The collision between the two domains shattered the heavens.
Crimson mist and golden dragon light clashed violently, tearing open cracks in space itself. Mountains were ground into dust, rivers vanished into steam, and the battlefield was reduced to a ruined wasteland. Soldiers from both sides had long since retreated, unable to withstand even the aftermath of such power.
At the center of destruction, two figures stood facing each other.
Kaelthar Vire floated calmly within his Crimson Hellscape, blood-red energy swirling around him like living flames. His silver hair danced wildly in the storm of power, and his crimson eyes burned with excitement.
"This is good," he said, wiping blood from the corner of his lips. "Very good. You've forced me this far after centuries of boredom."
Opposite him, Arin stood within his Dragon Heaven Realm, his body covered in golden-red scales. A phantom dragon coiled behind him, its eyes filled with ancient authority. His breathing was heavy, and faint cracks had begun to appear on his skin. Even with his awakened bloodline, fighting a Half-Emperor was pushing him beyond his limits.
Still, his gaze remained steady.
"I won't fall," Arin said quietly. "Not here."
"Because of your family?" Kaelthar laughed. "How fragile."
He raised both hands, and the crimson domain condensed into a massive blood spear that stretched across the sky. Dark runes wrapped around it, radiating destructive intent.
"This ends now."
With a single motion, he hurled it forward.
The spear tore through space like a falling star, annihilating everything in its path.
Arin's pupils shrank.
He crossed his arms and summoned every ounce of power he had. Dragon scales thickened, golden light surged, and his domain condensed into a blazing shield. When the spear collided with it, the world exploded.
A blinding flash swallowed everything.
The shockwave flattened distant mountains and sent tidal waves across nearby lakes. For several seconds, nothing could be seen or heard.
Then—
A figure fell from the sky.
Boom!
Arin crashed into the ground, carving a massive crater. Blood poured from his mouth, and his scales shattered into fragments. His body twitched weakly as consciousness began slipping away.
Inside him, the system blared urgently.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Critical Condition
Vitality: 3%
Soul Stability: Unstable
Kaelthar descended slowly, looking down with mild disappointment.
"So this is your limit," he said. "In the end, you're still mortal."
He lifted his palm, gathering crimson energy once more.
"Rest now."
Frostwind Palace — Inner Chamber
Elara suddenly collapsed to her knees.
Pain shot through her abdomen, but it wasn't physical.
It was spiritual.
She felt Arin's life slipping away.
"No… no, no…" she whispered, tears streaming down her face.
Her hands trembled as she pressed them against her stomach.
"Our child…"
At that moment, the unborn heir responded.
A warm golden light bloomed from her body, spreading throughout the chamber. Ancient runes appeared in the air, formed from bloodline resonance older than recorded history.
Servants screamed in shock.
High priests rushed in, faces pale.
"This… this is a Heavenly Bloodline Reaction!"
Battlefield
As Kaelthar prepared his final strike, a sudden warmth enveloped Arin.
It felt like sunlight after endless winter.
Like home.
Like love.
A voice echoed in his soul.
"Papa…"
Arin's eyes snapped open.
Golden light erupted from his chest.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Heir Resonance Activated
Bloodline Fusion: Complete
Royal Dragon Line — 92% Unlocked
Power flooded his broken body.
Cracked bones reformed.
Shattered scales regenerated.
His heart thundered like a war drum.
Arin slowly stood up.
Kaelthar froze.
"…Impossible."
Behind Arin, three phantoms appeared.
A mighty dragon.
A gentle woman formed of light.
And a tiny golden silhouette.
Three generations.
Past.
Present.
Future.
Their power merged into one.
"This…" Arin whispered, clenching his fists. "This is my family's strength."
He stepped forward.
The earth bowed beneath his feet.
His aura transformed, becoming calm, vast, and absolute.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Temporary Realm Breakthrough
Cultivation: Pseudo-Emperor
Kaelthar roared and unleashed everything he had. His domain burned violently, consuming his life force in exchange for power.
"DIE!"
A sea of crimson energy surged forward.
Arin raised one hand.
"Dragon Emperor—Final Judgment."
A colossal golden dragon descended from the heavens, carrying the will of generations. It opened its mouth and released a beam of pure authority.
Light met darkness.
For an instant, time stopped.
Then—
Boom!!!
The Crimson Hellscape shattered like glass.
Kaelthar screamed as his body disintegrated, his cultivation collapsing, his soul scattering into nothingness.
"No—this can't—!"
His voice faded.
Silence followed.
When the dust settled, only Arin remained standing.
The battlefield was unrecognizable.
The Eclipse Order's fortress had vanished.
Their army was gone.
Their leader was erased.
The war was over.
Arin dropped to one knee, breathing heavily.
The golden light slowly faded.
His realm fell back.
But he was alive.
He smiled faintly.
"I… won."
Later — Frostwind Palace
Arin returned on a spirit carriage.
Weak.
Exhausted.
But victorious.
Elara rushed forward despite protests, wrapping him in her arms.
"Idiot…" she cried. "Don't ever scare me like that again."
He hugged her gently.
"I promised… I'd come back."
Seren crossed her arms, eyes red. "Next time, I'm coming too."
Mira adjusted her glasses. "Statistically, that was unacceptable risk."
He laughed weakly.
"Our child saved me," he said softly.
Elara smiled through tears. "He's already protecting his father."
They stood together under the sunset.
A family.
A dynasty.
A future.