Snow fell so thick it threatened to swallow the world. Wind howled through the icy crevices of the Arvhan northern ridge, scouring the white rock with frozen fury.
Kael Phong, Lania Snowveil, and Draven Longfang stood atop a stone outcrop. Below them yawned a vast chasm, exhaling waves of cold like pulses of death itself.
"I can feel it... it's close," Lania whispered, her hand resting gently on Fire Spirit Fox. Her eyes were sharp with focus.
"The air here is wrong," Draven muttered, brows furrowed.
"Be careful. This beast isn't just powerful... it's insane."
"It's a World-Class creature," Longlong spoke into Kael's mind, calm but chilling.
"And it has lost its sense of self."
The Arrival of Calamity
A thunderous roar shook the heavens. A distant boulder exploded into shards as something colossal erupted from the frozen gorge.
The Lost Frost Dragon.
Its massive frame gleamed like ancient glacier crystal, each step fracturing the ice beneath. Its eyes burned with frozen fire, void of reason. It was pure destruction.
"Begin containment formation!" Lania shouted.
Fire Spirit Fox surged forward. Its five tails flared wide, igniting the air in rings of flame that circled the dragon in a fiery seal.
Draven summoned Battle Tiger of Valor. The armored tiger roared, leaping like lightning through the snow. With a surge of mana, Draven swung his blade.
"Soul-Sever Slash!"
The strike crashed into the dragon's flank, shattering part of its icy scales.
The beast roared in rage, its wings whipping a blizzard that hurled both Draven and his tiger aside like rag dolls.
Kael stepped forward, eyes blazing.
"Longlong, prepare."
The summoning circle spun. Cannon Turtle emerged once more.
"Firestorm Barrage!"
Round after round of burning stone cannonballs shot forth. Flames and impact drove the dragon backward—until it reared its head to the sky.
"Ice Core Annihilation"
A beam of frigid energy exploded downward, obliterating the entire battlefield. Fire Spirit Fox was blown back, its flame seal shattered.
Failed Counterattack
The team scattered.
"My flames… they're not enough," Lania gasped, pale with exhaustion.
"My mana's frozen solid... Kael!"
"I know." Kael's voice was low.
"My turn to lead."
He released his mana—dark green and black, swirling like an abyssal whirlpool. The summoning circle reappeared, glowing brighter.
"Phase Two Enhancement
Stonefire Array"
Cannon Turtle's back expanded with new turret formations. Its firing rate doubled. Artillery launched in rapid bursts.
But the Lost Frost Dragon raised its wings.
"Soul Ice Barrier"
A shimmering wall of frost formed, deflecting the blasts and hurling them back with brutal force.
Kael's eyes widened.
"Counterfire...?"
Cannon Turtle took the full rebound, spiraling backward and losing balance.
Longlong's voice rang again.
"We need more time to reestablish a high-tier mana link"
"Then I'll buy you that time!" Draven roared.
Legendary Beast Enters the Field
"Ancient Martial Titan Summon"
From deep beneath the ice, the ground split open. A giant rose, its bone-forged armor glinting under moonlight. Ancient Martial Titan stepped forth and caught the dragon's tail swipe with its shield.
The clash thundered across the ridge. Even with its immense form, the Titan was pushed back several paces.
Draven gritted his teeth, pouring more mana into the link. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"I haven't lost… I won't lose…"
With a guttural roar, the Titan surged forward and smashed a fist into the dragon's chest. A crack appeared—small, but visible.
The Lost Frost Dragon screamed in rage. Its eyes shifted from icy blue to deep obsidian.
That was no longer a skill.
It was the remnant of a forbidden magic.
"It's about to unleash something else," Longlong warned.
"A World-Ender Spell"
[End of Chapter 5]
Next Chapter 6: Despair Before Death