"So, what’s your na?"
"Chester... Chester Orlando."
Ryu asked as he looked at the young man’s new appearance with awe.
The young man had jet-black hair and a scarred face. At first glance, he appeared to be just another human boy. But if one looked closely, his eyes now had serpent-like pupils. His gaze was long and dark. Though his skin was fair, there was subtle serpent scales sheen covering it, invisible to ordinary eyes.
He had successfully fused the Nightmare Hydra’s bloodline within him, suppressing most of the mutations.
However, he could summon them whenever needed. Like four dark and eerie wings, claws etc.
He had gained all the traits of the Nightmare Hydra. All that remained was to explore his new powers and grow stronger.
"Chester Orlando..." Ryu repeated, his deep voice echoing slightly in the small cave. "That’s quite the na. Sounds like soone who survived worse than just death."
Chester chuckled, a dry sound that turned into a cough. "I guess I did. But I’m not sure what I’ve beco now. I still feel human, but... there’s sothing else inside ."
"Yes, I have given you another bloodline called Nightmare Hydra. One of my creations," Yuki explained. "The pain you felt was your body accepting sothing far beyond what you were born with. But you survived."
Chester’s expression turned serious. "Why did you help ? You didn’t have to. You’re not my guardian angel."
Ryu turned away briefly, his gaze drifting toward the flickering shadows on the cave wall. "I didn’t do it for you. I did it for the mory of soone who once saved . I guess I just paid it forward."
Chester lowered his head. "Then I owe you my life. I don’t know how to repay you, but—"
"Repay by surviving," Ryu cut in, his voice sharp but not unkind. "Grow strong. Stay alive. That’s enough for ."
Silence settled between them for a few monts before Chester spoke again.
"You’re not just a dragon, are you? I an... you speak like a human. You understand more than those mindless beasts should."
"You could say I’m special, Chester," Ryu replied as he lay on his back lazily. "Anyway, what’s your story? How did you end up like this?"
Chester sighed and leaned against the wall, preparing to speak. His voice was calm, but there was weight behind it, heavy with pain.
He told Ryu about their once ordinary world, how it had changed without warning. It began with the appearance of sothing called Hollow Gates. The first Gate opened six years ago, and from it erged creatures known as Hollows. Monstrous beings, twisted in form, bringing chaos and destruction with them.
His voice faltered when he spoke about his family. About how his father, mother, and little sister were all killed during the wave 25th Wave 2 months ago. They were just a regular family, living peacefully, until the world ripped that peace apart. He had watched them die. Powerless. Helpless. And he had run.
Ryu listened quietly. He felt sympathy for Chester, but more than that, he was learning valuable information.
The Gates did not only bring monsters. So humans began to awaken sothing called Systems. These Systems granted unique abilities, tools for survival in this new apocalyptic world. So awakened powerful traits. So beca heroes. But most people did not awaken anything. And they beca the victims who gets crushed between monsters and superhumans alike.
Chester’s hands clenched as he rembered the horrors. "They called it ’The New Age’... but it’s just a different kind of nightmare."
Ryu’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Everything had started six years ago. The sa ti he had been born in this world.
’Could this just be coincidence?’
He pondered inwardly before questioning again,
"So, these Hollows... they only co through the Gates?"
"Yes. Every ti a Gate opens, it brings more of them. Stronger ones. We don’t know what controls them, but... they never stop coming."
Ryu let the silence hang for a while, the firelight casting dancing shadows on the cave walls.
’So this world was once ordinary. Just like Earth. The apocalypse began six years ago... the sa ti I was reborn. Am I sohow connected to all of this?
Ryu wondered to himself, but no clear answer ca to mind.
Chester crept closer, silently but awkwardly.
Ryu noticed and couldn’t help but feel amused at the sight of the young man acting like a shy child.
"What’s the matter? Do you want to attack or sothing?" Ryu teased.
Chester flinched, flustered.
"Ah— no, no! I wouldn’t dare. I was just... checking if you’re really a dragon. I’ve only ever heard the myths till now."
"Oh? And what kind of myth is that?" Ryu asked curiously, cocking his head.
Chester glanced up toward the cave ceiling, where pale moonlight filtered through the cracks.
"One of our ancient myths speaks of the Dragon Queen Tiamat and her kin. They once ruled the World. All the seven continents were under their grasp. With their elental powers and massive forms, they brought devastation to human lands. Back then, humans were nothing more than slaves to the Dragon Race."
He paused for a breath, voice dropping slightly.
"But then ca the Dragon Slayer Valarox. He was hailed as the Hero of that era. So say he annihilated the entire Dragon Race. Others claim he banished them to another realm."
Chester gave a dry, bitter chuckle.
"We always thought it was just a story. A myth. But now with all the supernatural chaos due to Hollow Gates, monsters, awakened humans... maybe it wasn’t a myth after all."
"Dragon Queen Tiamat, huh?" Ryu muttered, flicking his tail. "Sounds like a mythical na from Earth. Still, if she really treated humans like slaves, then she wasn’t much of a queen. More like a tyrant."
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