The first light of dawn skimmed over the floating isles of Astryion, turning the cloud-bridges gold and lighting the spires of the Academy with a holy glow. Kael stood alone on the eastern terrace, his breath visible in the cool air, his hands lightly trembling—not from fear, but from the pressure building inside him like a storm ready to break.
Today was The Awakening Trial.
Today, every novice would stand before the Heartstone.
Today, Kael would learn the truth of the power burning in his veins.
He clenched his fists, feeling the thrum beneath his skin—like embers whispering, Soon.
Footsteps approached behind him. Without turning, Kael knew who it was.
"Why are you awake so early?" Seris's soft voice asked. She stood beside him, golden hair tied back, her robes fluttering in the morning wind. "You barely slept."
Kael gave a small, humorless smile. "If you felt what I feel… sleep wouldn't come either."
Seris studied him, her violet eyes narrowing with concern. "Does it hurt?"
Kael looked out across the horizon. "No. It's like… something inside me is waiting. Calling." His voice lowered. "And I'm afraid of what happens when I finally answer it."
Seris stepped closer, placing a careful hand on his arm. "Whatever it is, you're not alone. You have us."
Kael met her gaze, warmth flickering through him. "Thank you."
Before more could be said, a deep bell tolled through the Academy grounds—slow, ancient, and heavy with meaning.
The Awakening had officially begun.
The Gathering Hall
Hundreds of novices filed into the colossal Gathering Hall. The ceiling arched like the ribs of a giant beast, lit by hovering orbs of blue flame. The air hummed with anticipation and fear.
Master Arcturus stood at the center, his presence commanding absolute silence. His silver hair gleamed under the ethereal lights, his long coat embroidered with runes of authority.
"Novices of Astryion," he announced, voice echoing. "Today marks the most sacred ritual of our order. The Awakening Trial determines your path, your worth… and your future within these walls."
Kael's heart thudded.
Arcturus continued, "You will each step forward and place your hand upon the Heartstone. If it accepts you, it will reveal your Affinity. If it rejects you…"
His eyes swept coldly across the hall.
"Then you are not meant for the path of a wielder."
Several students stiffened.
Kael inhaled slowly. I can't fail.
Beside him, Lira nudged his elbow. "Relax," she whispered. "You'll be fine. You look like someone who's about to fight a titan bare-handed."
"And you're way too excited," Kael murmured.
"Excited?" Lira grinned. "I've been waiting for this since I learned how to walk. My affinity better be good, or I'm punching the Heartstone."
Kael almost laughed. Almost.
Seris stood on his other side, quiet but steady.
"Kael," she whispered, "whatever happens today… it will not define your entire destiny."
But Kael wasn't so sure.
The Heartstone Chamber
Students were led through enormous rune-carved doors into a chamber that felt like stepping into another world.
Floating islands of crystal drifted overhead. Waterfalls of pure magic cascaded into glowing pools below. The air shimmered with raw power.
At the center rested a massive crystal monolith—the Heartstone.
It pulsed slowly, like the heartbeat of a god.
Every time it throbbed, Kael felt a vibration deep inside his chest.
Like something ancient was stirring.
"Novices will step forward one by one," Master Arcturus commanded. "Do not force the Heartstone. Let it speak."
Lira was first among their group.
She strutted up to the crystal with reckless confidence, placing her palm against it.
The Heartstone flared an electric red.
Lira blinked. "Red…?"
"Fire Affinity," Arcturus said. "A rare, but volatile path. Be proud."
"HA!" Lira pumped a fist. "I knew it!"
She practically skipped back.
Next was Seris. Students whispered as she approached—she was always expected to awaken something extraordinary.
She touched the crystal.
Light exploded outward—soft, pure white.
A wave of calming warmth washed across the chamber.
"Blessing Affinity," Arcturus said with approval. "Healing. Purity. Divinity. As expected from one of your lineage."
Seris bowed gracefully.
Kael swallowed. His turn was next.
His legs felt heavy. His heart hammered.
He stepped forward.
He could feel every eye on him.
