Leo stood beneath a sky that pulsed like a heartbeat. Dark, endless and alive.

  Lightning coiled across the heavens like living veins, emerging from the churning, thunder-wrapped abyss.

  Its form flickered between silhouette and substance. Scales of obsidian glossed with violet shimmer. Wings made of broken sky and lightning-wrapped pressure fronts.

  Its mane flowed like wind given colour. Its teeth shone like polished ivory, far too still for something alive. And its eyes…

  Now in their full glory, unobscured, rainbow-hued irises like prisms shattered inside a stormcloud.

  They shimmered with weight, as if colour itself bent around them.

  When it breathed, the clouds bent towards it. A staggering behemoth that ruled this kingdom of barren wastes.

  It didn’t continue speaking, just looked down at Leo.

  Holy shit. A fucking dragon?! Leo screamed internally, completely enamoured.

  “Not my preferred title, but I suppose I did enjoy my fair share,” it said jovially.

  “Wha–?” Leo stammered, stunned. Can it read my mind?

  “Yes, I can read your mind. Now, if you’re done staring. We have much to discuss and perhaps not a lot of time.”

  “Who are you? Where am I?” Leo asked apprehensively as he took in his surroundings and the curious feeling of safety they gave him.

  “Not that important but I suppose there is time for introductions. I am Iskarion.” The weight of the world felt like it descended as the name was spoken. Unlike the last time it tried to say its name, the system did not interfere.

  “I was once known as The Quiet Storm. Now I am known as The Last Tempest—or was, I suppose. I am a god.”

  “The Last Tempest?” Leo asked curiously, the whole thing being completely bizarre. His mind completely ignored the G word for now.

  The Dragon did not look sad, but Leo could feel a touch of emotion leak out that felt as if it shifted the ground beneath him.

  “Indeed. During the 10th Era there was a war. A bloody, unending war that ravaged and tore across the multiverse. The death toll was beyond comprehension, entire civilisations wiped out in heartbeats.” It paused, eyes closing in remembrance.

  “My Dragonflight—my entire race—was hunted to extinction due to our power and potential. We ruled the multiverse with myself as one of The Nine. Until four of the Nine decided to go to war. I understand that as a new initiate of the multiverse you will have limited or zero knowledge of what I speak, but all will be explained in due time.”

  The dragon shook its head, as if taking himself off a tangent.

  “For now, I will say that I was forced to run. Between dimensions and beyond the scope of anything my enemies or allies could find me in. This hellish realm is where I landed. I have been trapped here, unvisited by mortals or gods since.” He looked down at Leo.

  “Until you.”

  The amount of information that just entered Leo’s brain had it spinning.

  The Dragon basically just opened up his reality to so many things without a real explanation. He had so many questions. The Nine? Multiverses? Gods? Iskarion said he was a god earlier but he’d been too caught up in his name to ask. He didn’t know where to start.

  “I see you have many questions, but those will have to wait. For now it seems we must discuss you, or to be exact, what you hold,” Iskarion said seriously.

  “What about me?” Leo asked curiously, getting a bad feeling about the look the dragon was giving him.

  “You have come here not from ranking up to E-grade like I assumed you would, however, I sense you are close. It was not all I sensed upon your visits. The storm that you contain within you, that power. I can feel it.”

  “My storm? I only called it that because of how chaotic my feelings would go when I get angry or emotional. It helped me visualise it into something I could get a hold on. It’s not an actual storm. How did you even know about it?”

  “I was once known as The Quiet Storm. Of course I recognise a storm when I feel one. While it’s true the storm you hold is not like the one that rocks the sky above, it is equally, if not more, chaotic. It’s destroying you.”

  Leo’s mind flashed to the surging pain that consumed him before he lost consciousness, the thought had been missing until now, covered up by his subconscious to keep him safe. The pain began building once again.

  “Yes, that storm,” Iskarion said flatly. “Now, tell me. You have a bloodline, correct?”

  “I do, yes. It’s called Bloodline of the Elements,” Leo said, deciding to trust this dream dragon. “I don’t know where it came from, but I’ve had this emotional issue since I was old enough to remember.”

