CHAPTER 12

Chapter 12: The Dragon's Shadow

The days following the sealing of the rift were marked not by peace, but by an unsettling change. Hwang Yi felt the relic's power waning, its dark energy no longer a steady flame but a flickering shadow within him. The tiger spirit that once roared with unyielding strength now growled weakly, its grip slipping.

The Beast WithinIt began subtly—moments of disorientation, a sudden surge of primal rage at the most unexpected times. But soon, the transformation became impossible to ignore.

No longer did Hwang Yi shift into his tiger form only under the moon's light. Now, even under the harsh glare of the sun, his body betrayed him. Fur sprouted along his arms and back; claws extended from his fingertips; and his senses sharpened beyond control.

Worse still, his eyes—once the fierce amber of a tiger—began to change. They deepened, glowing with an eerie jade light, reminiscent not of a tiger, but of a dragon—a creature of ancient power and mystery, long thought separate from his lineage.

The Mountain RefugeFearing what he was becoming, Hwang Yi withdrew from the mortal world. He sought solitude in the remote peaks of the Jade Dragon Mountains, where the air was thin and the winds whispered forgotten secrets.

There, amidst jagged cliffs and swirling mists, he hoped to find answers—or at least escape the prying eyes of those who would fear or hunt him.

The Burden of IsolationDays turned to weeks as Hwang Yi grappled with his shifting nature. The beast inside clawed for dominance, threatening to consume his humanity. His dreams were haunted by visions of dragons soaring through stormy skies, their eyes burning with ancient wisdom and terrible power.

Yet, the more he resisted, the stronger the dragon's influence grew.

Xuan's SearchBack in Lianhua, Princess Xuan refused to abandon him. Despite the dangers, she ventured into the mountains, guided by the whispers of the Order of the Moon and her own unyielding love.

Her journey was perilous—treacherous paths, wild beasts, and the ever-present threat of Kano's spies shadowed her steps.

The EncounterOne mist-shrouded dawn, Xuan found Hwang Yi perched on a cliff's edge, his eyes glowing jade as he stared into the endless horizon.

"Hwang," she called softly, stepping forward. "You don't have to face this alone."

He turned, the dragon's glow in his eyes flickering with both pain and relief.

"Xuan," he whispered, voice rough. "I am losing myself. The tiger fades, and something else awakens—a power I do not understand."

She reached out, taking his hand. "Then we will face it together."

The First ChallengeAs they spoke, the mountains trembled. From the depths of a hidden cave, a low rumble echoed—a warning or a summons.

Hwang Yi's eyes flashed brighter, the dragon within stirring.

"We are not alone here," he said, voice tense. "Something ancient watches us."

The Cliffhanger: The AwakeningDeep within the cave, a slumbering force began to stir—an ancient dragon spirit bound by forgotten magic, its fate intertwined with Hwang Yi's transformation.

The tiger king's journey was no longer just about reclaiming power—it was about confronting the dragon's shadow within.

In the mountains, beneath jade eyes, a new chapter of legend was about to unfold.