Ethan’s POV

While I flew toward the Stormveil Shroud, the familiar and foreboding sight greeted me once more. Flickering arcs of dangerous black lightning danced through the swirling, ominous clouds, their menace palpable. The dark clouds churned with a malevolent energy, eager to strike down anyone daring to intrude upon the upper heights of Ebonspire Peak.

I reached into my spatial ring and pulled out a black dragon badge, its surface polished to a mirror sheen. Placing it on my hand, the badge flared to life, forming a black barrier etched with intricate golden runes.

The protective shield surrounded me allowing me to pass through the Stormveil Shroud unscathed. Yet, despite the safety it offered a shudder ran through me as I remembered the history of this ancient formation.

The shroud had guarded the Ebonspire Peak heights, the domain of Master Nyx and her subordinates for thousands of years. I had once overheard the shadow wyverns speaking about this peak’s significance. It had been the ancestral home of Master Nyx’s family for generations.

The revelation explained the presence of the antique towers and abandoned pavilions scattered across the peak. Though time had left them empty and unused, I could imagine their former glory as the stronghold of the dark dragon ancestors who once ruled here.

The power of the shroud was not to be underestimated. It could severely injure Sky Realm beings who stood above Crystal Formation beings like my grandfather. The mere thought filled me with awe and a trace of reverence.

As I flew higher, my thoughts wandered to my family, my grandparents, my mother, and Aurelia. A pang of longing struck me when I realized it had already been five years since we parted ways. Memories of Aurelia resurfaced, her smile clear in my mind. Our relationship had been quietly confirmed between us and I knew both families would have agreed if we had talked about our feelings back then.

I shook my head, pushing the thoughts aside. This wasn’t the time to dwell on the past. I knew the truth that I would need at least five or six more years to gain enough strength to cross continents and reunite with them.

For now, my priorities were clear and that was to become stronger and more importantly to conquer Master Nyx. A sly glint flickered in my eyes at the thought though I quickly masked it. No one could see the ambition I carried not yet.

Before long, I reached the largest cave at the summit of the peak. My DarkStorm Wings shimmered and dissolved into black smoke, the shadows phasing seamlessly back into the short black cape that I wore on my body.

Landing lightly, I made my way into the cave but instead of approaching the tall black altar where Master Nyx’s throne loomed, I turned toward the opposite end of the cavern.

I moved with purpose stopping in front of an unassuming rock face. I touched its cold surface and a faint rumble shook the cave, a deep passage revealed itself before my eyes. Calmly, I stepped into the yawning darkness.

The pitch-black tunnel posed no challenge as neither I nor my master needed light to see. Over time living in perpetual darkness had attuned me to it allowing me to perceive and understand its very essence.

This practice had been instilled in me by Master Nyx. She had taught me to embrace the darkness, to feel its true nature rather than merely wield it as a weapon. Now, it was as though the dark had become a living part of me. Ideas for new techniques and inspirations for manipulating shadows and their behaviour constantly sprouted in my mind like seeds taking root in fertile soil.

At the tunnel’s end, a massive dark door carved with the image of a majestic dragon awaited me. Its scales were etched in excruciating detail, and its golden eyes glowed faintly as I approached. Placing my hand into the groove on the side, the dragon’s eyes brightened, scanning me with an ancient intelligence. Once it verified my identity, the heavy door groaned and creaked open.

I stepped inside, my movements shifting from casual to careful, adopting a stance of respect. My expression became measured, my demeanour calm.

A somewhat sweet and melodious yet languid voice drifted through the shadows, tinged with lazy amusement. “Oh, little Ethan, have you returned from your hunt? What happened there? Come closer and tell me the details.”

My gaze lifted to the massive dark bed resting at the chamber’s centre. Its towering dark silk canopy hung like a curtain of shadows, faintly rippling as if alive. The bed’s dark soul wood rails were masterpieces in their own right, carved with fierce dragon heads and intricate depictions of Ebonspire Peak and the surrounding dark forests. Every inch spoke of its ancient craftsmanship, a relic of a forgotten era.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward to the bedside. Before I could utter a greeting, two glowing slender hands shot out grasping my shirt with surprising strength and pulling me into an embrace. I was startled for a moment but allowed myself to be caught, my body sinking into her hold.

A unique, musky scent wafted through the air intoxicating in its familiarity as I found myself nestled between two soft glorious peaks. I didn’t resist or pretend otherwise.

Like a child, I greedily buried my face deeper into the comforting warmth of her chest inhaling her scent with unhidden satisfaction. My arms instinctively wrapped around her waist, holding onto her as though she were my anchor in this sea of shadows.

“Oh, looks like little Ethan missed his master, didn’t he?” Her voice purred with amusement, light and teasing as her fingers moved across my violet locks to pat my head affectionately. I hummed in response, content to let her spoil me.

This routine had long become one of my most treasured moments and an indulgence that I had grown to crave during my time at Ebonspire Peak. Master’s obsession with me, while initially surprising had turned out to be a gift.

It smoothed the way for the goal I had set in the deepest corners of my heart. When I first came under her tutelage, I thought it would take an eternity to make her see me as something more than just a half-human hybrid looked down upon by the elite of the Blood Veil Continent and a mere boy in comparison to her ageless power and experience.

The odds had been stacked against me. How could a little disciple like me barely past childhood, ever earn a place in her heart? But fate it seemed had other plans.

Over time, her demeanour softened little by little. She spoiled me, indulged me and even against all expectations allowed me into her most private spaces, even her chambers. The lines she drew between master and disciple grew thinner and blurred by her own actions that I suspected even she didn’t fully understand.

I knew though what it was. As I grew into adulthood over the next two years her confusing gestures, her gentle possessiveness and her teasing touches would evolve into something far greater. The thing I desired most.

“What is my little disciple thinking?” Her silky voice pulled me from my thoughts. She hooked one of her pointed elegantly sharp black nails beneath my chin tilting my head upward to meet her gaze. Those dark golden eyes locked onto mine their depth seemingly endless as though she could pierce through all my secrets.

Her other hand traced my cheek, her touch deceptively gentle. I let her. This intimacy and closeness was non existent in my previous life and was a precious and fragile gift I cherished.

Seeing her acting like a sugar mommy and spoiling me as though I were the most important being in her world greatly satisfied my vanity.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep