Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

The dragon‑man’s golden eyes lit up as he spread his arms…

He was like a deity with his crimson robe flowing like fire itself.

”Come…”

The pressure came as heat started rolling across the whole field.

Shane steadied his Moonveil Manablade, while Merlin’s staff pulsed with lightning…

They had faced Sasha, they had escaped the six Zombie Lords, and now they stood before another dragon.

Yet neither Shane nor Merlin felt scared.

As a matter of fact, they viewed this as another opportunity.

Perhaps, there was a reason why they were being connected to a few Dragons within this realm!

After all, it must be remembered that Dragons were intelligent, proud, and dangerous… but they were also beings who could be reasoned with, even befriended. Perhaps, like Sasha, this one might become more than just an enemy. But first, they had to survive the duel.

The dragon‑man smirked.

”You carry relics of the Fairies… Let us see if you can withstand fire itself.”

With a flick of his hand, the ground erupted.

Pillars of flame shot upward, forming a blazing cage around the battlefield.

Soldiers and Draconic Warriors immediately stepped back as they started shielding their faces from the heat.

Kendra’s Dragon’s Eye glowed as she was confirming what they all felt… this was no ordinary flame. It was dragonfire, infused with essence that could melt steel.

”Be careful…” Kendra muttered a prayer.

Soon, Shane triggered Shadow Drift… It was as if his form was phasing in and out of reality.

This was just one of the Calmity Mantle’s special skills!

As soon as he confused the Dragon, he immediately got closer and slashed with the Moonveil Manablade, a crescent of energy cutting through the flames!

Thud!

The dragon‑man caught the strike with his bare hand with his Golden Aura everywhere... A burning wave also exploded as steel met the draconic power.

”Good,” the dragon said, pushing Shane back with a single shove. ”You are not weak.”

Merlin seized the moment, chanting quickly.

Lightning spears rained from above, striking toward the dragon‑man.

He raised his hand, and the flames coiled into a serpent, swallowing the lightning before dispersing into smoke.

Whoosh~

”Elemental Magic…” he mused, ”but still so fragile. You have to start taking this seriously, wrinkled human…”

Merlin’s mouth twitched as he heard the same words once again.

Nonetheless, Shane charged once more with his blade glowing brighter. The Ring of Dusk and Dawn shimmered, forcing the dragon to release his grip when he tried to crush the weapon.

The dragon’s eyes squinted in amusement. ”The Fairy Queen’s gifts… they make you interesting.”

Merlin unleashed a storm spell, and soon, thunder started coming overhead.

Boom! Boom!

Bolts of lightning hammered against the dragon’s blazing shield.

For a moment, the flames weakened, and Shane charged in, slashing across the dragon’s chest.

The blade cut fabric but not flesh, the robe even glowed with protective enchantments.

The dragon laughed and mocked Shane and Merlin’s attempt.

”You think steel and storm can pierce me? Then let me show you fire.”

He vanished in a blur, reappearing behind Shane.

His palm struck forward, unleashing a wave of fire.

Bam!

Shane blocked with his mantle, absorbing part of the blast, but the force sent him sliding across the stone.

Merlin countered with a barrier of wind, deflecting the flames.

”Harder to break than I thought,” the dragon admitted. ”Good. I would hate for this to end too quickly.”

Shane steadied himself, exchanging a glance with Merlin.

”Together,” he said firmly.

Merlin nodded as he followed Shane’s plan. ”Together.”

He had some Forbidden Spells on his own, but with the situation of the battle and how the Dragon didn’t seem to be that eager to kill them, he might as well save his Forbidden Spells for now.

Just like that, they moved in unison.

Shane activated Energy Wave, a crescent of pure force erupting from his blade, slicing through the flames.

Merlin, however, conjured a cyclone of wind and lightning, driving it toward the dragon.

For the first time, the dragon seemed to look surprised as he was actually reading through their mana. He didn’t expect that their mana wouldn’t crash against each other but actually boost their spells!

”Impressive,” he said, his voice low. ”But fire is eternal.”

He raised both arms, and the battlefield was filled with fire…

Rivers of flame surged across the ground, forcing Shane and Merlin to leap aside.

The heat was unbearable, but at this time, Shane’s pendant glowed, the Verdant Heartstone shielding him from the worst of the fire.

Merlin’s staff was also activated, channeling mana into protective barrier!

The dragon then advanced, each step shaking the ground.

