CHAPTER 2
WRITER COLLINS COLLEX
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KINGDOM OF IRON PEAKS
The cities of Iron Peaks, brimming with iron-forged structures, stood as symbols of the kingdom's wealth and might. In sharp contrast, Ember's Keep, the secluded home of the Arclight family, presented a simpler and more rustic atmosphere. Wooden buildings dotted the landscape, with the family mansion, a grand stone structure, rising above the rest.
Ember's Keep was a quiet village, home to around 80 families, with a population of about 200. Most of its residents were non-combatants, living a peaceful, modest life far removed from the hustle and bustle of the larger cities. A small marketplace met their needs, offering essential goods, while a nearby spring provided a steady supply of fresh water at the foot of the forest.
To the east lay the Eldergrove, a vast and untamed forest known for its dangerous creatures. The dense trees and rugged terrain made it an inhospitable place for anyone lacking significant power. Only those who had achieved at least the rank of Four-Star Mage or Warrior were considered capable of surviving its dangers.
The Arclight family, a small but vigilant trio, were the protectors of Ember's Keep. The family head, Darius Arclight, along with his sister and pregnant wife, safeguarded the village from threats. Darius, now at the helm of the family, stood content beside his familiar beast, his heart filled with joy at the prospect of becoming a father. Trained by his late father, he had stepped into the role of leadership with confidence, managing family affairs with ease.
Three years earlier, a devastating wave of S and SS-rank beasts had descended upon the region. In the chaos, Darius's father, a powerful S-rank mage, lost his life while defending the village. His younger brother also perished in the attack. Darius's father, in a valiant battle against an SS-rank beast, had slain the creature at the cost of his own life, demonstrating the family's legendary courage.
The failure of the two Great Families to come to their aid during this crisis proved disastrous. Had they intervened, many lives, including that of Darius's father, might have been spared. As a result, the Arclight family was decimated, leaving only Darius and his younger sister as the remaining lightning wielders.
Family lore speaks of the Arclight family's storied past, beginning with their ancestor, Arclight the Great. This legendary figure is credited with driving away an invasion of fairies and drow from the continent. The family's legacy is rich with tales of heroism, including legendary battles against dragons and other mythical beasts.
Darius's father often recounted these ancient feats, particularly the story of their ancestor who hunted and killed all the fire dragons in Zenith. The family also imprisoned the Dragon Queen beneath their mansion, a terrifying secret known only to the current and future leaders of the Arclight family. The residual magic of the imprisoned Dragon Queen continues to shield Ember's Keep from external threats, acting as a protective barrier against the dangers of the wild.
The Arclight family's history is also marked by selflessness and sacrifice. One ancestor, alongside the king of Iron Peaks, overthrew a tyrannical ruler. Despite the chance to seize the throne, the Arclight ancestor chose to serve rather than rule, maintaining the family's tradition of loyalty.
The family's influence extends beyond Ember's Keep. In a remarkable act of trust, one of their ancestors helped the Voltcrest family ascend to the throne of Iron Peaks. This gesture led to the formation of the Great Families and the alliance that has shaped the kingdom for generations. In return for their support, the Arclights were granted the land of Ember's Keep and a share of the kingdom's income, an arrangement that has been upheld for centuries.
The Arclights have also used the remains of slain dragons and powerful beasts to craft magical artifacts, each imbued with potent magic. These artifacts are exclusively accessible to those with the power to wield lightning. Among them is a golden ring, worn by Darius, said to hold extraordinary power. The family heirloom, forged from the cores of seven of the strongest dragons in Zenith, is the most powerful of all their creations.
As Darius stood beside his friend Frey, who invited him to a meal, his mind wandered to the immense power and legacy of his family. He remembered his youth, when, after mastering lightning magic, his father had sent him to train with the Duke Flame family—renowned for their mastery of fire magic. This experience would shape Darius's future and prove crucial in his growth as a leader.
The Duke Flame family, the most powerful among the Great Families, offered the ideal environment for Darius to hone his skills. Recognizing the potential of fire magic, Darius's father had arranged for him to study under the guidance of the greatest fire mages, knowing that such training would be essential in his journey.