Iskarion stood tall before him. The massive stormclad Dragon loomed like a building overhead. Leo was still amazed by the magnificent creature. Although he did have to crane his neck up a bit to make eye contact.

“Is it not a bit difficult being such a large dragon all the time? Doorways must be a bit tricky,” Leo asked in a casual tone.

“Others would not permit such blatant disrespect,” Iskarion said seriously, stormclouds swelling above before becoming more casual. “But it is not like I am swarmed with visitors. As for my form…”

Iskarion’s form shifted and glowed as the once massive dragon was slowly changed into a humanoid figure. Standing a head taller than Leo, Iskarion’s skin was half scale, half skin with the same glowing, mystical dragon eyes but in a smaller version. He wore a robe of intricate fabric that didn't manage to hide his robust physique.

“It has been countless eras since I have last taken this form,” Iskarion said, as he rolled his joints around, seemingly getting used to it.

“That's awesome,” Leo’s eyes sparkled. “Can you shift into other forms or just humanoid to dragon?”

“I cannot see why I would need more forms but I suppose it would be possible… Is this really pertinent information?” Iskarion asked, his confusion evident. Although Leo could see a bit of amusement in his expression.

“Can you still read my mind?” Leo asked.

“I cannot. Truth be told, what you were doing was akin to telepathic screaming, not mind reading. Now that you have evolved, your mind is more protected and less projecting.”

“I can, however, speak into your mind.” Iskarion’s voice echoed out in his head.

“Oh neat, can you hear this then?” Leo thought.

“Yes. But let us speak aloud. I do not get to talk very often..”

“What exactly is this place?” Leo asked curiously.

Iskarion sighed, the sound resonating from the mountains with the intensity of the emotion. “A prison, a haven, a tomb. Call it as you like. I was forced here when Cindralus, the Cinderlord, ambushed me with an army of Gods, forcing me to feign my death and escape. You may think it cowardly, but by this point my entire dragonflight had been wiped from the multiverse, the war claiming trillions as I spoke of before.”

“Who’s Cindralus?” Leo asked softly, hanging on every word.

“One of the Primarchs—The Nine—I spoke briefly of in our last encounter. A despicable entity that cares only for the purity of fire. Any not holding the Essence of Fire is deemed impure. Dragonfire is different from the regular fire you can coalesce, and he considered it a false flame and thus the war. To exterminate us.”

“Sounds like a crazy supremacist,” Leo said with disgust. “We get people like that on Earth, who think that one race is superior to another.”

Iskarion sighed. “That is common across the multiverse. Unfounded and biased, I was guilty of it myself. Just never on the scale of Cindralus’ wrath.” Power rippled from his body that shook the landscape.

Leo decided to change the subject slightly to ease tension. “So this “Nine”--who are they?”

Iskarion nodded. “The Nine. We are, or were, the strongest Gods in the multiverse. When I was part of them, it was; Myself, The Cinderlord, The Verdant Matron, The Archmagus, Gravebinder Lich-lord, The Paper Crown, The Fatebound Seamstress, Aurelys, Radiant Architect and Velthar, The Iron.”

It was quite the list of names, each one spoke with differing emotions on the god’s face. Not that they meant anything to Leo.

“Wouldn’t it be the Eight? Now that you’re presumed dead,” Leo asked with care.

Iskarion chuckled. “Indeed. Someone will have risen to the title in my place.”

So it appeared that the title of Primarch wasn’t set in stone, it was something one could rise to after proving their power and worth. One day it could be him…

I wonder what my title would be? Leo thought before a look from Iskarion dragged him from his daydream. Leo coughed.

“Did the Nine change often as people challenged you for the title? Is that how that works?”

“Not often,” Iskarion laughed in reminiscence. “Someone challenging a Primarch was extremely rare and extremely stupid. We were Primarchs for a reason.”

Leo nodded his understanding.

“So… you're stuck here?” Leo asked, changing the subject. He could find out more about the other Primarchs another time, he didn’t know how long they had. “Can't you just, like, God your way out?”

Leo was aware that Godding wasn't exactly a common phrase.

“If I could, I would not be here.” Iskarion’s words started to shake the very air and mana around them as he continued. “I would exact my revenge on those despicable Primarchs and every faction they aligned with.”

