Claynen was five years old. He was the seventh prince of the Empire of Kayllien, one of the most powerful and prosperous nations in Flienburg. He lived in the imperial palace, a majestic construction of white marble and gold that rose above the capital, Kayllia. There, he had everything he could desire: a family that loved him, siblings to play with, teachers who taught him, servants who attended to him, and toys that amused him.
However, Claynen was not happy. He felt different from the others. He did not like the same things as his siblings. He was not interested in lessons on history, geography, or politics. He did not find knights, dragons, or wizards games amusing. He was not attracted to parties, dances, or ceremonies. Claynen preferred to be alone, reading old books, drawing imaginary maps, or daydreaming.
Claynen had strange dreams. Dreams that did not seem like dreams but memories. Memories of another life, another world. A world where there was war, blood, and fire. A world where he was a cruel and ruthless leader. A world where he was Hitler.
Claynen did not know who Hitler was or what he had done. He only knew that he was someone bad, very bad. Someone who had caused a lot of pain and suffering to millions of people. Someone who had died alone and hated by everyone.
Claynen did not want to be Hitler. He wanted to be good, as his parents had taught him. He wanted to be fair, as his father, the emperor, ruled. He wanted to be kind, as his mother, the empress, treated everyone.
But he did not know how to do it. He did not know how to erase those dreams from his mind or how to avoid being tormented by them every night.
One night, Claynen had a different dream. A dream that was not a memory but a vision.
He dreamt he was flying over Flienburg, riding a dragon as red as blood.
The dragon was enormous and powerful. It had scales as red as rubies, eyes as yellow as amber, and claws as black as onyx. Its breath was a blaze that incinerated everything it touched. Its roar was a thunder that shook the earth.
Claynen felt safe on its back. The dragon was his friend and protector. It spoke to him with a deep, grave voice that only he could hear.
"Don't be afraid, little prince," the dragon said. "I am with you. I will guide you."
"Where are we going?" Claynen asked.
"To your destiny," the dragon replied. "To your true destiny."
Claynen did not understand what the dragon meant. But he trusted it. He clung to its neck and admired the landscape that spread out beneath them.
He saw snow-capped mountains, green forests, blue rivers, silver lakes, golden cities, white castles. He saw the different races that inhabited Flienburg: humans, elves, dwarves, goblins, orcs, fairies. He saw the beauty and diversity of the world.
But he also saw the danger and threat that loomed over him. He saw armies on the march, bloody battles, death and destruction. He saw the enemies of the Empire of Kayllien: the Kingdom of Zaliria, the Republic of Valeria, the Confederation of Naliria. He saw the hatred and war that ravaged the world.
"Why is there so much violence?" Claynen asked.
"Because there is so much ignorance," the dragon replied. "Because there is so much greed. Because there is so much evil."
"And what can we do?" Claynen asked.
"We can change it," the dragon replied. "We can bring peace. We can bring light."
"How?" Claynen asked.
"With your power," the dragon replied. "With your wisdom. With your goodness."
The dragon then showed him an image in his mind. An image of a possible future. A future where Claynen was the emperor of all Flienburg. A fair and benevolent emperor who had united all races under his rule. An emperor who had restored magic to the world. An emperor who had made his people happy.
"This is your destiny," the dragon said. "This is your dream."
Claynen was amazed by the image. He felt full of hope and excitement. He felt capable of achieving it.
"Can I really do it?" Claynen asked.
"Yes," the dragon affirmed. "You just have to believe in yourself. And in me."
"I believe you," Claynen said. "I'll follow you."
The dragon smiled and accelerated his flight. He headed towards the horizon, where a radiant sun shone.
Claynen closed his eyes and let himself be carried away by the wind.