  “Most interesting. I have not heard of such a Bloodline before. That makes you an Originator. While usually I would recommend you never share the details of your Bloodline to anyone, in this case, I would recommend it.”

  Leo thought about his bloodline for a moment, since the start of the integration and unlocking the bloodline. He hadn’t really felt all that much from it. It felt like something that moved to the back of his mind and just enjoyed the bonuses that it gave him.

  “My bloodline increases the Essences I am able to bond with, then gives the Essence bonded stats an extra 10%. The system said that it was only ‘Provisionally named,’ whatever that means. Other people must get things similar to this.”

  Leo saw the Dragon raise its eyebrows, eyeshields? Whatever dragons had above their eyes.

  “That is one incredible Bloodline, child. Definitely do not repeat its details to anyone, unless you trust them with your life. Even then, be cautious.”

  “I assume the System guide informed you on what a bloodline is?” Iskarion asked.

  Leo nodded as he tried to recall its words. “It said that bloodlines were innate, manifested uniquely in people and were passed on through their kids.”

  Iskarion gave a grunt of acceptance. “What it didn’t tell you was how sought after bloodlines are. Factions would start wars over the chance to have one of their young offspring gain an additional Essence. You will no doubt cause incredible waves once they find out what you have.”

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  Iskarion laughed, the noise like roaring thunder across the mountains.

  “Forgive me. I was picturing the faces of my fellow gods once they found you. Especially Caldrin.”

  Not questioning who Caldrin was, Leo questioned why this was all even relevant. He was more concerned about the apparent storm that was killing him. But Iskarion kept talking, like an old man reminiscing and losing focus.

  “I thought I felt a kindred soul when you first appeared in this place. I assumed it was solely due to the storm inside you. But if you have two Essences then that makes even more sense. You see, Dragons inherently have three Essences. The most of any race in the multiverse. Most races will have one, with two being exceedingly rare. A bloodline that grants another is completely unheard of.”

  “What two elements do you have?” Iskarion asked.

  “Two?” Leo tilted his head curiously, he might have missed something, couldn’t this dragon read his mind?

  The dragon’s eyes widened once more. “You have three? Were you blessed with another or did your bloodline give you an extra two Essences? If that was the case you will be the talk of the multiverse. Every faction will want a piece of you.”

  “Uh. Sorry, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I have six,” Leo said sheepishly.

  “Six…” Iskarion repeated, before laughing. “Oh that is humorous. I have not heard a joke in so many eras.”

  Leo rubbed his neck awkwardly. “I only have four right now, but I’ve got the potential for six—according to that System guide.”

  “You’re serious?!” The Dragon boomed. Its face appeared before Leo’s in a speed that defied logic.

  “Yes?” Leo squeaked.

  “Inconceivable.” Iskarion said, stepping back. “Never in the history of the multiverse has there been someone with Six Essences. Four is the maximum and he is a Primarch. You are an anomaly unlike any other. It is no wonder why the storm is consuming you. It is eating you from the inside.”

  “Eating me from the inside?” Leo asked, suddenly worried now that the dragon was back on topic. “How do I stop it?”

  “Your storm and your bloodline, I suspect, are not separate forces. I believe your storm is your bloodline.”

  What…

  Leo hadn’t once made the connection that the emotions he struggled to control his whole life were actually due to his bloodline. He suspected they were connected as the feeling got worse when he initially received his Essences, but for them to be the same thing didn’t make sense.

  His bloodline was supposed to be elemental. Yet nothing in his life before the System had ever felt that way. He couldn’t walk on water, control fire with his mind or conjure lightning from his fingertips—well now he could, but not before the System gave him his Essences.

  He was just a normal kid that didn’t mind the hot or cold with major anger issues.

  His mind reeled as the pain inside him increased.

  “How do I fix it?” Leo said, grunting.

  “You do not fix it. You tame it. Do not let the storm control your actions.”

  “Easier said than done,” Leo said dismissively. “I’ve been controlling it my whole life. The bubbling feeling inside me whenever I get emotional. The rage and fury that comes out of me when it leaks out. I can’t control it past what I’ve already been doing.”

  “You have done well to control it this long, I will admit. Without your will being as strong as it is, you would have likely died much sooner. But it appears as your body nears E-grade, you can no longer contain its power.”

  Leo frowned. “This still doesn’t help me. You mentioned my will, does that mean I should put more points into the stat?”

  The dragon shook his head. “No. That is not the purpose of the Will stat. I suggest something a bit… unethical.”

  “What is it? Can you please not slow roll me? I'm kinda dying here,” Leo complained.

  “Patience.” Iskarion scoffed. “What I suggest is a pact of sorts.”

  A pact with a dragon sounded badass, but Leo was rightfully wary, wondering what part was the unethical bit.

  “What kind of pact?” Leo asked skeptically.

  “I will help you control your storm. And in return, you assist me with a task.”

  Leo exhaled. This was it. The mystical demon offered him power and in response he would do his bidding. A classic trope that he didn’t have room to argue with. Not if he wanted to live.

  With conviction, Leo said, “Alright. I’m listening.”

  The Dragon’s large claw raised up and held out what appeared to be a glowing, radiant egg shaped object. It was the size of a watermelon, with stripes of ever changing colours that were dim, but pulsating.

  “This is not a gift, it is a gamble.” Iskarion said darkly. “This is the last Dragon egg in known existence. I ask you not just to carry this egg, but to bond with it on a path that will likely lead you into even more dangerous situations. The bond will come at a cost that will likely stunt your potential for growth.”

  Leo looked at the egg with wide eyes. He was being given a Dragon egg? This was every boy's fantasy, including his. Thankfully his mind sharpened, the forbidden fruit was not too tempting to at least discuss it further, especially with the negative feelings that Iskarion was exhibiting.

  “I’m assuming this will paint a massive target on my back on top of whatever other issues it comes with.”

  The Dragon sighed. “Yes. I do not know the state of the multiverse, locked away in this realm. But I can assume that the powers that forced me in here still exist. You will likely be targeted. But there will be allies—other members of the Nine, and other factions. They will assist you when the time comes for you to join the full multiverse. Until then, the System has protections in place—even from gods.”

  “How exactly would this egg even help me control my storm—my bloodline?” Then, as if called upon, Leo felt his chest tighten as the storm tried to burst out.

  Iskarion’s rainbow eyes glowed, and the storm inside receded for a moment before roaring out with renewed vigor. As if battling the presence of the dragon itself, Iskarion was momentarily taken aback. Leo’s storm gained advantage over him, pushing even further before the dragon roared.

  The world shook, the clouds froze. Leo’s storm was momentarily stunned, the pressure retreating as Leo’s mind cleared from the pain.

  Iskarion, The Last Tempest, has offered you a pact.

  Accepting this pact will result in you gaining the skill: Storm’s Guidance (Unique)

  In return you must accept the Dragon Egg from Iskarion

  Your profession will change to: Companion Bond - Dragon Egg You will become soul-bound to the Dragon Egg

  This pact cannot be rescinded once accepted

  Do you accept?

  Yes/No

  It took up his profession? He hadn’t mentioned that, only that it would stunt his growth. Did this mean he couldn’t gain any skills or stats from this egg until it hatched? Iskarion didn’t even mention how to hatch it or if he even could!

  “Can I hatch the egg and gain skills like any profession?” Leo asked, voice strained.

  “Of course. Once it hatches you will be able to fight alongside it as a bonded companion,” Iskarion said calmly. “You must decide now. Your storm returns. Death, or the pact.”

  The pain worsened once again, fogging Leo’s mind.

  Something felt off but Leo gave his mental assent as he collapsed.

  Then all at once the storm inside him seemed to rest, like going from a wild hurricane of energy to a sleeping, peaceful breeze.

  Leo’s breathing went from ragged and pained to calm and restful, it was like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

  “Wise choice,” Iskarion said, clearly pleased.

  The small egg in its claw faded, vanishing into a ball of energy that surged towards the prone Leo. Leo felt that energy all at once flow through him like being electrocuted. The feeling didn’t last long, settling into his stomach—his core.

  As the power faded, Leo felt his consciousness in this place slipping, The dragons form fading as his eyes closed over.

  Iskarion remained in his realm, the lingering echoes of Leo’s storm tickling at the back of his mind.

  “Forced to deceive a child,” Iskarion murmured. “What depths I’ve sunk to.”