Chapter 256 Heroine's Enemy Got Another Power
With a roar, Iris and Lilith unleashed their strongest attacks simultaneously. Iris's light magic and Lilith's dark energy converged, spiraling together into a devastating beam of pure, destructive power. The Dragon King raised his arms, trying to defend himself, but the force of their combined attack overwhelmed him. The spiraling light and darkness engulfed his massive form, swallowing him whole.
For a moment, there was nothing but blinding brilliance and deafening silence.
Then, with an ear-splitting roar, the Dragon King's defenses shattered.
The beam of light and dark magic pierced through his chest, tearing through scales, muscle, and bone as if they were nothing more than paper. The Dragon King's roar turned into a scream of pain and rage as the energy seared through him, burning away his flesh and charring his bones. He staggered backward, his wings flaring wide as he struggled to maintain his balance.
Blood poured from the gaping wound in his chest, and he coughed violently, dark red droplets splattering the ground.
"How…?" he rasped, his voice thick with pain and disbelief. He stared at Lilith and Iris, his eyes blazing with defiance even as his body trembled under the weight of his injuries. "How is this possible…? You—weak creatures—dare—?"
"Don't bother," Lilith cut him off, her tone cold and unforgiving. She stepped forward, her dark energy crackling around her like a living thing. The Dragon King's gaze shifted to her, and for the first time, a flicker of uncertainty crossed his face.
"You lost," she whispered, a cruel smile spreading across her lips. "Because you underestimated us."
With a final, desperate snarl, the Dragon King lunged at her, his claws outstretched. But his movements were sluggish, his strength fading rapidly. Lilith didn't move, didn't even flinch as he bore down on her. At the last moment, Iris darted in, catching the Dragon King's wrist and twisting it sharply.
There was a sickening snap, and the Dragon King cried out as his arm was wrenched out of its socket.
"Your time is over, Dragon King," Iris said softly, her voice calm and steady. She tightened her grip on his wrist, forcing him to his knees.
The Dragon King's chest heaved as he struggled to breathe. Blood poured from his wounds, pooling beneath him in dark, sticky puddles. He glared up at them, his eyes blazing with fury even as his strength waned. "I… will not… fall… to the likes of you…"
"Maybe not," Lilith murmured, her smile widening. "But you'll die here, regardless."
With a savage cry, she raised her hand, dark energy swirling around her fingertips. The Dragon King roared, his body trembling as he tried to rise, but it was too late. Lilith brought her hand down, and a wave of darkness surged forward, crashing into the Dragon King like a tidal wave. The energy tore through him, ripping his flesh apart and reducing his bones to ash.
The Dragon King's scream echoed through the grove, a sound of pure agony and despair. His massive form crumbled, scales and flesh disintegrating under the onslaught of Lilith's power. Iris stepped back, watching in grim silence as the Dragon King's body disintegrated, his essence fading away into the wind.
When the darkness finally cleared, there was nothing left of the Dragon King but a faint, lingering wisp of energy. Lilith stood over the spot where he had fallen, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her remaining arm trembled, the effort of summoning that final attack clearly taking its toll on her already battered body. However on her face, she had bright smile.
If she can, then she wanted revive dragon king and fight it again.
Iris looked down at her own shattered arm, then back at Lilith. "We barely made it." Her gaze shifted to the smoldering remnants of the Dragon King, her brow furrowing. "He was far stronger than we anticipated. If he hadn't lost his strength in those last moments, we wouldn't have stood a chance."
"Don't ruin my victory with your gloomy assessments," Lilith muttered, rolling her eyes. She took a shaky step forward, then another, but her legs gave out beneath her. She crumpled to the ground, gasping in pain as the gaping wound in her stomach pulsed with a fresh wave of agony.
Iris moved quickly, kneeling beside her and pressing her hands to the wound. A soft, golden light enveloped Lilith's body, but the dark energy surrounding the wound resisted, crackling angrily as it fought back against Iris's healing magic.
"I told you," Iris said, "The Dragon King's energy is still disrupting my magic. It's going to take time to fully neutralize it."
Lilith grunted, her face contorted with excitement. "Just… do what you can," she managed, her voice tight. "I'm enjoying this, so it's okay."
"Pevert," Iris murmured. She channeled more magic into the wound, ignoring the resistance as she focused on stabilizing Lilith's condition. The glow of her healing spell intensified, casting a soft, warm light over the grove.
Slowly, the wound began to close, the torn flesh knitting together under the influence of Iris's magic. The dark energy crackled and hissed, but it gradually weakened, its power fading as Iris continued to work. Lilith's breathing steadied, the tension in her body easing as the pain subsided.
