A deafening roar shattered the skies.
The golden flames that once defined him had vanished—replaced by swirling black fire, hotter and more destructive than anything seen before. His once-radiant scales had darkened into obsidian, veins of violet energy pulsing beneath the surface. His wings, now massive and jagged, cast a shadow over the ruined throne room.
The crimson-scaled woman took a step back, her confident smirk fading into unease. The warriors behind her hesitated, sensing something far beyond their control.
"You were supposed to die," she muttered. "Not… become this."
The prince—no, the Black Dragon Sovereign—lifted his gaze, his violet eyes burning with fury. His voice was no longer just his own—it carried an echo, a darkness that vibrated through the very air.
"You took everything from me."
The moment the words left his lips, the throne room trembled. A wave of pure darkness exploded outward.
The first warrior closest to him disintegrated before he could even scream.
The others barely had time to react before the black flames engulfed them, their bodies melting into nothingness.
The crimson-scaled woman leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the destruction. But her confidence was gone. Fear had crept into her golden eyes.
"This is not the power of the Dragon Sovereign," she whispered. "This is… something else."
The Black Dragon Sovereign took a step forward. With just that movement, the entire palace began to crack, unable to withstand the sheer force of his presence.
He raised a claw. The darkness curled around his fingertips, waiting, hungry.
"You wanted a ruler who would sacrifice everything?" His voice was calm, yet chilling. "Then let me show you what that truly means."
The battle was no longer about reclaiming the throne.
It was about erasing everything that had betrayed him.
And in the depths of his soul, something far more ancient and sinister had awakened.
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