Srijan_Pandey_8761

In the Golden Dragon Nation, your destiny is decided at sixteen by a single injection. For dirt-poor miner ** Zane Voidcrest**, the annual Awakening Day is his only chance to escape a life buried in coal and despair. But when the serum unlocks a forbidden bond with a primordial beast—a shadow-wolf with the voice of a forgotten god—Kael becomes a fugitive. Branded a “corrupted” threat by the Elite, hunted by jealous rivals like the pyrokinetic aristocrat **Zane Ashgrave**, and haunted by his wolf’s insatiable hunger for chaos, Kael must master his power before the Nation’s enemies strike.  

Monsters claw at the borders. Rebellions simmer in the slums. And the Primal Beasts, long thought extinct, are waking. To survive, Kael will forge alliances with outcast mages, rebel factions, and creatures of myth. But as he uncovers the dark truth behind the Elite’s “benevolent” rule, he realizes the real war isn’t between humans and monsters—it’s between those who chain the world… and those who dare to break it.

Ascendant Beasts : The Voidcrest Prophecy

Zane and Thalia ran deeper into the mines, their lanterns long extinguished. The air grew colder, and the walls around them began to *change*. Coal turned to shiny black rock, streaked with glowing purple veins that pulsed like a heartbeat.

"This place feels… alive," Thalia whispered, clutching her brother's old cloth relic. It glowed faintly in her hands.

The wolf, Vyrthax, stalked ahead. His fur shimmered with tiny stars, and his voice echoed in Zane's head. "These tunnels are no longer yours, human. They belong to the Primals."

"What's a Primal?" Zane snapped, still angry at the wolf for dragging him into this mess.

"We ruled this world long before your kind. We were gods. Then humans betrayed us."

Before Zane could ask more, they stumbled into a massive cavern. The floor was littered with giant bones—skulls as big as houses, ribs like twisted trees. At the center stood a stone altar, cracked and ancient. Above it floated a swirling black orb, glowing with dark energy.

Thalia's relic suddenly jerked toward the altar. It slapped against the stone, and a blinding light erupted.

Zane's mind flashed with images:

- Ancient Primals, towering beasts of shadow and starlight, roaming free.

- Humans bowing to them, forging a pact.

- Betrayal. Soldiers in golden armor slaughtering Primals as they slept.

- The Awakening Serum—being made from the Primals' stolen power.

The vision ended. Zane gasped, stumbling back.

"They *killed* them," Thalia said, horrified. "The Elite murdered the Primals to make their magic serum!"

Vyrthax snarled. "Now you see the truth. Drink the orb's power, Zane. It will free you from the Elite's lies."

The wolf pointed to the swirling black orb. "This is the last remnant of my kind. Take it, or stay weak."

Thalia stepped between them. "Don't! That thing feels… wrong."

Darian Ashgrave stormed in, his body engulfed in black fire. His skin cracked like burnt paper, revealing glowing purple veins. Even his eyes glowed—wild and insane.

"You think you're special, Voidcrest?" Darian spat. "My father injected me with *your wolf's power*. And now… I'll prove I'm stronger!"

He hurled a fireball. Vyrthax dodged, but the flames seared his starry fur. The wolf growled in pain.

"He's using stolen power!"* Vyrthax roared in Zane's mind. *"Kill him! DRINK THE ORB!"

Thalia shoved the relic into Zane's hands. "Your brother died protecting this! He said to 'find the Heart of the Deeprealm.' That orb—it's the key!"

Darian laughed, flames swirling around him. "You're both dead!"

Zane stared at the orb. It pulsed, calling to him.

If he drank it, he might stop Darian. But what would it cost him?

"Do it!" Thalia yelled as Darian's flames closed in.

Cold, sharp pain shot through his body—like swallowing a blizzard. Shadows coiled around his arms, and his veins turned black.

Vyrthax howled. "YES! NOW FIGHT!"

Zane raised his hand. Shadows erupted, slamming into Darian and pinning him to the wall.

"What… are you?" Darian choked, his flames flickering.

Zane didn't know. But the power felt *good*.

Chapter 3: Echoes of the Deeprealm