Cross Dragon x Devils

Chapter 26: Chapter 26: The Awakening of Truth



Part 1: The Boundless Void

The world around Kazuki faded, and he suddenly found himself engulfed in an endless expanse of darkness. There was no ground beneath his feet, yet he stood upright. The air felt thick, suffused with an ancient, oppressive energy. A faint violet glow shimmered in the distance, growing brighter as it approached.

Kazuki blinked, his confusion turning into unease. "What is this place?"

"You stand in the realm of your soul," a deep, rumbling voice echoed from the abyss.

Kazuki spun around, his heart pounding as a colossal figure emerged from the shadows. A dragon—its scales as black as the void, its eyes gleaming like twin stars—towered over him. Its wings stretched endlessly, seeming to merge with the infinite darkness.

"Who... who are you?" Kazuki stammered, his voice trembling under the weight of the creature's presence.

"I am the Void Dragon," the beast replied, its voice resonating like thunder. "The fragment of power that slumbers within you, Kazuki Satoru."

Kazuki's mind raced. "You're the Void Dragon? Then... what is this place? Why am I here?"

"This is your mental plane, the boundary between your consciousness and the power that you have yet to fully awaken," the Void Dragon explained. "And I have brought you here because it is time for you to understand the truth."

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Part 2: The Legend Rewritten

The darkness around them shifted, transforming into a vivid, swirling tapestry of memories. Kazuki watched as images from millennia ago came to life.

Three thousand years ago, two dragons—a blindingly radiant White Dragon and a shadowy Void Dragon—battled across the heavens. Their clash tore continents asunder, and their roars shook the cosmos itself. Yet, it wasn't just their power that devastated the world; it was their hatred.

"Long ago, I fought the White Dragon," the Void Dragon began, its voice tinged with bitterness. "Our battle was born not of duty, but of betrayal."

Kazuki frowned. "Betrayal? By who?"

"The gods," the dragon growled. "They sought to pit us against one another, to ensure their dominance over both mortals and dragons. They feared the balance we represented, and so they manipulated us. They sought to destroy what they could not control."

The images shifted, showing mortals and gods uniting against the two dragons. The final moments of the battle flashed vividly—both dragons struck down, their souls sealed within human vessels.

"But even in death, the gods' plan was incomplete," the Void Dragon continued. "For you, Kazuki, are the exception. Unlike the White Dragon's host, you were born with the potential to surpass limits. You are not bound to mere transformations; you are boundless, capable of reaching heights even I cannot foresee."

"Transformations?" Kazuki repeated.

"Yes. You can channel my power into stages, much like the mortal concept of evolution. Each transformation amplifies your strength and speed while bringing you closer to mastering my essence. But these forms will test you, both physically and mentally. Do not take them lightly."

As the images faded, the Void Dragon's gaze darkened.

"There is more," it said gravely. "I have reason to believe that the White Dragon and its host are working with Zephyr Shadowblade—or worse, leading him."

Kazuki's breath caught. "Ryuji? He wouldn't... he's the 'hero,' isn't he?"

"Do not let titles blind you," the dragon warned. "Even the brightest light can cast the darkest shadow."

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Part 3: The Mystery of the Right Hand

The dragon's piercing gaze fixed on Kazuki's right hand. "There is another reason you are unique, Kazuki. Your right hand bears a dormant power, one that even I do not fully understand."

Kazuki raised his hand, studying it. It looked normal, but as he focused, he felt a faint hum, like a whisper at the edge of his consciousness.

"What is this power?" he asked.

"It is a force that can nullify any attack, magical or otherwise," the Void Dragon explained. "A power that defies the natural order. It is both a gift and a mystery, for it is not of my creation nor the gods'. Its origin lies beyond even my understanding."

Kazuki frowned. "If this power is so important, how do I unlock it?"

The dragon shook its massive head. "That, I do not know. The power is tied to your emotions, your will, and perhaps something more. It is not something I can teach you. You must discover it on your own."

"Great," Kazuki muttered. "Another mystery to solve."

The Void Dragon chuckled, a sound that rumbled like distant thunder. "You have a long road ahead, Kazuki. But remember this: you are not alone. Your friends, your sister, and even those who challenge you—they are all pieces of the puzzle. Trust in them as much as you trust in yourself."

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Part 4: The Awakening's Edge

As the dragon's words echoed in his mind, the darkness began to fade, and Kazuki felt himself being pulled back to reality.

"Wait!" he called out. "There's still so much I don't understand!"

The Void Dragon's voice softened. "Understanding will come with time. For now, awaken, and face the world with the resolve of one who knows their destiny."

Kazuki's vision blurred, and he found himself back in his room, drenched in sweat. His heart raced as the memories of the dream flooded his mind.

"Transformations... the White Dragon... my right hand..." he whispered, clenching his fist.

The weight of the Void Dragon's revelations pressed heavily on him, but for the first time, he felt a spark of clarity. He wasn't just a vessel for an ancient power—he was something more, something that could change the world.

As he stood, the faint hum in his right hand grew stronger, a promise of the untapped potential within.

Kazuki took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. "Whatever it takes, I'll figure this out. I'll protect everyone—no matter what."

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**End of Chapter 26**


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