Dragonborn System

Learning the System

Kellan’s breath hitched beneath Aiden’s grip. His back was pinned against the polished wood of the desk, his trembling hands clawing at Aiden’s wrist. Sweat gathered across his brow, and his violet eyes darted toward the open doorway.

"No one’s coming," Aiden said softly. His claws tightened around Kellan’s throat. "If you scream, the only thing you'll accomplish is dying faster."

Kellan’s face paled. His breath rasped as Aiden’s claws pressed deeper into his skin. Blood beaded along the tips of Aiden’s fingers.

"W-Wait!" Kellan’s voice broke. His hands stopped struggling. "P-Please—"

"You're going to tell me everything," Aiden whispered, his voice dark and calm. "Starting with why Valeria set me up."

Kellan’s breath came in short, ragged bursts. His eyes flicked toward the window as if calculating the distance—wondering if he could make a run for it.

Aiden’s grip tightened.

A choked gasp escaped Kellan’s throat. "It… it wasn’t personal!"

Aiden’s eyes darkened. "Lying already?"

Kellan’s lips twisted. "No—I swear!" His hands twitched uselessly beneath Aiden’s grip. "It was about your bloodline!"

Aiden’s gaze sharpened. "Explain."

Kellan’s eyes darted toward the window again. "Valeria—she… she learned the truth about your family. About your connection to the Dragon Code."

Aiden’s expression didn’t change, but his claws pulsed faintly with heat.

"My family was weak," Aiden said coldly. "Everyone knew that."

Kellan shook his head frantically. "That’s what the council wanted everyone to believe!" His voice rose, panic threading through it. "Your bloodline was sealed centuries ago—buried beneath false records. Valeria's family was the one who pushed for it!"

Aiden’s eyes narrowed.

"Confirmation acquired," the system murmured in his mind.

Kellan's breath hitched as Aiden’s gaze sharpened.

"Why?"

Kellan’s mouth trembled. "Because the first dragon king’s blood flows through you. If your bloodline awakened—if you mastered the Dragon Code—you could challenge the council’s rule."

Aiden’s jaw tightened. He had suspected as much since the Dragon Code’s awakening. But hearing it confirmed—knowing his family’s disgrace had been carefully constructed to keep him from rising—ignited a deep, burning rage beneath his ribs.

"And why now?" Aiden’s voice sharpened. "Why execute me now?"

Kellan hesitated.

Aiden’s claws pressed harder. Blood trickled down Kellan’s throat.

"Don’t make me ask again."

"Valeria—" Kellan’s voice cracked. "She’s searching for something. An artifact. The council gave her authority to execute anyone connected to the royal bloodline. She didn’t just want you dead—she wanted to erase the last trace of your family’s legacy."

Aiden’s breath slowed. "What artifact?"

Kellan’s eyes flicked toward the door. His mouth twitched.

Aiden smiled faintly. "You’re running out of time."

Kellan swallowed hard. "T-The Heart of the First Dragon."

Aiden’s gaze sharpened.

"The Heart is real?"

Kellan nodded quickly. "Valeria believes it still exists—hidden beneath the ruins of the ancient capital. If she finds it, she’ll awaken the power of the first dragon. She’ll become—"

"The new dragon queen."

Kellan’s mouth opened—but the soft whisper of steel sliding against leather cut him off.

Aiden’s enhanced hearing registered the sound immediately. He twisted, shoving Kellan’s head downward just as a black dagger sailed through the air. It embedded itself in the wood of the desk—exactly where Kellan’s throat had been a second earlier.

Aiden’s eyes flicked toward the doorway.

A figure stood in the shadows beyond the hall—a tall, lean man dressed in the black robes of House Dawnspire. His face was hidden beneath a dark hood. A long, curved dagger gleamed in his hand. His violet eyes glowed faintly beneath the cowl.

Kellan gasped. "No—wait! Don’t—"

The figure moved.

Fast.

Aiden shoved Kellan aside and swept forward. His body moved on instinct, his muscles coiling with draconic strength. The assassin’s blade swept toward his throat—

Aiden ducked beneath the strike. His hand shot out—

Dragon Claw Activated

Red light erupted along his fingertips. His claws raked across the assassin’s arm, severing tendons and drawing a flash of dark blood. The assassin stumbled back, clutching his wounded arm.

Aiden’s eyes narrowed. His body flexed as he gathered heat beneath his ribs.

The assassin’s violet gaze flicked toward Kellan. His lips curled into a faint smile.

"You talk too much," the assassin said.

Aiden’s eyes sharpened.

The assassin moved. His hand flicked toward Kellan.

Aiden’s body exploded forward.

Shadow Step

He reappeared in front of Kellan just as the dagger flew through the air. His arm shot out—his claws intercepted the blade mid-flight. Metal screeched as the dagger shattered between his fingers.

Aiden’s breath sharpened. He twisted toward the assassin—

But the assassin was already gone.

The dark figure dissolved into smoke, disappearing down the hall.

Aiden’s hands curled into fists. The heat beneath his skin pulsed dangerously. His claws burned. His breath slowed.

Kellan sat on the floor, gasping, his hands trembling. His eyes were wide with shock and disbelief.

Aiden turned toward him. "Well?"

"W-Well what?" Kellan’s voice trembled.

"You were about to die," Aiden said coolly. "I just saved your life."

Kellan’s throat bobbed. "I—yes. Yes, you did."

Aiden’s gaze darkened. "So repay me."

Kellan’s eyes widened. "What—what do you want?"

Aiden leaned down, his glowing red eyes narrowing.

"Everything you know about the Heart of the First Dragon."

Kellan swallowed hard. "I… I don’t know where it is. Only Valeria knows."

"Then where is she?"

Kellan hesitated. "S-She’s at the council’s high court. But she’s preparing to leave. Tomorrow. She’s planning to travel east—toward the Dragonspire Mountains."

Aiden’s mouth curled into a cold smile.

"Good."

He turned toward the window. The faint silver glow of moonlight swept across his face.

Kellan's breath slowed. "What… what are you going to do?"

Aiden’s hand curled. Red fire flickered between his fingertips.

"I’m going to follow her."

Kellan’s eyes widened. "You… you’ll die if you challenge her now!"

Aiden smiled faintly.

"Not if I get stronger first."

"Next target identified," the system’s voice murmured. "Preparing route."

"Valeria’s expecting me to stay dead."

Aiden’s smile sharpened.

"Let’s see how long that lasts."

[System Update: Shadow Step + Dragon Claw Level Up]

[+5 Strength]

[+5 Speed]

[New Objective Acquired: Pursue Valeria Dawnspire]

"Shall we begin?"

Aiden’s eyes gleamed beneath the moonlight.

"Oh, yes."