy. Dravyss caught his strike with one claw, twisted, and slammed him into Malvek, sending both sliding across molten rock.
Dravyss (roaring): "You want to know why they call me Dravyss?"
Her body lit up with crimson-blue aura, her wings expanding wide.
Dravyss (smirking): "I'm the reason your son isn't an orphan yet, Darkius!"
Darkius (enraged): "You won't leave here alive!"
Dravyss (charging blue flames): "Wrong. YOU won't."
A torrent of blue fire erupted, engulfing both dragons. They tried to counter with combined dark and molten flames, but her power ripped straight through, shattering their aura defenses.
End of the Clash
Malvek crashed into a jagged spire, groaning in pain, while Darkius barely managed to stand, smoke rising from his scales.
Dravyss (stepping forward, eyes glowing): "Tell them…"
She exhaled a controlled stream of fire just inches from their heads.
Dravyss (snarling): "…I'm still here to protect."
Neither Malvek nor Darkius dared to respond—they spread their wings and retreated into the burning horizon, defeated once more.
Aftermath
Astrid (whispering): "She… she's terrifying…"
Sam (wide-eyed): "That wasn't even her full power, was it?"
Strom (half-smile, wiping blood from his lip): "That's mom. The strongest guardian on her planet."
Wraith (softly): "…I feel safe now."
Arc XV – Chapter 8 (Old Citizen Slayer)
The Final Strike
The battlefield shook as Dravyss pinned both dragons—Malvek under one claw and Darkius under the other. Her eyes glowed bright blue as she whispered:
Dravyss (low and cold): "I think You two forget… why even Gods fear me."
She unleashed a cosmic-level blue fire blast, the kind of flame that tore through reality itself. The ground cracked and the sky itself flashed white-blue as Malvek and Darkius screamed in unison—then silence.
When the light faded, nothing remained but molten ground and drifting ash.
Aftermath – Back in the Normal World
The team gathered on a soft patch of grass under the night sky, sitting around a crackling campfire. Their clothes were torn, their bodies bruised, but they were alive… and together.
Strom (grinning at Dravyss): "Mom… now you're officially 'Old Citizen Slayer'. Tag unlocked."
Dravyss (smirking proudly): "Nice nickname. I think I'll keep it."
Sam (raising an eyebrow): "Man, how many old villains are even left now?"
Strom (stretching arms painfully): "Don't know. But if they attack, that's their last mistake."
Wraith (leaning on Strom, holding her side): "It's gonna take weeks to fully recover… still hurts to breathe."
Astrid (checking her own bruises): "That dark copy was fast… I need more training."
Strom (serious): "It's not your fault, Astrid. He was good in combat. But not strong enough to face my rage… and honestly, if mom wasn't sealed, I'd never have unlocked that… torture aura."
Astrid (looking concerned): "That… sounded terrifying."
Dravyss (stern): "Don't use it for fun. Humans can't even stand for a second under that kind of pain."
Astrid (smirking, pointing at Sam): "Yeah, and definitely not the little mage sitting next to me."
Sam (offended): "Hey! I'm not that short!"
Astrid (grinning): "You barely reach my shoulders, and you say you're not short?"
Wraith (laughing weakly): "Not again, Astrid… find something new to roast him with."
Astrid (confident): "No problem, Wraith. I'll think of something by morning."
Everyone chuckled, even Sam eventually joining in. The fire crackled, the stars shimmered above, and for the first time in days, there was peace.