The fractured seal smouldered behind them, its lingering magic humming like a dying heartbeat. Takeshi, Diana, and Masumi moved quickly, wary of the calm. The cultists had fled, but the echoes of their chants still haunted the trees—an ominous reminder that the Broken Circle wasn't finished yet.
As the trio pushed deeper into the forest, the air grew colder, and the green flame within Takeshi dimmed slightly, flickering like it sensed the corruption thickening ahead.
"We need to find the source of this corruption," Diana said, eyes sharp. "That draconic beast… it was a guardian once. Twisted by something buried here."
Masumi nodded. "I felt it too. Like the forest itself is holding its breath."
Takeshi didn't respond at first. He was listening—every step forward made the ground seem to shudder beneath him. Something ancient stirred, not just in the earth but in his veins.
Then the trees parted, revealing a vast underground cavern, its entrance a gaping maw in the hillside.
The scent of ash and rot spilt out.
"We're going in," Takeshi said grimly.
Inside, glowing roots pulsed with corrupted magic, clinging to the cavern walls like veins. Broken statues of dragons lined the path, many clawed and defaced, their eyes hollow and mouths carved into silent screams.
A low rumble echoed deeper within.
And then they saw it.
A dragon—once majestic, now fallen. Its wings were broken, scales dulled, and green fire leaked from its mouth like poison. Bound by chains and surrounded by cultists chanting fervently, it writhed in agony.
"A living dragon…" Diana gasped.
Masumi's fists clenched. "They're torturing—twisting its essence!"
Takeshi's eyes narrowed. His flames responded, roaring in defiance. "Then let's put an end to it."
He charged, launching himself into the fray with Green Fire Dragon's Wing Attack, blasting a wave of emerald fire that tore through the cultists like a hurricane. Diana weaved between them with twin blades, while Masumi struck with brutal precision.
One cultist lunged at Takeshi—he spun and countered with Green Fire Dragon's Freestyle, delivering a relentless combo of strikes, his fists burning green with every impact.
Then, the dragon's eyes locked onto him.
It wasn't hostile—it was pleading.
Takeshi understood.
"I'll set you free," he whispered.
Flames surged around him as he invoked his full power. With a deep breath, he unleashed Green Fire Dragon's Roar, the torrent of fire engulfing the chains that held the creature.
The corrupted bindings cracked—splintered—then shattered.
The dragon shrieked, green fire bursting from its form as the corruption began to burn away.
But something else emerged from the shadows: a new cult leader, cloaked in robes lined with draconic bones, holding a twisted staff glowing with unnatural light.
"You dare ruin the Ascension?! Then die with the beast!"
He raised his staff—dark magic surged.
Takeshi answered with the power of his own, stepping into his stance. His flames coiled around his body like serpents.
He rushed forward, chaining Green Fire Dragon's Claw, a spinning roundhouse of blazing force, into Green Fire Dragon's Flame Elbow, slamming the staff aside and breaking the cultist's stance.
Then, Takeshi drew upon a new force, one born from instinct and defiance.
Green Fire Dragon's Secret Art: Verdant Requiem.
Flames burst from his back like wings, coalescing into the image of a dragon spiralling upward. He shot into the air, green fire trailing behind him, then dove down with the full weight of his power.
The cultist screamed as Takeshi struck, a comet of green flame obliterating him and the altar in a brilliant explosion.
Silence followed.
The dragon, now free, let out a low, grateful rumble before fading into mist—its spirit finally released.
Takeshi fell to one knee, spent but victorious.
"We did it," Diana whispered.
"No," Takeshi said, looking into the shadows beyond the altar. "We stopped one ritual. But the war's just beginning."
Behind them, deep in the cavern's roots, another symbol pulsed—an eye of green flame, watching… waiting.