Darius Valen, a powerful king in the modern world, met a tragic end due to betrayal by the one he trusted the most. However, death was not the end for Darius Valen. When his consciousness sank into deep darkness, there was a light calling him, a light that was very bright, stronger than anything he had ever faced.
"Wake up, Darius Valen," the light said something.
The voice was piercing, echoing around him. It was not a human voice, but a very ancient voice, even older than the existence of the world itself. The bright light drew closer and grew larger, and within it appeared an extraordinarily large creature.
The creature radiated a strong and intimidating aura. Darius looked at the creature with awe and fear. The figure of the creature was a dragon, a being that only exists in myths. Its body was covered in white scales that shimmered like gemstones. Eyes that radiated a red light scrutinized Darius to the core of his being.
"Who...who are you?" Darius asked, his voice trembling with fear.
"I am Karzakh," the dragon's voice echoed, piercing and causing Darius to feel pain. "I am the guardian of destruction and creation." You called me a wretched king.
"I called you?""Darius was confused. 'Don't talk nonsense; I don't even know where I am.'"
"You don't need to know," replied Karzakh firmly. "My anger didn't awaken on its own." At your death, you called me with your anger, your desire for revenge over the betrayal inflicted upon you.
Darius looked at the dragon with suspicion. "If I called you, what do you want from me? Why am I here?""
The dragon brought its face closer to Darius. His breath felt extremely hot, like a gust of fire that almost burned Darius's skin.
"Because your destiny is not yet complete, Darius Valen." You are destined to be more than just a small king in your old world. You will become an unmatched force. It depends on your choice."
Karzakh raised his claw, and within it appeared a swirling red-gold light, as if it contained a great disaster within. The light transcended time itself.
"I can give you power. I can give you a new life in a world full of magic and wonder." You will possess power beyond human imagination. But every power comes with a price.
"Price? What price?" Darius asked, his eyes sharp.
"You will become the instrument of my will," Karzakh replied. "You will bring destruction if it is needed, and you will fight against something greater, greater than the betrayal you felt before." The world you will live in is not an easy one; you must be ready to bear this burden.
Darius fell silent. His thoughts about Marcus and the nobles who betrayed him ignited his anger. He didn't care about the price that had to be paid.
"I accept it," he said with a firm voice. "No matter the cost, I will live again; I will not live my life like that anymore."
Karzakh smiled faintly. "Very well, Darius Valen." The power I will grant you is both a boon and a curse." Prepare to bear both."
The red light in Karzakh's claw suddenly exploded, enveloping Darius completely. The heat was extraordinary, like a fire that could burn his body down to the bones. He felt his body starting to crack and shatter. His muscle fibers were torn and then restored with something more extraordinary.
He saw golden scales beginning to grow on his body, while his red-golden eyes looked exactly like Karzakh's eyes. His breath was heavy, but he could feel a tremendous power flowing through his body. His heartbeat echoed like a hammer striking metal.
"I...I have come back to life," he murmured, his voice deeper and more authoritative.
Suddenly, Darius's memory was filled with images of a place he did not recognize. High mountains, glowing magical cities, and extraordinary creatures he had never seen.
"This is the world you will live in," said Karzakh. "And you will be the force that determines its fate."
After a while, the light began to fade, and Darius slowly opened his eyes. What he saw all felt blurry. He found himself on hard ground. No one made a sound like in his old world. This world is different—a world far from everything he knows.
Darius tried to move his body, but his body could not follow his mind. Only a loud cry came out of his mouth. The strange feeling made the king dizzy. The sound of crying shattered the silence in the room, and he realized that the sound was coming from his own body, which was small and helpless.
"What...what is this?" he whispered. This small body is like a prison. He, who was once a leader of a great nation, is now trapped in the form of a baby who doesn't even move his body.
His anger peaked, but all that came out was the whimper of a baby. The cold air stung his skin, and he finally realized his body was not protected by armor or the royal mantle. He lay in a thin, old, and torn cloth.
Suddenly, from a distance, a soft and relieved woman's voice could be heard.
"Our child is alive, dear; look... our child!"
"A...child?Darius was confused upon hearing those words."
He didn't recognize who these people were. Or where he is now. The voice was soft and full of strength. As if it had been waiting for this moment to arrive. "He will grow into a hero; he is our hope," he whispered to someone beside him. His face was unknown and hidden from Darius.
"Hero? Hope? What does this person mean?"Whispered Darius, confused." Darius whispered in confusion. Darius tried to stay calm; thoughts about his desires kept bubbling up, the desire to survive and live a better life than before. All the strength he once had is now useless. Only the power granted by Karzakh, the mysterious dragon in the form of a disaster, remains. The power that comes with an unknown curse
But who are these people?
To be continued...