"Do you know what that mark on your wrist means, boy?"
The old man pointed to Haise's wrist.
He had always believed it was only an emblem—a memento of the Sasaki's past. Haise's eyes narrowed.
Does he know something about my family?
His mind raced, trying to recall the moment his father placed the mark on his wrist.
His eyes widened as memories of the past flashed before his eyes.
...…
Haise's parents led him to a quiet part of their home. Haise scanned the room to see all of his family members gathered.
"Father, what is this? Is there a special event?"
Haise asked, curiosity piqued.
Haise's father leaned down and smiled.
"Yes, today you will bear the mark of the Sasakis."
Haise followed his parents to the center of the room, still unsure of what was happening.
"My son, Haise Sasaki, gets his mark today,"
his father announced proudly, his voice heavy with meaning.
"Our mark is more than just a symbol; it represents our clan's legacy and our responsibility to the lands of Kiyozumi and Aeloria."
His father's expression turned serious.
"This will hurt a bit, son."
He signaled for Haise to expose his wrists. Haise shut his eyes tightly as his father placed the mark onto his skin.
Before the pain knocked him unconscious, Haise screamed
"It hurts!"
...…
Haise's breath hitched. Sweat beaded on his forehead as the old man and his daughter stared at him.
"So, do you remember now?"
The old man smirked.
"How do you know so much about my family?"
Haise's voice trembled, shaken by the flood of memories surging back into his mind.
The past clawed its way to the surface. Every word from the old man chipped away at the wall Haise had built over the years. His heart pounded in his chest. The room suddenly felt smaller, heavier—as if the very air bore the weight of his bloodline.
"Tell me then… what does this mark mean?"
Haise asked, hesitation in his voice.
"That mark represents your duty to Aeloria and Kiyozumi. Your duty is to slay the world-ending dragon—Shadros, the World Eater."
Haise stood there, frozen, as he heard the truth about his family's mark.
"The dragon… it spoke to me…"
The old man's expression turned amused as he signaled for Matilda to sit down.
"You must've done something reckless for it to intervene,"
he said, an unamused smile curling on his face.
Haise hesitated before answering.
"Got caught… crossing the border."
The old man let out a bitter laugh.
"HAH! To think that just crossing the border already leads to beheading. No wonder Aeloria is in shambles."
He stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Haise's shoulder.
"The reason why the dragon saved you… is because it wanted a challenge for its final battle."
Haise's eyes widened.
"It wanted… a challenge?"
His voice shook. The old man nodded solemnly.
"Shadros wants to destroy the world, yes. But the dragon… it wants a fight. That's why it left you alive."
Haise's heart pounded.
I should be dead right now.
He thought to himself. All his life, he searched for purpose. And now that it stood in front of him, he found himself paralyzed by fear.
"I know this is a huge responsibility, Haise… but you are our only hope in stopping the world-ending dragon."
The old man's voice was heavy with sorrow.
"If you know all of this, then you know what happened to Kiyozumi."Haise's voice trembled again as the memories flooded back.
The old man nodded."It is truly a shame what happened to your homeland."
His expression hardened.
"I know who attacked Kiyozumi."
Haise's eyes burned with rage. His heart beat faster.
"Who?"He asked through gritted teeth, fists clenched.
"The current king of Aeloria—Valerious Maelis."
The old man's voice dripped with bitterness.
"How do you know this, old man? Why do you know so much?"
Haise's gaze sharpened. The old man let out a hollow breath before slowly pulling up the sleeve on his right arm.
"Because I bore the same curse as you."
Haise's eyes widened.A mark?!
"The Sasakis are not the only ones burdened with responsibility."
"The Lionhearts are fated to accompany you on this journey, Haise. You will not stand alone in this fight."
The old man met Haise's gaze. Haise could hear his heart pounding in his ears.
Fate had toyed with him—first with the destruction of his family, and now, with a destiny to stop the end of the world.
"I don't think I can do it,"
Haise whispered. His body trembled, cold creeping into his limbs.
"You can't run away from your blood, Haise."
The old man gripped his shoulder again.
"You will not carry this burden alone, boy."
His tone softened, his concern clear.
"You should sit down, boy. Get some rest. Take time to think."
Haise sat down slowly, exhaling deeply.
"This doesn't feel real…"
he muttered.
His eyes moved to Matilda, seated quietly across the table.
"Is there something on my face?"
Matilda blinked, putting a hand to her own cheek."
Huh?"
Haise shook his head.
"No. It's just… you stayed pretty silent when we were talking."
Matilda offered a solemn smile.
"What more can I add? We're cursed to stop a dragon."
Haise could see it in her eyes—the pressure of her bloodline weighed on her too.
"What do you know of this? Why are we… destined?"
He asked, still lost in it all.
Why them? What made their bloodlines so different?
Matilda's tone was quiet, but firm.
"From what I read, the Sasakis can consume a dragon's soul—gain its power. While the Lionhearts can conjure a spell powerful enough to seal the dragon. If the two clans work together… then the dragon can be stopped."
Haise sat in silence.
My blood, huh?
Matilda glanced at him.
"Any more questions, Haise?"
Haise shook his head.
He looked up, fire returning to his eyes.
"If I agree to take on this task… I want to take down Valerious too."
Matilda smirked.
"Good. We're going to need that fire."