The Nameless Heir-Chapter 61: Dragon of domination

He gripped his bloody shoulder and slowly stumbled forward, his back slightly hunched. Step by step, he moved toward the dragon—trying to regain some of his strength.

In the distance, the dragon was still alive—barely. It thrashed, dragging its body through the dirt, one wing gone completely. Its blood soaked the ground beneath it, thick and dark like oil.

Kael stepped closer.

The moment the dragon saw him, it snapped. It was still angry at Kael for cutting its wing off.

A blur of fangs. A roar of fury.

Its massive jaw lunged forward—trying to take a bite out of him. But just then, Envy rose from Kael’s shadow.

A sharp flash of blue light. A shimmering barrier formed in front of Kael.

The dragon’s jaw slammed into it with a thunderous crack.

The sound—a wave of echoes—threw out across the battlefield. It almost pushed Kael back.

The beast reeled back, dazed—its head jerking side to side, jaws snapping in fury. Blood and spit poured from its broken mouth. It let out a low, guttural snarl—pain twisting through every breath.

Kael didn’t flinch.

"Envy," he said quietly.

The barrier shimmered—then vanished.

The dragon roared the instant it dropped, its head lunging forward—only to stop just short. Smoke poured from its nostrils. Its jaw clenched—force strong enough to crush through bones. Blood leaked from between its fangs, hot and slow, mixing with the smoke curling off the ground.

One wing was gone. Severed from its body. Only the stump remained—torn, twitching, and dripping with blood.

Kael didn’t move.

He simply stepped forward.

"I know you’re mad," he said.

The dragon snarled.

"I would be too."

He kept walking—slow, steady.

"I only did it because you were too strong."

The dragon’s eye twitched, locked on him.

Kael stopped just outside its reach.

"Victor never saw it," he said. "Your potential."

The dragon growled again, low and cold—but it didn’t strike.

"You were his weapon. Nothing more."

Kael’s voice softened.

"But me? I see it. What you really are."

He raised his hand—slowly, deliberately—then crouched down to meet the beast’s gaze.

"A force," he said. "Not just of destruction... but dominance."

The dragon’s head tilted slightly. Its body was trembling now. Whether from fury or restraint, he couldn’t tell.

Kael smiled faintly.

"I can heal you. Fully. That wing? I’ll make it stronger than it ever was."

A pause. Just breath between them.

"But that’s not all."

He leaned in.

"I can make you greater. Greater than any Dragon Lord. Greater than the so-called King of Dragons."

The dragon’s breathing slowed. It was listening now.

Kael’s voice dropped lower, almost like a whisper meant for the soul.

"They all tried to use you. Cage you. Ride you."

His tone turned sharp.

"I don’t want a mount."

Kael took another step. His fingers pressed against the scorched edge of the dragon’s snout—slow, careful, deliberate.

"I don’t want a monster," he said.

"I want an ally."

The dragon’s head twitched beneath his palm—but it didn’t pull away.

Kael could feel the heat beneath its skin like a power, buried deep, waiting to be let out.

"In exchange," Kael murmured, "I want your loyalty."

No growl. Just silence now.

"You’ve bowed your head to others," he said. "But never like this."

He pressed his palm flat against the dragon’s head.

"Bow to no one...."

He paused, gaze locked.

"...except me."

The dragon slowly lowered its head to the ground—tight with pain, but calm now. Controlled.

Kael narrowed his eyes.

"Then rise as something new."

He leaned closer, voice like thunder wrapped in silk.

"Become my Dragon of Domination."

The dragon exhaled low and sharp—part snarl, part breath, like it hadn’t decided whether to lash out or not.

It wasn’t rage anymore.

Kael drew Shadowbane without a word.

He gripped the blade and dragged it across his palm. A clean cut. Not too deep.

Kael raised his bleeding hand.

The blood trailed down his fingers—black as oil, thick.

He held the bleeding hand over the dragon’s mouth.

"Drink," he muttered. "Drink the blood of Hades."

The dragon hesitated—just for a breath.

Then its jaws parted.

Kael’s blood fell into its mouth—one drop, then more.

Each one pulsed.

Each one burned.

"Drink the blood that runs the River Styx," Kael whispered, voice deep now—like something older was speaking through him.

"The blood that shadows obey."

"The blood that even gods fear."

The wind howled. The earth trembled beneath them.

Shadows peeled off the ground like smoke and wrapped around the dragon’s body—clinging to it like a cocoon.

The dragon’s body arched. The wound where its wing had been throbbed—then pulsed.

A sound echoed from inside its chest.

Thump.

A second later—

Thump.

Kael’s eyes narrowed.

A black heart had begun to beat inside the beast.

Not its old one.

Something new.

Built from shadow, blood, and power.

Kael stepped back, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"Rise... as my Dragon of Domination."

The cocoon didn’t move at first.

Then—

It cracked.

A sharp, splitting sound. Like bones snapping through silence.

