CHAPTER 6
WRITER COLLINS COLLEX
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In the heart of Ember's Keep, within the Arclight family mansion, winter's harsh chill had already settled, even though it was still early in the eighth month. The mansion's grand chamber was filled with the sounds of anguished cries as Aceso, nine months pregnant, endured the pains of labor. Surrounded by midwives and trusted servants, her cries were muffled by the thick stone walls, unable to reach the outside world.
Outside the chamber, Darius stood vigil, having just returned from the capital. His friend Frey, the captain of the village guard, stood by his side. When word of Aceso's labor reached them, Darius's worry was palpable. Though Frey tried to offer reassurance with a small smile, the silence between them spoke volumes of the situation's gravity.
Darius had been pacing outside the birthing room for hours, his mind racing. His concern grew as he thought about the prophecy the king had shared, wondering about the identity of the prophesied child, the looming demonic threat, and the reckless ambitions of his two sons. His thoughts spiraled into a sense of urgency, realizing that his family, the Arclights, might soon play a pivotal role in the world's shifting fate. I must prepare my family for what's to come, he thought. We've always been at the heart of history.
As evening approached, the sound of hurried footsteps interrupted Darius's contemplation. Frey burst into the room, eyes filled with tears. Darius shot up in alarm. "What is it, Frey?" he demanded, his heart sinking. Frey, barely able to hold himself together, spoke through his tears. "Darius… it's a boy. You're a father. He's healthy." Darius's breath caught, relief flooding him—but before he could speak, Frey added, "But Aceso didn't survive."
A wave of grief washed over Darius, and tears blurred his vision as he hurriedly left the room, his heart heavy with sorrow.
As he ran down the hall, guards stood at attention, heads bowed in respect, but Darius barely noticed them. He burst into the birthing room, where Aceso lay still, lifeless. Grief and rage surged through him. Memories of their happier times collided with a violent anger, and his power flared in response, lightning crackling around him.
Roz, his loyal familiar, flew high above the village, her mournful cry echoing in the night. Even the ancient dragon imprisoned beneath the mansion stirred, its fiery breath lighting up the darkness below.
After a time, Darius wiped away his tears and emerged from the room. Outside, he found his sister Cara, Frey, and a few familiar faces. "Where's my son?" he demanded. A midwife led him to the infant, who was being cared for by a servant.
In a grand chamber, Darius laid eyes on his newborn son: a beautiful boy with silver eyes and long white hair, strikingly similar to Aceso. As Darius gazed out the window, he saw the rare celestial phenomenon of the King's Star glowing in the night sky. This star had appeared only twice before: during the births of Arclight the Great and Gafa Arclight.
"This could be the child from the prophecy," Darius thought, his gaze fixed on the baby. "Could this be the dawn of a new era?" Lightning crackled in his hand as he held his son, a symbol of the extraordinary power that ran through his veins. "Kai Storm Arclight," Darius whispered with pride and a sense of destiny. "The next Lord of the Arclight family."
Two weeks later, Ember's Keep remained cloaked in sorrow. The village mourned the death of Aceso, their beloved matriarch, while little Kai thrived in the care of the midwives. The news of Aceso's passing and the birth of Kai Storm Arclight spread quickly throughout the kingdom, sparking an outpouring of grief and condolences.
Representatives from the royal family, the Great Families, powerful trade guilds, and even S-rank warriors traveled to Ember's Keep to offer their respects. The Arclight mansion became the focal point of the day as dignitaries and mages from across the kingdom gathered to mourn and pay homage. The sky above was filled with the silhouettes of flying beasts, carrying those who had come to honor the family. Along the winding roads, a procession of carriages made its way to the mansion, bringing powerful figures from every corner of the realm.