Time became a blur as the battle raged on in the vast expanse of space. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, as we fought tirelessly against the unyielding horde of Shades. The passage of time seemed irrelevant amidst the chaos and turmoil of the battlefield.

It was difficult to gauge the exact duration of the conflict. Perhaps a month had passed, or maybe even a couple of months. Time lost its significance as we became immersed in the ebb and flow of the battle. The relentless clash between dragons and Shades continued unabated, the intensity escalating with each passing moment.

There were moments of triumph when we managed to push the encroaching horde far away from the planet, reducing their presence to mere specks on the distant horizon. However, there were also times when the Shades launched all-out assaults, their sheer numbers and ferocity forcing us to retreat. The frontlines became a volatile battleground, constantly shifting back and forth as we fought to hold our ground against the relentless onslaught.

As time stretched on, the battle became more arduous, testing our stamina and resolve. Fatigue settled into our bones, and wounds became a familiar companion. Even Sidus's initial excitement and thirst for battle seemed to have settled down significantly.

As the battles waged on, my connection to the cosmic mana grew stronger and more profound. With each surge of power that coursed through my veins, I felt a deeper resonance with the immense forces of the universe. It was as if the cosmic energy had taken root within me, shaping and transforming my whole body, along with the very essence of my being. I was growing stronger and I could feel it.

Within the sanctuary of my soul space, the dragon statue underwent a profound metamorphosis. The outer shell, began to crack and crumble away, revealing the true form hidden within. Emerging from the remnants of the statue was the awe-inspiring figure of a three-headed dragon.

The three heads of the dragon each held a unique expression, a fierce determination etched upon their draconic faces. Their presence exuded power and authority, commanding the respect and awe of all who beheld them. As the three-headed dragon emerged, its sheer presence caused my entire soul space to tremble, the other elemental forces within instinctively bowing in deference to this new manifestation of power.

The overwhelming aura emanating from the three-headed dragon filled every corner of my soul space, pushing against the boundaries and causing the elements within to retreat. The once harmonious interplay of the different elements now took a backseat to the dominance of the cosmic mana. Only the small strand of darkness mana that resided within me seemed to withstand the forceful presence of the three-headed dragon, its resilience standing as a testament to its own inherent power.

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In awe and trepidation, I beheld the transformation taking place within my soul space. The merging of my essence with the cosmic mana had birthed a new form. I could feel that the statue had not reached its final form, but as I gazed within me, and glanced at the three-headed dragon, my heart could help but skip a beat.

Along with the change came a surge of new information. I subconsciously knew that I now held the power to momentarily transform my body into that of a three-headed dragon, similar to the one inside my soul space. With this newfound manifestation of power, my capabilities would expand, my control over the cosmic mana would become more refined, and my overall strength would increase by several folds. The only drawback was that I was not able to maintain the transformation for long.

My sudden increase in power caused my aura to surge. I did not reveal my newfound form, there was no need for it, not yet at least. The dragons fighting alongside me could sense the shift, their attitudes shifting to one of respect and reverence. Their gazes held a newfound acknowledgment and pride, recognizing the transformation that had taken place within me, the subtle shift in their demeanor spoke volumes.

Among them, Dralina remained unchanged. She continued to fight on the frontlines with unwavering determination, as if unaffected by the surge of power within me. It became apparent that she was a force to be reckoned with, her true strength veiled behind a facade of ease and restraint.

The change in the dragon statue brought with it a host of new abilities and insights emerged. My perception expanded, allowing me to see beyond the veil of ordinary sight. Details that were once obscured to me were now unveiled, revealing a deeper understanding of the battles unfolding before me.

In this heightened state, I could discern the true strength and capabilities of most of those around me. The old dragoness, Dralina, revealed herself to be far, far more formidable than I had initially perceived. Her actions spoke of deliberate restraint. Observing her closely, I noticed subtle hints in her movements, a deliberate choice to endure certain attacks and hold back her full power when victory was within her grasp.

'I underestimated her,' I inwardly noted. My vigilance and curiosity rose, as I wondered, why was she holding herself back? Was she injured? I doubted it. Then why? It now looked to me as if this battlefield was nothing but a waste of time. A few other dragons seemed to be doing the same as her, albeit the feeling of danger she gave me was still the highest.

And so, after we had pushed the Shades back one more. I followed after the old Dragoness as she retreated to the floating platform. Sidus seemed to sense that something was wrong and instantly followed behind me. Breta was the same, her emotionless eyes, glanced at the battlefield before she decisively retreated.

As soon as we landed, Dralina closed her eyes to 'recuperate'. Sidus stood silently by my side, while Breta leaned back on her glowing spear. A hint of curiosity flashed through her gaze.

"What is the meaning of all of this?" I asked.

The old dragoness opened an eye and looked at me, for some reason, this time as I glanced at her draconic gaze, a shiver ran down my spine as I could feel the depth of power hidden behind her eye.

After a couple of seconds, however, Dralina grinned as usual and asked, "The meaning of what, young one?"

Her answer caused a frown to make its way across my face. Sidus, sensing my mood etched closer to me.

"What exactly are you doing here?" I asked.