The Maledicta System

Morning had arrived, and as Lycius awoke, his senses immediately noticed the soft warmth enveloping him. The gentle rhythm of breath beside him confirmed what he already knew—his mother, Lana, and his aunt, Elizabeth, lay on either side of him, still deep in slumber. He gazed at them for a moment, feeling the closeness of his family. The warmth was comforting, but the blue screens before him beckoned.

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[Ding! Mission Complete!] [Mission Title: Family Bonding] [Reward: Genetic Skill]

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[Drakonix Aetheria: The wings of the God of Dragons. They are a majestic sight, shimmering like opals with hues of sapphire, emerald, and ruby. Their thin, translucent membrane is strong and resilient, accompanied by an otherworldly music that echoes the primal language of dragons. The wings' shape is elegant yet fearsome, with a fiery glow along the edges, and their beat fills the air with the scent of smoke, ozone, and ancient magic, inspiring awe, wonder, and trepidation in mortals.]

[Effects:]

[Aerial Supremacy: Gain temporary dominance over the skies, increasing speed, agility, and maneuverability while flying.]

[Dragon's Blessing: Gain increased health, strength, and magical resistance, making you a formidable opponent.]

[Aetherial Shift: Teleport short to medium distances, repositioning yourself quickly and avoiding attacks.]

[Elemental Balance: Manipulate the elements, creating powerful elemental shields, waves, or blasts to aid you in combat.]

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Lycius's fingers twitched with curiosity as he read through the genetic skill he had just unlocked. His back began to ache suddenly, an unbearable pressure building up. He gritted his teeth and suppressed the impulse to cry out, his hand involuntarily grasping his spine as a wave of intense pain surged through him.

Lana and Elizabeth, with their enhanced senses, were immediately aware of his discomfort. In a split second, they sat up beside him, eyes wide with concern. But that concern quickly shifted to astonishment as they realized the cause of the pain.

Lycius was going through the process of developing his wings—something most dragons didn't experience until they were much older. The process was supposed to take years, yet here he was, awakening his divine wings at an age far younger than anyone could have expected.

Lana and Elizabeth exchanged a look, a silent understanding passing between them. This was no ordinary moment; this was the emergence of a force beyond even their comprehension. Lycius was not just any dragon—he was destined to be the next Dragon God.

As the pain subsided, Lycius gingerly touched his back, the sensation of something growing beneath his skin overwhelming him. His fingers traced the smooth texture of his wings, feeling the smooth, otherworldly surface that didn't belong to this world. He spread them slowly, feeling the weightlessness and the power contained in every fiber. A surge of emotions flooded his senses—pride, superiority, and an overwhelming sense of arrogance.

'Wings like these... they fit perfectly with a being as divine as me.'

Lana and Elizabeth watched with admiration. They knew well what those wings meant, but seeing them in person, on Lycius, still filled them with awe. These were the wings of a god—the wings of Drakonix Aetheria, the divine creature they all revered.

Lana, her eyes glowing with pride, whispered, "You were always meant to be great."

Elizabeth nodded, a rare smile curving her lips. "The Dragon God's successor."

The words carried a weight neither of them dared to say aloud before. Lycius had always been special, but now it was undeniable. He was more than a powerful newborn demon; he was a force of nature, destined for something much greater than either of them had anticipated.

As Lycius flexed his wings again, he felt the wind rush past him, and for a brief moment, he wondered what it would feel like to fly.

Lana and Elizabeth stood, their own forms radiating an ancient, unspoken power.

"Shall we test those wings, my son?" Lana asked, her voice deep and commanding, like the growl of a distant thunderstorm.

Lycius smiled, the challenge in her voice calling to him. Without saying another word, he stretched his wings to their fullest span. The sheer size of them took his breath away, but more than that, it was the sense of flight that made him feel free, unbound by anything.

"Let's see how high you can fly," Elizabeth said, her eyes alight with a playful glint.

The three of them exited the room, stepping out into the bright morning light. The air smelled fresh, with a faint trace of the wild, untamed forest around them. Their home, though not large, was situated in the heart of a dangerous and vast forest, a perfect place for creatures of their power to reside.

Lana and Elizabeth spread their wings, their massive forms casting long shadows across the ground. Lycius hesitated for only a moment, then leapt into the air, his wings unfurling with ease.

He soared upward, the wind rushing around him as he tested his new abilities. The sky felt like it belonged to him, the sensation of flight a newfound freedom. His wings were powerful, agile, and sharp—every beat a pulse of energy that sent him higher and faster.

Lana and Elizabeth followed effortlessly, their wings beating in unison, cutting through the sky like two massive birds of prey. They were graceful and precise, weaving through the air with an ease that only centuries of experience could afford.

Lycius, though young, managed to keep up. He zoomed through the sky, testing his limits, feeling the wind rush past him. Each time he dove, the wind caught under his wings, lifting him higher. He could already feel the pull of his abilities—his Aetherial Shift was strong, and the elemental balance he had unlocked surged through his veins.

"This feels incredible!" Lycius shouted, his voice reverberating through the sky.

"You're a natural," Elizabeth called, her voice full of pride. "But let's see if you can bring something down to feed us."

A challenge. Lycius's eyes sparkled with determination.

"Try to keep up," he teased, before plummeting toward the forest below.

Lana and Elizabeth followed, diving after him as he streaked toward the trees. The forest beneath them was dense and alive with the movement of creatures, both mundane and monstrous.

Lycius spotted a large boar grazing near a clearing. He aimed, his wings beating once more as he shot toward the creature. With a single beat of his wings, he hurtled downward, moving faster than he had ever moved before. The boar didn't even know what hit it as Lycius landed gracefully in front of it, his claws extended. With a swift motion, he captured the animal, ending its life in an instant.

Lana and Elizabeth landed beside him, their expressions pleased.

"Impressive," Lana said, her voice a rumble of approval. "Your wings give you more than speed. They give you power."

"Let's see how the rest of the forest fares," Elizabeth added with a grin.

The trio spent the rest of the morning hunting—Lycius testing his wings against the beasts of the forest. With each hunt, he felt more connected to his newfound abilities. The wings didn't just give him the ability to fly—they granted him a mastery over the elements, a sense of dominion over the creatures around him.

As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, Lycius felt his heart race with excitement. He had tasted the power of flight, of domination over the skies, and he wasn't ready to stop.

"Now," Lana said, stepping forward, "let's show you something even more impressive."

Lycius tilted his head, curious.

The two queens of dragons raised their heads, and with a synchronized movement, they transformed once again.

Lana's form shifted first, her body enlarging, her scales turning darker, shimmering with an inky black hue. Her wings expanded, each flap sending a shockwave of air that reverberated through the trees. Her eyes glowed a deep, dark gold.

She was the Demon Queen.

Elizabeth's transformation followed, the air around her crackling with golden lightning. Her form grew larger, her scales turning a brilliant, molten gold. Her wings shimmered like liquid fire, and her eyes burned with the essence of magic itself.

She was the Dragon Queen.

Lycius stood frozen for a moment, in awe. He had always known that his mother and aunt were powerful, but seeing them in their full, dragon forms… it was a sight to behold. They were not just dragons—they were gods, living legends.

"You can try to challenge us, little one," Lana rumbled, her voice thunderous. "But know this: even with your wings, you are still a child in the face of our power."

Lycius smirked, his own wings spreading as he met their gaze. "I'd like to try," he said, a fire burning in his chest.

Beneath the boundless sky, the Dragon God's successor will face the queens of dragons. The air thickened with the weight of their power, and the world would bear witness to the beginning of something far beyond their comprehension.

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