"And now you stand in our home spinning some fairytale about ancient prophecies and dragon flames? You expect us to just hug you and forgive everything because of a bedtime story?"She poked a finger toward his chest. "You must be seriously high on something. You’re not a dragon, Adrian. You’re a loser who can’t let go."Gerald, who had stayed silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was like a gavel hitting a desk. "Enough. Adrian, if you don’t have anything real to say then please leave our house. You are wasting our time and insulting our intelligence."Sophia checked her watch and adjusted the strap of her designer bag. She looked at Adrian one last time with exhaustion. "I’m already late for work. I don't have time for this nonsense."She turned on her heel and walked toward the door. Elena lingered for a second, her eyes lingered on Adrian before she tagged along behind her sister."Sophia!" Adrian called out, his voice turning dark and resonant. It was a tone that usually mad

While the Aldridge family faced their doom at the pier, Adrian was miles away, driving his black sedan toward his office. His mind was still a whirlwind of thoughts about the prophecy, Umbra the panther, and the look of total mockery on Sophia’s face earlier that morning.He never saw the first SUV until it was inches from his bumper.With a screech of tires, three matte-black SUVs swerved across the road, blocking every path of escape. It was the exact same pincer maneuver they had used on Sophia. But Adrian wasn't Sophia.He slammed on his brakes and his car came to a halt. The doors flew open and ten soldiers in tactical gear and three mages in charcoal robes spilled out. They surrounded his car, their hands already glowing with that sickly, bruised-purple energy."Adrian Lancaster!" one of the mages barked, his voice distorted by magic. "By order of the Shadow Guild, you are to be executed! Kneel or die right here!"Adrian stepped out of the car. He didn't look afraid. He didn't e

Adrian stepped over the corpse of the soldier, his gaze cold and unshakable. "Your son didn't stop looking for trouble, Magnus. He poisoned the Aldridge family and tried to take what wasn't his. He deserved to die for what he did. Now, let the family go, or you will join him in the dirt.""KILL HIM!" Magnus screamed, pointing a trembling finger at Adrian. "Tear him apart! Leave nothing but his teeth!"The remaining mages, the elite of the Shadow Guild rushed forward. They raised their hands, chanting in low, guttural tones as purple lightning crackled between their fingers. They launched bolts of dark energy at Adrian, intending to vaporize him where he stood.But they met their end just like the rest.Adrian moved with a speed that defied human logic. He was a blur of black cloth and red light. He ducked under the first bolt, spun inside the guard of the nearest mage, and drove the Dragon Knife upward into his jaw. He didn't stop. He kicked the second mage in the throat; the force

The first Imp lunged. Adrian swung his knife, expecting to cleave the creature in half. Instead, the blade hit the Imp’s hide with a dull thud. The creature was incredibly dense, its body packed with the heavy energy of this dimension.The Imp hissed and slashed at Adrian’s arm. The claws tore through his expensive suit jacket and drew blood.Adrian gasped. In the real world, these creatures would have been nothing to him. But here, his movements felt sluggish, as if he were fighting underwater. The gravity was heavier, the air was thicker, and his power felt like a tiny spark"I'm weak..." Adrian realized, his heart sinking. "Everything I learned... everything I am... It's just Level 1 here."Three more Imps jumped from the rocks. Adrian gritted his teeth, his survival instincts taking over. He stopped trying to use raw power and focused on his training. He dodged a claw, grabbed an Imp by its scaly neck, and slammed his dull blade into the soft spot beneath its jaw.He fought for hi

Adrian didn't flinch. He walked to the edge of the cave, looking out at the endless purple horizon."And you call this living?" Adrian asked, his voice low and steady. "Sitting in a cave, eating sludge, waiting for the shadows to get hungry enough to finish you off? That is not living, Lyra. That is just dying slowly. It is better to die in battle than to rot away in a hole in the ground."He turned back to her, his red eyes burning with a sudden, intense heat. "The lives of an entire family depend on me. Right now, in my world, they are sinking into the ocean. If I stay here and wait, they will drown. Every second I spend talking to you, they are closer to their death."Lyra looked away, her hands shaking as she clutched her tattered robes. "I have heard that before. Many have come here with fire in their hearts, only for the Maw to turn that fire into ice."Adrian stepped closer, his presence filling the small cave. "You know this place better than anyone. I want you to fight by my