The darkness of the bedroom was absolute, the heavy curtains blocking out even the faintest hint of morning light. Tavalor lay motionless in his bed, eyes closed but consciousness stirring. The sheets were tangled around his legs, evidence of a restless night. His mind, however, had never been clearer.

  He had been woken up by Little Shadow.

  Little Shadow, now the size of a small raven, perched on the ornate headboard above Tavalor. Its violet eyes glowed faintly in the darkness, watchful and patient as its master processed the revelation.

  'You're certain?' Tavalor asked, not bothering to open his eyes.

  Little Shadow chirped once—affirmative. In the weeks since its hatching, the shadow creature had developed its own form of communication: chirps, hums, and occasionally projecting simple images directly into Tavalor's mind.

  'The Watchers are regrouping.' Tavalor's voice was flat, a statement rather than a question.

  Another chirp.

  Tavalor sighed and sat up. With a casual gesture, he lit the bedside lamp with a tiny flame that danced from his fingertip. The room illuminated instantly, revealing the elegant furnishings of the master bedroom in his manor. Dark wood panelling, plush carpets, and tasteful artwork gave the space a refined atmosphere belying its owner's true nature.

  Little Shadow fluttered down to land on Tavalor's shoulder, its insubstantial form cool against his skin. The creature had grown not just in size but in intelligence and power since consuming the chimeras aboard the Miragos flagship. What had once been a tiny, curious shadow was now a formidable entity in its own right, capable of reconnaissance missions that spanned continents.

  And what it had discovered during its latest excursion was troubling.

  The Watchers—those otherworldly beings who had restructured magic itself, who had imprisoned the world in circles of rigid spells—had taken notice of Tavalor. The confrontation in Vallen's dungeon had been merely the opening move in a game that had been dormant for millennia.

  'How many?' Tavalor asked.

  Little Shadow projected an image into his mind: seven golden figures, each distinct in form but unified in purpose, gathered around a construct of pure light. Unlike the aspect Tavalor had faced beneath Vallenport, these were not fragments but full manifestations of Watcher power.

  'And their target?'

  Another image: Vallenport, viewed from above, with a golden light centred precisely on Tavalor's manor.

  Tavalor stood, stretching muscles that didn't actually require it—a lingering habit from his human life.

  He moved to the window and drew back the heavy curtains, revealing the pre-dawn glow over Vallenport's canals. The city was still mostly asleep, only the occasional lantern-light of early risers or late revellers dotting the mist-covered waterways.

  'This is to be expected,' Tavalor mused, more to himself than to Little Shadow. 'They won't tolerate an anomaly like me for long.'

  Little Shadow chirped questioningly, hopping from Tavalor's shoulder to the windowsill.

  'No, we're not running,' Tavalor replied, correctly interpreting the creature's query. 'I've only just gotten comfortable here.'

  Indeed, in the months since his emergence from the Dragon Sanctuary, Tavalor had established an almost peaceful routine. Breakfast at the Gilded Hearth each morning. Occasional visits to the Ember's Edge for dinner. Magical training with Emberfist. Endless comical alchemy mishaps with Luneth. His regular seat by the window at the Gilded Hearth had become so established that other patrons avoided it even when he wasn't present.

  For someone who was reborn from the grind of a salaryman, these simple comforts were precious.

  'They'll have to try harder than that if they want to drive me out,' Tavalor said, a hint of the dragon's arrogance creeping into his voice.

  Little Shadow emitted a sound that resembled laughter—a dry, rustling noise like leaves skittering across stone. The creature had absorbed not just power but personality from the beasts it consumed, developing a distinct character that was both loyal to Tavalor and increasingly independent.

  'What's so funny?' Tavalor asked, his expression softening with amusement.

  Little Shadow projected another image: Tavalor, surrounded by shattered golden fragments, standing over the broken form of the Watcher beneath Vallenport. The message was clear—Little Shadow had confidence in its master's strength.

  'It won't be that simple next time,' Tavalor cautioned. 'That was just one aspect. The full might of the Watchers is something else entirely.'

