Kael stepped out of the forge, the new sword humming faintly, arcs of electricity licking the edges. His boots struck the cobblestones with the quiet authority of a storm walking, wings tucked neatly, the wind bending slightly around him. Loki hovered above, sparks flaring in excitement. "Master, this weapon resonates perfectly with your Dragonic Thunderstorm Dragon signature. Efficiency in strikes has increased by 27%, damage potential by 33%, and elemental spread is maximized." Fjorn hissed proudly, circling Ylva. "Our master's precision and synergy with the weapon is… remarkable. Even at reduced power, the blade's lightning channels perfectly with ice constructs."
Kael smirked. "Enough commentary. Time to test it." With a flick of his wrist, lightning surged from the blade in a thin, controlled beam, cutting through a merchant cart like it wasn't even there. Sparks showered the street. Loki floated beside him, projecting Kael's status for constant feedback. "Full control maintained. Overload threshold not reached. Partial flight will increase strike range by 20%." Ylva smiled faintly, frost curling along her shoulders. "He's unstoppable when focused."
Suddenly, a group of rogue Awakened appeared at the far end of the street, leaping down from rooftops, eyes burning with challenge. Kael grinned, flexing the sword, lightning dancing along his arm. "Loki—offense Alpha. Fjorn—cover Beta. Make it clean." Both familiars surged into action, Loki launching streaks of lightning to corral enemies, Fjorn firing frost spikes to slow their movements. Kael leapt into the air, partial Demidrake form giving him extra lift. Wings spread, he hovered above, arcs of lightning firing from the sword like deadly beams. Each strike was precise, amplified by his control, carving paths through the challengers without endangering the city structures.
One Awakened tried to flank him, moving faster than human perception. Kael twisted mid-air, partially shifting arms and legs into Demidrake form, wings adjusting to maintain balance, and lashed out. Lightning surged along the blade, striking the attacker square in the chest. Sparks and minor explosions erupted as the suppression field struggled to contain Kael's full power. Loki clapped his tiny hands. "Excellent coordination. Power absorption not yet at 50%, Master. Your control is immaculate." Fjorn hissed in delight. "Synergy perfect. My master never disappoints."
Kael landed gracefully, sword humming with stored energy. "Keep your eyes open," he said, wings folding behind him. "The real fights haven't even started yet." Ylva tilted her head, frost glittering faintly. "You're going to test that sword against who?" Kael smiled faintly, lightning flickering along his jawline. "Whoever thinks they're worthy. And whoever doesn't? They'll learn."
Above the city, a crimson aura pulsed in rhythm with Kael's lightning, faint but growing stronger. Something—or someone—had been waiting for him since the championship, watching his rise. The storm was not done yet, and neither were the challenges that would define Kael Stormheart.
Far beyond the rooftops, a shadow detached itself from the darkness, eyes burning like molten rubies. It whispered to itself: "So… the Storm Dragon awakens. Let's see how he fares when the real game begins."