Talent Awakening: Draconic Overlord Of The Apocalypse

Cinder's interest visibly piqued. "Explosions… of light?" Her gaze shifted toward the sky, as if trying to imagine it. "And you say they are used for celebrations?" "Yeah," Alister confirmed. "They're not meant for battle or destruction—just for people to enjoy watching." After Alister finished explaining what fireworks were, Cinder frowned slightly, arms crossed as she considered his words. Then, with a tilt of her head, she asked, "Isn't my fire breath brighter and more amazing? And… can't we just fly into the sky instead of using this…" "Ferris wheel?" Alister completed for her, raising an amused brow. He then chuckled. "You've got a point." Cinder leaned in slightly, her crimson eyes narrowing with mischief. "Then why don't we?" Alister smirked, but before she could say anything else, he gently placed a finger on her lips. "Those may undoubtedly be better options," he admitted, "but we're going with this because there's a certain beauty to it." "Beauty?" she repeated. Alister leaned back in his seat and gave her a knowing smile. "Well… you'll see." Cinder slowly nodded, a rare hint of childlike curiosity lighting up her usually composed expression. "I see… I would like to witness these fireworks from the Ferris wheel, then." Alister chuckled. A ride operator gestured for them to step into one of the gondolas. As the door shut and the wheel slowly began to turn, Cinder gazed at the horizon, waiting to see what these fireworks were all about. Alister simply grinned as the Ferris wheel began to ascend, the city lights stretching out beneath them like a sea of twinkling stars. As the Ferris wheel continued its slow ascent, Cinder sighed, resting her chin in her palm. "This thing moves like a lazy lizard basking in the sun," she said, watching the city lights shift ever so gradually beneath them. "Are we supposed to enjoy this?" Alister chuckled. "Patience, Cinder. The higher we go, the better the view." She huffed. "I could've taken us to the sky in an instant." "But that would ruin the experience." Cinder glanced at him, unimpressed. "What experience?" Alister simply smirked. "You'll see." Minutes passed, and the Ferris wheel creaked softly as it carried them higher. Cinder tapped her fingers on her knee, shifting in her seat. Just as she was about to complain again, a sudden explosion of color lit up the sky. Her breath caught. Vibrant streaks of red, blue, and gold burst above them, blooming into intricate patterns that crackled and shimmered like stars. More fireworks followed, filling the night with dazzling displays of light. Cinder's eyes widened, the reflection of the explosions shimmering in her crimson irises. "They're… incredible," she whispered, watching as another set of fireworks took off, forming the shape of a phoenix before fading away into golden embers. Alister smiled, watching her reaction more than the fireworks themselves. Cinder suddenly pointed at a burst of green and blue. "That one looked like a dragon!" she said excitedly. "And—look! That one resembles a fox!" Another explosion followed, and this time, streaks of red and silver formed glowing letters in the sky: Happy 6-Year Anniversary, Starfall Park! Cinder gasped, nudging Alister's arm. "It writes words too!" Alister chuckled. "It's a special kind of firework. They design them to explode in patterns." Cinder's excitement was undeniable. She continued watching in awe, pointing out each new display. But after a while, she turned back toward Alister, ready to make another comment—only to realize just how close he was. Her breath hitched. Alister's golden eyes were locked on hers, his face only inches away. She hadn't noticed before, but sometime during the fireworks, they had unconsciously leaned toward each other. Cinder's cheeks flushed. She swallowed, yet she didn't move away. Instead, she found herself leaning in just a little more. Alister's eyes widened slightly at her action. For a brief moment, the sounds of the fireworks and the distant cheers of the crowd below faded away. There was only her—the warmth in her gaze, the flickering firelight reflecting in her crimson irises, the way her breath came just a little faster. Then, as if drawn by an unseen force, he leaned in and captured her lips in a kiss. Cinder stiffened at first, but only for a heartbeat. Then, her eyes fluttered shut, and she melted into the kiss, her fingers curling against the seat beneath her. The fireworks continued to explode above them, but for Alister and Cinder, the real spark was right here, between them. As they pulled apart, the lingering warmth of the kiss still tingled on Cinder's lips. Her breath came in quick, uneven gasps, and when she finally gathered the courage to look at Alister, she noticed the slight look of shock in his golden eyes—though it was fleeting, quickly replaced by something deeper, something unreadable. She swallowed, feeling her heart pounding in her chest. "My lord, I… I-I'm sorry," she stammered, her voice quieter than usual. "I didn't mean to be so… l-lustful—" Alister placed a finger against her lips, silencing her. His touch was firm yet gentle, his golden eyes steady as he looked at her. "Hush," he murmured. "We both know that's not true. You can't be sorry for something you wanted." Cinder's breath hitched again. She turned her gaze away, her fingers gripping the hem of her dress. "I did, but—" "But I did too," Alister interrupted, his voice leaving no room for doubt. Cinder's eyes widened, and before she could say anything else, Alister bit down on his tongue, drawing a thin trail of blood. Then, without hesitation, he leaned in again, capturing her lips in another kiss. This one was deeper, more intense. The taste of his blood mixed with their shared warmth, igniting something inside her. A soft growl rumbled in her throat as she pressed into the kiss, feeling her dragon instincts stir. This was dangerous. This was intoxicating. And yet, she didn't pull away. When he finally withdrew, a thin crimson thread lingered between their lips before fading. Alister wiped the corner of his mouth and looked at her with an intensity that made her shiver. "From now on," he said, his voice carrying the weight of something absolute, "you are more than just my sharpest fang." He reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek before he gently cupped it, tilting her face toward him. "You are my queen." Cinder's eyes widened, her breath catching once more. "Tell me," he continued, his tone unwavering. "Isn't that a role you would like to take on?" For a moment, Cinder simply stared at him, her heart pounding in her ears. Then, slowly, her lips curled into a smile—not a soft or shy one, but something sharp, something fierce. She narrowed her eyes, her crimson gaze burning with newfound determination. "It is," she said, her voice filled with certainty. A system notification echoed in his thoughts. ⫷『Congratulations player. Cinder Von Abiks-Void has been registered as a spouse.』⫸