Chapter 3: The Tiny Dragon

Dreki stood amidst the ruins of the city, his breaths deep and measured, the weight of his transformation still settling in. The shattered pavement cracked further beneath his feet, his body heavier, his steps more deliberate. Every movement reminded him that he was no longer the man he had been—he was something else entirely.

Above, the cracks in the sky pulsed faintly, spilling trails of blue mist into the air. The faint hum of energy remained, a distant echo of the dragon’s explosive end. The city was unrecognizable—empty streets overtaken by glowing vines, buildings leaning at unnatural angles, and the faint glimmer of obsidian shards scattered across the ground like fallen stars.

Dreki glanced down at his hands, flexing his fingers. They felt foreign, larger, stronger, radiating a quiet, thrumming energy. He had always felt small, like a shadow in his own life. Now, he loomed over the world, his perspective shifted both physically and emotionally.

But the stillness unnerved him. The silence of the transformed world pressed down on him, and the remnants of the dragon’s core, scattered across the crater, pulsed faintly with residual energy. Something lingered in the air—something unfinished.

A faint, rhythmic chime broke the quiet, musical and strange. Dreki turned toward the source, his instincts sharpened by his newfound senses. The shards of obsidian near the crater began to vibrate, faint arcs of energy jumping between them. The air around them seemed to ripple, distorting the light like heat waves on asphalt.

“What now?” Dreki muttered, his voice still unfamiliar to him—deeper, rougher, more commanding.

The shards trembled harder, pulling together as if drawn by an invisible force. Energy crackled through the air, the vibrations growing stronger. Dreki stepped back, his fists clenching instinctively as the shards merged into a single, glowing mass.

A shape began to form, small and sleek, hovering a few feet above the ground. The light intensified, blinding for a moment, before it faded, leaving behind something unexpected.

A dragon. Small, sleek, and no more than two feet in length.

The tiny dragon wobbled slightly as it landed on the cracked pavement, its obsidian-black scales shimmering faintly in the eerie light of the crater. Its wings flapped awkwardly, and it let out an indignant huff before fixing its golden eyes on Dreki. For a moment, neither of them moved, the weight of the encounter thick in the air.

Then the dragon spoke.

“You dare to stare at me in such a manner, mortal?” its voice rang out, sharp and imperious. Despite its size, the creature’s tone carried a weight of arrogance that made Dreki blink in surprise. “I am Xarion, Shard of Eternity, Last Fragment of the World Integration Dragon, and Sovereign of the Infinite Void!”

Dreki tilted his head, his eyebrows knitting together. “Uh... what?”

Xarion narrowed his glowing eyes, his tiny wings twitching with annoyance. “Did you not hear me? I am greatness incarnate! The embodiment of power and majesty! And you—” He paused, his gaze raking over Dreki’s altered form with a mixture of disdain and curiosity. “—you are the lucky wretch to whom the System has assigned me. A tragedy for one such as myself, but alas, I shall endure.”

Dreki stared at the dragon, then let out a short laugh, his exhaustion fraying the edges of his patience. “You’re tiny.”

Xarion puffed up indignantly, his small frame quivering. “I am compact! Efficient! A mere fragment of my true, glorious self, reborn for the purpose of... of...” He trailed off as a new notification appeared in Dreki’s vision:

SYSTEM ALERT:

"Companion assignment complete. Xarion, Eternal Shardling, has been bound to Dragon Sovereign Dreki."

"Role: Tutorial Guide and Combat Assistant."

Xarion’s wings drooped slightly as he read the notification. His golden eyes flicked back to Dreki, narrowing in frustration. “Bound?” he hissed, his voice rising in pitch. “Bound?! This is an outrage! I am no servant! I am a being of unimaginable power, reduced to this indignity!”

Dreki crossed his arms, leaning slightly against a nearby fragment of a collapsed wall. “Unimaginable power, huh? Seems like you’re stuck with me.”

“Stuck?” Xarion sputtered, pacing in tight circles. “The System has made a grave error! I shall file a complaint! I shall—”

Another notification interrupted him:

SYSTEM ALERT:

"Companion Xarion will assist with System acclimation. Refusal to provide guidance is prohibited by command protocols."

Xarion froze, his claws flexing against the ground. His voice dropped to a simmering growl. “This... is intolerable.”

Dreki smirked despite himself. “Sounds like you don’t have a choice.”

The tiny dragon turned to glare at him, his tail flicking in agitation. “Do not mistake this for submission, mortal. I am here only because I must be. And I assure you, I will not enjoy it.”

“Good to know,” Dreki said, pushing off the wall and taking an unsteady step forward. His legs still wobbled beneath him, but he was starting to adjust to his new size and strength. He glanced down at Xarion, who was now fluttering a few feet above the ground, his golden eyes still brimming with disdain.

“So, what do we do now, ‘great and powerful’ Xarion?” Dreki asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Xarion huffed, his wings flaring as he landed on Dreki’s shoulder with surprising grace. “We survive, Sovereign. This world has changed, and you are woefully ill-equipped to navigate its dangers. Fortunately for you, my brilliance shall guide the way.”

“Lucky me,” Dreki muttered, adjusting to the weight of the tiny dragon perched on his shoulder.

With Xarion’s imperious voice echoing in his ears, Dreki took his first steps into the transformed city, the faint hum of mana and the glow of the fractured sky lighting the path ahead.

Dreki walked slowly through the empty streets, his massive frame casting long shadows in the eerie glow of the fractured sky. Xarion perched on his shoulder, his tiny claws gripping tightly as he surveyed their surroundings with an air of practiced disdain.

For a while, neither spoke. Dreki’s mind churned with questions, the weight of everything that had happened pressing down on him. He glanced at Xarion out of the corner of his eye. “So, if you’re supposed to guide me, maybe start with what this ‘Dragon Sovereign’ thing means.”

Xarion let out a long, exaggerated sigh, his wings twitching. “Must I explain everything? I expected better from someone chosen by the System. Very well, I shall enlighten you.”

Dreki smirked faintly. “Thanks for the enthusiasm.”

Xarion ignored him, his golden eyes narrowing as he began. “The System, as you mortals call it, is a framework—a governing force designed to adapt worlds for integration into a higher existence. Mana, magic, evolution—these are merely tools it employs to prepare a world for ascension.”

Dreki frowned. “So, this whole thing—the tutorial, the transformation—it’s part of some... cosmic upgrade?”

“Precisely,” Xarion said, his tone laced with condescension. “Though your comprehension is rudimentary at best, I’ll allow it. The System assigns classes, skills, and levels to its subjects, enabling them to grow and survive amidst the chaos of integration. You, however...” Xarion paused, his claws tapping against Dreki’s shoulder. “...are a peculiar anomaly.”

“Anomaly?” Dreki echoed, his voice tinged with unease. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Xarion’s tail flicked, his wings fluttering slightly. “The Dragon Sovereign Class is not... ordinary. It is a legacy designation, tied to the essence of the World Integration Dragon itself. When you ‘defeated’ the dragon—though I use the term loosely—you absorbed fragments of its essence. The System, ever opportunistic, crafted a new identity for you.”

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Dreki nodded slowly. “So, this class—it’s dragon-related?”

“More than merely ‘related,’” Xarion said with a hint of pride. “You are now a Sovereign, a ruler among dragons. Your class grants you unparalleled strength, enhanced physical attributes, and the potential to command mana on a scale far beyond that of lesser beings.”

Dreki blinked. “Potential?”

“Yes, potential,” Xarion snapped. “Do not mistake the System’s gift for mastery. You are a fledgling—a hatchling fumbling in the dark. Your strength may be extraordinary by mortal standards, but it is only the foundation. True power must be earned.”

Dreki rubbed the back of his neck, the weight of Xarion’s words settling over him. He glanced at the notifications still hovering faintly in his vision. “Okay, then show me. How do I see what this class actually does?”

Xarion sighed, as if the question physically pained him. “Activate your interface, Sovereign. Focus your mind and will the System to display your status.”

“Just... will it?” Dreki asked, arching an eyebrow.

“Do you require an engraved invitation?” Xarion shot back. “Yes, will it.”

Dreki closed his eyes, concentrating. The System’s notifications flickered, then shifted into a more detailed display. A translucent blue interface materialized in front of him, filled with lines of text and numerical values.

Dreki’s Status Screen

Name: Dreki

Class: Dragon Sovereign

Level: 50

Health: 100% (Regenerative)

Mana: 100% (Stabilized)

Attributes:

* Strength: 450

* Agility: 300

* Endurance: 400

* Intelligence: 200

* Charisma: 150

Skills:

* Draconic Vitality: Grants enhanced health regeneration and resistance to physical damage.

* Sovereign’s Command: Instills fear or loyalty in lesser creatures.

* Essence Absorption: Converts defeated enemies’ mana into experience or skill enhancement.

