RSE Book 2 Prologue (Patreon)

Leo knew he was in a dream. However, this particular dream was different from his usual nightmare. Surprisingly, or rather unsurprisingly thanks to Lucy, that nightmare had not plagued him nearly as much as it had done in the past. This time, in the depths of his dream, Leo found himself in a world full of everlasting darkness. 

The darkness so profound and absent of any form of light, that he could not even see himself—he could only sense his presence in this eerie world.

Suddenly, the all-encompassing darkness that showed no signs of ending, abruptly receded before a brilliant golden flame that devoured everything in its path.

ROOOAARR!!

Bathing in that majestic and bright golden flame was a monster of unimaginable presence. It was a being so massive that Leo felt it could crush him with hardly more than a thought—not unlike swatting a fly.

[It seems your desire for power finally brought you back to this place.]

A rough, imposing voice full of grandeur and pride resounded in Leo’s mind.

‘That voice…’

[Even so, you are not using your dormant powers to their full potential. At this rate, you’ll never get stronger.]

Leo frowned as his disoriented mind finally caught up to what was happening, linking all the clues to understand where he now was.

[It’s a shame, really. You are a special being—one whose body not only hosts a heavenly dragon but who was naturally born with the power of Dragons. There has never been an anomaly like you, not in all the aeons I have existed. You truly are a mystery, little one!]

“So it’s you… Nuvaros.”

[Indeed. I am the Black Dragon Emperor, Nuvaros - the Obsidian Scourge.]

Speaking with a supercilious voice full of lofty pride, the monster, or rather, the dragon — the black dragon of domination — introduced himself once again to Leo after more than half a decade worth of time.

Lowering his head to Leo’s eye level, he breathed out intermittent, small, darkly flickering flames and continued… 

[How long has it been since we last talked to one another? I’ll admit I was surprised you accepted my power again.]

Leo frowned at this, but did not argue. 

The first time he had awakened his Divine Gear was when he’d lost control over his innate power. Back then, all he’d wanted was to have the power to protect his friends from the man who had been killing them. It was then that Nuvaros had reached out to him, granting him the power he’d desired.

Sadly for Leo, the powerful boost he received from the manifestation of his Divine Gear fused with his innate power of Omega Erasure and destroyed every single thing that he’d laid his eyes on.

Ever since that cursed day, Leo had refused to use his Divine Gear. He hadn’t even reached out to it, all but permanently blocking it from manifesting. This wasn’t, however, because he hated Nuvaros for what he’d done.

He did not hate his Divine Gear as he did his own power—the Omega Erasure. But he still feared it. After all, if he ever lost control while using his innate power, he would never forgive himself for the devastation he would surely cause.

But now…

[Heh! It seems the young hatchling is finally ready to spread his wings.]

Leo did not know what to say. 

Nuvaros was different from the Omega Erasure. He was fully conscious, able to feel and think for himself the same as any other sentient being. 

Leo briefly wondered how it must have felt to be rejected by the one who should have been your greatest partner shortly after offering your power to them. He did not know. 

What he was certain of, was that he needed to change. In order to take larger steps for the future he envisioned, he would finally have to accept himself.

That was why…

“Will you lend me your power… No.” Leo shook his head, then looked earnestly up at Nuvaros. The heavenly dragon had waited so long for him to answer its call. 

“Please,” he finally said. “Help me.”

‘Oh? What an interesting host we have here.’

Nuvaros was surprised by Leo. The massive dragon wasn’t nearly as upset as Leo thought he might be. Even though Leo had ignored him for a decade, for an ancient like him, those years were the equivalent of a light nap. He had not even felt them pass.

Besides, it wasn’t like Leo was the first host to have ignored him. Most of his past hosts had pretty much hated him; he only remembered a select few who had accepted his powers. And even among them, only a few were worth remembering. 

Compared to them, Leo’s negligence was on the mild side. 

Either way, the ancient dragon always lent them his power, and then watched disinterestedly as they destroyed themselves with it.

This time though…

‘Perhaps things will be a tad more interesting.’

Leo was the most perfect host he’d ever had. Normal humans could never use his power to its full capacity. Their bodies simply couldn’t support the strain beyond a certain point. But Leo was different. 

Nuvaros could say with full confidence that he had never seen such a monstrously talent—not in his entire time on this plane of existence.

The fact that Leo was also respectful to him and did not take his favor for granted was a great plus to boot. This was why the answer was not even worth mentioning. 

[Very well… partner. We shall show them the might of the Black Dragon.]

Nuvaros gave a menacing grin with his sharp fangs fully bared. He couldn’t help but wonder how surprised Luxariel would be when their hosts finally met to continue their eternal rivalry.