Note: This content does not affect reading or subsequent plot. Readers who are concerned about crossovers or unfamiliar characters can skip it.
Against the backdrop of the deep, dark astral plane, two dragon-shaped figures traversed space and arrived. Their size blotted out the sky. One shone like a dazzling blue diamond, exuding power like a tidal wave, while the other silently oppressed space, like a black hole that devoured everything.
Akatosh, the Time-Space Dragon, Black Emperor, Targaryen.
"Is this the Omen Star? The ancestor of my race, the ancient hatred."
The Time-Space Dragon's gaze pierced the boundary, and he said, "Right now, it seems to be just a child."
"Really."
The Black Emperor nodded, observed for a moment, and then said, "But when he looked at us in our youth, didn't he also think we were just like children? Akatosh, what were you doing back then?"
"I?"
The Time-Space Dragon showed a slightly thoughtful expression. "My original identity was that of a Blue Dragon. As a child, I had enough of the oppression, so I led my companions away from the family, established my first territory, and became a monarch. Looking back now, that was the most beautiful time of my life."
"Companions?"
The Black Emperor seemed unaware of this concept, remaining silent for a moment before asking, "So, will your experience ultimately end up like his?"
"No, my companions are all well. Even Aishaliya, who worried me the most, has undergone a new evolution after we defeated Tydaria and has become the Lord of Mechanical Creations."
The Time-Space Dragon continued to scan the world beyond the boundary, "Speaking of which, I've never seen these ancient dragons before."
"Not to mention your Fourth Epoch, even in my Third Epoch, there are no longer any Heavy-Metal Dragon. Their race was annihilated in the river of time, and history itself was erased along with it."
The Black Emperor said, "In the end, everything condenses into just one thing— Ferrum."
"Is Ferrum so desperate to devour the Ancient Death God because he wants to undo all of this?"
The Time-Space Dragon said, "He is an immortal star; even the Ancient Death God could not erase his life. It's just that because of this war that spans thousands of years, our strength has been weakened far too much, and we no longer have the ability to fight against external enemies."
"So you brought me here to change Ferrum's fate?"
The Black Emperor remained silent for a moment, then shook his head. "Even if we traveled across the river of time, all we did was create a branch in a parallel universe. What has already happened will not change."
"Theoretically speaking, that is indeed the case."
The Time Dragon said, "But all timelines eventually point to destruction, and all parallel universes eventually converge. I hope to establish a new timeline, find the most powerful Ferrum, and if successful, he will eventually join us."
"The life of Ferrum began with the demise of the Heavy-Metal Dragon."
The Black Emperor said, "What do you plan to do? Kill Tiamat?"
" Tiamat..."
Time-Space Dragon chuckled softly, "Still haunting me."
" The Tiamat we saw was not her prime. By then, she had been killed countless times by Ferrum. Although she kept resurrecting herself by forming cocoons, she had begun to weaken and was filled with fear."
The Black Emperor said, " Tiamat has just killed Manlothis and is at the height of her power. She hasn't seen the Otherworldly Dragon yet and doesn't know our strength, so she's even more ferocious and reckless."
" Ferrum's first evolution caused Tiamat to develop a sense of gratitude, which triggered another Divine Punishment, resulting in the destruction of her family and the loss of all her companions."
"This is a crucial juncture," said Time Dragon.
He looked at his scales, which had once shone like blue diamonds, and they began to turn gray and wither rapidly.
"The backlash from the river of time is catching up, and we don't have much power left to use here."
The Time-Space Dragon said, "Cover this world, so that Tiamat can no longer use her divine power to probe Valan for a short time. As for what happens inside the world, that is beyond our control."
"Do you want him to grow up within the tribe?"
The Black Emperor said, "Perhaps it will weaken the Omen Star."
"But perhaps it will become armor."
Time-Space Dragon expressed a different opinion.
The Black Emperor no longer objected and, together with the Time-Space Dragon, forged the Star Ring. Even though it was eroded by the river of time, their power could still remain there for a very long time.
Should we speak to him?
The Black Emperor asked, "We won't see this kind of Ferrum again."
"No." Time Dragon shook his head. "Seeing Ferrum now always reminds me of my past self, but Ferrum and I are ultimately different."
"I've told you everything I've been through, but you haven't told me yours yet."
"I'll tell you again when we have a chance, somewhere else."
The Time-Space Dragons slowly retreated, their figures gradually fading and then disappearing.