It pulsed with black light—veins crawling like spiders across the cocoon’s skin. Twitched once. Then again. Like a heart pumping blood.

Then it exploded.

It blew apart—shadows lashing out in every direction, wild and jagged. The air warped. Dust and black fire rolled through the field like something that had been unchained was finally being released.

From within the wreckage, something moved.

Something massive.

Its wings tore free first—black as obsidian, lined with veins of glowing red, pulsing like rivers of molten blood.

Then the claws.

Then the horns.

Then—slowly—the beast lifted its head.

Its eyes opened.

Crimson light poured out.

Not glowing. Burning.

The creature let out a low breath—and the ground shook beneath it.

Kael stood still.

Silent.

Watching.

The thing stood tall—massive, winged, pulsing with heat. Reborn from the deepest part of the underworld, bathed in fire and shadow. With every breath, the air warped around it. Its wings stretched wide... and light just vanished. Swallowed whole.

It didn’t just exist.

It ruled.

A creature reborn—not to fly... but to dominate.

Its gaze turned to Kael.

And it bowed.

With one flap of its wings, they shot up, high in the sky.

It was massive—its wings stretched wide, black and scorched, glowing with red veins that pulsed like molten arteries. Its eyes weren’t just lit... they burned with destruction.

Kael sat calmly on its back, arms crossed, thinking about everything that had happened.

He took a deep breath and muttered,

"Fine, old man... I’ll do you this favor."

He understood what needed to be done.

He had to kill all the heroes—and save this world.

After a while, he caught up to Liz and the others.

He leaped off the dragon, landing smoothly on Cyrus’s back.

Liz pulled him into a hug immediately, her arms tight. She started healing him without saying a word.

Caius looked better now—he was sitting up properly. His face was still pale, but at least he could speak again.

Aria looked stunned.

"You... you actually won?" she asked, eyes wide.

Kael nodded once. "Yeah."

"But... that fast? How?" she pressed.

He shrugged. "The heroes are strong. But not that strong."

"But they killed the Demon Lord," she said, trying to wrap her head around it.

"All of them had to fight him together just to beat him," Kael said calmly.

"But they’re still heroes," she argued, her voice rising.

Kael looked straight at her. His eyes burned red.

"And I’m a god of death."

Aria froze. Her mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. The fear on her face said enough.

Liz chimed in casually, "Oh yeah—I forgot to tell you. He’s the god now."

Caius looked like someone had knocked the wind out of him. "Wait, what?"

Aria stepped back. "You’re serious?"

Liz nodded. "That’s why I wasn’t worried when he jumped in."

"And... because I know he won’t break his promise," she added softly.

Kael smiled. The pressure around him eased a little.

"Aww, sunshine. That’s why I love you. Give me a kiss."

"Ugh, stop it. You two are so—" Aria groaned.

"Pfff, you’re just jealous," Kael muttered.

Smack.

Liz hit him on the head. "Shut up."

"Fine, fine," he laughed, rubbing the spot.

"What’s our next plan?" Aria asked.

"We’re going to kill all the heroes," Kael replied.

They all stared at him—especially Aria.

He kept speaking, laying it out.

The heroes traveled from world to world, always hunting for a certain girl. When they couldn’t find her, they destroyed the world and moved on to the next. It never ended.

"They want Aria," Liz muttered.

"Seems like it," Kael said.

Aria pulled back slightly. Her hands clenched into fists.

Everyone tried to reassure her—especially Caius.

He couldn’t stop looking at her.

"Don’t worry. I’ll protect you with my life," he said softly.

Kael slapped him on the back—right on the injuries.

Caius flinched as pain shot through him.

"Who’s gonna protect you, hero?" Kael said, grinning.

Caius didn’t answer. His face went red.

"So what’s the plan anyway?" Liz asked.

Kael explained.

He’d face the hero at the next city. Alone.

The others would get everyone out and free the prisoners.

"Why are you doing this?" Aria asked.

"I’m returning the favor. You saved Liz’s life," he said.

"You could die," she said sharply.

"I’ve been through hell," he replied, voice cold.

"I’m not about to die to some wannabe heroes."

Next stop: the Kingdom of Leona.

Once Liz finished healing him, Kael leapt off and landed on the dragon again.

He stood on its head, mask on, shadowy flame coat swirling around his body.

He looked down at the city like a storm waiting to break.

He was ready.

They flew low over the capital.

He wanted them to know he was here.

He raised one hand.

The dragon opened its jaws.

A beam of black and red energy roared out—and completely disintegrated the top half of the castle.

Then Kael shouted:

"Hero—come out!"

No one answered.

Instead, the guards poured from the streets below.

They saw the dragon.

Didn’t hesitate.

Spells flew—fire, lightning, holy chains, wind blades.

It was useless.

The dragon flapped its wings once.

Just once.

The force shattered every spell in the air.

It was like magic didn’t exist.

Kael’s voice was calm.

"Pride. Gluttony."

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