DRAGON EMPEROR

CHAPTER 7 The General of the Abyss

The sky tore apart. What emerged from the abyss portal was not merely another demon. It was a catastrophe given form. The massive armoured claw that had appeared moments earlier ripped through the edges of reality itself. Black lightning surged across the heavens while the portal expanded far beyond its original size. The storm over Blackthorn Fortress twisted violently as though the world itself rejected whatever was trying to enter.

Every soldier on the battlefield felt it.Fear.Not ordinary fear. A primal terror is buried deep inside every living creature. The sensation reminded Henry of standing at the edge of a cliff and realising the darkness below had suddenly begun staring back. The enormous hand gripped the portal's edge. Then another followed.

Ancient black armour covered the creature's body, engraved with symbols that seemed to shift whenever someone looked directly at them. Crimson energy leaked from the cracks between those plates like blood flowing from an old wound. Even before the creature fully emerged, thousands of abyss demons throughout the battlefield dropped to one knee.

The gesture was immediate.Absolute.Reverent.The corrupted dragon stopped thrashing. The dark mages fell silent. Even the undead army hesitated. Then the creature stepped through. The battlefield suddenly felt very small.

The Abyss General towered above fortress walls and broken towers alike. Massive horns curved backwards from its skull. Six burning crimson eyes stared down at the battlefield. Black wings folded behind its armoured body while chains forged from living darkness wrapped around its arms. Yet the most disturbing feature wasn't its size. It was its calmness.

The creature carried itself like a king entering a familiar room. As though victory had already been decided.As though everyone present was already dead. The General slowly surveyed the battlefield. Its gaze moved across undead armies. Across knights.Across dragons. Then, finally settled on Henry.

The world seemed to grow colder."So."Its voice rolled across the battlefield like distant thunder."The Dragon Heart awakens again."Henry felt every muscle in his body tense. The Dragon Heart responded immediately. Crimson flames erupted around him instinctively while silver markings brightened beneath his skin. The Abyss General smiled. And somehow, that smile felt worse than hatred.

"Worthless children continue inheriting powers they do not understand."Nearby, the Lich King stepped forward. Soulrender burst into blue flames."You should not be here."

The General's six eyes shifted toward him. For the first time, genuine recognition appeared."Ah."Its smile widened."The Fallen Emperor."A strange silence settled over the battlefield. Not because the fighting had stopped. Combat continued across the fortress. Steel still clashed. People still died. But those standing closest to the ancient powers found themselves listening despite everything.

Because history itself seemed to be speaking. The Lich King raised his sword."You lost the war."The General laughed. The sound sent shockwaves through the mountains."Did I?" Its crimson eyes narrowed."Look around you."The General gestured toward the battlefield."A dragon corrupted."A kingdom burning."

"The final Dragon Heart awakening exactly as prophecy demanded."The creature spread its enormous arms."You call this defeat?"

Henry's chest tightened. Prophecy again. Everyone kept mentioning prophecy. Yet nobody explained enough. Varethion strained violently against his divine chains. The Dragon God looked furious."You manipulate the future like a coward."The General's attention shifted.

"And you still cling to hope despite your imprisonment."

For a brief moment, genuine hatred flashed between the two ancient beings. Not the hatred of rivals.Not even enemies. This felt older.Personal.Henry suddenly realised something disturbing. These creatures knew each other. Not from legends.From experience. They had fought this war before. A long time ago. The General turned toward Henry again."You are wondering who I am."Henry said nothing.

The creature smiled."Good."Its six eyes burned brighter."Curiosity survives where wisdom fails."Sir Gareth stepped closer to Henry despite his injuries. The veteran knight's sword remained raised."Stay behind me."Henry almost protested. Then stopped himself. Because Gareth genuinely meant it. The older knight knew he couldn't stop the General.

Everyone knew. Yet he still positioned himself between danger and others. Something about that simple act affected Henry deeply. Powerful beings constantly spoke about destiny. About bloodlines.About prophecies. Yet Gareth kept choosing courage despite possessing none of those advantages.

The Dragon Heart pulsed within Henry's chest. For the first time, he wondered whether strength truly came from power alone. The General's gaze landed on Gareth. For a moment, its expression became almost thoughtful."Interesting."The demon tilted its head slightly."You remind me of someone."Then it waved one hand.

A wave of darkness exploded outward. Sir Gareth crossed his sword instantly. The impact shattered the ground beneath him. Henry reacted without thinking. Dragonfire erupted around his body as he intercepted the attack. Crimson flames collided against abyssal darkness. The resulting explosion illuminated the battlefield. When the smoke cleared, Henry remained standing.Barely.Pain surged through his arms.

The General had attacked casually. And nearly overwhelmed him. Its smile widened further."Better."The Dragon Heart flared angrily. Henry felt power surging through his veins again.Hotter.Stronger.More violent. The temptation returned immediately. Use more. Burn everything. End the threat. The whispers inside his blood grew louder. Henry clenched his fists. No.

He remembered what the Lich King had said. Every battle fed the Dragon Heart. Every act of violence awakened more of the dragon soul. The General noticed his hesitation. Of course it did. Ancient creatures missed very little."You fear your own power."

The statement struck uncomfortably close to the truth. Henry remained silent. The General continued."You fear becoming a monster."Its voice softened slightly. Almost sympathetic."Good."The demon's smile vanished."Because you should."Those words hit harder than any attack. Even Varethion's golden eyes narrowed.

The General slowly pointed toward the corrupted dragon."That is your future."The dragon screamed again. Black corruption spread farther across its body. Its remaining golden eye flickered desperately.Fighting.Losing.Dying.The General's voice echoed across the battlefield."Power always demands payment."Henry stared at the suffering creature.

The words felt terrifying because part of him already believed them. Every time he used the Dragon Heart, something changed. Something shifted. The process was subtle. But real. The General spread its wings."Your predecessors learned that lesson too late."The storm intensified. Black lightning flashed across the heavens.

Then the General spoke a name. A single name. And the entire battlefield froze."Arkanis."Varethion roared immediately. The Lich King's expression darkened. Even the corrupted dragon reacted. Henry felt his heartbeat quicken."Who is Arkanis?"Nobody answered immediately.

The General smiled. Because it knew exactly what effect that name carried. Finally, Varethion spoke. His voice sounded heavier than before."Sovereign of Dragons."The Dragon God's chains rattled violently."The greatest Dragon Emperor who ever lived."The General nodded slowly.

"And the man who nearly destroyed the world."

Henry's blood ran cold. Because the name felt familiar.Not consciously.Instinctively.The Dragon Heart recognised it. Somewhere deep inside his awakening bloodline...A forgotten memory stirred. And for the first time since his power awakened...Henry heard another voice. Not Varethion.Not the Dragon Heart.Not the whispers.A different voice.Ancient.Powerful.

And impossibly close. The voice spoke only three words. Run from destiny. Henry froze. Because the voice sounded exactly like his own.