“That's not what you actually want, is it?” Leo asked. For some reason, even with the ground itself shaking at the declaration, he felt no animosity from the God. No bloodlust.

Iskarion smiled, but it was empty. “Indeed. At this point, while I would enjoy seeing all those responsible be erased, I only wish to be freed from this endless hell.”

Looking around with more curiosity, Leo couldn't help but feel like this place resonated with him. The storms that surged through the atmosphere and cracked upon the mountain tops didn't startle him, if anything it was relaxing. Which was a strange dichotomy because his own storm was anything but relaxing.

“Is there nothing but storms and barren wasteland here?” Leo asked, curious to find out more, and why he kept coming here as he crouched down to grab a handful of broken rock. He was unable to pick any up, almost like he was a ghost.

“This is actually an entire realm, likely larger than your planet. I have explored every nook, attempted every method I could in order to leave, but I was unsuccessful,” Iskarion said wistfully.

Damn, it really is a prison then. Leo thought.

“It is interesting that you appear exactly here each time, or that you appear at all,” Iskarion said.

“Don't really know why,” Leo replied, glancing around. “Didn’t even know that it was the exact same spot. It all looks the same. Is there anything interesting around here? Also, I’ve been meaning to ask: how exactly am I here?”

“As you might have noticed when you tried to pick up those rocks, you are not actually here,” Iskarion explained. “Your soul is. Have you heard of the term; astral projection?”

Leo thought for a moment. “Oh, yeah, like in Doctor Strange. Floating above the body like a ghost kinda thing.”

Iskarion looked at him curiously with a furrowed brow. “Well, as long as you understand.” His words were skeptical but he continued.

“Anyway, you have projected your soul here to speak with me. Likely helped by the System for reasons I am not aware of. Perhaps so I could guide you with the storm inside you, or perhaps to carry on the legacy of the dragons with the egg I gave you.” Iskarion’s face dropped slightly as he mentioned the egg.

He suddenly had a realisation as if a light bulb flashed above his head, funnily enough a strike of thunder echoed overhead at the same time.

“There is a monolith nearby, perhaps one of the only things of note within a thousand miles. It could be related,” Iskarion said thoughtfully.

“Want to walk and talk then? I can tell you all about Ellie,” Leo said, smiling.

“Ellie being?” Iskarion prompted as they began walking.

“You know, the Dragon you left me with.”

Iskarion stopped dead before laughing.

“Oh, you have named the egg! Of course. Ellie is a curious name for an egg, are you guessing the gender of it? You humans are a strange race.”

“Actually, Ellie is the name I gave her after she hatched,” Leo said matter of factly.

“Alright,” Iskarion said in a less amused tone. “Enough jokes, let us move.”

“Rude,” Leo said, mock offended. “Meet her yourself.”

“This joke is going a bit too-”

His words cut off as the most adorable dragon flopped into existence and into Leo’s arms, eyes heavy with sleep, as he woke her up from her rest in his soul-space.

“Is that… No. It cannot be.” Iskarion’s words were like a whisper as if raising his voice any louder would break the spell and the miracle would vanish.

“Ellie,” Leo said with a quiet voice as she gradually gained more awareness. Her eyes started looking around with more curiosity and the sleep faded like flipping a switch.

“Ellie, this is Iskarion. He gave you to me as an egg. Iskarion, this is Ellie, the Elemental Dragon.”

She chirped with a toothy smile as she looked at Iskarion. The Dragon God’s visage cracked as he looked upon the hatchling. A single tear rolled down his cheek.

His words began like a whisper. “I do not know how this is possible. I have had that egg for countless millenia. Given to me by the system after slaying a godlike existence in this place. I suppose I should explain,” Iskarion stopped himself, but was unable to tear his eyes from the small creature.

Continuing with a more composed tone, he spoke again, eyes never leaving the small hatchling. “Dragons as a race are known to be one of the pinnacle races of the multiverse. We begin our paths in B-grade with the path to A-grade being almost a given. In exchange for such power, our ability to reproduce is tricker, with the hatching of an egg requiring B-grade or above mana infusions in order to stabilise the hatching.”

