As the dark energy of <Black Sun> surrounded Eren's fingers, the fire dragon Ugram's eyes widened in recognition. It was an energy it had encountered once in the past, an energy that belonged to the one who was feared by even the dragons, the death god.
As Eren stood there, the surrounding landscape seemed to react to the intense power emanating from his fingers. The air grew heavy and still, and foreboding, as if the very elements acknowledged the ancient force he now wielded.
[....The death god's power!!] the dragon exclaimed, clearly astonished by the display before him. The memories of an ancient battle and legends of the death god flooded its mind, connecting the dots between the energy before it and the mythical being.
Eren's heart pounded, unsure of how the fire dragon would react to this revelation.Eren himself was not aware if the death god was a being of goodwill or not, but from its name he could guess that its power had often been associated with destruction and chaos and it wasn't favorable to be in contact with the death god. However, Eren knew that he needed this energy. He was too weak to be picky and hoped that the dragon would listen to his explanation.
The fire dragon remained silent for a moment, its eyes still fixed on Eren's darkened fingers. Finally, it said, [Such power... it is beyond comprehension for a mere human.]
The ground beneath them seemed to tremble slightly, as if the earth itself sensed the dragon power that had been unleashed.
There was a time in the past when some of the dragons who were too cocky picked a fight with the gods. It was so long ago that humans had no records of such an event. The story of that epic battle had become a part of dragon folklore, passed down through generations, and now, it seemed, those ancient tales were coming to life once more.
At that time, the dragon race was strong and was at the peak of their strength; they killed many angels and trampled on the gods. But their tyranny didn't last for long, for the death god appeared for the rescue of the gods.
The arrogant dragons were crushed, their wings plucked like chicken. The battlefield filled with the dragon blood and nearly half of the dragons were annihilated.
It wasn't until the dragon lord, the king of all dragons, prostrated himself in front of the death god that he was able to calm the death god. The memory of that momentous event still lingered in the collective consciousness of the dragon species.
The event was so traumatic for the dragons that they started fearing the mere mention of the death god's name.
But one day the presence of the death god disappeared! From the high heavens to the burning hell, there were no traces of the death god left, and gradually the humans started to forget him, but his existence power was so strong that he came to be known as the forgotten god.
Even when the humans forgot the death god, the dragons who lived for thousands of years couldn't, and the dragons were the species who would be born with all the memories of their parents, so it was impossible to forget the death god.
Ugram, although had not seen the death god himself, had inherited the memories of the ancient times and instinctively recognized the power that Eren wielded.
[How can you wield the power of death?] Ugram asked, a mix of curiosity and apprehension in his eyes. The energy swirling around Eren's fingers seemed to dance and pulse, responding to the unspoken question.
The power of death was exclusive to the death god, and no one was recorded to have inherited his powers, but here was Eren, a mere human, now using it. The mystery deepened, and Ugram couldn't help but be intrigued.
Eren took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts before answering, "I don't fully understand it myself, but the forgotten god granted me this power when I was in a dire situation."
It was when he was facing the King of Oni's, some text appeared before him, and he was able to use this power from that time. The memory of that fateful encounter with the enigmatic artifact remained vivid in his mind.
Ugram was not satisfied with his answer, but as he detected no lies in Eren's statement, it just nodded, seeming to accept this explanation, but its eyes still held a hint of suspicion. The dragon, despite its long life, couldn't fully grasp the complexities of the situation unfolding before them.
[The artifact must be extraordinary to wield the power of the death god and to turn back time. But even so, why would such an artifact bring someone like you back in time?] Ugram inquired, his curiosity now tinged with a touch of concern.
Eren felt a mixture of emotions swelling inside him, the weight of his past and the uncertainties of the future pressing down upon him. "I don't have all the answers," Eren said, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration and determination. He felt the need to prove himself to this ancient being, to show that he was not just "someone like" anyone else.
But Ugram didn't understand the complexity of Eren's thoughts. Being the son of the Pendragons, it had high expectations of Eren, but was disappointed by seeing the potential of Eren.
First of all, he was carrying a gun and a sword by his side, both of which didn't suit Eren in the slightest. The mismatched weaponry seemed out of place against the backdrop of the awe-inspiring dragon lair. Just gazing at him with its piercing dragon eyes, Ugram noticed that Eren's talent in swordplay was only average. He was above most humans, but that was it; he had no special talents in the field of the sword.
The Gun he was carrying contained the death god's power too, but there were clear limitations to that gun. Of course, it would be quite effective against humans, but in front of a being like a dragon, with their extremely hard and sturdy scales offering absolute defense, it would turn into a mere child's plaything!
Then, his power of being at a 3-star level at the age of 14 was quite impressive, but in front of a dragon, he was just a measly fly.
To Ugram, it was a real wonder how this seemingly ordinary being was able to attain the power of the death god. However, the dragon's thoughts also went back to the reason it was tied to the Pendragons, 'That person also looked normal.'
Ugram scrutinized Eren, its fiery gaze seeming to delve into the depths of his soul. After a moment, it spoke with a tone that carried a mix of warning and curiosity, [Very well, I shall trust your words for now. But remember, should you betray that trust, the consequences will be dire.]
Eren nodded, understanding the gravity of the dragon's warning. He was aware that his words alone might not be enough to earn the trust of such a powerful and ancient creature. He would have to prove himself through his actions and resolve, especially considering the dragon's history and the legends surrounding it.
The dragon released its pressure on Eren, and he was able to get back on his feet once again, the air around them now calming down as well.
[Then, I will give you the blessing of the fire dragon as per the customs.] Ugram said, preparing to grant the blessing to Eren, but he interrupted with a solemn request, "Please wait for a moment."
It was the first time Eren spoke against the fire dragon, and this time, Ugram sensed clear anger and determination in his eyes. The atmosphere crackled with tension, but surprisingly, the dragon did not suppress Eren. Instead, it allowed him to speak his mind, intrigued by the human's unyielding spirit.
"Why did you set the Pendragon region on fire in my past life?" Eren's voice carried an incredible anger, and Ugram could sense the weight of history and personal connection behind his words. The question struck a chord with the dragon, stirring emotions buried deep within its ancient heart.
[What Blasphemy!] Ugram's eyes narrowed, and a momentary silence filled the air. The volcanic surroundings seemed to respond to the dragon's agitation, as if mirroring its emotions. The fiery lava within the volcano surged as if echoing the dragon's wrath, its tremors reaching the far ends of Pendragon Barony.
[Eren Pendragon, I am letting you talk, but that doesn't mean you could say anything! How dare you accuse me of such sin?] The dragon's anger was palpable, yet there was also a hint of sadness and frustration in its voice.
[The bond between the Pendragon family and me runs deep. By our pact, I am sworn to protect and aid your family, no matter the circumstances. And I would not be able to hurt the Pendragon even if I wanted to.] Ugram's words carried a sense of duty and loyalty that was unshakeable.
The revelation greatly eluded Eren. He became frozen for a second, trying to process the implications of the dragon's words. 'The Fire dragon can't hurt the Pendragons?'
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