The clash did not end.
The Gilded Steward's aura burned brighter, golden flames consuming the abyss. His blade shimmered with divine law, each swing weaving the essence of heaven itself into destruction. No longer restrained, his power poured out like a raging flood.
The void screamed as galaxies unraveled, stars collapsing into dust. Kael's body was thrown again and again, every shockwave breaking him further. He could no longer stand, only crawl to the jagged edge of stone, his eyes refusing to close.
This is not war… this is the end of worlds.
The Steward roared, his blade splitting into a thousand shards of light. Each became a star, hurling toward Dreadfang with unstoppable force.
"Yield, beast! You cannot match me at my peak!"
Dreadfang's human form stood tall, obsidian greatsword resting casually on his shoulder. His molten eyes gleamed with quiet amusement. He raised his blade once, sweeping lazily.
The stars shattered.
The abyss buckled, folding in on itself, and then restored itself in the next heartbeat.
"You call this your full strength?" Dreadfang's voice was low, steady. "You still do not understand, godling. Here in the Abyss Void, I cannot release myself fully. If I did… this place would collapse into nothingness. Be grateful I fight you with restraint."
Kael's breath caught. He's holding back…? All this time, he's holding back?
The Steward's eyes blazed with fury. "Arrogant beast! You will regret mocking me!"
He swung his blade again, and this time the sword did not cut space. It cut time.
For an instant, everything froze. Kael's bleeding halted midair. The void stopped moving. Even the molten energy around Dreadfang stilled.
The golden blade cleaved downward, aiming for the dragon lord's skull.
And yet—
Dreadfang moved. Slowly, impossibly, as though even time itself bowed before him. His greatsword rose, obsidian flame meeting gold. The frozen moment shattered like glass, time resuming with a thunderous roar.
The impact hurled Kael like a ragdoll, his bones cracking, vision drowning in white.
That sword could erase me with its aftershock alone…
---
The Fight Rises
The Steward screamed, divine power surging. His aura expanded, and a domain unfolded—an endless palace of gold light, laws rewritten to obey him.
"This is my world!" he bellowed. "Here, even your breath is mine to command!"
Kael collapsed, gasping, his body screaming as the air was stripped from his lungs.
But Dreadfang only smiled faintly. "A neat trick."
His eyes burned brighter. He stamped his foot, and cracks split the golden domain. From those cracks, rivers of molten power erupted, devouring the false palace.
The abyss shuddered as the dragon lord raised his hand. "But tricks cannot cage me."
The golden domain shattered into dust.
Kael's vision blurred. His ears bled. But he forced himself to watch. So this is what divides gods from something greater…
---
The Edge of Collapse
The Steward was trembling with rage now, every blow of his sword tearing larger scars into the void. His attacks carried desperation, unwilling to concede.
Yet Dreadfang still fought calmly, movements precise, effortless. Every counter destroyed galaxies, yet his face showed no strain.
Finally, the Steward leapt back, panting, his golden armor cracked and bleeding light. His eyes narrowed. "You… you're not just another beast. What are you truly?"
Dreadfang's molten eyes gleamed. "I am Dragon Lord Dreadfang, one of the keepers of the Abyss. And I am far more than you can grasp."
---
The Arrival
And then—
The void shook differently. Not from sword or flame. But from presence.
Kael's body went cold. His heart skipped a beat. His vision blurred with tears not of choice, but instinct.
Something else had entered.
Light bled into the abyss. Not golden. Not molten. But pure, untouched radiance that made the void itself bow.
A figure emerged, walking slowly across nothingness. Human in form, yet infinite in essence. His eyes held the birth of stars, his aura the silence of the void before creation.
Kael's knees buckled. His body pressed itself into the stone without his will. His soul screamed at him to bow.
The Gilded Steward froze. His golden sword trembled in his hand. His entire body shook violently—not from fear alone, but from recognition.
This was not a god like him.
This was something beyond.
"You dare," the figure spoke, voice like the first sound of existence, "step into my domain… and raise your blade against one of my people?"
The Supreme Dragon Lord had appeared.
The Steward's jaw clenched, but his teeth rattled. His legs shook so violently he could barely stand.
Not just fear. This was the presence of a true god—a being born not of creation's leftovers, but of creation itself. A being the Divine Council themselves bowed before.
Kael could barely breathe. His vision filled with light, his chest burning as the mark of the Immortal Book flared violently.
The Supreme Dragon Lord's gaze shifted once, just once, to Kael.
And Kael felt as though his very soul had been laid bare.