He swung his arm, and a whip of fire lashed out. Shane blocked with his blade, sparks flying.

Merlin countered with lightning, striking the whip and dispersing it into embers…

”Hoho… This is fascinating. But I think you’re holding back, Mr. Dragon.” Merlin muttered as he wasn’t even using his combined spells…

”Fine…”

The duel raged as fire against steel, storm against flame continued!

Neither side yielded.

Shane also charged forward, slashing at the dragon’s side. The blade cut through the robe, leaving a shallow mark on his skin.

The dragon’s eyes looked curious as he saw the injury…

”You draw blood. Few have done so.”

Merlin then followed, unleashing a barrage of lightning spears.

The dragon raised his hand, flames coiling into a shield.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The spears hammered against it, and all it did was crack the barrier.

For a moment, the dragon paused… However, Shane just struck again!

The humanoid dragon roared and flames were released from his body. The soldiers watching from afar staggered back, shielding themselves from the heat.

Kendra and Luka exchanged tense glances as they could tell that Shane and Merlin were actually going alright in this battle!

It was quite unexpected for them.

”This is no ordinary duel,” Luka muttered. ”He’s testing them.”

Kendra nodded. ”If they survive, they may earn his respect.”

Apparently, through their Dragon’s Eye Talent, they could see the difference in mana between the two. They could tell that the dragon man was just having fun, mostly using raw energy instead of complicated spells!

On the battlefield, Shane and Merlin pressed forward. Shane slashed with the Moonveil Manablade, each strike glowing brighter. Merlin conjured storms, lightning, and wind hammering against the dragon’s flames. The dragon countered with fire, each blast shaking the ground.

Outside, it looked like the duel was balanced and neither side was giving up.

Shane exhaled, sweat dripping down his face.

”Merlin… we need to push a bit harder.”

Merlin nodded, his staff glowing. ”Then let’s combine.”

Together, they unleashed a coordinated strike. Shane’s blade erupted with Mana, a crescent of force slicing forward.

Merlin’s staff was triggered, and more lightning spears were raining down. The two attacks arrived at the same time like they were merged!

The dragon raised both arms, flames surging.

”Haa!”

Boom!

The clash was immense… The ground shook, the air exploded with embers everywhere. For a moment, the battlefield was consumed in light and heat.

When the smoke cleared, all three still stood. Shane’s blade glowed faintly, Merlin’s staff pulsed with mana, and the dragon’s robe smoldered.

”Good,” he said softly. ”You are worthy opponents.”

Shane tightened his grip. ”We’re not done yet.”

Merlin raised his staff. ”This duel has only begun.”

The dragon smiled.

”Then let us continue. Show me the strength of humans… and perhaps, I will tell you my name.”

”A name, huh…”

Merlin’s eyes narrowed as he raised his staff…

He glanced at Shane, giving a subtle signal… Shane recognized it instantly. Merlin was preparing a Forbidden Spell. He didn’t even dare use Telepathy, in case the Dragon picked up their conversation.

’I’ll cover for you… Take your time.’ Shane said to himself as he nodded.

He then stepped forward to intercept the dragon’s gaze. The Moonveil Manablade flared as Shane launched a series of strikes, forcing the dragon to focus on him.

Sparks and embers filled the air as Shane didn’t seem to be getting tired at all.

Meanwhile, Merlin began the incantation. His staff pulsed with raw mana, the air around him vibrating as the spell took shape.

This was Tempest Oblivion, a forbidden fusion of storm and void. It drew upon the primal chaos of lightning and the consuming silence of the void, a spell designed not to kill outright, but to overwhelm even the strongest defenses…

It was a spell that affected the surroundings!

The sky darkened, and soon clouds were swirling violently overhead.

Boom!

A thunder came, and it was louder than cannon fire, while arcs of violet lightning spiraled downward, converging into Merlin’s staff. The ground beneath him fractured, and soon, stones started levitating as the void energy seeped into reality.

The dragon’s golden eyes widened slightly, intrigued.

”Ah… forbidden magic. Finally, you show me something worth watching.”

Merlin thrust his staff forward, unleashing the spell.

A colossal vortex of storm and void energy surged toward the dragon!

It was definitely capable of devouring flame.

Shane braced himself as his pendant started glowing, ready to follow Merlin’s strike. The duel had escalated… and the dragon, for the first time, looked genuinely entertained.