The world of the Dragon Ages had long since been forgotten by humanity, fading into myth and legend. But deep within the mountains of Tirathis, far from the prying eyes of mortal men, dragons still existed in secret. It was here, amidst the towering peaks of stone, that the last remnants of the once-proud dragonkind watched the stars and the storms, waiting for the return of their savior.
For centuries, they had been sealed away, their powers locked in ancient rituals and lost in the annals of history. But a new era was on the horizon—one that would see the dragons rise again, with the Thunder Dragon leading the charge.
---
Michael had always felt different. From the moment of his birth, a strange power had thrummed within him, a power that was both terrifying and comforting in its intensity. His hair crackled with electricity when he was upset, and thunderstorms seemed to follow him wherever he went. But what Michael didn't know was that the storm inside him was the legacy of his true father, the Thunder Dragon himself—Varmax.
It was on his 16th birthday that Michael first heard the voice of his father—a deep, resonant voice that rumbled through his very soul.
"Michael... the time has come."
His heart had pounded as the voice echoed in his mind. He had been walking alone through the forest near his village, not a soul in sight. The air was thick with the scent of rain, and dark clouds had gathered ominously overhead. The power inside him had awakened like a sleeping beast, and the voice of Varmax had stirred something ancient and primal within his blood.
The earth shook beneath his feet, and Michael had collapsed to his knees, clutching his chest as a torrent of thunder roared overhead. For a moment, he felt as if he were going to be consumed by the storm, but then the voice spoke again, gentler this time.
"You are my son, Michael. The Thunder Dragon blood runs through your veins. I am Varmax, and you are my heir."
Michael's world had shattered in that instant. The world of dragons, the stories of his ancient ancestors, everything he had thought to be mere myths, was real. He was chosen to wield the power of the Thunder Dragon.
The storm began to calm, and Michael stood up shakily, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The sky, once dark and foreboding, had cleared. For the first time in his life, he felt a deep sense of purpose.
But with that purpose came a weight he had never known. He was no longer just Michael—the boy who grew up in a small, quiet village. He was now Michael, the Thunder Dragon Host. And with that title came the responsibility to awaken the ancient dragons and restore their lost glory.
---
As Michael returned home, the ground beneath him hummed with an ancient energy, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching him, waiting. He had no idea what was to come or how he would face the challenges ahead. All he knew was that the storm within him would guide his way.
His mother, Seraphine, had always known there was something special about him. Her eyes held a secret sorrow whenever she looked at him. She never spoke of it, but the air between them had always been thick with unspoken words. When Michael returned to the house that day, she was waiting for him by the window, her gaze fixed on the horizon.
"Michael, you've finally come to understand, haven't you?" she said softly, her voice barely more than a whisper. "You are not just my son. You are his legacy."
Michael stood frozen for a moment, feeling the weight of her words. His father's legacy. Varmax, the Thunder Dragon, had left him more than just a gift of power—he had left him with the fate of dragons themselves.
As the evening drew on, Michael retired to his room, the weight of his newfound knowledge settling in his chest. He could feel the thunder that had always rumbled beneath his skin, growing stronger, more insistent. It was time. Time for him to learn the truth about his power and his place in the ancient world of dragons.
The next morning, Michael set out for Tirathis, the ancient home of the dragons. Varmax had guided him here in his dreams, telling him that this was where he would find the answers he sought.
---
Arrival at Tirathis
The journey to Tirathis was long and treacherous, taking Michael through forests, across rivers, and over mountain passes. But as he neared the foot of the ancient Dragonspire, a mountain so tall it seemed to touch the heavens, Michael could feel a change in the air—a crackling energy, a presence that seemed to whisper his name on the wind.
The Dragonspire was said to be the heart of all dragonkind, a place where the last of the dragons had gathered to seal themselves away after the war with General Karl, the Dragon Slayer Sage. The tale of the war, the betrayal, and the sealing had been passed down through the ages, but Michael had never truly understood the significance until now.
Standing at the base of the Dragonspire, Michael felt the weight of his destiny pressing down on him. He closed his eyes and whispered to the storm, to the thunder inside him.
"I'm ready."
As he ascended the mountain, the winds grew fiercer, the skies darker. The air itself seemed to bend around him, as if the dragons themselves were watching, waiting to see if he was truly worthy of their power.
The moment Michael stepped onto the ancient stone of the Dragon's Lair, a low rumble echoed through the ground. The ancient dragons, long dormant, stirred. The Thunder Dragon's soul resonated with Michael's own, and for the first time in his life, he felt whole.
The awakening had begun.
---
End of Chapter 1