The body of Drayk had vanished. He stood before a majestic primordial dragon, whose vastness was as grand in size as it was in energy. There, he existed only in his spiritual form.
"At last, your birth has occurred. For many years, I feared something might go wrong," said the dragon, approaching the light that enveloped Drayk.
"My parents… they died so that I could be born..."
"I know, boy. But what you do not know is that a primordial dragon egg takes 50 years to hatch… Less than 20 years before your birth, your parents were defeated. For those two decades, I feared something might happen to you."
Drayk could not express emotions in that form, but that revelation deeply affected him. "Fifty years to be born..." he murmured.
"What matters now is that you have succeeded. And I believe you have already noticed that many people now depend on you."
"I know… but I don't know if I'm capable of helping them," Drayk replied as the dragon circled around his light.
"Do not worry about that, boy. Your ancestors will guide you. Your first step must be to return to Drakhal. The city hides many secrets beneath its surface."
"And what should I look for there?"
The dragon extended its claw and conjured an image before Drayk: five black rune stones, each marked with a distinct symbol.
"These are the Nexum Runes. Alongside them, there should be a book containing an ancient and powerful spell used to activate them. When combined with that magic, they will open a portal to a dimension that only primordial dragons can access."
"But how will that help me?"
"That dimension was used for personal enhancement. One hour inside equates to two minutes in the outside world… A day on Earth equals a month of training there," the dragon said, its expression shifting to one of excitement. Drayk felt the same. It was a unique opportunity to grow stronger quickly. After all, if the Order of the Eclipse discovered his birth, another war could begin.
"So they are hidden in the ruins of Drakhal?" Drayk asked eagerly.
"The last time they were seen by a primordial dragon, they were kept in a magical chest within the Hall of the Great Rune."
"What is this Great Rune?"
"The most valuable rune used by dragons and their descendants. It provided energy to all the runes in the city of Drakhal. Each rune stone requires vital energy to be activated… More precisely, blood," the dragon said, conjuring an image of a massive red rune stone in its hand. "Consider this: the village where you are now requires a liter of Drakhor blood every six months to keep its runes active. Drakhal, on the other hand, performed an annual ritual, using only a single drop of primordial dragon blood to energize thousands of runes."
"Just one drop?" Drayk was astonished.
"The amount depends on the donor's vital energy. That is why humans barely use runes… A single rune would require a full liter of human blood. Relying on such an energy source would be practically torture for them."
"If it is proportional to the donor's vital energy… what is the lifespan of our race?"
"Hmm… an interesting question. Think of it this way: if a human lives an average of 80 years, a Drakhor can live up to 4,000 years."
"And a primordial dragon?" Drayk was curious.
"A primordial dragon has never died of old age… But considering the energy that a single drop of blood provided in Drakhal, I would say our life expectancy is around 400,000 years. Unfortunately, none of my children lived long enough to experience such longevity. Not even their descendants managed to reach the natural end of their lives," the dragon said, its gaze growing heavy. It was clear that he suffered from the current state of the dragons.
"What do you mean, your children? Who are you?"
"I am Aru'Mathis, the First Dragon." The being's presence grew even more overwhelming. Drayk could not fully grasp it, but this was the first primordial dragon. The origin of everything.
The first religion of this world worshipped Aru'Mathis as a deity. Legends said he had lived for millennia, wandering alone through the universe. His origin was unknown, but his power was so immense that he could consume stars and create universes. When he realized that his life was nearing its end, Aru'Mathis decided to create a world where he could rest. Using all his power, he shaped the land, and to aid him, he gave life to ten primordial dragons. Five of them received his blood directly, while the other five were created solely through magic.
The legend said that the Heirs of the First Flame—the five dragons who received Aru'Mathis's blood—were entrusted with creating three races to inhabit the new world. Thus were born:
The Varkhans: blessed by shadow, with a strong affinity for dark magic. They have pale or reddish skin, glowing eyes, and horns.
The Syltharis: ethereal beings with humanoid forms and subtle draconic traits. Created to safeguard the wisdom of the primordial dragons, they are essentially immortal and known for their intelligence.
The Ormiris: called the beings of life and renewal, connected to nature and the cycle of existence. They resemble humans but can assume beastly or spiritual forms depending on their mastery of magic.
These three races still live today, inhabiting the continent ruled by the Demon King—a Varkhan who unified all three under a single government. The second group of primordial dragons, known as the Five Pillars, also created their own races, though they were unfortunately lost to time.