  Even as he said it, Tavalor felt a familiar tingle in his veins—not fear, but anticipation. His draconic nature craved challenge, relished the prospect of testing itself against worthy opponents. The Watchers had rewritten the rules of magic itself; facing them would be a true measure of his capabilities. He still didn't know how powerful he was.

  But first, breakfast.

  Some habits were too pleasant to disrupt, even with cosmic beings plotting one's downfall.

  'Come on,' Tavalor said to Little Shadow. 'Let's get ready.'

  Little Shadow chirped eagerly and fluttered after Tavalor as he headed toward the washroom.

  ***

  The Gilded Hearth was nearly empty when Tavalor arrived, the early morning hour ensuring a peaceful atmosphere. Mist still clung to the canals outside, giving the café a dreamlike quality as light filtered through the windows. The enchanted hearth at the centre crackled with a cheerful blue flame, dispelling the morning chill.

  Brenna looked up from arranging a display of pastries, her eyes brightening upon seeing him. 'Lord Tavalor! Right on time as always.'

  Tavalor nodded in greeting as he settled into his usual window seat. Little Shadow, now resembling an ordinary raven to avoid alarming the other patrons, perched on the back of the opposite chair. Little Shadow crowed arrogantly at Soot, Brenna's cat half asleep at the hearth.

  'The usual?' Brenna asked, already reaching for a cup.

  'Please,' Tavalor replied.

  Within moments, she returned with his order—a steaming mug of blue Calming Brew and a starfruit muffin, its top glistening with crystallised honey. The routine was comforting, a small anchor in a world that seemed increasingly chaotic.

  As Tavalor took his first sip, savouring the harmonious blend of spiced caramel and soothing vanilla, the café door swung open with a soft chime. Emberfist strode in, her fiery hair catching the morning light, her wine-red cloak billowing behind her with an energy that seemed to electrify the quiet atmosphere.

  'There you are,' she said, dropping into the chair across from Tavalor without waiting for an invitation. 'I've been looking everywhere.'

  Little Shadow gave an indignant chirp, ruffling its feathers at being displaced. It fluttered to Tavalor's shoulder, maintaining a wary distance from Emberfist, with whom it had developed a playful rivalry.

  'Good morning to you too,' Tavalor said dryly, taking another sip of his brew.

  Emberfist waved impatiently, her gauntlets glinting in the firelight. 'Have you heard? The whole city's talking about it.'

  Tavalor raised an eyebrow. 'Heard what?'

  'The talking fish,' Emberfist said, as if this explained everything.

  'The... talking fish,' Tavalor repeated slowly. Tavalor glanced at Little Shadow out of the corner of his eye. Little Shadow, looked at everywhere but Tavalor.

  Tavalor smiled then blinked, momentarily forgetting the looming Watcher threat. 'A fish. That talks.'

  'And sings, and spreads vulgar gossip apparently,' Emberfist added. 'Though the harbour master says its musical talents are even more offensive than its vocabulary.'

  Little Shadow chirped with what sounded suspiciously like amusement.

  'I fail to see how this concerns me,' Tavalor said, taking a bite of his muffin. It was perfect as always, the sweet starfruit complementing the buttery texture.

  Emberfist leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. 'The Mages Guild thinks it might be connected to that surge of wild magic after the dungeon collapsed. They've been tracking magical anomalies across the city, and this is the most bizarre one yet. Also there’s a big reward from the Adventurers Guild, there's a rumour it's [A-Class]'

  Good. Tavalor thought to himself. The trail leads away from us.

  'Where was it last seen?'

  'The Silver Canal, near the Merchant's Bridge. The City Watch has boats patrolling the area, but they can't exactly arrest a fish.' Emberfist's eyes gleamed with mischief. 'I thought we might take a look ourselves. Could be entertaining, at the very least.'

  'I'll pass,' Tavalor said with a smile.

  'Boring,' Emberfist replied. She crossed her hands, a bit cross. 'I'll go later by myself. I'll order something while we wait. Unlike some people, I haven't had the luxury of a leisurely morning.'

  As she signalled to Brenna, Tavalor noticed the slight shadows under Emberfist's eyes, the tension in her shoulders. She'd been training harder lately, pushing her limits in ways that would have broken lesser mages.

  Ever since the Miragos incident, she seemed determined to close the vast power gap between them—an impossible task, but one she pursued with characteristic stubbornness.