"There," Iris murmured, finally pulling her hands back. The wound was still raw and tender, but it was no longer life-threatening. She let out a slow breath, wiping the sweat from her brow. "That should hold for now."
Lilith exhaled shakily, a faint smile on her lips. "You really are… something else, Phoenix."
"Don't mention it," Iris replied quietly. She glanced around the grove, "We should move. We still have thousands of dragons to kill."
Lilith eyes brighten and nodded excitedly.
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The pathway to the secret place was shrouded in shadows, its entrance hidden beneath layers of jagged rock and ice. Nyx stepped forward, her heels clicking softly against the frozen ground as she moved through the tunnel, her form enveloped in the darkness she commanded. The air was cold and biting, the chill seeping into her bones, but she paid it no mind.
As Nyx reached the end of the path, she found herself standing before an enormous cavern, its walls glittering with frost and ice. The cavern's roof was high above, arching like a cathedral of frozen crystals, and in the very center of the chamber sat a single object: a large, radiant blue egg.
The egg seemed to pulse with an inner light, a soft glow emanating from beneath its icy shell. It was beautiful, flawless, and exuded an aura of latent power. Nyx's eyes narrowed as she approached, her gaze fixed on the egg. It was enormous—larger than a full-grown human—and covered in intricate patterns of frost that shimmered like stars in the pale light.
"So this is where they hid you…" she murmured softly, reaching out with one delicate hand. Her fingers hovered just above the surface of the egg, feeling the cold energy that thrummed within it. "An ice dragon… the last of its kind."
Nyx smiled faintly, a look of satisfaction crossing her face. She could feel the creature within the egg—its heartbeat, its dormant strength, its latent potential just waiting to be unleashed. With this dragon under her control, her power would be beyond reckoning.
"It's time to wake up," she whispered.
Dark energy flowed from her fingertips, seeping into the egg like tendrils of smoke. The ice patterns on the shell flared with light, and the egg began to tremble, a faint crack forming along its surface. Nyx stepped back, her gaze intent as she watched the creature within respond to her call.
Slowly, the crack widened, spiderwebbing across the surface of the egg. A soft, almost musical sound filled the air as the shell began to break, shards of ice and frost falling away piece by piece. Nyx's heart pounded with anticipation as the first hint of movement came from within—a gentle push, followed by the faintest sound of scratching.
The dragon inside was waking up.
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Another crack splintered the shell, and then, with a sharp, decisive motion, a small claw broke through. The claw was covered in glistening white scales, each one as delicate as snowflakes but as sharp as razors. It hesitated for only a moment before digging in again, pulling the shell apart bit by bit.
The egg split open slowly, revealing more of the creature inside. A long, sinuous neck unfurled, the scales shimmering with a beautiful mix of pale blue and silver. The dragon's head emerged, its eyes closed tightly as it pushed against the shell, using its tiny horns to crack the remaining pieces apart.
Nyx stood still, watching the creature's struggle with a calm expression. The dragon's determination pleased her—it was strong, even now, and it had yet to even draw its first breath in this world.
Finally, with one last push, the dragon broke free of the egg. It tumbled forward, its wings flaring wide as it tried to steady itself. Its body was slender and elegant, covered in iridescent scales that glinted like diamonds in the light. Thin tendrils of frost drifted off its wings and tail, the air around it chilling even further as it took its first, shaky steps.
The dragon lifted its head, opening its eyes for the first time. They were a piercing, icy blue, filled with intelligence and curiosity. The creature blinked, its gaze focusing on Nyx as if recognizing her immediately.
"Welcome to the world, little one," Nyx murmured.
The dragon's eyes widened slightly, and then, with a joyful trill, it bounded forward. Its wings flapped clumsily, sending a shower of frost into the air as it leaped towards Nyx. Before she could react, the dragon was upon her, nuzzling against her leg with an almost childlike eagerness.
Nyx blinked in surprise, the cold mask she wore slipping for just a moment. The dragon pressed its snout against her, its scales cool and smooth to the touch. It rubbed its cheeks against her like a cat seeking affection, soft crooning noises escaping its throat.
A slow smile spread across Nyx's lips as she looked down at the creature. "Already so affectionate, are we?" she murmured, her hand reaching out to gently stroke the dragon's head. The creature leaned into her touch, its eyes closing with a contented hum.
She could feel the connection between them solidifying, a bond of power and loyalty forming. This dragon was hers now, bound to her will.
"Good," she whispered, "You'll serve me well, won't you?"
The dragon chirped in response, its wings flapping excitedly as it looked up at her with shining eyes. Nyx's smile widened, a cold, satisfied gleam in her gaze.
"Then come," she said softly, turning away from the egg's shattered remains. "There's work to be done."
The dragon followed her obediently, its small body glowing faintly with frost and ice as it trailed behind her.