Dragonborn System

Secret of the Bloodlines

Aiden’s body blurred through the smoke, his claws igniting with red light as he struck toward Nathaniel’s chest.

Nathaniel twisted.

A pulse of blue fire erupted from his palm—sharp and searing. The blast struck Aiden squarely in the chest, hurling him backward. His back slammed into the stone wall with a sharp crack. Pain flared through his ribs, but his body was already healing, the Dragon Code’s energy knitting the damage back together.

Aiden rolled to his feet. His claws pulsed beneath his skin as his enhanced heartbeat steadied.

Nathaniel’s smile sharpened. "Is that all?"

Aiden’s eyes narrowed. "Not even close."

Nathaniel’s hand lifted. Blue fire curled between his fingers, sharp and unstable. Magic flickered around his body—a cold, precise pressure vibrating through the air. His violet eyes darkened beneath the glow of the torchlight.

"You shouldn’t be alive," Nathaniel said calmly. "Your bloodline was sealed for a reason."

Aiden’s claws flexed. "Yes," he said softly. "And now it’s awake."

Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed. "Unfortunate for you."

He moved.

Blue fire exploded from his hands, coiling toward Aiden in a twisting arc. Aiden’s body blurred as he sidestepped—

Shadow Step Activated

He reappeared behind Nathaniel, his claws flashing toward the back of his neck—

Nathaniel’s arm shot backward, his palm igniting with a burst of blue light. A pulse of energy detonated between them, sending Aiden skidding across the marble floor.

Nathaniel turned toward him, his smile sharpening. "I’ve been trained to fight dragon-blooded nobles since childhood."

Aiden pushed himself to his feet, red light curling along his fingertips. "That’s nice."

His body coiled. Heat gathered beneath his ribs.

"Let me show you how a dragon fights."

Aiden’s breath sharpened. He lunged.

Nathaniel’s hand lifted—blue fire erupted toward Aiden’s chest—

Dragon Claw Activated

Aiden’s claws cut through the blue flames. Sparks exploded as the heat clashed between them. Aiden’s hand closed around Nathaniel’s wrist—he twisted—

Nathaniel’s eyes widened as Aiden drove his knee into his stomach. The blow sent him sprawling backward.

Aiden didn’t give him time to recover. He followed, driving his clawed hand toward Nathaniel’s throat—

Nathaniel’s body twisted. A sudden pulse of cold erupted from his hand. Ice formed beneath Aiden’s feet—

Aiden’s body skidded. His balance faltered—

Nathaniel’s knee slammed into his ribs.

Aiden’s body folded. His breath tore from his lungs as he crashed hard against the marble floor.

"Damage registered."

Nathaniel’s breath sharpened. He wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. "You’re quick," he said quietly. "But you’re not strong enough."

Aiden’s hands curled against the floor. Heat gathered beneath his skin. His breath steadied.

"You talk too much," Aiden said coldly.

He launched forward.

Nathaniel lifted his hand—blue flames twisting between his fingers—

Aiden’s hand shot toward his chest—

Nathaniel’s palm ignited with light.

Fire exploded between them.

Aiden’s body dissolved into smoke—reappearing behind Nathaniel’s shoulder. His claws flashed toward Nathaniel’s throat—

Nathaniel twisted. His hand shot toward Aiden’s face—

Aiden ducked. His claws swept toward Nathaniel’s leg—

Nathaniel jumped backward. His hand lifted—

Blue light gathered in his palm—

Aiden moved.

Heat surged beneath his skin. His muscles coiled. His breath steadied.

Dragon Breath Activated

Aiden exhaled.

Red fire erupted from his mouth.

The stream of flames surged toward Nathaniel. Nathaniel’s eyes widened—

He lifted his arm. Blue light exploded around him, forming a barrier of ice. The fire slammed into the barrier, cracking the surface of the ice with a sharp hiss of steam.

Nathaniel’s smile sharpened. "Good."

Aiden’s chest heaved. His claws pulsed faintly beneath his skin as the fire burned across the floor beneath them. His enhanced heartbeat steadied. His muscles tightened beneath the weight of power building through his veins.

Nathaniel’s gaze darkened. "Let’s push you a little further."

His hand lifted.

Blue flames erupted from the ground beneath Aiden’s feet—

Aiden moved.

His body blurred through the smoke—his claws flashing toward Nathaniel’s ribs—

Nathaniel’s hand shot toward Aiden’s face—

Aiden twisted beneath the strike—his claws swept upward—

Blood sprayed.

Nathaniel stumbled backward, clutching his arm. His hand trembled as crimson blood dripped between his fingers. His violet eyes narrowed toward Aiden.

"Interesting," Nathaniel murmured. "It’s growing faster than I thought."

Aiden’s claws pulsed beneath his skin. His breath steadied. "What is?"

Nathaniel’s mouth curled faintly. "The Dragon Code."

Aiden’s gaze sharpened. "You know about it?"

Nathaniel’s smile widened. "Of course. Valeria told me everything."

Aiden’s jaw tightened. "Then you know why she set me up."

"Naturally." Nathaniel’s violet eyes darkened. "You’re dangerous, Aiden. The council sealed your bloodline for a reason. If the Dragon Code fully awakens—if you unlock its true potential—you’ll be strong enough to challenge the council’s rule."

Aiden’s hands curled. Heat gathered beneath his skin.

"That’s the plan."

Nathaniel’s smile sharpened. "Then you’ll need to get much stronger."

Aiden’s eyes narrowed. "What’s your game?"

Nathaniel lifted his hand. Blue light gathered between his fingertips. His violet eyes narrowed. "My loyalty belongs to Valeria. But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the process of breaking you."

Aiden’s breath sharpened. His muscles flexed.

"Threat Level: Rising."

Aiden’s gaze darkened. "Try it."

Nathaniel’s body blurred—

Aiden’s claws ignited—

Heat and ice collided between them—

Nathaniel’s fist shot toward Aiden’s chest—

Aiden’s hand closed around his wrist—

Nathaniel’s eyes widened—

Aiden’s claws raked across Nathaniel’s throat—

Nathaniel vanished in a burst of smoke.

Aiden’s breath steadied. His gaze sharpened toward the empty hall as the lingering echo of Nathaniel’s magic faded into the air.

"Retreat."

Aiden’s eyes narrowed. "Coward."

The system’s voice pulsed beneath his thoughts.

"Next target identified."

Aiden’s claws faded beneath his skin. His enhanced heartbeat steadied. His muscles tightened beneath the lingering weight of the battle.

Nathaniel had retreated. For now.

But Aiden wasn’t finished.

His gaze sharpened beneath the lingering glow of the torchlight.

"Fine," Aiden murmured. "We’ll finish this later."

His hand curled into a fist. Red light flickered between his fingertips.

Nathaniel knew too much.

And Valeria was still out there.

Aiden smiled faintly. His breath slowed. His body coiled beneath the weight of the Dragon Code’s power.

"Shall we continue?"

Aiden’s eyes gleamed beneath the shadows.

"Oh, yes."

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

[+10 Strength]

[+5 Vitality]

[+7 Speed]

[Host Rank: F+ → Rank E-]