  Brenna brought over a plate of honey-glazed pastries and a steaming mug of Emberfist's preferred brew—Spiced Ember, a concoction that shifted between shades of red and orange as it caught the light.

  'So,' Emberfist said, tearing into a pastry with enthusiastic hunger, 'why do you like to eat so much?'

  The question caught Tavalor off guard. 'What do you mean?'

  'You don't need to eat, do you?' Emberfist's gaze was shrewd. 'Your cultivation level is far beyond needing physical sustenance. Yet every morning, like clockwork, you're here having breakfast.'

  Tavalor paused, surprised by her perceptiveness. It was true—his draconic nature sustained him without the need for food. His meals were purely for pleasure, a luxury rather than a necessity.

  His mind drifted back to his life on Earth, to the monotonous routine that had defined his existence. The same boring day every day. The same breakfast every day, the same lunch, the same dinner. Day after day, year after year. None of it had been about enjoyment—merely about sustenance, about maintaining the biological machine that carried him through his meaningless existence.

  But here, in this new world, with his new form and his new freedom, everything was different. Each meal was an exploration, a sensory adventure, a small celebration of being alive.

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  'I enjoy it,' he said simply.

  Emberfist's expression fell slightly, a flicker of disappointment crossing her features.

  'Did I give you the wrong answer?' Tavalor asked, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. 'What were you expecting?'

  'No... nothing,' Emberfist said, a faint blush colouring her cheeks. She took a hasty sip of her brew, averting her gaze.

  Tavalor's smile widened. He guessed. Emberfist was a chronic romance book reader after all. She had probably been hoping for something more dramatic—a tragic romantic backstory, perhaps, or some profound philosophical observation. The simple truth of enjoyment seemed anticlimactic by comparison.

  'Sometimes,' Tavalor said gently, 'enjoyment is reason enough.'

  Emberfist nodded, her embarrassment fading. 'I suppose it is.'

  Emberfist scarfed down the rest of her breakfast and left quickly, chasing down entertainment with the fish. Tavalor sat and enjoyed his breakfast with Little Shadow.

  An interruption: A newspaper boy was darting through the streets, waving copies of the Vallenport Chronicle with unusual urgency.

  'Extra, extra! Read all about it! Southern Continent at risk! Death of an A-Class Expert! Jade Court family faces extinction!'

  Tavalor's brow furrowed. He stepped back outside, hailing the boy with a raised hand. The lad skidded to a stop, thrusting a paper forward eagerly.

  'Fresh off the press, m'lord! Two silver!'

  Tavalor paid without comment, his eyes already scanning the headlines.

  He sat back down at his table. The Vallenport Chronicle's latest edition read:

  SOUTHERN CONTINENT LOST?

  Beneath it, smaller but no less alarming:

  Death of an A-Class Expert Turns Tide of War

  Tavalor frowned as he read the article, the usual pleasure of his morning routine diminished by the troubling news. According to the report, the Jade Court—one of the most powerful factions of the Eastern Continent—had lost a high-ranking A-Class expert in a devastating ambush. The nobleman had sacrificed himself to allow his forces to retreat, but the damage was done. The Chitari, insectoid invaders who had been gradually pushed back to the edges of the Southern Continent, had suddenly gained the upper hand.

  More concerning was the mention of an alliance between the Chitari and the beast hordes of the Northern Continent. Such a partnership was unprecedented and suggested a level of coordination that bordered on the suspicious.

  The Northern Continent was vast but sparsely populated, its territories divided between three main powers: the Imperium Solara, their splinter faction (whose name was conspicuously absent from the article), and the Beast Lords. Rumour held that the Beast Lords were led by an [S-Class] beast cultivator who commanded thousands of [A-Class] beast warriors.

  The article noted that the Jade Court Elder, Lord Feng, had been among the oldest human cultivators alive, with only the ancient elves possessing longer lifespan. His death had sent shockwaves through the power structures of multiple continents, with emperors and elven councils alike calling for vengeance.

  Tavalor frowned.

  If the major forces efforts didn't reverse this situation within a week, he might need to interfere personally. The last thing this world needed was a full-scale war between continents, especially if [S-Class] powers became involved.

