CHAPTER 13
AUTHOR COLLINS CHIEDOZIE
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Using the power of the ancient relic he used to grant some humans the power to wield two elements, Arclight the great got angry and started engaging the dragons in war on his own. But it was at the cost of this life.
The ancient relic, a ring imbued with the power of heaven and earth, could only be wielded by a lightning mage. It granted its wearer the ability to manipulate the weather, control all elements, and even ascend to godhood. However, this immense power came at a terrible cost: every time the wearer tapped into its energy, they aged rapidly, their life force dwindling with each use. Additionally, the ring had the power to devour the souls of those slain by its wielder, further draining their vitality. By manipulating the weather to create extreme cold, Arclight suppressed the dragons' fiery abilities. Weakened, the dragons fell one by one. With each fallen dragon, the relic devoured their souls, granting Arclight increased power but accelerating his own demise. As the dragons' numbers dwindled, their resistance weakened, and their defeat seemed inevitable.
Arclight continued his relentless assault, decimating the dragon population. Finally, the Dragon Queen, desperate to save her kind, surrendered. She pleaded with Arclight to spare her people, promising to never again attack humans.
However, Arclight had a different proposition. He demanded that the Dragon Queen and her remaining subjects serve humanity for ten thousand years as penance for their aggression.
Desperate to save her race, the Dragon Queen reluctantly agreed to Arclight's terms, unaware of his true intentions. Arclight, in a strategic move, sought to bond with the Dragon Queen, taming her and making her his familiar. After successfully bonding with her and she was not willing to serve him again because Arclight went against the rules, he imprisoned her within a crypt beneath Ember's Keep, a powerful magical barrier that would keep her contained.
Using the power of the ring to delve into the Dragon Queen's memories, Arclight discovered the location of the Dragon's main lair: a magnificent glass golden castle nestled within the Eldergrove. He traveled there and systematically eliminated the remaining dragons, ensuring that no threat remained to the human race.
However, the powerful bond and enchantment placed upon her by Arclight prevented her from breaking free and retaliating.
Inside the Dragon's castle, Arclight discovered five dragon eggs. Taking one for himself, he planned to study it and learn how to hatch it, intending to return for the remaining eggs later. However, fate had other plans, and he never returned to the Dragon's lair.
Arclight's relentless war against the dragons had taken a heavy toll on him. The ancient ring, a double-edged sword of immense power, had accelerated his aging process. For fifteen long years, he had relied on its energy to combat the dragon threat. This constant drain on his life force had left him frail and ancient, appearing centuries older than his actual age. With the dragons subdued and their queen imprisoned, Arclight believed he could finally rest. He ceased drawing power from the ring, hoping to halt the rapid decline of his physical form. However, the damage had already been done. His once-mighty body was now weak and withered.
As his health deteriorated, Arclight retreated to the seclusion of Ember's Keep, concealing his identity. He sought a solution to his predicament, realizing that the numerous dragon cores he had collected might hold the key to restoring his power or youthful appearance.
During the tumultuous times of the Dragon War, Arclight had met a blacksmith woman whom he loved deeply. Seeking her help, he discovered that she was the only one who recognized him, even after his transformation. With her assistance, they forged a powerful staff, the Lightning Breaker, imbued with the energy of seven dragon cores. The staff possessed its own spirit, further amplifying its power.
The Lightning Breaker, infused with the essence of the dragon cores, granted Arclight the ability to wield and control mana once more, albeit limited to the element of lightning. The staff also bestowed upon him a unique power: the ability to rejuvenate his body, returning him to his youthful form once every three days. This was the best solution they could find.
After siring two children, Arclight passed away ten years after the end of the Dragon War. His legacy lived on through his children, who rose to prominence and became feared throughout the kingdom. The Dragon Queen remained imprisoned within the crypt, along with the solitary dragon egg. The ancient ring and the Lightning Breaker, powerful artifacts that had shaped the destiny of the Arclight family, were passed down through generations, awaiting a worthy heir,
And so, the legacy of Arclight the Great endures, shaping the destiny of the Arclight family and the Zenith continent. His tale is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit, the eternal struggle between good and evil, and the sacrifices made for the greater good.
Kai loved listening to the stories his father, Darius, told him about their family.
After Darius finished telling him the story of the dragon queen, he promised to share another tale about a great family member named Gafa Arclight. He also excited Kai by promising to show him the dragon beneath the mansion and the legendary lightning breaker.
Hearing the stories of his family, Kai was inspired to do great things and leave his own mark on history.
Seeing Darius enter the room, Kai's face lit up. "Daddy, you're here! Will you be telling me the story of Gafa Arclight?" he asked eagerly.
Darius smiled. "Not today, son. But we are going to the crypt to see the lightning breaker."