When Cael opened his eyes, he was in a space different from reality. Everything was bathed in golden light, and ancient characters floated in the air. Beneath his feet, a massive circular altar carved with the image of a dragon spread out.
"Where... am I?" Cael sat up and looked around.
"This is the Dragon God's Sanctuary."
The Dragon Lord appeared before Cael. Without his armor, he surprisingly resembled a human, though golden light flowed from his eyes, and a dragon symbol was etched on his forehead.
"I am the first Dragon Slayer, and the one who became a Dragon God. My name is Azel."
Cael was astonished. "A Dragon Slayer... became a Dragon God?"
"That is correct. Ten thousand years ago, I too was a human knight fighting dragons, just like you. But after learning the truth, I chose a different path."
Azel raised his hand, and an illusion unfolded in the air. It showed a human knight fighting dragons on an ancient battlefield.
"Dragons and humans originally sprung from the same root. Two races created by the primordial Dragon God Bahamut... But when the balance of power shattered, war began."
"Bahamut is a Dragon God?" Cael was confused. "Then the Bahamut I just saw was..."
"A corrupted avatar of the Dragon God. The true Bahamut perished long ago, and only his darkness remains, seeking to destroy the world."
The illusion shifted. A colossal Dragon God was seen splitting into light and darkness.
"The light became the Dragon God's blessing, passed down to the chosen ones, and the darkness became the will of destruction, corrupting the dragons."
Cael began to understand. "So, the reason I was able to defeat Akbajar was because of..."
"The Dragon God's blessing. You are the second chosen one to appear in ten thousand years."
[SYSTEM ALERT: HIDDEN TRUTH DISCOVERED][DRAGON GOD SUCCESSOR QUALIFICATION CONFIRMED][NEW ABILITY UNLOCKING IN PROGRESS...]
Azel approached Cael and placed a hand on his forehead. Suddenly, an immense flood of knowledge and memories poured into Cael's mind.
The Dragon Language, ancient magic, the true power of the Dragon God... And most importantly, the method to completely seal the corrupted Bahamut.
"Now you must choose," Azel said. "Will you accept the Dragon God's power and become a true Dragon Lord, or remain human and fight with limited strength?"
"What happens if I become a Dragon God?"
"You will become immortal, but you must leave the human world. You will live forever as a guardian, maintaining balance."
Cael fell into thought. If he became a Dragon God, he could surely stop Bahamut, but he would have to part with Leon, Aria, Garon, Elisa... his precious companions, forever.
"Is there no other way?"
"There is one," Azel smiled. "To accept only a portion of the Dragon God's power. It won't be complete, but you will gain enough strength to confront Bahamut."
"I'll choose that method."
"A good choice. But there is a price. Your lifespan will be halved."
Cael nodded without hesitation. "It doesn't matter. I want to fight alongside my companions."
Azel's expression showed a touch of emotion. "Indeed, you are the chosen one. Now, receive it. The incomplete power of the Dragon God!"
Suddenly, Cael's body began to glow with golden light. Hot energy permeated deep into his bones.
[AWAKENING STARTING][DRAGON GOD BLOODLINE ACTIVATED][CONVERTING TO DRAGON LORD (INCOMPLETE)...]
A painful transformation began. Cael's eyes turned golden, and his heartbeat became similar to that of a dragon. Dragon scale patterns appeared and disappeared on his hands.
[AWAKENING COMPLETE][LEVEL: 15 → 25][NEW TITLE: DRAGON GOD'S SUCCESSOR][NEW ABILITY ACQUIRED: DRAGON GOD'S AUTHORITY (LIMITED)][NEW ABILITY ACQUIRED: DRAGON DOMINANCE][NEW ABILITY ACQUIRED: HOLY DRAGON SUMMON]
Azel nodded with satisfaction. "Now, you can begin the true battle."
"What happened to my companions?"
"Do not worry. Time flows differently here. In reality, not even an hour has passed yet."
Just then, the sanctuary began to tremble.
"Bahamut is on the move again," Azel's expression hardened. "He has begun his true awakening. He is attempting to break the ancient seal in the Temple of Darkness."
"The Temple of Darkness?"
"It is where the corrupted Dragon God's power is sealed. If that seal is broken..."
Azel trailed off, unable to finish his sentence. Something truly horrifying would happen.
"Go quickly. Your companions are waiting. And take this."
Azel handed Cael a golden sword.
"Dragon God Sword Excalibur. Only this sword can purify Bahamut's darkness."
[LEGENDARY WEAPON ACQUIRED: DRAGON GOD SWORD EXCALIBUR][SPECIAL EFFECT: 50% INSTANT DEATH CHANCE ON DRAGONS][SPECIAL EFFECT: DARKNESS PURIFICATION][SPECIAL EFFECT: HOLY LIGHT]
When Cael opened his eyes, his companions were surrounding him, all with worried expressions.
"Cael!" Leon let out a sigh of relief. "I really thought you were dead!"
Aria's eyes welled up with tears. "You were unconscious for a whole hour."
"Sorry, I made you worry." Cael stood up. But his appearance was different than before. A faint golden light emanated from his eyes.
Garon's eyes widened. "Brother, you look different somehow?"
Elisa sensed Cael with her magic, then looked surprised. "What... what is this magic power? It feels more than ten times what it was before?"
Cael drew the Dragon God Sword Excalibur. A holy light flowed from the blade.
"Everyone, the real war begins now." Cael looked at the northern sky. "Bahamut is targeting the Temple of Darkness. If that seal is broken, this world will end."
Leon drew his sword. "Then we just have to stop him. There's nothing we can't do if we're together."
Aria drew her bowstring. "This time, let's finish him for good so he can't escape."
Garon raised his shield. "I'll follow your lead, Brother!"
Elisa raised her staff. "I'll use every bit of magic I have!"
Cael smiled, looking at his companions. He had received the Dragon God's power, but his strongest power, in truth, was his friendship with them.
"Alright. Then let's go. To the Temple of Darkness!"
[MAIN QUEST UPDATED][PROTECT THE SEAL OF THE TEMPLE OF DARKNESS][TIME REMAINING: 72 HOURS][FAILURE CONDITION: WORLD DESTRUCTION]
In the northern sky, a black aura was already rising. The final battle was approaching.