Whispers followed:
"That's the boy from the southern collapse…"
"I heard he survived an explosion unscathed."
"He looks too calm… or too dangerous."
Approaching the Heartstone, Kael felt the ground trembling subtly under his feet.
Or maybe it was him.
He lifted a hand.
Paused.
Then pressed his palm against the crystal.
The Incident
For a moment—nothing.
No light.
No warmth.
No acceptance.
Then—
BOOM—
A violent shockwave erupted.
Students screamed as they were thrown back. Crystal shards floated, suspended in midair by raw, swirling energy. The Heartstone flared with a dozen conflicting colors—gold, black, crimson, azure—all twisting violently like a storm trying to take shape.
Kael staggered backward, gripping his chest as a burning sensation erupted inside him.
Arcturus shouted, "Step back! Everyone, shield yourselves!"
But the Heartstone wasn't done.
A booming sound—like a dragon's roar—shook the chamber.
A symbol of a serpentine creature, wings outstretched, flashed inside the crystal.
Kael's vision blurred.
He heard a voice—ancient, deep, echoing from within himself:
"At last… you awaken, Draven Solaris."
His breath caught.
It knows my name?
The Heartstone cracked.
Gasps filled the hall.
Seris screamed, "KAEL!"
A burst of golden fire erupted from Kael's body, swirling around him like a protective storm. He didn't know where the flames came from—but they didn't burn him. They felt like a second skin.
Finally—
The Heartstone shattered.
Crystal fragments hovered in a perfect spiral before shooting upward like stars, disappearing into the void above the chamber.
Silence.
Deep.
Shattering.
Every student stared, wide-eyed, trembling.
Master Arcturus looked at Kael with disbelief—and something like fear.
"This… cannot be," he whispered.
Kael fell to his knees, panting.
"What… what happened to me?"
Arcturus slowly approached him. "You… awakened something no one has seen in a thousand years."
Kael swallowed hard. "What did I awaken?"
Arcturus hesitated—then said the title with reverence and dread:
"The Draconic Sovereign Affinity."
Gasps echoed.
"That's a myth—"
"No one can awaken that—"
"It's impossible—!"
But Arcturus shook his head.
"Impossible or not… the Heartstone does not lie."
Seris rushed to Kael's side, kneeling, gripping his shoulders tightly. "Kael? Can you hear me? Are you hurt?"
Kael looked at his hands—still faintly glowing gold.
"No," he whispered. "Just… different."
Lira ran up next, eyes wide. "BRO. You broke the Heartstone. The actual Heartstone. That thing's older than the entire Academy!"
Kael opened his mouth—only to be cut off by a sudden ripple of dark energy.
From the shadows of the chamber, another figure stepped forward.
A man robed in midnight colors.
Eyes burning crimson.
Aura cold and venomous.
Master Arcturus stiffened instantly. "You. You were not summoned here."
The stranger ignored him, focusing solely on Kael.
"So," the man said with a smirk, "the Sovereign has finally returned."
Kael froze. "Who… are you?"
The man bowed mockingly.
"I am Vaelcar Nightthorn. And you, Kael Draven Solaris…"
He lifted a hand, and the air trembled.
"...are the greatest threat to my master's plans."
Seris and Lira stepped in front of Kael, forming a barrier.
Arcturus unleashed his aura. "If you dare harm a student—"
"Harm?" Vaelcar chuckled. "No. Not yet. The Sovereign has only just awakened. Killing him now would be… wasteful."
His body dissolved into shadow, his final whisper echoing—
"Enjoy your fragile peace, young dragon. It won't last."
The chamber fell silent again.
But the damage was done.
Kael's hands trembled as he stared at the floor.
"I'm… a Sovereign?" he whispered.
Seris placed a hand on his back. "Whatever you are… you're still Kael."
Lira nodded fiercely. "Yeah. And anyone who wants to mess with you goes through us first."
Kael looked between them—feeling warmth, fear, and purpose all at once.
His life had changed.
The world would soon change with it.
And the ancient power inside him—
The dragon's power—
Had only just begun to wake.