  Around him, the café buzzed with worried conversations, patrons discussing the implications with varying degrees of understanding.

  'We have to have revenge!' declared a merchant at a nearby table, pounding his fist for emphasis. 'Lord Feng was one of our oldest allies.'

  'It's those beasts from the North,' his companion replied grimly. 'How dare they ally with the Chitari invaders? They've always stayed neutral before.'

  Tavalor took a sip of his Calming Brew, the soothing blend doing little to settle his thoughts.

  It was strange for the Beast Lord to ally with anybody. If such a power had truly entered the conflict, the balance had shifted dramatically.

  He activated his [Dragon's Eye].

  Images flickered through his mind: battlefields strewn with the bodies of humans and chitinous insectoids alike; fortifications crumbling under the combined assault of Chitari swarms and massive beasts; refugee caravans streaming toward the last strongholds on the continent.

  It was worse than the Chronicle had reported. The allied forces—humans from various factions, elves, and even some dwarven contingents—were in full retreat, abandoning strongholds they had held for decades.

  A shadow fell across his table, interrupting his distant observation. D. Crestfall stood there, his wrinkled gnomish features arranged in an expression of carefully controlled concern.

  'I wondered if I'd find you here,' the gnome said, settling into the chair opposite Tavalor without waiting for an invitation. Little Shadow, perched on Tavalor's shoulder, ruffled its feathery form in greeting—it had developed an unexpected fondness for the Vice-Guildmaster.

  'Is this a social call, or does the Adventurers Guild have business with me?' Tavalor asked, folding the newspaper and setting it aside.

  Crestfall glanced at the headline, then back at Tavalor. 'A bit of both, I'm afraid. Vallenport has received an invitation—or perhaps it would be more accurate to call it a summons.'

  'Let me guess,' Tavalor said dryly. 'They want us to participate in this war.'

  Crestfall nodded.

  They are indirectly involving me. Tavalor thought to himself.

  Tavalor's expression remained neutral, though inwardly he was not surprised. Word of his destruction of Miragos had spread, albeit in distorted form.

  Most believed it had been a meteor strike, but those with enough power and connections would have discerned the truth—or at least enough of it to know that Vallenport now sheltered an [S-Class] entity.

  'This is serious,' Tavalor mused aloud, more to himself than to Crestfall. 'What exactly has happened? The newspaper is vague on details.'

  Crestfall leaned forward, casting a spell to ensure silence, and his voice also dropping to ensure privacy despite the busy café. 'The Chitari and the beasts joined forces, launching a coordinated attack that caught the Jade Court forces by surprise. The Jade Court nobleman—Lord Feng, an [A-Class] expert with centuries of battle experience—sacrificed himself to allow the majority of his forces to escape.'

  'And the other factions?' Tavalor prompted.

  'All suffering heavy losses,' Crestfall continued grimly. 'The Imperium Solara had to bear the brunt of the counterattack,' he continued. 'They suffered heavy casualties. Two of their A-classes were besieged, both injured. After that, the elves suffered injury. So did the forces of the Western continent.'

  'Because of the beasts, everything has been turned around,' Crestfall explained, his voice tight with frustration. 'All of the forces, from the East, West, North have all suffered. They had no choice but to retreat. They can no longer do it on their own. They can only ask for help from other major forces.'

  'So they've been driven back to...'

  'The capital of the Obsidian Caliphate,' Crestfall confirmed.

  Tavalor raised an eyebrow. 'With such a defeat, it's sure that the southern continent would fall?'

  Crestfall nodded grimly. 'Nobody wants to send out their [S-Class] forces, leaving them exposed to other enemies. Even though nobody knows, the major forces have been around for so long that it's certain they have [S-class] forces to fight.'

  Nobody knows, you fraud. You obviously know, you are an [S-Class] yourself Crestfall. Thought Tavalor.

  The size of the realm was vast—twenty to fifty times that of Earth. This place had many names, but it was most commonly known as Gemworld. It earned this name because, every time a primordial gem or gem of any sort surfaced, the world changed. The major forces were able to be major forces because they had a gem, controlled a gem-like tool, or had an [S-class] holding down the fort.

