The morning sun bathed the grand bedroom in a golden glow, its rays creeping through the silk-draped windows until they fell upon Darian's face, stirring him from a deep and peaceful slumber. He blinked slowly, his body reluctant to wake. The soft rustling of fabric caught his attention, and as his vision adjusted, he noticed a figure at the foot of the oversized bed.
Sitting elegantly, her silver gown with delicate accents of purple shimmering in the morning light, Zara braided her hair with practiced ease. Her movements were measured, almost ceremonial, as she tied it into a ponytail that cascaded down her back.
"You're awake," she said, her voice smooth and calm, her eyes meeting his.
Darian propped himself up, his heart skipping a beat as he took in her ethereal beauty. But the calm was short-lived. A memory surged through his mind like a lightning bolt.
"The exam!" he blurted, sitting upright. Panic set his heart racing as he scrambled to get off the bed. "I'm late! I have to go!"
Zara raised an eyebrow, unfazed by his outburst. "Relax. I've already taken care of it."
Darian froze mid-motion, his confusion evident. "What do you mean?"
"I informed the headmaster that we won't be attending today," Zara replied, her tone nonchalant as she secured the final strand of her braid.
"But the exam—"
"Everything has a price," she interrupted, her gaze steady as she stood and approached him. "The headmaster stated his price, and it's been paid."
Darian stared at her, his bewilderment growing. "Price? What price?"
Zara offered no explanation, her expression unreadable. Instead, she gestured toward the door as a line of maids entered the room, each carrying garments and grooming tools.
"They'll get you ready. Meet me in the courtyard when you're done," she instructed, her voice firm yet soft. Without waiting for a response, she exited the room, leaving Darian to process the surreal exchange.
He stood motionless for a moment, watching the maids bustle about, before reluctantly allowing them to prepare him. His mind raced with unanswered questions, but one thing was certain—Zara had something significant planned for him today.
---
Thirty minutes later
Darian stepped into the sprawling courtyard, its sheer size dwarfing anything he'd ever seen. The polished stone ground sparkled under the sunlight, bordered by lush greenery that swayed gently in the breeze. At its center sat Zara, poised on a sapphire-colored chair. Her eyes locked onto him as he approached, and a faint smile tugged at her lips.
He wore a simple outfit—a hoodie, fitted pants, and white sneakers—but somehow, the casual attire accentuated his natural charm. Zara's gaze lingered, a glimmer of admiration flashing before she masked it with her usual composure.
"I suppose the maids did a good job," she remarked, her tone neutral.
Darian returned a faint smile, taking the chair opposite hers. "You went through all this trouble. What's going on?"
Zara leaned back slightly, her piercing gaze steady. "I need to ask you some questions about your powers."
"My powers?" Darian echoed, tilting his head.
"Yes. As the Primordial Sovereign, the dragon god, you're not just an ordinary Beast Tamer. You are a dragon," she began, her voice taking on a serious edge. "And with that comes responsibilities—and dangers."
Darian leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Go on."
"Dragons are beings of evolution," Zara continued. "To fulfill your potential, you'll need to awaken and enhance your abilities. Challenges lie ahead—some far greater than you can imagine."
"Challenges?" Darian's voice carried a note of disbelief.
"Yes. Others have sensed your awakening. Some seek to control you, while others want your destruction," she said, her words heavy with warning.
Darian felt a chill run down his spine. His thoughts flickered to the assassination attempt from the other night. "You're saying there are others who know about my powers?"
"Not exactly," Zara clarified. "They don't know it's you. But they're aware that the Primordial Sovereign has reawakened. And that's enough to draw their attention."
Her words hung in the air, the weight of the revelation sinking in. "Is that why I was almost assassinated the night earlier?" He thought. Before Darian could respond, Zara's expression shifted, her tone growing even more resolute.
"To unlock your full power, you'll need all seven of us Descendants. Together, we form the key to your evolution."
Darian frowned, puzzled. "Descendants? Who are they?"
"They're like me," Zara said simply. "But before we discuss them, I need to know something. Do you have a beast mark?"
At her question, Darian instinctively pulled back his sleeve, revealing the intricate Hydra tattoo etched onto his forearm. "This?"
Zara's eyes widened slightly, a rare crack in her stoic demeanor. "A Hydra mark…" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's… unprecedented."
She extended her hand, revealing a dragon-shaped mark glowing faintly on her palm. "This is my mark. Yours is unique—and far more powerful."
Darian studied the markings, noting the stark contrast between her glowing white rune and his obsidian-black design.
"The color of your mark reflects your status. Mine remains white because we have not bonded," she explained. "Bonding with your Descendants is essential for unlocking your potential."
"Why can't we bond now?" Darian asked, his curiosity growing.
"You're not ready," Zara said firmly. "Your powers need to reach a certain level before the ritual can succeed."
Darian nodded slowly, her words fueling his determination. He had much to learn—and much to prove.
"That's why I brought you here," Zara continued, rising from her chair. "Your training begins today. You need to grow stronger, not only for yourself but for those who will stand beside you."
Darian's lips curled into a sly grin. "So, you're my teacher now?"
"Call it what you will," Zara replied, her tone neutral. "But this is also for me. I'm curious about the full extent of your powers. You bear a Hydra mark, which means your evolution will be… unlike anything we've seen."
"What does that mean, exactly?" Darian pressed.
"It means your power will awaken in three stages," Zara explained. "Each stage will bring you closer to the full might of the Primordial Sovereign. But no one has ever wielded a Hydra mark before—not even your predecessors."
Darian's grin widened, the prospect of untapped potential sending a thrill through him. "Three stages, huh? Sounds like I'm going to be unstoppable."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Zara said, though her lips twitched into the faintest hint of a smile. She gestured toward the open courtyard. "For now, summon your beast. Let's see where you stand."
Darian stepped forward, his resolve hardening. He closed his eyes, channeling his Mana energy as a radiant light formed beneath him.
"Come forth, Vaelistra!"