The Ytherrian Luminary

Xalin decided it was time to confront the being within him. After learning the truth about Onyxrazor from Shiri, he knew he could no longer ignore the dark entity now tethered to his soul. Finding a secluded spot, he sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and focused inward, delving deep into his mind. The world around him faded as he ventured into the recesses of his consciousness, a vast, empty expanse where only silence echoed.

As he focused, Xalin felt a shift in the atmosphere. Suddenly, flames roared to life around him—black, consuming, unrelenting. He stood in the middle of a sea of fire, untouched yet fully aware of the danger that surrounded him. And then, from the depths of the flames, it emerged.

Onyxrazor.

The black dragon towered over him, its massive form coiled in the heart of the firestorm. Its scales gleamed like obsidian, shimmering with malevolent energy. Its eyes, crimson slits, glared down at Xalin with a mixture of contempt and fury. Smoke curled from its nostrils as it spoke, its voice a low, growling rumble that shook the very ground beneath Xalin's feet.

"So... you've come to speak with me, human?"

Xalin clenched his fists, standing firm despite the overwhelming presence of the dragon. "I came to make sure you understand something, Onyxrazor. You may be inside me, but you don't control me."

The dragon let out a deep, mocking laugh, the sound vibrating through the air like a distant earthquake. "Control? You think you're in control? You have no idea what power you possess, do you? You can barely handle the black flames, and you believe you can control me?"

Xalin's jaw tightened. He had expected resistance, but the sheer disdain in Onyxrazor's tone made his blood boil. "I'll master your power. Whether you like it or not."

Onyxrazor's eyes flashed with anger. "You, master me? Foolish human. I am not some tool for you to wield. I am destruction incarnate. I am chaos, fire, and shadow. You were a fool to awaken me."

The flames surged, and the dragon's massive head lowered until it was mere inches from Xalin's face, its breath hot and reeking of brimstone. "I could destroy you here, in this very moment. Your mind is fragile—your spirit even more so. Without me, you're nothing."

Xalin held his ground, staring into the dragon's blazing eyes. "Maybe I'm not strong enough yet," he admitted, his voice low but firm. "But that's why I'm here. I'm not leaving until you understand that we're in this together. Whether you like it or not, we're bound. I'll master the black flames, and I'll find a way to use your power without losing myself."

Onyxrazor's growl reverberated through the fiery landscape. "Do not mistake my presence for servitude. I may be inside you, but I do not answer to you. You are merely the vessel for my flames."

Xalin's eyes narrowed. "Then let's make something clear. If I'm your vessel, then you better get used to me calling the shots. I won't let you take control. Ever."

The dragon's tail lashed, sending a wave of heat through the air. It roared, a sound that shook the entire mental realm, and for a moment, the fire around Xalin flared so intensely that it seemed to blot out everything. But Xalin stood firm, unflinching.

Onyxrazor's eyes narrowed, a flicker of something passing through them—was it recognition? Respect? Whatever it was, the dragon didn't admit it. Instead, it coiled back, its massive wings folding around its body like a shroud of darkness.

"You're bold, human," it sneered. "But boldness can only take you so far. We will see how long you last."

The flames around them began to dim, the oppressive heat slowly dissipating. Xalin could feel himself being pulled back, his consciousness returning to the real world. But before he left, Onyxrazor's voice echoed in his mind one last time.

"Remember, Xalin... you walk a dangerous path. And I will be watching."