Now Leo was confused as he looked down at the little curious hatchling. Iskarion’s words meant…

“Did you give me the egg knowing that it wouldn’t hatch until I hit B-grade!?” Leo’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Iskarion’s face turned to one of anguish. “Yes. Your assumption is correct. It is the reason I was able to give you the egg in the first place. It would not have allowed me to just grant you the skill to control your storm. I did deceive you in not informing you about it. Although it has worked out in both our favour…”

“So, let me get this straight. I was supposed to carry her egg with me all the way to B-grade, losing access to my profession and any stats or skills gained with it in the meantime? Isn’t that just a massive handicap?”

“Plainly speaking, yes. In exchange for the control.”

Leo wasn’t sure how to feel about it, but spoke his mind. “I guess… It's fine. It also makes sense, I thought it was a bit too good to be true. Control of my bloodline, a stormlike blast attack, and a baby dragon companion. Felt very one sided for a pact.”

“Stormlike blast?” Iskarion repeated in question.

“Part of the Storm’s Guidance right? System calls it ‘Call of the Storm.’ I can use it once a day.”

“That is not part of the pact. I did not design the skill with such an addition,” Iskarion’s tone wasn’t dark, it was more curious.

“Huh. Oh well. It’s probably fine,” Leo waved it off. There was not really a downside to it so he just took the added bonus.

“Humans.” Iskarion shook his head.

“Oh, yeah,” Leo said. “I wanted to ask you if Ellie will grow like I do, with a class, and Essences and stuff. So far she’s gained two skills at level five and grown a bit bigger in doing so, but it says her Essences are tied to mine and there’s no class.”

Iskarion was in thought for a moment. “I am unsure of what her exact path will be as no one had ever bonded to a dragon before as you have. Her race, Elemental Dragon, is also not one I have heard of before, even if it would accurately describe several variants better than the System has given them so far,” Iskarion began explaining.

“I myself have three Essences: Fire, Wind, and Lightning. With them having their own concepts mixed in. Dragons do not have classes, as we are classified as awakened monsters. We have sapience from the moment we are born, no animal primalism like you will see with recently initiated monsters on your home planet or tutorial. You are known as ‘Awakened’ or ‘Knowing’, races with full sapience from birth—usually humanoid. Monsters, and awakened monsters, still learn skills from Essences and can learn professions without an exact system designation of a profession, usually around C-grade once the primalism fades.”

That was a lot of information to take in so it took a while for him to process. Ellie leapt into Iskarion’s arms and was asking for head scratches. Iskarion looked at her curiously before giving in to the big eyes, scratching her and eventually nuzzling back into her. Leo let it happen for a bit longer before he interrupted.

“I see,” Leo said after a while. “So every race is different and each monster race can evolve into the awakened monsters?”

“Precisely,” Iskarion said.

They walked in silence for a while longer before another question popped into Leo’s mind.

“How did you say you even got this egg anyway?” Leo asked. “You said from the System?”

Iskarion nodded. “Indeed. As I said, I am not the only denizen of this realm. There are threats that even I as a God find difficult to face. The System gave me a reward for slaying the ruler of this plane. An elemental god. The egg was described in its text as ‘Prismatic Dragon Egg.’”

“Prismatic?” Leo asked. At this point he felt like all he did was ask questions, but it was information about Ellie so he’d ask anything he could, while he could.

“I was surprised to see it,” Iskarion began another explanation. “The word is derived from the race known as the Prismari. You will not know anything of them as even in the multiverse they are little more than a fairytale. A lost race from the first era. Apparent powerhouses that crumbled under the weight of their own power.” Iskarion had stopped scratching whilst talking so Ellie complained.

He continued his stroking, appeasing the infant. “There are fractions of tales found throughout the ages, from system events and rewards, to random scrawls of text on ancient ruins. If the hatchling is truly from their time, or related to them, then it makes sense she is different.”

“So Ellie is tied to this mystical, lost race somehow? How the hell did I even manage to hatch her then?” Leo asked.

“I assume she is,” Iskarion replied. “And the second question is one even I myself do not know, but would very much like to.” Iskarion’s eyes flickered to him briefly.

