Chapter 188: Human
The molten chamber had finally begun to cool, though steam still rose from the areas where Grim’s final technique had melted stone into flowing rivers of lava. The Dragon Emperor remained motionless where he had fallen, his massive body serving as shelter for everyone else as the destruction slowly settled.
Grim stood amid the cooling destruction, Sunfire still glowing in his hand, though the orange radiance was noticeably dimmer than it had been moments before. His scales continued to pulse, but even those seemed to be losing their intensity.
"It is time," the Dragon Emperor said, his voice carried across the chamber. "The power I lent you was never meant to remain in a mortal body indefinitely."
Grim looked down at his transformed body, feeling the energy coursing through him like liquid fire. "I can feel it," he admitted. "It’s starting to burn."
"Because you are human," the Dragon Emperor explained, slowly rising to his full, imposing height. "Your body is not trained enough to handle my mana. Hold onto my power much longer, you will begin to lose your mind and then it will consume you from within."
The ancient dragon extended one massive claw toward Grim. "I must take it back now, before permanent damage is done."
Grim nodded, understanding the necessity even as he felt reluctant to give up the incredible strength he had wielded.
The process was strange rather than painful. Grim felt the mana being drawn out of him like water flowing out of a broken vessel. The scales on his body began to fade, returning his skin to its normal appearance. The overwhelming sense of power that had filled him since his awakening gradually diminished until he felt... normal.
Human.
When it was complete, Grim staggered slightly, the sudden absence of mana making him feel oddly hollow. Sunfire’s glow had dimmed to a barely perceptible warmth, though the sword itself remained as orange as ever.
"Better," the Dragon Emperor observed. "You look like yourself again."