The Aedaryons: beings of light and order, appearing human-like but carrying an almost divine energy. They are the direct ancestors of humanity.
The Gorr'kaals: giants of stone and flesh, known for their expertise in construction. They were believed to be peaceful and guardians of the divine dragon's relics. They are the likely ancestors of dwarves.
The Velkynaris: wanderers, masters of dimensional magic, known for traveling between worlds to spread and acquire knowledge. They resembled elves and were their direct ancestors.
All of this knowledge was being implanted into Drayk's mind by Aru'Mathis. With this newfound understanding, he began to grasp the true magnitude of his power and the importance of his birth.
"Listen, boy. You have a crucial role in the future of our race. Your presence could either be the salvation of the primordial dragons or their extinction—along with the Drakhors," the weight of the conversation grew heavier.
"I-I'll do my best… I intend to restore our race's former glory," Drayk declared, determined to be different from who he was in his past life.
As soon as he finished his sentence, his mind was pulled back into his body. The sudden return to reality jolted him awake. Trying to process everything he had just learned, he lay still for a few minutes until a young Drakhor knocked on his door.
"Lord Drayk, the elder wishes to speak with you again," a voice called from the other side.
He got up and walked toward the door.
"H-hey… You know, I'd prefer if you didn't call me 'lord.' At least for now. I'm not ready to deal with that kind of treatment," he said, scratching his head, embarrassed.
The young woman immediately bowed before him, apologizing for any offense.
"Hey, hey, there's no need to apologize. I'm not offended," Drayk said, extending his hand to help her up.
Then, he made his way to the village elder once more. Upon arriving, he noticed that a council had gathered. The elder, along with some of the village's senior members, had assembled to hear Drayk's decision.
"Your Majesty, we have been awaiting your return. We know it hasn't been long, but we need to know… What have you decided?" the elder bowed deeply before Drayk.
All eyes were fixed on him, eagerly awaiting his response. Drayk knew that whatever choice he made would have immense consequences. If he accepted the title of king, he would have to lead his people toward a future where they could reclaim their place in the world. On the other hand, he could refuse and pursue his own path, determined to exact vengeance against humanity for seeking the extinction of the primordial dragons.
The tension in the room thickened. His hesitation unsettled everyone present until he finally broke the silence.
"I… I recently spoke with Aru'Mathis in my dream—"
A murmur of astonishment spread throughout the hall.
"Y-you spoke w-with the divine dragon?" one of the council members asked, incredulous.
"Yes… He gave me insight to help me make my decision… I will restore our people's glory. Drakhal will rise again!" he declared, clenching his fist.
The hall erupted in cheers. Everyone spoke among themselves, overwhelmed with newfound hope and excitement for the future.
Drayk watched as their faces lit up with joy. One thought echoed in his mind:
"I hope I don't let them down."
The council then disbanded, leaving only the elder and Drayk in the room.
"Young king, so Your Majesty truly met with the divine dragon?" the elder asked.
Drayk still felt embarrassed by the elder's formal address, but he knew he had to get used to it. "Yes. While I rested, I felt as if I had been summoned before his presence… It was an important conversation for me. He revealed many things that helped me make this decision."
"I assume he told you about his first creations, correct?" the elder asked, stroking his long beard.
"Yes, and he also asked me to return to the ruins of Drakhal to search for the Nexum Runes."
"Ah, yes, I remember those runes…"
"You've seen them before?" Drayk stepped closer to the elder. If he knew their exact location, the search would become much easier.
"Yes, yes… I used to work at the Great Rune, and I remember them well. But I regret to inform you, Your Majesty… I do not believe they are still there," the elder paused, trying to recall any useful details.
"The humans explored those ruins for many years, looting all of our people's treasures. They would not have left something so valuable behind."
Drayk sighed but remained steadfast. "I see… Even so, I have to try. Any clue I find will be a step forward."
The determination in his eyes showed that he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Finding the Nexum Runes was the first step in beginning his long training and preparing for what was to come.
"I suggest you start your search at the central building… I believe Your Majesty knows where that is," the elder said with a small smile.
"Yes, I explored it briefly, but I know I left many things undiscovered. Either way, that was where I planned to start."
Drayk then left the hall and headed toward the cave exit. Along the way, Kaelon noticed his movements and rushed to him, trying to convince him to accept his company.
"Drayk, allow me to accompany you. It would be safer if we were together."