Leo kept walking for a while with Iskarion across the broken landscape, storms raging in the distance.

He’d had quite the lore bomb dropped on him during this time, and was still processing the information. The Prismari were some kind of lost race from the first era—or before—and Ellie was maybe part of them. If she was, then why wasn’t it mentioned when Leo bonded with her? Nothing in her race or system text even mentioned Prismari or Prismatic.

“We are here,” Iskarion said suddenly.

Leo looked up to see a giant towering monolith, in obsidian black and mountainous brown that looked as ancient as time itself. The writing on it glowed a bright, crimson red that stood out on its dark exterior. As Leo was slowly reading the text, Iskarion interrupted him.

“As you can see, whatever writing this language is, it is undecipherable, even with my language skill I received during integration all those eras ago. I imagine it is a lost language from before the system—should a thing even be possible whilst holding such power—or a creation from the system itself, a trial perhaps. One I have given most of my time to.”

Leo frowned. The letters weren’t foreign to him at all. They bent and shifted like storm clouds, yet his mind arranged them into meaning as naturally as breathing.

He spoke the words aloud before he could stop himself.

“Through storms and chains, none may leave.

The blood of a true stormbound is the only key.

When one ascends, the realm is released.

Until then, all are bound, be they god or beast.”

The crimson glow pulsed like a heartbeat as each line was uttered, as if the realm itself was responding to his words. Leo felt his storm stir within, his chest thrumming with heat as it started to resonate.

When the last two words left his lips, silence followed. It was heavy, expectant.

Iskarion’s expression froze. For the second time in a short while, the god looked truly unsettled. His gaze shifted from the monolith to Leo, sharp enough to cut.

“You can read it.”

Leo swallowed, focusing on suppressing the rising tide that was his storm within. “Yeah. Clear as day.”

“This writing… For you to be able to read it… it holds some curious connotations. If this realm really is Prismari in origin…” Iskarion words held wonder and amazement. “I have too many questions and a lot of dots that seem to be connecting themselves.”

Finally in control again, Leo asked, “Do you think I’m related to those Prismari? That can’t be possible surely.”

“I truly do not know and it should not be possible. Yet the answers point in one direction.”

Confusion marred Leo’s face as his brow creased in thought. There was too much to take in. He was somehow able to read a lost, ancient text from a race that existed and ceased to exist long before he was even born. Yet the system still completely called him human.

It had to be something to do with his aggressive and powerful bloodline. His entire world had shifted several times in the last few weeks and now it shifted once again.

“This information and revelation I have burdened you with is not something someone should have to carry in E-grade. This is a time for rapid growth, and finding one’s path,” Iskarion said in an apologetic tone.

“It’s alright,” Leo said with a sigh. “I want to help if I can.”

A lightning bolt shot above with a vicious crack.

“It appears our time is running out. You will have to return shortly. Again, I am unsure when you will be able to return, but do not die. It appears my fate may be tied to yours in more ways than I expected.”

Ellie yipped as her body turned to light and flowed into Leo’s soul-space yet again.

“It feels like I’m being kicked out,” Leo said as he tried to resist, straining to remain standing. “I’ll find a way to get you out of here.”

Iskarion stood tall, shoulders back. Eyes locked on Leo’s as the seconds passed by. Finally he spoke, words soft and carrying a faint hope.

“Thank you.”

Moments later, Leo awoke with a gasp as he found himself lying on a makeshift bed of sorts. With a pounding headache and aching feeling in all of his muscles. At his feet sat a blond haired woman, staring daggers at him as he pulled his head up.

“Sorry,” Leo said sheepishly.

“Damn right you’re sorry!” Ashley yelled. “Stop trying to kill yourself to prove you can!”

Leo nodded slowly, yet confidently. He looked up and met her eyes. “Okay."

Her words caught in her mouth as she looked at him, before nodding and looking away.

“We move out to meet Gareth’s and that psycho’s group in like twenty minutes. Better get yourself ready,” she said, getting up and walking out.

Leo jumped to his feet and stretched. Today was a day to make real progress, to gain levels and power.

To free his dreamscape Dragon god, Leo likely needed power. And to gain power required blood.

A lot of it.