Chapter 396: Dragon master 2

Words : 2501 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

Chapter 396: Dragon master 2 As their transport settled onto the reinforced landing pad with a soft hiss of hydraulics, Noah found himself staring at the sprawling facility carved into the mountainside. The scale was breathtaking—what had looked like a simple runway from above was actually the entrance to a complex that seemed to burrow deep into the mountain’s core. Armed guards in dark tactical gear moved with practiced efficiency around various aircraft, their weapons clearly beast-tech hybrids that pulsed with contained energy. ’How did I miss the pheromone influence the first time? Even more, why wasn’t I warned by the system?’ The question had been nagging at him since his system’s alert back at the club. Noah’s mind worked through the biological mechanics as they disembarked, his elementary studies in xenobiology before entering the academy kicking in automatically. ’Pheromones are chemical signals that trigger behavioral responses in the same species. In nature, they’re used for everything from marking territory to attracting mates. The concentration has to be just right—too little and there’s no effect, too much and it becomes obvious, even dangerous.’ He paused, watching Sophie walk ahead of him, her shoulders still tense with residual anger. ’But if someone has an ability that can produce synthetic pheromones...’ The pieces clicked together with disturbing clarity. ’The first exposure at the beach was probably low-level, just enough to lower our inhibitions without triggering obvious warnings. The system would have categorized it as natural arousal chemistry—elevated dopamine, oxytocin, the usual suspects. But when they tried to dose us again this morning...’ Noah’s jaw tightened as he realized the full implications. ’The compounds were still in our systems from the night before. When she hit us with another wave, the concentration spiked high enough to trigger toxicity warnings. That’s why the system finally flagged it as foreign contamination.’ The bastards had been playing a longer game than he’d initially realized. His brooding was interrupted as they approached the main entrance, where a figure emerged from the shadows between two massive cargo containers. She was tall and lean, with the kind of casual confidence that spoke of extensive combat training. Her dark hair was pulled back in a practical ponytail, and she moved with the grace of someone who’d never met a fight she couldn’t handle. What immediately caught Noah’s attention, however, was the weapon strapped across her back. At first glance, it looked like a simple metal rod, but his system’s analysis painted a different picture: [BEAST WEAPON DETECTED] [CLASSIFICATION: CATEGORY 4 THREAT LEVEL] [WEAPON TYPE: ADAPTIVE KINETIC AMPLIFIER] ’Category 4. This woman could take down most beasts single-handed.’ Noah kept his expression neutral, but he made a mental note to stay very aware of her position relative to him and Sophie. "You must be the dragon summoner," the woman said, her voice carrying a slight accent Noah couldn’t place. Her smile was professional but genuinely warm. "I’m Kaia, Mr. Marduk’s operations manager. He’s asked me to show you around while he finishes up some business." "Noah Eclipse," he replied, extending his hand. Her grip was firm, callused from weapons training. "This is Sophie Reign." "A pleasure," Kaia nodded to Sophie, who managed a tight smile in return. "I have to admit, we don’t get many visitors who arrive with such... interesting transportation." She gestured toward the boys who’d brought them, who were standing awkwardly near their transport like they weren’t quite sure if they should stay or go. "They were helpful," Noah said diplomatically. "Hahahaha.. Mmmph," Kaia laughed briefly. Her laugh suggested she knew exactly how ’helpful’ they’d been. "I’m sure they were. Well, since you’re here on business, would you like to see our special collection? Mr. Marduk is quite proud of what we’ve assembled here." "Lead the way." As they walked deeper into the facility, Noah’s system continued to ping with energy readings. The sheer number of contained life forms was staggering, and every single one registered as a significant threat level. The first section they entered looked like something between a high-tech zoo and a military containment facility. Massive reinforced enclosures lined both sides of a wide corridor, each one housing creatures that would have sent EDF scientists into fits of excitement. In the first cage, a plant-based entity that looked like a cross between a venus flytrap and a small tree swayed gently despite the complete absence of wind. Its ’petals’ were easily eight feet across, lined with what looked like crystalline teeth that gleamed with an inner light. [CARNIVOROUS FLORA DETECTED] [DESIGNATION: SNAPDRAGON] [CATEGORY: 4] [ORIGIN: KEPLER SYSTEM] ’Category 4 plant life. That’s... actually terrifying.’ Noah had seen what Category 3 plants could do to armoured platings in beast cores extraction class. He didn’t want to imagine what those crystalline teeth could accomplish. The next enclosure housed something that defied easy categorization. It looked like a bear that had been crossed with molten lava, its fur seeming to flicker between solid matter and liquid fire. Steam rose from its breath as it paced the confines of its cage, leaving briefly glowing pawprints on the metal floor. [THERMAL PREDATOR DETECTED] [DESIGNATION: MAGMA STALKER] [CATEGORY: 4] [ORIGIN: VULCAN PRIME] "Impressive collection," Noah commented, trying to keep his voice neutral. The sheer variety was astounding—creatures from at least a dozen different star systems, all contained in what appeared to be recently constructed enclosures. "Mr. Marduk has spent years gathering specimens from across the galaxy," Kaia explained with obvious pride. "Each one represents months of planning, specialized equipment, and considerable risk." They passed cage after cage of Category 4 threats. A serpentine creature with scales that seemed to bend light around them, making it nearly invisible even in direct illumination. Something that looked like a cross between a wolf and a storm cloud, electricity arcing between its fur in controlled patterns. A massive insectoid with wings that hummed at frequencies that made Noah’s bones ache. All of them appeared to be sedated or under some form of control, their movements sluggish and their responses dulled. The engineering required to contain creatures of this level was impressive, but what bothered Noah more was the obvious newness of the facilities. ’These enclosures can’t be more than a few months old,’ he realized, noting the pristine condition of the containment systems. ’Which means all of these creatures were captured recently. But how do you take down a Category 4 beast without killing it?’ The question led to uncomfortable implications. The EDF could manage it, but they had specialized teams, military-grade equipment, and extensive support networks. For a private operation to be pulling this off... "Tell me," Noah said carefully as they walked past another enclosure containing what looked like a living glacier with too many eyes, "how long has Mr. Marduk been in this business?" "Oh, years and years," Kaia replied. "But this particular facility is relatively new. We’ve been expanding operations significantly over the past several months." ’Expanding operations.’ Noah’s mind raced through the implications. ’All of these creatures are from different systems, different worlds. The logistics alone would require a fleet, specialized containment equipment, teams of experts...’ Something else bothered him as his system continued cataloging the creatures they passed. Every single one was registering on the same threat classification system the EDF used—Categories 1 through 5, based on the threat level to human populations. But according to everything he knew about galactic history, that classification system had been developed after the Harbinger attack on Earth. ’The original seven families left Earth long before the Harbingers arrived,’ Noah thought, his brow furrowing as they passed yet another Category 4 specimen. ’According to Lucas, they were the first awakened humans, changed by some kind of asteroid impact that released void energy. But Earth only got beasts after the Harbinger seed crashed into the planet’s core.’ The timeline didn’t make sense. If the Raiju ancestors had left Earth before the beast emergence, how did they end up on a planet with similar creatures? Had they encountered these species during their travels and somehow brought them to their new worlds? Or had they found ways to cultivate and breed them? ’Unless...’ A darker thought occurred to him. ’Unless the asteroid that awakened the original families and the Harbinger attack weren’t separate events. What if they were connected somehow?’ Before he could pursue that line of thinking further, his system pinged with a new alert: [MASSIVE ENERGY SOURCE APPROACHING] The energy signature was different from what he’d detected when they’d first arrived. This felt more focused, more controlled, but no less powerful. It reminded him of the strange readings Storm had generated when they’d first found him on Planet Cannadah, but with subtle differences that suggested this was something else entirely. They heard footsteps. "Ah," Kaia said, her face lighting up with genuine warmth, "that would be Mr. Marduk. He’s finished with his business." The man who emerged from a side corridor was nothing like what Noah had expected based on the boys’ descriptions. Instead of the intimidating criminal mastermind they’d painted, Vex Marduk looked more like a university professor who’d decided to take up exotic animal breeding as a hobby. He was tall but not imposing, with graying hair that suggested he was somewhere in his fifties, and eyes that held the kind of intense curiosity Noah associated with dedicated researchers. His smile was broad and genuinely welcoming as he approached, extending his hand with the enthusiasm of someone greeting an old friend. "Mr. Eclipse! I cannot tell you how excited I am to meet you. It’s not often I encounter someone with such... unique companions." Noah shook his hand, noting the firm grip and the calluses that suggested regular physical work. "Mr. Marduk. Thank you for agreeing to see me." "Please, call me Vex," the older man said, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "And the pleasure is entirely mine. I’ve heard such fascinating things about your Red Dragon and what it did at the beach yesterday. Truly remarkable creatures, dragons. I’ve spent decades studying them, you know." ’Decades studying dragons?’ Noah’s pulse quickened. This could be exactly what he’d hoped for—someone with real knowledge about where Nyx and Storm had come from. "Why don’t we continue this conversation somewhere more comfortable?" Vex suggested, gesturing toward another corridor. "I have a special area where I like to conduct my more important meetings." They followed him through a maze of corridors that gradually opened up into something Noah hadn’t expected to find buried in a mountain. They emerged into what could only be described as an indoor paradise—a vast cavern with a domed ceiling that had been fitted with some kind of light projection system that perfectly mimicked natural sunlight. A natural spring bubbled up from the cavern floor, feeding a series of pools and streams that wound through carefully cultivated gardens. And everywhere, moving freely through this artificial ecosystem, were creatures that defied easy categorization. Massive butterflies with wings that seemed to be made of liquid starlight drifted through the air. Creatures that looked like a cross between hummingbirds and tiny dragons flitted between flowering trees that pulsed with bioluminescent patterns. In the pools, something resembling seahorses but the size of dolphins glided through crystal-clear water. "This is incredible," Sophie breathed, speaking for the first time since they’d arrived. Her anger seemed temporarily forgotten in the face of such beauty. "Thank you," Vex said, his voice filled with genuine pride. "This is my sanctuary, where I keep the creatures that have become... family, you might say. Everything you see here lives freely, without cages or constraints." He gestured toward a comfortable seating area arranged near the largest of the pools. "Please, sit. Can I offer you anything? The spring water here has remarkable properties—quite refreshing after a long journey." As they settled into chairs, Vex’s expression grew more serious. "Now then, I understand you have a very special companion you’d like to discuss. My associates mentioned a Red Death Dragon, but they also said you didn’t bring him with you?" "Actually," Noah said, his lips curving into a slight smile, "I did bring my companion. I just keep him somewhere safe when I’m not sure about the company I’m keeping." Vex’s eyes widened with anticipation. "You mean...?" Noah stood up, moving to a clear area near the spring. The energy in the cavern seemed to shift, responding to his intent. Several of the free-roaming creatures moved away instinctively, some kind of survival mechanism warning them that something significant was about to happen. "Nyx," Noah called out, his voice carrying clearly in the still air, "awaken." The response was immediate and dramatic. Reality tore open above the spring like fabric being ripped apart, purple energy crackling along the edges of the dimensional breach. Red mist began pouring through the portal, carrying with it the scent of sulfur and something else—something primal and ancient that made every living thing in the cavern go perfectly still. Then Nyx emerged. Even in his adolescent form, the Red Death Dragon was a sight that commanded absolute attention. His scales seemed to be forged from living flame, shifting between deep red and molten gold as he moved. His wings cast shadows that danced with their own inner light, and his eyes burned with intelligence that was both alien and terrifyingly familiar. The dragon’s presence filled the cavern like a physical force, his natural aura of intimidation washing over everything within a hundred-meter radius. The free-roaming creatures fled to whatever shelter they could find, their instincts screaming warnings about apex predators and certain death. But Vex Marduk’s reaction was unlike anything Noah had expected. The older man dropped to his knees as if his legs had simply given out, tears streaming down his face as he stared up at Nyx with an expression of absolute wonder. His hands trembled as he reached toward the dragon, not to touch but as if he were trying to convince himself that what he was seeing was real. "Magnificent," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "After all these years... absolutely magnificent." Nyx settled onto the ground with surprising grace for such a massive creature, his burning gaze fixed on the kneeling man with what looked like curiosity rather than hostility. Red mist continued to swirl around him, creating patterns in the air that seemed almost hypnotic. Vex looked up at Noah, his face still wet with tears. "Do you have any idea," he said, his voice barely audible, "how long I’ve been waiting to see one of them again?" ’Again?’ Noah’s heart rate spiked. ’He’s seen dragons before, for real?’ The implications hit him like a physical blow. This wasn’t just about exotic creature collection. This man had history with dragons—real history. And if Noah played this right, he might finally get the answers he’d been wondering about since the day he’d first found Nyx’s egg.

Chapter 396: Dragon master 2

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