The air crackled with tension as Rhylen stood in the aftermath of his confrontation with the Master. The echoes of their clash reverberated through the void, but Rhylen remained motionless, his mind racing. He had learned much in the fight, but there was still something lingering in his thoughts—something he needed to know.
A deep voice suddenly cut through the silence, resonating in Rhylen's chest like a rumble of thunder.
"Rhylen..."
He turned quickly, his eyes searching the vast emptiness for the source of the voice. But it wasn't just the voice—it was the presence. Something about it was different, more intimate, yet infinitely more powerful.
Standing before him, with an aura of undeniable authority, was the Lord of the World. But there was something new—something Rhylen hadn't expected.
The Lord of the World removed his hood, revealing his face. His golden eyes still gleamed with ancient wisdom, but there was something more: a weight of history, a depth to his presence that Rhylen had never fully realized before. His features were sharp, his expression unreadable, but it was the name he spoke that caught Rhylen off guard.
"My real name is Razork."
Rhylen blinked, stunned by the revelation. The Lord of the World had always been a figure of legend, a being of unimaginable power, known only by his title. But now, standing in front of him, was something far more human. Razork. The name was heavy, filled with a history that stretched far beyond anything Rhylen had ever imagined.
Razork looked at Rhylen with an unreadable expression, his eyes locking onto Rhylen's with the weight of an ancient bond. "You have never known me by this name before, have you?" His voice was calm, almost sorrowful. "But there was a time when I was just a man. A man with a purpose."
Rhylen swallowed hard, struggling to process the revelation. "Why didn't you tell me before? Why now?"
Razork's gaze softened slightly, a flicker of something deep within his eyes. "Because you weren't ready, Rhylen. You needed to see for yourself, to grow, before I could reveal the truth. The truth of who I am, and why this war must end."
Rhylen stepped forward, his mind swirling with questions. "What war? What do you mean by that?"
Razork took a slow breath, his presence almost overwhelming in its intensity. "The war you are fighting—against the Master, against everything that threatens this world—is part of something far larger. A war that has spanned centuries. It was never just about power, Rhylen. It was about survival. The survival of a world that was once united under the forces of creation, but now, is fractured and in chaos."
Rhylen's heart raced. "A world united? What do you mean?"
Razork's expression darkened, and for a moment, it seemed as though he were looking far beyond the present moment, lost in thoughts of a time long past. "I was once part of a council—an ancient group of beings who ruled over the balance of this world. We kept order, we kept peace. But there were those among us who desired more. Power. Control. And one by one, they turned against us, bringing ruin upon the land."
Rhylen's mind began to connect the dots, but the weight of the story was too much to grasp in one moment. "So... you fought against them?"
Razork nodded solemnly. "Yes. But it wasn't just a fight for power—it was a fight for something far greater. The very essence of this world was at stake. The Master, the one who you've just faced, was one of those who betrayed us. And now, the remnants of that betrayal are being felt. You, Rhylen, are the son of this legacy. You are the heir to a power that could tip the scales of this war."
Rhylen's heart pounded in his chest. His mind raced with the implications of what Razork had just said. His father, Kael's father, the Lord of the World—Razork—was no mere figurehead. He was part of a grand, tragic struggle that spanned generations.
"Then what does that make me?" Rhylen asked, his voice hoarse with the weight of the truth. "What role do I play in this fight?"
Razork's gaze became even more intense, a strange sense of urgency filling the air between them. "You are the key, Rhylen. You were born not just of blood, but of purpose. Your power is not just a gift—it is a responsibility. The war is far from over, and you will have to decide what kind of world you want to live in. But you cannot do it alone. You will need to unite those who are willing to fight for the future."
Rhylen felt the gravity of Razork's words settle into him like a stone in his chest. He had always known that the fight against the Master was more than just personal—it was about something much greater. But hearing the full truth, the history of the war, and the weight of his lineage, it all felt like too much to bear.
But one thing was clear: his path was set. There was no going back now. Whatever this war was, whatever Razork had fought for, Rhylen was now a part of it. And the Master? He would pay for the destruction he had caused.
Razork placed a hand on Rhylen's shoulder, his touch heavy with the weight of centuries. "I know this is a lot to bear, Rhylen. But remember this: you are not alone. You have allies, friends, and family who stand beside you. You can overcome this. Together."
Rhylen took a deep breath, steadying himself. He felt the weight of his father's power within him, but he also felt something else—a sense of resolve. This was his destiny now, and he would not run from it.
"I won't let you down," Rhylen said, his voice strong despite the storm raging inside him. "I will stop the Master. And I'll make sure the world is safe."
Razork gave a faint smile, a rare flicker of pride crossing his face. "I know you will, Rhylen. But remember, the journey ahead will test you in ways you cannot yet imagine. Be ready. For what comes next will change everything."
As Razork turned to leave, Rhylen stood silently for a moment, the weight of his words settling in. The truth had been revealed, but the war was far from over. And now, with his true heritage in mind, Rhylen knew that he had a part to play in this world-changing battle.
The pieces were falling into place, and soon, the final conflict would begin.
And Rhylen would be ready.