However, Drayk refused. Until now, their race had been considered extinct since the Great War. Any misstep could put all Drakhors in danger. Kaelon understood his king's concern and nodded, resigning himself to stay behind in the village.
"I understand… Just be careful. The city may be empty, but the shadows still lurk," Kaelon warned, watching as Drayk departed into the unknown.
Drayk then left the cave. With no one accompanying him, he unleashed his full speed, crossing the forest in mere minutes. The wind lashed against his face as he moved, dodging trees and leaping over exposed roots with the grace of a true predator.
Upon reaching the ruins, he headed straight for the central building—the same one he had previously explored. The structure remained imposing despite the signs of destruction and the wear of time. Walking through the various rooms and corridors, Drayk once again arrived at the hidden passage leading underground.
Descending the steps of dark stone, he ventured even deeper, exploring ancient hallways long forgotten. After several minutes, he found a staircase leading further down, into an even lower level. As he descended, he entered a massive oval hall, its walls covered with ancient runes and fragments of crystals faintly glowing in the dim light.
Here, the structures were better preserved than on the city's surface, but it was evident that they had been looted. Broken equipment, empty shelves, and marks of destruction indicated that this place had already been ransacked.
"This must be the Hall of the Great Rune…" Drayk thought, analyzing the construction.
His eyes scanned the room until they landed on the center, where the powerful rune that once supplied energy to the city should have been. However, it was gone.
"Of course… If someone found it, they would take it. Even if they couldn't use it, they would keep it as a symbol of power."
Sighing, Drayk continued to search the hall. He rummaged through the debris and found traces of the magical box where the Nexum Runes were supposedly stored. However, the box was completely destroyed. The pattern of the marks indicated that powerful magic had been used to break its protection and steal its contents.
Then, a notification appeared before his eyes.
[Notice: The power of a rune calls to you.]
He frowned. "What does that mean?" he thought.
Drayk looked around, trying to understand the message. If there was a rune here, then it had to be hidden. Determined, he began shifting through the debris, moving stones and dust with speed. That was when he felt something different. A peculiar energy emanated from beneath a pile of rubble. Carefully, he pushed the wreckage aside and found a small, glowing object.
"A Nexum Rune!"
He picked it up with reverence, feeling the energy pulsating in his hands.
"Probably, when the box exploded, this rune was thrown away from the others, and the thief didn't notice."
Drayk quickly stored it in his inventory.
[Notice: 1/5]
The confirmation appeared before his eyes, indicating that four more runes remained to be found. But where could they be? He needed a clue.
As he pondered, he noticed that some inscriptions on the walls were still intact. He approached and began analyzing the runic symbols. Most were unrecognizable, but a few sentences in an ancient language caught his attention. With the knowledge Aru'Mathis had granted him, he was able to decipher part of the message:
The Nexum Runes were created to open the Primordial Portals. Their energy resonates where time distorts.
"Where time distorts?" Drayk repeated under his breath.
He thought for a moment. Aru'Mathis had mentioned that the dimension connected to the runes had a different relationship with time. If that were true, there could be a connection between the remaining runes and places where time's energy was anomalous.
Drayk looked around but found nothing else that could give him an immediate answer. Only this single rune had been left behind. He knew his quest was only beginning, and finding the remaining four would be an even greater challenge.
Suddenly, a sound echoed through the hall. A metallic noise, followed by footsteps.
He quickly turned, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword. Who else could be here? Humans? Relic hunters?
The silhouette of a hooded figure appeared at the entrance of the hall. Drayk narrowed his eyes, studying the new arrival. The stranger carried a staff adorned with runic symbols and seemed to be surveying the area with interest.
"Who are you?" Drayk asked, his voice firm.
The stranger lifted his face, revealing eyes that glowed with a golden light. "You shouldn't be here alone, heir of Vorthaz'Darun."
Drayk felt a chill run down his spine. "How do you know who I am?"
The hooded figure smirked. "I know many things. But before we talk… perhaps we should be more concerned with our unwanted spectators."
Drayk frowned, and at that very moment, he heard a noise coming from the corridors above. Voices. Many voices. People were approaching.
"It seems your little looting session didn't go unnoticed," the stranger remarked, twirling his staff slightly.
Drayk gritted his teeth. If it was a group of human explorers, he couldn't let them discover he was here, much less that he had found one of the runes.
"Can you fight?" he asked the stranger.
"Enough to get us out of here alive," the other replied.
With no more time to hesitate, Drayk drew his blade, preparing for battle.