  Little Shadow perched on his shoulder, as he listened to Crestfall's explanation of the current crisis. The gnome's face was unusually grave, the playful glint in his eyes replaced by genuine concern.

  'Vallenport would be next in the line of fire,' Crestfall added, fixing Tavalor with a meaningful look. 'Which is why they're indirectly inviting you out.'

  Tavalor's expression darkened as he confirmed his earlier speculation. 'They're using me as a shield and wearing me down deliberately. All under the guise of being the hero and protecting the land.'

  Little Shadow chirped indignantly, as if it understood the manipulation at play. Tavalor absently stroked the shadowy creature.

  He came to a decision in his mind.

  'Leave it to me,' Tavalor said to Crestfall, his voice calm despite his annoyance.

  Crestfall studied him for a moment. 'When are you going?'

  'Now,' Tavalor replied, rising to his feet. 'I'd like to get back quickly.'

  He closed his eyes briefly, activating [Dragon's Eye]. Confirming the location he was heading out to.

  Little Shadow perked up as Tavalor turned to address it. 'We have to go.'

  The creature chirped excitedly, rising into the air and circling Tavalor's head like a restless spirit.

  Tavalor walked out of the Gilded Hearth and stepped up into the clouds via [Dragon Flight], using [Intimidation] to hide his true form. He pulled out the Sky-breaker from his system space—the airship he had confiscated from Miragos, now modified and enhanced with his own power.

  Major groups throughout Vallenport noticed the massive ship materialising in the sky. Citizens pointed upward, the recent memories of Miragos and its destruction still fresh in their minds. But this time, there was no fear—only awe as the ship took off to the south, its enchanted engines humming with power.

  Crestfall stood on the highest tower of the Adventurers Guild, watching the Sky-breaker until it was merely a speck on the horizon. 'May the old gods go with you,' he whispered, a blessing from an age long past. Then, more quietly still: 'You'll need them.'

  ***

  Several thousand kilometres away, the war between the forces of Gemworld, the Chitari and the Beasts was in full swing. The major factions had suffered heavy losses. With help from smaller clans and unaffiliated cultivators, they were still battling, even though they were on the verge of defeat.

  Dressed in purple, a Jade Court cultivator fought desperately, using his ceremonial whisk to keep killing beasts charging him. No matter how many died, more kept attacking. It was a battle of attrition that they were slowly losing.

  'I never expected them to ally with the beasts,' said a voice beside him. The female elf captain, Captain Lyrawyn of the Silverwing Division, Tavalor's visitor, had caught up with her team, her silver armour stained with dark blood and ichor.

  The elf captain had thought that with the strength of the major forces, they would have been able to easily defeat the Chitari. But no matter how they fought, several figures on the Gemworld's side would die every bell.

  It was a pure battle of attrition, and they were on the losing side.

  A huge beast, a tiger launched a sneak attack on a cultivator. He screamed in fear. But he was rescued. A figure appeared—a beautiful woman from the Jade Court. Despite the chaos, she moved with grace and purpose, rescuing a wounded soldier from near death with a flash of magic.

  'Be careful, senior sister,' called out a Jade Court teammate. 'Don't tire yourself out. This is a battlefield. Conserve your energy.'

  The Jade Court beauty shook her head, her determination unwavering. 'No. What's the point of being strong if you can't defend the weak?'

  The female elf captain recognised the woman and called out her name in surprise: 'Lady Feng.' She was a famous beauty and a powerful cultivator from the Jade Court.

  The Jade Court had suffered the most in this conflict. Even if they could eventually defeat the Chitari, the Jade Court was no longer the number one force among the humans. It had fallen to third place, perhaps worse.

  The death of the Jade nobleman had inflamed the hearts of all of the Jade Court warriors. They attacked relentlessly, seeking revenge at any cost.

  Lady Feng was suddenly beaten back by a powerful beast, a large ferret, its claws raking across her shoulder as she tried to defend another wounded soldier.

  Captain Lyrawyn ran over to help, blocking the beast's next attack with her blade. 'Are you okay?' she asked, concern evident in her voice.

  Lady Feng looked up, recognition dawning in her eyes. 'You're... the Silver Twin,' she said, naming the elf captain.

