The Unseen Challenger

(Inside the portal.)

Kael stepped forward, his entire being trembling with energy.

He stared down the shadowy figure as he uttered two words:

Dragonic Form

A sudden surge of mana erupted from Kael's body, the sheer force of it sending shockwaves through the air.

His right arm began to glow, scales of molten gold and black spreading from his hand up to his shoulder.

Mana flowed around him like a storm, crackling with raw, untamed energy.

The figure tilted its head, its expression shifting to mild surprise.

"Interesting," it murmured.

Kael felt the primal power coursing through him, ancient and wild.

This was a fragment of his draconic heritage, a part of him he had barely begun to understand.

He raised Aethral Fang, the blade now radiating a ferocious aura that seemed to hum in harmony with his transformed arm.

"This ends now," Kael growled, his voice laced with a guttural intensity.