Chapter 12: The Map to the Forge Raiden sat cross-legged in the dim light of his private training ground, the Swordmaster scroll unfurled before him. Beads of sweat glistened on his brow, leftovers of another rigorous training session. The scroll, alive with its faint, luminous patterns, appeared to vibrate as if pushing him to unveil its secrets. He had pushed his body to its limits, but his mind burned brighter with questions. What more did the scroll hide? His fingertips traced the delicate patterns engraved into the parchment. For weeks, he had studied the scroll’s battle tactics, but something about its design had always felt missing. Tonight, amid the full moon's silvery brilliance, he discovered something he had missed before: the symbols at the edges of the scroll formed a sequence, almost like a riddle. “What are you hiding?” Raiden mumbled, narrowing his eyes. Draco Maximus stirred close, the enormous dragon resting its head on its paws. “You speak to parchment n

Chapter 14: The Enigmatic Wanderer Raiden stood at the base of the Forbidden Mountains, his breath visible in the freezing air. The craggy peaks loomed high above, their snow-dusted edges slashing into the sky like the teeth of some ancient beast. The Swordmaster scroll's map glowed softly against his breast, a beacon encouraging him ahead. The ground beneath his boots was uneven, littered with shards of obsidian and ice, a reminder that this place was as treacherous as it was strange. He pressed forward gingerly, every step deliberate. The eerie silence was disturbed only by the occasional crunch of his boots against the frost-covered earth. Draco Maximus had remained behind, feeling peril that even his enormous power would not counter. That left Raiden to rely only on his wits and the weapon that suddenly pulsed with renewed energy at his side. A tiny rustling sound made him stop. His hand quickly clutched the hilt of his sword as his eyes flew toward the source. From the

Chapter 16: The Mercenaries’ Folly Raiden’s boots crunched over the frost-covered trail as he descended the Forbidden Mountains, his breath producing small clouds in the frigid air. The weight of his newly improved blade, now throbbing faintly with electricity, hung at his side. The Forge of Valthar had granted him enormous power, but he had little time to contemplate on the shift. His instincts warned him he was being observed. “Keep moving,” Myra urged, her voice low as she gazed across the rough landscape. Her silver hair shimmered in the gentle light of the setting sun. “We’re not alone.” Raiden nodded, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. “I know. They’ve been trailing us since we left the forge.” Myra raised an eyebrow, impressed. “You noticed? You’re sharper than you look.” He didn’t react, his gaze going to the slight rustle beneath the pebbles placed along the trail. Whoever was following them wasn’t trying to stay fully inconspicuous. A taunt, Raiden

Chapter 18: The Primal Bond The Western Gates loomed in the distance, their old stone archways inscribed with runes glimmering dimly under the dusk sky. Raiden stood at the edge of the clearing, his breath steady as he took in the sight. This was the location where his journey with Draco Maximus had actually began, where the bond between man and dragon had first been established in blood and fire. But now, it was time to make that tie unbreakable. “You’re sure about this?” Myra questioned, standing a few steps behind him. She had been surprisingly quiet during the walk, her normally quick humor replaced by a rare seriousness. Raiden gazed back at her. “I have to be. If Draco and I are going to confront what’s coming, we can’t afford any misgivings. The bond has to be complete.” Myra crossed her arms, her silver hair reflecting the faint illumination of the runes. “And you’re ready for what that means? The test isn’t simply about power—it’s about will. Draco’s primal for

Chapter 20: The Honor DuelsRaiden walked into the Western Gates courtyard, clearly feeling the strain in the air. Eyes fixated on him, the gathered assembly of soldiers, traders, and town residents murmurs among themselves. Although his reputation had developed since his return, notoriety brought hatred. Many still questioned his allegiance, murmuring that his ascent in authority was artificial—dangerous even.Raiden, nevertheless, moved with quiet will. Draco Maximus stayed under cover in the surrounding mountains, a silent but always present friend who left Raiden to face this task alone."Raiden!" a loud voice emerged, muffling the whispers. From the throng, a man moved forward, his form striking in the afternoon light. His armor glittered, a monument to both money and military expertise, and a huge war axe rested at his side. His steely blue eyes narrowed at Raiden. “You’ve gone too far this time.” Raiden stopped, his hand resting nonchalantly on the hilt of his sword. “Far en