Talent Awakening: Draconic Overlord Of The Apocalypse

The corridors of the castle were quiet, except for the soft echoes of Alister’s footsteps as he made his way toward Mar’Garet’s quarters.

The closer he got, the more he heard the soft sobs in the air—an unmistakable sign of sorrow and regret.

As he reached the entrance, he placed a hand against the obsidian archway. The door was left slightly ajar, but before stepping in, something caught his attention.

Small distortions hovered in the air, tiny spatial fractures that shimmered with fleeting images—Mar’Garet’s memories.

Each fragment was no larger than a coin, floating around like delicate shards of glass.

Some were hazy, unclear, while others flickered vividly before vanishing.

One showed her clashing spears with him in the past, her eyes burning with resolve. Another displayed the moment she first pledged loyalty, her pride swelling as she knelt before him.

Yet another… was of her standing alone, gripping her spear tightly as she fought the encroaching darkness and met her end.

Alister exhaled quietly, stepping through the entryway.

The room was a cavernous expanse, carved deep within the castle’s foundation. Stalagmites and crystalline formations jutted from the ground and ceiling, refracting dim silver and violet light. The glow of enchanted torches cast long shadows across the uneven stone walls, and veins of deep blue ore pulsed faintly beneath the surface. A tranquil pool of water rested near the far end, its surface undisturbed, reflecting the cavern’s dim luminescence.

He stepped further inside as he called out to her.

“Mar’Garet, step out. I wish to talk to you.”

A soft, choked breath answered him.

“I’m sorry…”

Her voice was hoarse.

“You shouldn’t be angry at me. It’s that woman’s fault… Please, my lord… please don’t be angry.”

“I only wanted to do what was right,” she continued, her hands clenching against her arms. “I thought—I thought you would no longer look at me if she stayed around. I thought if I did this, if I could get rid of her, you would see that I am worthy of standing beside you.”

Her voice cracked.

“But I disobeyed you… and if that means you will cast me aside, if that means you will no longer look at me as you once did, then—then I would rather have fallen in battle than live knowing I disappointed you.”

Alister followed the sound, weaving past crystalline pillars until he finally saw her.

Mar’Garet sat at the base of a stone dais, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. Beside her, resting within a carefully constructed nest of silken cloths and protective runes, was the silver crystal-like egg—nearly as large as a fully grown human male. The surface of the egg shimmered under the cavern’s light, its energy faint but undeniably alive.

His eyes landed on Mar’Garet. She looked scared, defeated—a rare sight.

Alister approached, his gaze settling on her trembling body.

“Mar’Garet, you defied my orders,” he said at last, his tone calm yet firm.

“Tell me… Do you truly think so little of me?”

Mar’Garet gasped sharply, her head snapping up.

Her crimson eyes—red and swollen from crying—met his.

“My lord—!” She scrambled to her feet, her breath hitching, but before she could speak further, she fell to her knees again, bowing her head so low that her forehead nearly touched the ground.

“I—I was wrong! I was foolish! I disrespected your will, and I—I don’t deserve to be in your presence. But please—” She clenched her fists, her body shaking. “Please, I beg of you, do not turn away from me. Do not cast me aside!”

Her voice broke, and fresh tears spilled onto the cold stone beneath her.

Alister watched her, silent.

Then, he exhaled quietly and knelt before her.

His hand reached forward, fingers tilting her chin up gently. “Enough,” he murmured.

Mar’Garet hiccupped, her lips trembling.

“You defied my orders,” he said, his voice calm yet firm. “But do you truly believe I would cast you away so easily?”

She hesitated, her breath uneven. “I—”

“You are reckless. You are stubborn. And you push the limits of my patience far too often.”

A fresh tear slipped down her cheek.

“But…” Alister continued, softening just slightly. “You are also hardworking. Fierce. And irreplaceable.”

Mar’Garet gasped softly, her crimson eyes widening.

“I trained you myself,” he reminded her. “I have watched you grow. I know your heart better than you think.”

Her lip quivered, and her hands clutched at the fabric of her own clothes as if trying to contain the overwhelming relief flooding through her.

“So, you… you aren’t angry?”

Alister sighed. “No, Mar’Garet. I am not… Well, I was a bit at first.”

