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Chapter 2: The Prophecy & The Birth of Dragons
The Night of Fate
The night was stormy when two children were born into the world—one into the grand halls of a duke's mansion, the other into the simple embrace of a commoner's home.
Though separated by status, fate had intertwined their destinies before they even took their first breath.
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Valen's Birth
Valen Veridian was born under the crimson moon, a rare celestial phenomenon said to herald the birth of those who would shape history.
His first memory was of warmth—the soft arms of his mother holding him close. But in that warmth, there was a creeping coldness.
He didn't understand it then, but she was dying.
His father, the mighty Duke Veridian, stood by the bedside, watching as the light faded from his wife's eyes. There was no grief in his expression—only a calculating gaze, as if he had merely sacrificed a piece on a chessboard.
"He was willing to kill his own wife for my birth."
That realization wouldn't come to Valen until much later. For now, he simply forgot. His mind, too young to process the trauma, buried the memory deep within the void.
Instead, his childhood was spent in the halls of nobility, where power dictated worth.
A genius. A prodigy. A monster.
He had been called many things.
But he knew only one truth:
The strong rule. The weak perish.
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Marcus' Birth
On the same night, in a small village at the empire's borders, another boy entered the world—Marcus Alderwood.
There were no crimson moons, no grand ceremonies. Only a mother and father, weeping in joy as they held their son.
His birth wasn't recorded in royal histories. He was just another commoner, destined for a quiet life.
But fate had different plans.
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The Dragon's Warning
That same night, deep within the empire's sacred lands, the Guardian Dragon awakened from its slumber.
Summoned by the emperor himself, the colossal being coiled within the throne room, its golden eyes piercing through time itself.
The nobles and royals stood in anticipation, waiting for its decree.
And then, it spoke.
"A dragon has been born."
Murmurs spread through the chamber, but the dragon continued.
"No... Two dragons. Bound by fate. Their clash will shake the heavens themselves."
The emperor's expression darkened. Two dragons?
But before he could speak, the dragon's voice rumbled with an ominous warning.
"Stop it before a third head is grown."
Silence.
The meaning was unclear, but one thing was certain—something had to be stopped.
The emperor clenched his fists. Who were these dragons? What was this third head?
The dragon refused to answer.
Its gaze lingered on the emperor one final time before its body turned to golden mist, vanishing into the shadows of the throne room.
The prophecy had been spoken.
The future was now set in motion.
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A Glimpse Into the Unknown
Far from the empire's throne room, in a place untouched by time, two figures stood in the endless void, observing the events unfolding.
One figure loomed in the darkness, his presence hidden, yet suffocating in its intensity. The void itself trembled under his gaze.
The second figure stood beside him—an imposing man with flowing black hair, his golden eyes gleaming with something beyond human comprehension.
The first figure, his form barely visible, spoke in a familiar yet distorted voice.
"So this is where it begins."
The second figure, whose presence radiated both wisdom and power, remained silent for a moment before replying.
"No. It began long before this."
The shadowy figure chuckled.
"And yet, despite everything, they still make the same choices."
The black-haired man—Harwinder—glanced at him.
"Are you disappointed?"
The shadowed figure did not respond. He simply continued watching as the prophecy unfolded.
Then, as if sensing something, Harwinder turned his gaze towards the reader, staring directly through the pages of the story itself.
"You shall know the truth about me soon. Keep patience till then."
And then, in the blink of an eye, the two figures vanished, leaving only the whispers of fate behind.
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Valen's Perspective: Understanding the World
Years later, sitting in the grand library of House Veridian, Valen flipped through an ancient tome.
He was only ten years old, but his mind had long surpassed that of his peers.
"The world is built on power."
He read about the Eight Realms of Sword, Spear, and Magic—the limits of human capability.
Sword Realms:
1. Iron Realm – The foundation of swordsmanship.
2. Silver Realm – Mastery of movement and precision.
3. Crimson Realm – The fusion of intent and blade.
4. Phantom Realm – Speed and illusionary strikes.
5. Dragon Realm – The birth of elemental power.
6. Sovereign Realm – The peak of mortal swordsmanship.
7. Celestial Realm – A blade that defies reality.
8. Eternal Realm – The domain of sword gods.
But blessings were an even greater force.
He turned the page, his gaze sharpening.
"Blessings are ranked from F to S, bestowed by gods upon those they deem worthy."
F-Rank: Barely above an ordinary human.
E-Rank: Minor enhancements, useful for commoners.
D-Rank: Basic abilities, often given to soldiers.
C-Rank: Slightly above-average talent, common among knights.
B-Rank: The level of skilled warriors and lesser nobles.
A-Rank: The mark of true prodigies, often held by high-ranking nobles.
S-Rank: The power of the chosen—monsters among men.
Valen's eyes darkened as he read the final passage.
"Only a handful in history have been granted S-Rank blessings... The gods choose them for a reason."
His heart pounded.
He already knew he had received an S-Rank blessing from the God of War, Ares, and the God of Death, Thanatos.
But he was not alone.
Somewhere out there, his rival—the one destined to challenge him—had received the same level of power.
A boy born in obscurity.
A boy named Marcus Alderwood—blessed by Archangel Lucifer and the Goddess of Light.
Valen closed the book, his mind racing.
"I was born to rule. To conquer. To wield the power of the dragon."
He didn't yet know that another had been born that night.
Nor did he realize that his greatest rival—the one who would change history itself—would be the third head of the dragon.
And that head had yet to awaken.
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End of Chapter 2