* Mana Core Manipulation: Allows precise control over mana flows for combat or creation.

Achievements:

* First Kill of a World Integration Dragon (Legendary).

* Survivor of System Error (Unique).

Dreki stared at the display, his mind racing. “This is... a lot.”

Xarion snorted. “Indeed. And you’ll note that your level—an impressive fifty—places you far above the average mortal. Most who enter the tutorial begin at level one. You, on the other hand, have been... fast-tracked.”

“Fast-tracked?” Dreki repeated. “Why?”

“Because the System does not waste resources,” Xarion said, his voice dripping with disdain. “Your absorption of the dragon’s essence created an anomaly. Rather than discard you, the System saw fit to integrate you into its framework as a Dragon Sovereign. Consider it a reward for your... accidental achievement.”

Dreki frowned. “And what about leveling up? How does that work?”

Xarion perched higher on Dreki’s shoulder, his tone shifting to that of a condescending tutor. “Levels represent growth—your capacity to wield power, your mastery of skills, and your ability to adapt to the challenges of this world. Experience is the currency of that growth, earned through combat, discovery, and, in your case, Essence Absorption.”

“So, the more I fight, the stronger I get?” Dreki asked.

“In a manner of speaking,” Xarion replied. “But do not delude yourself into thinking it will be easy. Each level demands exponentially more effort, and skills require time and practice to reach their full potential. You are strong now, Sovereign, but strength without knowledge is merely a blunt weapon.”

Dreki nodded, his gaze hardening. “Then I guess I’ve got a lot to learn.”

Xarion smirked—or at least, Dreki thought he did. “Finally, a glimmer of wisdom. Perhaps there is hope for you yet.”

Dreki dismissed the interface, his jaw tightening as he absorbed Xarion’s words. The weight of his newfound power was daunting, but there was a spark of determination in his chest—a need to prove that he could rise to the challenge, to make sense of the chaos that had upended his life.

He glanced at Xarion, who was now preening his tiny wings with a theatrical air of self-importance. “Anything else I should know?”

“Plenty,” Xarion said, his tone casual. “But one revelation at a time, Sovereign. Your fragile mortal mind might shatter under the weight of my brilliance.”

Dreki rolled his eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.”

As the two set off into the transformed world, the faint glow of the cracked sky lighting their path, Dreki couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of purpose. He didn’t know what lay ahead, but with Xarion’s guidance—however arrogant and infuriating—it felt like a beginning.

The silence of the city pressed down on Dreki as he walked, Xarion perched on his shoulder like an imperious overseer. The fractured sky loomed above, its jagged cracks spilling faint blue mist that drifted lazily through the streets. The air was thick with tension, but Dreki’s thoughts were elsewhere.

Ryan, Malik, Jess. His friends—his chosen family. They were out there somewhere, forced into this new System, fighting in a world they didn’t understand. Had they survived the initial chaos? Or had the System already claimed them? The thought twisted his gut. He couldn’t shake the image of Emma, either—her fierce eyes, the way she had always pushed him to be stronger. Was she safe? Did she regret leaving him, or had she found someone stronger to stand beside?

A wave of anger surged through him, raw and hot. He clenched his fists, the faint glow of his mana-infused strength pulsing in his veins. The System had stolen everything—his friends, his old life, his world. It had reshaped him into something else, something powerful, but it had also left him with questions and fears he didn’t know how to answer.

“They are not your burden, Sovereign,” Xarion said, his golden eyes flicking toward Dreki. “Your thoughts are loud, clumsy things. Worrying about them accomplishes nothing.”

Dreki stopped in his tracks, his shoulders tensing. “What did you say?”

“I said your worry is useless,” Xarion repeated, his voice sharper. “Your friends, your... people, are bound by the System’s rules, just as you are. Their survival depends on their own growth, not your fretting.”

Dreki turned his head, his eyes narrowing. “You’re telling me to just forget about them?”

“No,” Xarion said, his voice quieting. “But worrying will not make you stronger. Strength is what you need if you hope to find them alive.”

Dreki started walking again, his steps heavy with frustration. “You keep talking about strength. What’s the point? What’s the endgame here? Is it just survival?”

Xarion’s wings fluttered, his tone shifting to one of calculated patience. “Survival is merely the beginning. The System is more than a game—it is a crucible. A process to forge worlds and their inhabitants into something greater.”

Dreki frowned. “Something greater? Like what?”

