Chapter 66: Draconic Betrayal

Kael stepped forward, rolling his shoulders as if loosening up for a warm-up rather than a fight to the death. His dark aura swelled around him, distorting the very air between him and Xavier. The blood-soaked battlefield was eerily silent, the corpses of the fallen warriors littering the ground.

Selina, still standing, hesitated, watching the scene unfold with wary eyes.

"You should've run when you had the chance," Kael said, raising his sword, his confidence unwavering. "Now, you'll die like the rest."

Xavier wiped the blood from his mouth and steadied his stance, his Dragon Eye glowing with fiery intensity. His body was battered, gashes ran along his arms and torso, but his resolve never wavered.

"I'm not the one who should be worried," Xavier said, gripping his Infernal Winged Blade tightly. "You talk too much, Kael."

With a burst of Ethereal Draconic Step, Xavier vanished from sight, appearing behind Kael in an instant. He swung his blade, flames trailing behind it, but Kael reacted with inhuman speed, blocking the attack with ease. The force of the clash sent shockwaves rippling through the air.

Kael countered with a devastating downward slash, dark energy crackling along his blade. Xavier sidestepped, but the sheer force of the attack shattered the ground beneath him, sending rock and debris flying.

The two warriors exchanged a flurry of blows, fire and ice clashing violently against Kael's dark energy. Despite Xavier's overwhelming strength, Kael's experience and mastery of battle proved difficult to overcome. Every strike Xavier delivered was met with a counterattack, and every dodge was followed by a near-fatal strike from Kael.

After minutes of grueling combat, Xavier's breathing grew heavier. His body screamed in pain, but Kael remained largely unscathed, a smirk still playing on his lips.

"This is the power of a Mystic Rank 8 warrior," Kael said, swinging his blade in a wide arc. "Your little dragon bloodline won't save you."

Xavier's feet slid against the ground as he barely blocked the attack, his arms going numb from the impact. His mind raced. I can't overpower him in a battle of attrition. I need to end this now.

Summoning the last of his strength, Xavier activated Soul of Enlightenment – Second Form. His body erupted in a blinding golden aura, his sword now blazing with both Infernal Flames and Frozen Draconic Winds.

Kael's smirk faltered. "What… is this?"

"Your end," Xavier whispered.

Using Mirage Step, Xavier feinted an attack from the left, forcing Kael to shift his stance. The moment Kael committed to his block, Xavier vanished again, reappearing above him.

"Infernal Draconic Judgment!"

Xavier plunged his sword downward, the spiritual energy of a dragon manifesting behind him. The fiery draconic spirit roared, its massive maw opening wide as it descended with Xavier.

Kael barely had time to react. His eyes widened in terror as the dragon engulfed him in a vortex of fire and ice. His screams echoed through the battlefield as the attack tore through his defenses, melting his armor and searing his flesh.

When the flames dissipated, Kael's charred and frozen body stood for a brief moment before collapsing to the ground. His sword cracked in half, his aura completely gone.

The once-mighty Mystic Rank 8 warrior was dead.

Xavier exhaled sharply, his body finally giving in to exhaustion. He turned to Selina, who had been frozen in place, watching the battle with wide, horrified eyes.

She instinctively stepped back, her hands shaking. She had no illusions about her strength—if Kael had fallen, she had no chance of survival.

Xavier took a slow step toward her, his golden Dragon Eye flickering with power.

"I should kill you," Xavier said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. "You led these men. You hunted me. But I won't waste my energy on unnecessary death."

Selina clenched her fists, torn between pride and fear. "You… you'll let me live?"

Xavier nodded. "On one condition."

She swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "Name it."

"Show me the stronghold. And everything you know about draconic bloodlines."

Selina hesitated. If she refused, she knew she wouldn't leave this battlefield alive. But if she agreed… she might just survive.

She took a deep breath, then slowly nodded. "Fine. I'll take you there."

Inside the Stronghold – Secrets of the Draconic Bloodlines

Xavier followed Selina into the Crimson Cult's stronghold, an ominous fortress hidden deep within the Voidlands. The structure was vast, built from obsidian-like stone, its halls dimly lit with eerie red torches.

Selina led him to the War Room, a grand chamber lined with ancient scrolls, maps, and relics. She moved to a large wall covered in names, etched in Draconic script.

"These are names of draconic descendants," she explained. "Bloodlines that have been tracked and studied by the Crimson Cult. Some are known, some are hidden. But all of them are powerful."

Xavier's eyes scanned the names. Many he didn't recognize, but then his heart nearly stopped.

Cassandra Soul.

His mother's name was on the list.

His fists clenched, his mind racing. If the Crimson Cult had been tracking his family bloodline, that meant they had more knowledge than he ever imagined.

Selina continued, pointing to various cities within the Voidlands. "These are locations where draconic descendants have been found. Some serve the cult. Others… are hunted."

Xavier's eyes darkened. "So they track and kill their own kind?"

Selina nodded. "The cult believes only the strongest bloodlines should exist. Weak ones are… removed."

Xavier's rage simmered beneath the surface, but he kept his composure. This information was priceless.

Turning to Selina, he spoke with finality. "You work for me now. From this moment forward, you serve the Soul Clan. If you betray me, I'll finish what I started today."

Selina hesitated, then slowly knelt before him. "Understood… Lord Xavier."

Xavier turned back to the ancient draconic records, determination hardening his expression.

As Xavier's golden Dragon Eye scanned the names on the wall, his gaze settled on one in particular.

"Valen Drakon—currently residing in Blackthorne City."

His heart pounded. If this list was accurate, then Valen was another descendant of a draconic bloodline—just like him.

He turned to Selina, his voice steady. "Where is Blackthorne City?"

Selina hesitated before pointing at a map pinned to the table. "It's deep within the Voidlands, ruled by warring factions. The Crimson Cult has tried to take control of it multiple times, but the city is unpredictable. If Valen is there, he's either hiding or being used."

Xavier nodded, absorbing the information. "Then we don't have time to waste."

Without another word, he activated Ethereal Draconic Step, vanishing from the room in a flicker of motion. In mere minutes, he reached the tall trees where his disciples, Raiden and Tonya, had been hiding.

Raiden's eyes widened when he saw Xavier, bloodied but victorious. "Master! Are you alright?!"

Tonya gasped, seeing his wounds. "We should—"

Xavier raised a hand, silencing them. "We're leaving. Now."

Raiden and Tonya exchanged glances but didn't question him. They mounted one of the Soul Clan's phoenixes, its fiery wings igniting as it took to the skies, speeding toward Blackthorne City.