"Hahahahahahahahaha!" Hazel's laughter continued, a sinister crescendo.
"It's been so long since I've had this kind of fun, but that should be all." As Hazel finished speaking, all his grievous wounds instantly healed.
The dragon was stunned.
Fear seized the dragon's heart.
"What trickery is this?" the dragon demanded, its voice laced with trepidation.
"Oh yes, you were saying something about death," Hazel said, as a powerful aura burst forth from him. Hazel's aura enveloped everything, not only within the dragon's lair but also reaching monsters still alive outside, who felt the immense, suffocating presence.
Hazel began to walk towards the dragon, each step feeling like a stab to the terrified creature.
"Yes, you were saying something about death. Do you care to continue? So, who exactly is going to die?" Hazel questioned, drawing closer to the dragon.
The dragon was utterly overwhelmed by fear. Driven by pure terror and a desperate will to survive, it unleashed an even stronger fire breath – this time, the flames were a brilliant blue.
Hazel simply walked through the blue fire as if it were a bucket of water being poured over him. The dragon became truly terrified. It began to attack wildly, attempting to punch and kick Hazel, but its attacks couldn't even get close, as if Hazel was protected by an invisible barrier.
The dragon began to lose hope. It decided to flee, soaring with all its speed towards the door leading outside. But before it could reach it, Hazel was already there. The dragon spun around, planning to escape somewhere else, only to find Hazel there again. Hazel began to appear all around it.
The dragon was surrounded – above and below, and on all sides.
The dragon then let out a deafening roar, unleashing a shockwave that dispelled all the illusory Hazels, leaving only the real one.
Hazel then appeared behind the dragon's back and delivered a powerful kick, driving it downwards from the air to the ground.
Hazel then stood before the fallen dragon. The dragon slowly got up, then leaped backward, creating distance between them.
Hazel stretched forth his hand towards the dragon and spoke, his aura a choking, overwhelming presence.
"Kneel before the face of death."
Immediately, the dragon felt an uncontrollable force compelling it to kneel before Hazel.
The dragon couldn't resist.
Hazel then walked towards it and said, "You were saying something about killing me. So tell me, how do you intend to kill death?"
"How is this even possible? I just beat you! Where's all this terrifying power coming from?" the dragon stammered, fear and disbelief in its voice.
"Simple," Hazel replied, his voice strong and commanding. "I was just playing with you."
"Playing?" the dragon echoed, confused.
"Yeah, I thought you'd be a tougher opponent since you're a dragon. But you were pretty weak. I didn't want the fight to end too quickly, so I added some drama." Hazel's words made the dragon shiver, seeing him as a true monster.
"You're not human," the dragon roared. "You're a monster!"
"Who said anything about being human? Like I told you before, I am death," Hazel said, then let out a chilling laugh.
"But if you're so strong, why did you leave me alone when you saw me sleeping?" the dragon asked, curious despite its fear.
"Well, who likes being woken up from a good nap?" Hazel replied, a hint of something soft in his eyes.
Maybe he's not so bad after all, the dragon thought.
"Alright, time for you to die," Hazel declared, his gaze piercing the dragon's very soul.
"Wait, wait! I can be useful to you!" the dragon pleaded.
"Oh? How so?" Hazel questioned.
"Um, I can..." The dragon's mind went blank.
"Are you trying to trick me?" Hazel's eyes narrowed.
"No, no!" the dragon cried out, terrified.
"So you really are useless?" Hazel said.
"You have two choices," Hazel continued, appearing like a towering, fear-inducing creature. "Die right here, or become my servant."
"I'll never serve a mere human! I'd rather die!" the dragon bellowed.
"Fine then," Hazel said, stepping closer. He summoned his scythe, his face emotionless, and prepared to cut the dragon in half. But at the last second, the dragon screamed, "Please, accept me as your servant!"
"Good. I knew you'd come around," Hazel said. "Even if you didn't, I'd just force your soul to serve me after you died anyway."
"Alright then, I call forth your soul. Serve me and be bound to me. From this moment on, you serve me, the Sovereign of Death!" Hazel declared. With those words, the dragon's soul was sealed with Hazel's, making Hazel its master.
[You have tamed a dragon!]
[Achievement unlocked: Dragon Tamer!]