When the dust had settled, the battlefield felt heavier than ever. Everyone gathered around Zaryth, still recovering from the battle, but there was a noticeable shift in him. His usual warmth was gone, replaced by an unsettling coldness that made even his siblings uneasy.
Zaryth pushed himself to his feet, his expression unreadable. His deep purple eyes flickered with an intensity that hadn't been there before. His voice, low and composed, carried a weight that silenced everyone.
"Father, I want to talk to you."
The tension in the air was thick, and even Elysia, with all her strength, felt the unease creep in. His father, Lendvil Silverlight, glanced at him, sensing that something important had shifted within his son. He gave a silent nod.
---
Outside, beneath the twilight sky, Zaryth sat quietly next to his father on a stone bench. For a long time, neither of them spoke. The cool evening breeze rustled the leaves, but the silence between them was heavy and suffocating.
Zaryth stared at the horizon, his mind swirling with thoughts and revelations from the fight. Finally, he broke the silence.
"So, who is our real mother—mine and Ruby's?" he asked, his voice calm yet piercing.
Lendvil's breath hitched for a moment, and his eyes widened. He hadn't expected his son to connect the dots so soon.
"...It seems you've figured it out," his father whispered, his voice weary. He rested his hands on his knees, as if the weight of the truth had finally caught up to him.
"I suppose it's time you knew everything."
---
The Origin of Archons and Dragons
Lendvil looked toward the sky, memories clouding his gaze. "When I inherited the title of Archon, I discovered something very few know: the Land of Deities. Or, as we call it... the homeland of dragons."
Zaryth listened quietly, his mind processing every word.
"Our powers as archons, Zaryth, originate from dragons. We are half-dragons, born as humans. But after consuming the relic passed down through each family, we awaken our dragon selves and transcend the limitations of a mortal body, gaining eternal life. The original archons of ancient times were dragons—the most powerful beings to ever exist."
Zaryth's hands clenched slightly. "And after they died?"
Lendvil sighed deeply. "After the archons perished in battle against the gods, they split parts of their souls into relics, leaving them to be inherited by future generations. Every family that carries the archon bloodline possesses a relic, and with it, the power to awaken their true nature."
He paused, rubbing his temples. "Our family—the Silverlight family—was among those who fought in the Great War to gain such power. But... when I journeyed to the Land of Deities, I learned the bitter truth: we are not alone. There are other families, far older and more powerful than ours. Their strength is beyond anything I've ever encountered."
Lendvil's eyes shimmered with a radiant glow, and suddenly, wings sprouted from his back, large and silver, reflecting the moonlight. A glowing line traced across his eyes, emphasizing his dragon heritage.
"See?" he said softly. "I, too, am a dragon. But I stay here in the human world because... our family holds no place of importance in the Land of Deities."
---
Lendvil's gaze softened as he continued. "It was there, in that land, that I met her. Your mother's name was Lyriana, a dragon born of starlight and the ocean's depths. She was unlike anyone I had ever known—gentle, fierce, and beautiful beyond words. We fell in love, and soon after, you and Ruby were born."
He paused, pain flickering across his face. "But... you were born under a terrible prophecy. The gods predicted that the birth of twin children would bring chaos. They believed that if both twins survived, it would shatter the delicate balance of fate.
"One of you... had to die."
Zaryth's heart tightened, his fists clenched as the truth unraveled.
"A hunter sent by the gods attacked us the night you were born," Lendvil whispered, his voice heavy with grief. "They stabbed you—a helpless infant—without a second thought. I thought I had lost you... until your mother, Lyriana, gave her life to save you."
Lendvil's voice cracked as he spoke. "She sacrificed her own soul, binding it to yours so you could survive. I had no choice but to run... to leave that world behind and raise you both here, far away from those who would want you dead."
The weight of the truth hit Zaryth like a tidal wave. His heart ached at the thought of his mother, a woman he never knew but whose sacrifice now defined his very existence.
Lendvil's voice trembled slightly as he continued. "I ran here, hoping to shield you and Ruby from that cursed prophecy. But the fear never left me. If they knew you both survived..." His voice trailed off, the unspoken consequence hanging heavily in the air. "They would come for you."
Zaryth sat quietly, trying to process it all—the gods' cruelty, his mother's sacrifice, the prophecy that branded him and Ruby as harbingers of chaos. Everything made sense now: why his father was so protective, why they were hidden in the human world, why there was always a lingering fear in his father's eyes.
Lendvil's expression softened. "I'm scared, Zaryth... scared that if you ever go back to the Land of Deities, they will kill you."
Zaryth exhaled slowly, his gaze distant. He wasn't scared. He couldn't afford to be. There was too much at stake. His mind settled on a simple, unshakable resolve—to protect Ruby at all costs.
"Don't tell Ruby about any of this," Zaryth whispered.
Lendvil's brow furrowed. "She deserves to know the truth, Zaryth."
"No." Zaryth's voice was cold, but his eyes burned with fierce determination. "Ruby doesn't need this burden. I'll protect her... the same way Mother protected me."
From behind a nearby pillar, Ruby stood in silence, hidden in the shadows. She had heard everything—every word, every heartbreaking truth about their birth, their mother, and the prophecy that stained their lives.
Her heart ached, the weight of the revelation crushing her spirit. Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn't step forward. She couldn't—not now. Zaryth was already carrying too much, and the last thing she wanted was to add to his burden. She would carry this knowledge alone, for his sake.
---
A New Resolve
Zaryth stood slowly, brushing the dust from his sleeves. His expression was unreadable, his mind focused on what he knew he had to do next. He couldn't stay here anymore. Not when his very existence put Ruby, his family, and everything he cared about at risk.
"I have to leave," Zaryth said quietly.
Lendvil's heart sank. "Zaryth, don't..."
But Zaryth's mind was already made up. "I need to protect the people I love. And to do that, I have to go far away from here."
Lendvil closed his eyes, pain and guilt etched across his face. He knew there was no stopping his son. The prophecy had already taken root, and Zaryth had accepted it.
---
The Morning of Departure
As dawn approached, the Silverlight estate was eerily quiet. Zaryth stood by the gates, his silver hair glimmering in the early light. His heart felt heavy, but his mind was clear—this was the only way.
Just as he prepared to leave, he felt a familiar presence behind him. Turning slightly, he saw Ruby standing there, her silver hair tousled from sleep, her eyes shining with determination.
"You're not going anywhere without me, brother," she whispered.
Zaryth's heart tightened, but before he could say anything, Mavuika appeared, stepping forward. Her usual confidence was gone, replaced by quiet resolve.
"If you think I'm going to let you leave without saying goodbye, you're an idiot," she said softly.
Mavuika stepped closer, reaching out to touch his arm. "Wherever you're going, whatever you're planning... don't forget that you don't have to do this alone."
Zaryth gave her a small, bittersweet smile, the first flicker of warmth in hours. "Thank you," he whispered.
The sky above shimmered as the sun began to rise, casting a soft glow over the Silverlight estate. Zaryth glanced at the two most important people in his life—Ruby, his twin, and Mavuika, whose presence gave him a sense of peace he hadn't felt in a long time.
And as the gates slowly opened, Zaryth took a deep breath, knowing that the road ahead would be long and dangerous. But he was ready.
No matter what lay ahead—prophecies, gods, or dragons—Zaryth Silverlight would protect the ones he loved.