“Like conquerors,” Xarion replied, his golden eyes gleaming. “Like legends.”

Dreki stopped again, his breath catching. “What does that mean?”

Xarion’s tail flicked, his gaze rising to the fractured sky. “This world you once called Earth is a Tier 1 world—rare and coveted. Most worlds the System integrates are lesser, stripped of their resources, their inhabitants culled to mediocrity. But Earth...” He paused, a flicker of respect in his tone. “...Earth is pristine. Untapped. Its monsters are powerful, its mana abundant. To the System, it is legendary.”

“Legendary?” Dreki repeated, his voice low.

Xarion nodded. “Such worlds are rare. And because of their rarity, they draw the attention of ancient beings—warriors, conquerors, predators—who have spent centuries waiting for their next chance to grow. When the System announces that a new world has been integrated, these beings will come. They will see this place as a prize, a battleground, and they will not stop until they have claimed it.”

Dreki’s chest tightened. “You’re saying... Earth is going to be invaded?”

“Eventually,” Xarion said. “For now, you have a single year of grace—a protection the System grants to new worlds. But once the tutorial ends and the System lifts its restrictions, the real fight will begin. Your world will become a beacon, and beings far stronger than you can comprehend will descend upon it.”

Dreki stared at the ground, his fists clenching. “And the people who come back from the tutorial... they’ll have to face this?”

Xarion let out a sharp laugh, his voice tinged with bitter humor. “The people who return will be ill-prepared at best. The maximum level the tutorial allows is 25—barely a footnote in this new world.”

“Level 25?” Dreki repeated, his voice rising. “But... you said the monsters here go up to level 900.”

“Indeed,” Xarion said, his voice turning cold. “Your people got a bad deal. They will return to a world far deadlier than the one they left, and most of them will die within days.”

Dreki felt a surge of helpless anger, the weight of Xarion’s words crushing him. “Then what am I supposed to do? Just watch them die?”

“No,” Xarion said, his tone sharp. “You have been given a rare gift, Sovereign. The System left you here with an extraordinary advantage—six months to outpace every living soul on this planet. Six months to carve out a territory, claim power, and make yourself unstoppable.”

Dreki’s breath came faster, his anger bubbling to the surface. “And then what? Just keep fighting?”

“Yes,” Xarion said simply. “Fight until the other races fear and respect you. Fight until those who return see you as their savior and leader. Fight until the ancient predators who come for this world know the name Dreki and tremble at the thought of your wrath.”

The words struck something deep in Dreki, a primal instinct he hadn’t known he possessed. He pictured Earth teeming with new dangers, his friends stumbling back into a world they didn’t recognize. He imagined Ryan, Malik, Jess—and Emma—trying to survive against monsters and races far beyond their comprehension. He couldn’t let that happen. He wouldn’t.

“How?” Dreki asked, his voice steady now. “How do I become strong enough?”

Xarion’s golden eyes gleamed. “You must embrace the gifts the System has given you. Use every advantage—your power, your class, your bloodline. Do not hesitate to take what you need. This world respects only strength, Sovereign, and if you wish to protect your people, you must become a being they fear to cross.”

Dreki nodded slowly, his jaw tightening. “And the races on this world? The goblins, the orcs, the minotaurs?”

“Dominate them,” Xarion said, his voice fierce. “Make them kneel or destroy them. You cannot afford allies who would betray you, nor enemies who would linger in your shadow.”

“And the dragons?” Dreki asked, his voice low.

Xarion’s smirk returned. “Ah, yes. My kin. They are proud, powerful, and fiercely independent. They will not follow you willingly. You must prove yourself worthy to them—or force them to submit.”

Dreki clenched his fists, a spark of determination igniting in his chest. “Then I’ll do it. I’ll use this time to grow stronger. I’ll carve out a place for my people, and when the grace period ends... I’ll be ready.”

Xarion tilted his head, his golden eyes narrowing. “We shall see, Sovereign. Words are easy. It is action that defines you.”

The fractured sky pulsed faintly as Dreki set his sights on the path ahead. He didn’t know what lay beyond the ruined streets of the city, but he knew one thing: this was his chance. His chance to rise, to protect the people he cared about, and to claim the strength he needed to dominate this world.

Xarion fluttered his wings, his gaze shifting toward the horizon. “Time is short, Sovereign. Shall we begin?”

Dreki smirked faintly. “Yeah. Let’s begin.”

With Xarion at his side, Dreki stepped into the unknown, the glow of the cracked sky lighting his way.