  'Yeah, that's me, Captain Lyrawyn' the elf captain confirmed, her blade flashing as she decapitated a charging beast. 'Are you alright?'

  'I'm fantastic,' the Jade Court beauty replied, though she was clearly in pain. 'Be careful.'

  Captain Lyrawyn turned and beheaded another beast that had tried to flank them. Up in the clouds, [A-Class] experts battled, their clashes sending shockwaves across the battlefield. The Jade Court beauty was visibly exhausted after the multi-day battle, her robes torn and stained with blood—both her own and that of her enemies.

  'You should take a break,' the elf captain suggested, concern evident in her voice.

  Lady Feng gritted her teeth in pain. 'No. I want revenge for the, Uncle Feng, I mean the Jade Court nobleman. He was my grand-uncle.'

  The battle continued to rage, evenly fought but with a slowly shifting balance. Life and death hung in the balance, with both sides wanting to rip each other to shreds.

  A Jade Court cultivator, trapped by some beasts, chose to self-destruct rather than be captured, taking dozens of enemies with him in a blinding flash of light.

  Seeing this sacrifice, other cultivators were inspired to make similar last stands.

  'Retreat!' called a Solaran [A-Class] commander from above, his voice carrying over the din of battle.

  'Retreat!' echoed an elven [A-Class] commander.

  'Retreat!' The Western Empire's [A-Class] commander.

  'Fall back!' ordered the Jade Court's [A-Class] commanders.

  A huge beam of light came from the clouds above where the [A-Class] warriors battled. It rocked the battlefield, taking out the front line of the Chitari forces and creating a momentary gap in their lines. The elven captain was picked up by her lieutenant, another elven woman and carried away from the front.

  'What about Lady Feng?' Captain Lyrawyn asked, struggling to look back.

  The lieutenant gave a grim laugh. 'She's the hope of her family. You don't have to worry. Someone will take care of it.'

  The elven captain looked over and saw that indeed, someone had come to take the Jade Court beauty away from the chaos.

  The cultivators with quick instincts all started running away as the retreat was sounded. What had been a battle became a one-sided slaughter. The humans were losing badly. The beasts and Chitari kept pressing their advantage.

  The explosion had created a brief gap, and most were able to escape. But twenty percent weren't able to make it out in time.

  'There are too many high-level experts from the beasts and those bloody insects,' said a random cultivator, wiping blood and insect guts from his face. 'If it wasn't for the [A-Class]es creating the opening, we would have died out there.'

  Suddenly, the clouds above the battlefield cleared, and a huge shadow covered the battlefield. It was a giant whale—an [A-Class] beast from the north, a divine bloodline creature known as the Great Whale.

  All the people on the battlefield were shocked.

  They understood why the retreat had been called. This beast was the closest beast to reaching [S-Class] from the Beast Clan. It was also super powerful and super durable. An unkillable tank.

  The giant whale attacked spitting out a giant beam of black water towards the human side. From the sky, flames blocked the whale's water, creating a massive cloud of steam that briefly obscured the battlefield.

  'It's the Great Whale. Run!'

  Running was impossible. The weaker cultivators turned pale with fright. Facing a peak [A-Class] beast, they could only await death.

  Captain Lyrawyn was in despair. 'Are we doomed? Is this the end?' she whispered, clutching her wounded side. Leaving the battlefield with her lieutenant.

  Then she saw a figure walking on the sky towards the Great Whale.

  'Hey, wait, don't go there. Run away!' she screamed towards the figure.

  The figure was tall, with long black hair and distinctive horns protruding from his head. His crimson eyes gleamed with an unnatural light, and his elegant features seemed almost too perfect to be human. He walked across the sky as casually as one might stroll down a garden path, a small raven-like shadow flying at his shoulder.

  'Wait, haven't I seen this person somewhere before?' the female elf captain murmured, trying to place the familiar face.

  Tavalor noticed, looking in surprise at the elf. Then a shadow covered him up, obscuring his features—an effect of [Intimidation] that made it difficult to focus directly on him. But the Great Whale had noticed him now, and was turning its massive bulk to face this new threat.

  The battlefield fell silent as both sides watched, wondering who would dare to challenge the Great Whale alone.