Chapter 6:The Dream of the Past

Kuragami drifted through the endless void. His body felt weightless, his mind hazy. He could hear distant voices—whispers of battles long gone, screams of warriors, the clash of swords, and the roar of dragons.

Then—

A bright light engulfed his vision.

And suddenly, he was no longer floating in darkness.

He stood in a vast battlefield, the ground beneath him soaked in blood and ashes. The air was thick with the scent of death, and in the distance, a storm raged—black clouds, golden lightning, and a sky torn apart by war.

Kuragami's heart pounded. He knew this place.

"This is… the battle from before…"

The one he had witnessed when everything fell apart.

He turned his head and saw them—

The gods and demons locked in brutal combat.

A demon warrior swung his flaming sword, cutting down a god clad in silver armor. Another god, wielding a golden spear, impaled a demon general. Countless figures clashed, their powers shaking the land.

And then—

He saw her.

His mother.

The Goddess of Dragons, Elara.

Her long silver hair danced in the wind, her golden eyes blazing with fury. Her armor, once shining, was now stained with blood. Behind her, an army of dragons roared, their massive wings blocking out the sky.

"Mother…" Kuragami whispered.

She was surrounded. Gods of the highest order had gathered against her.

The God of Light, the God of War, the God of Judgement—all stood before her, their divine weapons ready.

And then, he appeared.

A figure descended from the heavens, his presence making even the gods bow.

A man with golden eyes, silver hair, and white wings. A sword of celestial energy in his hand.

Kuragami's breath caught in his throat.

"Who… is that?"

The demons around him trembled.

A nearby demon muttered in horror, "It's him… The First and Only Disciple of the Demon King… The Legendary Hero."

Kuragami's eyes widened. "Alexandra…?"

The warrior in white landed before Elara, his gaze unreadable.

"Goddess of Dragons," he said in a voice filled with power. "Your time has come."

Elara tightened her grip on her blade. "I will not fall here."

The gods stepped forward, their divine auras suffocating. "Elara, you have betrayed the heavens," the God of Light declared. "We were created to destroy demons, yet you stood beside them. You bore the child of our enemy."

Kuragami's eyes widened. "They knew about me… even back then?"

Elara lifted her sword. "If protecting my child is betrayal, then so be it."

The battle resumed.

The ground shattered beneath their power. Elara clashed against Alexandra, their swords meeting in a blinding explosion of energy.

Kuragami could only watch as his mother fought desperately.

She was strong. Incredibly strong. She summoned fifty dragons, commanding them to rain fire upon the gods. But Alexandra cut through them like they were nothing.

A god launched a divine spear toward her—she deflected it. Another god sent down holy flames—she absorbed it and sent it back.

Yet, they kept coming.

The gods were relentless. Elara was fast, but Alexandra was faster. His sword never slowed, his attacks never wavered.

And then—

A golden light pierced through Elara's chest.

Kuragami gasped.

"Mother—!"

Elara stumbled, blood dripping from her lips. Her golden eyes burned with defiance, but her strength was fading.

The gods surrounded her.

"It's over."

Alexandra raised his sword for the final strike.

Kuragami screamed.

"NO!"

A surge of dark energy erupted around him. His body moved on its own, racing toward his mother. He had to stop it. He had to save her.

But just as he reached out—

Everything shattered.

The battlefield disappeared.

And Kuragami was once again falling into the endless void.

He woke up, gasping.

Sweat covered his body, and his heart pounded like a war drum.

He was back.

Back in reality.

The battle had ended. Zeus had disappeared. But Kuragami's mind was still stuck in the past.

He clenched his fists.

"I was too weak…"

The memory of his mother's battle replayed in his head. The gods, the demons, Alexandra—they were all so much stronger.

He gritted his teeth.

"I won't let it happen again."

"Next time… I will be strong enough."

"Next time… I will protect my mother."

As he sat up, a dark voice echoed in his mind.

"Do you desire power?"

Kuragami froze.

The voice was familiar. The Demon God.

"I have already given you a fraction of my strength. But if you wish to surpass the gods, you will need more."

Kuragami's breathing slowed.

More power.

The gods feared him. Zeus himself had come to stop him.

If he wanted to survive… if he wanted to protect his mother…

He had no choice.

"Give it to me."

The voice chuckled. "Very well… But remember, power always comes with a price."

Darkness swirled around Kuragami, seeping into his veins.

And as he embraced it, a single thought filled his mind—

He would become strong enough to defy fate itself.

To be continued…