The wind was bitter, cutting through the mountains like knives, but he barely noticed. From the sky, the northern lands stretched endlessly, villages tiny, rivers frozen, and forests dense and silent. Every living creature beneath him instinctively avoided his path, sensing the impossible power radiating from him.
News traveled faster than soldiers. Word of the dragon-human who walked without allegiance had spread, and the northern kingdom had begun to react. From the walls of distant castles, mages chanted protective wards; hunters and soldiers trained endlessly, preparing for a force they could barely comprehend.
He descended into the northern plains, observing from above. Armies gathered far below, tiny in his golden eyes, yet coordinated, disciplined, and armed with weapons attuned to mana suppression. Their leaders had done their research—enough to understand he was no ordinary dragon, no ordinary threat.
He landed lightly on a snow-covered hill, wings folding back. The air shifted around him, ice forming under the faint pressure of his core. Soldiers and hunters approached cautiously, their expressions a mixture of fear, respect, and disbelief.
A man, heavily armored with a rune-etched cape, stepped forward. His eyes were sharp, determined, but there was hesitation beneath his confidence.
"You are the anomaly," he said firmly. "The northern kingdom will not allow your power to spread unchecked."
Golden eyes met his. Calm. Piercing.
"I don't seek your kingdom," he replied quietly. "I don't seek your throne. I don't seek your war. I seek only to grow."
The man's gaze faltered. He raised a hand to signal the army to hold their attack, uncertain.
"Then leave," the dragon-human continued. "Pass through these lands without bringing them into your schemes. Let them live their lives. That is the only courtesy you will receive from me."
The soldiers hesitated. Whispers ran through the ranks like wildfire. Some wanted to attack immediately. Others froze, sensing the power emanating from him, a force beyond comprehension.
"Do you understand?" he asked, voice calm but resonant, echoing across the snow.
"Yes," the man said finally, bowing slightly. "But know this: your existence has already changed the balance. Others will come. Stronger, faster, deadlier. You will not remain unnoticed for long."
He turned, stepping lightly across the snow, leaving footprints that glowed faintly with residual dragon energy.
"As long as they respect me," he murmured, "I will respect them. As long as they don't interfere, I don't interfere. But if they step into my path…"
He spread his wings, leaping into the sky. Snow swirled violently as he ascended. The northern plains shrank beneath him, the armies below only tiny specks.
"The world is waking," he said softly. "And I am ready."
Far above, hidden beyond the clouds, the Great White Dragon stirred. Its eye opened slightly, cold, calculating, and amused.
The path ahead was dangerous, unpredictable, and yet… exhilarating.
And he would walk it alone, stronger than ever, untouchable, unstoppable.