A strangled sound escaped her throat—half a sob, half a relieved laugh. And then, before she could stop herself, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms tightly around him.

“My lord—!” She buried her face against his chest, her body shaking. “Thank you… thank you, thank you…”

Alister allowed the embrace, placing a firm hand on her back as she trembled against him.

Then, after a long moment, she pulled back slightly, her eyes still wet but filled with joy.

“If you aren’t angry… th-that means you’ll give me the reward you promised me… what you promised me back then,” she whispered, sniffling.

Alister raised a brow. “Did I?”

“You did.” Her lips twitched, the beginnings of a playful pout forming. “You said if I performed well, you would call me ‘darling’ as a reward. I never forgot that.”

Alister sighed, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Very well,” he murmured.

He leaned in just slightly, his golden eyes gleaming.

“Darling.”

A deep blush spread across Mar’Garet’s face, her tail flicking wildly behind her. Her lips parted slightly as if to say something—but instead, she slowly leaned in.

Alister did not stop her.

Their lips met in a deep, lingering kiss—one filled with unspoken promises, with years of longing finally realized.

The cavern around them shimmered with latent magic, as if the very world acknowledged this moment between them.

And as they finally pulled apart, Mar’Garet let out a breathless laugh, her crimson eyes shining.

“I’ve wanted that for so long,” she murmured.

Alister smirked, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.

“Then let’s make sure you earn more.”

Mar’Garet’s grin widened, her tail curling behind her. “Oh, I intend to, my lord—no, my darling.”

For the first time in a long while, she felt truly happy.

….

….

The port hummed with activity, the rhythmic sound of thrusters and the low chatter of mechanics filling the air.

In the distance, a sleek black aircraft—Galisk’s personal cruiser—rested on the launch pad, its engines warming up with a deep, vibrating hum.

Alister and Miyu stood near the docking ramp, watching as their father, Galisk, made his final preparations. His long, dark coat, lined with blue accents, rippled slightly in the artificial breeze of the skyport’s ventilation systems. His golden eyes—sharp as ever—held a rare moment of hesitation as he looked at his children.

Miyu shifted beside Alister, arms crossed tightly. “Do you really have to go?” she asked, her voice edged with frustration. “You just got here.”

Galisk exhaled through his nose, adjusting the cuffs of his gloves. “Little star, you know I wouldn’t be leaving if I had a choice.”

She huffed, shaking her head.

Alister, standing tall beside her, remained silent for a moment before speaking. “If the situation is that serious, why not let us come with you?” His golden gaze locked onto his father’s.

Galisk chuckled—a low, knowing sound. “Because I need someone here to hold down the fort. And besides…” His gaze softened just slightly. “This isn’t your fight.”

Alister’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Galisk then turned his attention to the glowing holographic interface on his wrist, checking the latest data streams from City X.

After a pause, he finally spoke, his voice lower now, more serious.

“There are things your father has to do to keep the world safe.” His golden eyes flicked back up to them.

Miyu clenched her fists. “Then let us help.”

Galisk let out a small breath—one that carried the weight of a man who had made this decision a thousand times before, so he wouldn’t let anything stop him now. “You will. But not by following me.”

He reached out, placing a firm hand on Miyu’s head, ruffling her silver hair despite her protests. Then, he turned to Alister.

His grip on Alister’s shoulder was strong, grounding. “You have responsibilities here. Your friends, your future. You need to focus on what’s ahead of you, not what’s behind me.”

Alister didn’t move, but the weight of his father’s words settled in his chest. He already knew.

The ship’s AI system chimed, signaling final boarding. The engines of the cruiser roared louder, the blue thrusters pulsing with energy as they prepared for takeoff.

Galisk took one last look at them. “Stay sharp. Keep each other safe.”

Miyu scowled. “You better not take months to send a message, old man.”

Galisk smirked. “I’ll try.”

With that, he turned, stepping onto the ramp. The ship’s door hissed closed behind him, and the aircraft lifted off the ground, hovering for a moment before shooting into the sky with a blinding flash.

Miyu exhaled sharply, watching the streak of light fade into the darkening horizon.

Alister stood beside her, his arms crossed, his mind already moving ahead.

Miyu finally broke the silence. “I still don’t like it.”

Alister’s golden eyes lingered on the empty sky.

“Neither do I.”

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