Then—
A voice echoed.
Not loud… yet impossible to ignore.
It did not travel through air.
It traveled through the bones.
Through the blood.
Through the silence itself.
Krrish stopped walking.
The darkness around him shifted slightly, as if reacting to that sound.
His eyes narrowed.
Something ancient had noticed him.
At that exact moment—
The Blood Mark on his hand began to shine.
At first it glowed faintly, like dying embers.
Then brighter.
Then violently.
Crimson light spilled from the symbol, spreading along his arm like flowing veins. The air distorted, bending around him. Even the shadows trembled.
Space twisted—
And reality changed.
Before him appeared a forest.
Massive.
Endless.
Alive.
It hadn't been created.
It had awakened.
The trees rose like giants, their trunks twisted into unnatural shapes that looked almost human — as if countless souls had been trapped within them. Roots crawled across the earth like living creatures.
No sky could be seen.
Only darkness.
The scent of iron hung heavy.
Blood.
Old battles.
Ancient death.
Every breath felt heavier than the last.
Krrish stepped forward.
The forest reacted.
Branches bent toward him.
Leaves trembled without wind.
Shadows slithered between the trees.
He could feel countless invisible eyes watching him.
Judging him.
Measuring him.
Then—
Two enormous golden eyes opened in the darkness.
Cold.
Ancient.
Predatory.
The forest fell silent.
A voice emerged.
"So… this is him."
A slow, mocking laugh followed—
"A human."
"The one who defeated that weak dragon."
The voice dripped with disdain.
"I never imagined he would lose."
The air tightened.
Pressure increased.
"Among the four of us… he was the weakest."
Pause.
"And still… he lost."
A darker laugh.
"Not only that."
"He became your servant."
The ground cracked.
Energy surged through the forest like waves.
"Let me see…"
"How strong you truly are."
A roar exploded through the darkness.
ROOOOOOOOOAAARRRR—
The land trembled violently.
Cracks split open.
And from them emerged dozens of beasts.
Massive crab-like monsters, armored with jagged shells. Their claws cut through stone like paper. Hunger burned in their eyes.
They charged simultaneously.
Krrish didn't move.
He didn't even shift his stance.
He raised one hand slowly.
A faint ripple of energy expanded outward.
No explosion.
No flashy power.
Just silence.
And then—
Every beast dissolved into ash mid-motion.
Their existence erased instantly.
The forest froze.
Even the darkness hesitated.
Krrish continued walking.
The Key Fragment in his hand pulsed faster.
Its glow matched his heartbeat.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"So… the second key is really here."
The deeper he went, the stranger the forest became.
The trees grew taller.
Their shadows twisted unnaturally.
The ground vibrated constantly.
It felt as though something gigantic was breathing beneath the earth.
The air grew colder.
Heavier.
Alive.
Finally—
A cave appeared.
Its entrance looked like the open jaws of a monster.
Cold air flowed from within — not cold in temperature, but cold in intention.
Krrish stepped inside.
Darkness swallowed him.
The voice returned.
Closer now.
Deeper.
"So… you are the human."
"The one who enslaved the weak Black Dragon."
Arrogance echoed in every word.
"You may have made him kneel…"
"But you will never make me bow."
A crimson glow spread through the cave.
"He lost because he was weak."
"I am far above him."
Behind Krrish, the Black Dragon lowered his head.
"Yes, Master…"
"I am the weakest."
"The lowest among the secret beasts."
The cave shook.
Heavy footsteps echoed.
Stone cracked.
Darkness parted.
And slowly—
A colossal figure emerged.
A lion.
Massive beyond imagination.
Its mane burned with golden energy mixed with darkness. Every breath it took distorted the air around it.
Its eyes held the authority of a king who had never known defeat.
It lifted its head proudly.
"I am…"
"Seir."
"King of all Loyal Beasts."
"The Loyal King."
He roared.
ROOOOOOOOOAAARRR—
The cave trembled violently.
Outside, the forest bent as if bowing.
The ground split apart.
His presence alone crushed the air.
Compared to him, the Black Dragon felt like a child.
Yet—
Krrish remained calm.
No fear.
No tension.
Only curiosity.
"So…"
he said quietly.
"Now the real fight begins."
At that moment—
The Key Fragment in his hand flared violently.
Crimson energy filled the cave.
The Black Dragon stiffened.
"The second key…!"
"It has awakened!"
The two key fragments resonated.
Calling to each other.
Yearning to become whole.
The cave vibrated with their energy.
The Black Dragon thought silently.
The law of the secret beasts…
Whoever defeats us becomes our master.
The moment he defeated me… fate chose him.
No contract.
No force.
Destiny.
He trembled.
Above me stands the Lion King…
And above him… two beings.
Monsters capable of erasing worlds.
Master will face them too.
Krrish smirked slightly.
"You won't fight in your human form?"
"Fighting a lion feels boring."
The Lion King laughed.
Energy swirled around him violently.
His body shifted.
Bones cracked.
Form reshaped.
In seconds—
A tall warrior stood before him.
Golden eyes.
Predatory smile.
Aura filled with savage confidence.
"I am the Lion King."
Without warning—
He swung his hand.
Energy blades tore through the air faster than sound.
But Krrish dodged effortlessly.
Calm.
Untouched.
"That's all?"
The Lion King's grin widened.
"This is only the beginning… child."
He vanished.
Instantly.
A blur impossible to follow.
And suddenly—
He was behind Krrish.
SWISH!
A shallow cut formed on Krrish's cheek.
A drop of blood fell.
Krrish touched the blood with his fingers.
Something inside him stirred.
His eyes glowed faintly.
He looked up calmly.
"Only this much?"
A smile appeared.
"Alright."
"Now let's actually begin."
The Lion King's smile turned feral.
"Good."
"Now it gets interesting."
The two keys shone violently.
The air became unbearably heavy.
Time slowed.
And far away—
Deep inside endless darkness—
Something ancient moved.
Something that had been sleeping for ages.
Slowly…
It opened its eyes.
🔥📖😈
TO BE CONTINUED…