Bloody Odyssey-Chapter 34 - 33

Chapter 33

Dax tilted his head, a faint smile touching his lips as he considered the implications of the tale.

"Mankind wears greed like a coat of many colors. It is the driving force of our race. So I don’t blame them. Why should I?"

It is a fatal flaw of your race, Ineros replied, her voice soft but pointed. She paused, letting the words settle.

Dax’s eyes widened slightly. Greed drives men to do stupid things. What happens when greed goes unchecked?

"Destruction," he answered aloud.

Yes, Master. In a way, you yourself are a product of mankind’s greed.

In that instant, the images flashed unbidden across his mind: Solos, and the translucent, towering figure of the Blood God.

Epoch!

Dax spoke the name casually as he stepped through the portal, his voice dangerously calm.

"This isn’t on humanity. It’s on the Blood River."

He emerged from the lab into his room—and was immediately greeted by a thunderous roar that shook the air.

!

Dax froze for a fraction of a second, then stormed out with urgent haste.

Oh.

He stopped short, surprise flickering across his face.

Before him stood Zain, flanked by Dax’s two wyverns.

"I greet the Captain." Zain dropped to one knee, head bowed low in respect.

"Greetings," Dax replied evenly. "Have your injuries healed?"

"Yes, sir!" Zain’s voice rang with conviction. His eyes, when they lifted, burned with deep admiration.

Yet now, standing in Dax’s presence again, unease coiled in Zain’s gut. I was blind. This man... he is far more than I ever imagined.

"I enjoyed our battle," Dax continued, strolling forward, "but you still lack much."

He reached Cain first. The massive wyvern lowered its head, rubbing affectionately against Dax’s palm.

A moment later, Little Purple leaped down from Cain’s back and nudged forward, demanding the same attention.

Dax obliged, scratching both with calm familiarity.

Watching the scene, jealousy flared hot in Zain’s chest. The finest wyverns in the entire Godfall Nest... and they treat him like kin.

He had heard the rumors while unconscious: Dax had earned the recognition of every wyvern in the nest. But seeing this raw, instinctive affection—it was something else entirely.

Are they drawn to his blood?

There is only one way to know for certain.

"Captain," Zain said, rising slowly, "you need to form a true bond with them."

He drew a slender dagger from his belt and offered it hilt-first. "Please—feed them your blood."

Dax raised an eyebrow. "You are aware I possess no mana?"

"I am," Zain replied. "Mana is not required. This is a blood ritual. It binds souls."

Ah. Dax’s fingers closed around the blade. I see.

Without hesitation, he dragged the edge across his palm. Blood welled instantly, bright and thick. Unfazed, he extended his hand, letting the wyverns lap at the flowing crimson.

-3000 World Ki

-3000 World Ki

In the blink of an eye, translucent light erupted from both wyverns and surged into Dax’s body.

Suddenly, he felt them—two distinct presences blooming in his mind space, vivid and alive.

Unbeknownst to Dax, the true transformation was only beginning.

Thud.

Zain dropped hard to his knees, breath stolen by the pressure that exploded outward.

In less than a heartbeat, the wyverns changed.

Cain swelled in size, growing until he rivaled an earth dragon in bulk and majesty.

Little Purple’s scales darkened to an abyssal black-purple, vicious spikes erupting along its spine and tail.

The wildness in their eyes intensified, turning them into living paintings of primal fury.

"My God..." Zain whispered, voice trembling.

"How... how is this possible?"

In an instant, Dax was before him, hand clamped around Zain’s throat.

"Zain," Dax said, his voice utterly devoid of emotion, eyes cold voids, "you have seen something you should not have."

Crackling lightning erupted from Zain’s body. Boom! A desperate punch connected, sending arcs of electricity surging through Dax.

"This move again," Dax murmured, unfazed. He let the lightning course through every vein, every vessel—then redirected it.

Like a living thunderbolt, Zain was hurled backward, crashing through walls amid crackles of residual energy.

Come.

Dax crooked a finger. Telekinesis yanked Zain back through the air, suspending him helplessly.

Is this how I die? Memories flashed behind Zain’s eyes as he squeezed them shut. This monster’s strength... it’s on another level. I never meant to provoke him.

"Captain," Zain forced out, voice steady despite the fear, "I saw nothing. I swear it."

"How do I know you’re not lying?" Killing intent rolled off Dax in waves. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Zain met his gaze. "You know what? Kill me."

For a moment, silence reigned.

Dax drew his sword from storage. Dread flooded Zain’s face.

Then, instead of steel, Dax produced a small parasitic seed from his Sprawl Tree pet.

Though originally created to sate his hunger, the Sprawl was also a cataclysmic biological weapon.

In his palm, the seed sprouted tiny, writhing legs.

Horror twisted Zain’s features. He’s going to put that thing inside me.

Lightning burst from Zain’s body one final time in futile struggle.

"Don’t waste your energy," Dax said, expressionless. "Be still."

With telekinesis, he forced the seed between Zain’s lips and down his throat.