Danial saw his mother entering his room and glanced at her and turned sideways, avoiding her. Sophie sighed deeply. She didn't know how to start talking with Danial about his father. Danial had always hated his father for leaving him and his mother at a very young age.
She took a deep breath and sat down beside him on the bed, giving him a moment before speaking.
"Danial," she began softly, "I know you've always felt anger towards your father for leaving us when you were so young. But there's more to the story that I think you deserve to know."
Danial remained silent, but he couldn't help but listen to his mother's words.
"Your father, Jason, was a caring and loving man," Sophie continued, her eyes glistening with memories. "When we first met, he pursued me with all his heart. He didn't give up until I agreed to go out with him. He was persistent, but in a way that showed how much he truly cared for us."
She paused, gathering her emotions before continuing, "When you were born, he was overjoyed, and he adored you from the moment he laid eyes on you. He loved being a father and always put you first. He was there for every milestone, every laugh, every tear."
Sophie continued, " He was so over the moon that he would always mention your name in front of my relatives and say that you are his world to him. He would always brag about you whenever he got the chance, even if it was a small achievement you did."
Danial didn't say anything but his curiosity was piqued.
"But," Sophie said, her voice trembling, "when you turned three, something happened that forced him to make a painful decision. He left us, not because he didn't love us, but because he wanted to protect us. One blissful morning I was preparing my bath when I heard some noise and chatter downstairs. I naturally thought it was your father, so I called and said Come on, honey, Danial's bath is ready. If you come any late I will be forced to wash him myself. Usually, when your father hears this, he would come running upstairs as if his life depended on it and start washing, but this time, he didn't respond.
I felt weird, although your father was strong physically, I decided to carry you and went to where all the noise is coming from. I went downstairs and saw all of the furniture scattered around the house. It seemed like a Big fight happened in here, but Jason was nowhere to be seen. I was scared to I immediately held you tightly and called the police. The police came and investigated the house, and they found his letter in one of the drawers of the Living room."
She handed a small, yellowed piece of paper to Danial. It was a note written by his father.
Danial unfolded the small, yellowed piece of paper, eager to read the words his father had left behind. The letter was short but heartfelt:
"My dearest Danial,
I hope this letter finds you safe and happy. I know that you must have many questions about why I had to leave, and I wish I could explain it all in person. But circumstances were dire, and I had no choice but to go and leave you and your mother to protect you.
Please believe me when I say that I never wanted to leave you. You are my world, my pride, and my joy. I cherish every moment we spent together as a family, and not a day goes by that I don't think of you both.
Remember that life is unpredictable, and sometimes we have to make difficult choices to protect the ones we love. Know that my love for you and your mother is eternal, and I will always be watching over you, no matter where I am.
Never forget that you come from a line of strong and courageous people. Embrace your past, embrace who you are, your life, your past and your future are intertwined. Don't let people decide your limits, decide them yourself and surpass them, climb higher,surpass your limits and reach out to the heavens.
With all my love, Your father, Jason"
As Danial finished reading the letter, tears welled up in his eyes once again. He never thought he would be holding a letter from the father he had grown up resenting. A mix of emotions overwhelmed him – sadness, longing, and a desire to understand the truth behind his father's disappearance.
His mother, Sophie, saw his tears and wrapped him in a warm embrace. "I know it's not easy, Danial, but your father loved us deeply, and he did what he believed was best for us," she whispered.
Then, Sophie reached under the bed and pulled out a small box wrapped in red cloth. "This is the box your father left for you," she said, placing it gently in his hands.
Danial unwrapped the red cloth, revealing a delicate and intricate box. When Danial held it, it felt smooth to the touch yet there was some graininess that complemented the box. Danial held his breath and opened the box and first saw a family photo before the incident. Danial vividly remembers the day when his father brought him to the funfair organised in the centre of the city. He laughed in joy with his family, not knowing the next day his family would be broken.
He lifted the photo and stared at it for a long time. Sophie, seeing this, decided to give Danial some space and left the room.
Danial sat in his room for a long time staring at the photo before he placed it next to him. Danial then held the box and found a jade ring placed within the box. Danial looked at the jade ring in a puzzled expression. He thought, " A Jade ring? Why did Father leave a jade ring for me? What's the deal?"
He then looked closer at the jade ring and found intricate details on the jade ring. He even noticed a dragon on top of the jade ring, which had its mouth open, and an orb was in the dragon's mouth. The design was odd yet it somehow felt similar to Danial.
The jade ring was a mesmerising piece of art. Its surface was smooth and lustrous, reflecting a deep green colour that seemed to change subtly with the angle of light. The intricately carved dragon on top of the ring was nothing short of exquisite. Its sinuous body coiled around the finger, and its fierce, detailed features made it look almost lifelike.
The dragon's scales were delicately etched onto the jade, creating a beautiful contrast between the smooth surface and the intricate patterns. Its eyes were tiny, yet they seemed to gaze with an intensity that drew Danial in. The dragon's mouth was open wide, revealing a small, hollow space where an orb rested. Danial couldn't help but wonder about the significance of the orb hidden within the dragon's mouth.
As he examined the ring more closely, he noticed other details etched onto the sides. There were elegant floral motifs and symbols that seemed to tell a story, but he couldn't decipher their meaning just yet.
The jade ring had a certain weight to it, not heavy but substantial enough to make Danial feel its presence on his finger. It felt like a connection to his father, a tangible reminder of the man who had left, yet loved him dearly.
With the ring in hand, Danial recalled the words written in the letter – "Strength." Perhaps this jade ring symbolized the strength his father wanted him to possess, a reminder of his resilience and courage.
He decided to wear the ring on his index finger. Surprisingly, the Dragon Jade ring slid into his finger comfortably. It felt like the Jade ring for made for him specifically. He thought about it for a second and then decided to check the box again. Before he could do that, the System Panel popped up and it said " The Host has worn The Golden Emperor Dragon Ring".
Danial stared at the unexpected message on the System Panel, feeling a mix of confusion and curiosity. "The Golden Emperor Dragon Ring? Activate it with a drop of blood?" he murmured to himself.
He looked down at the jade ring on his finger, the intricately carved dragon staring back at him. His mind raced with questions. Was this ring more than just a piece of jewellery? What did the System Panel mean by "activating" it? And how did it relate to his father?
He remembered his father's letter, where he spoke about strength and courage. Could this ring hold some sort of hidden power or meaning related to their family's past?
Taking a deep breath, Danial decided to find out more. He carefully removed the ring from his finger and placed it back in the box. Then, he searched the room for something sharp to prick his finger. Finding a small needle, he hesitated for a moment before pressing it against his fingertip, allowing a drop of blood to fall onto the dragon jade ring.
Suddenly, the ring began to emit a soft, golden glow. Danial's eyes widened in amazement as he watched the ring come to life with a magical shimmer. He felt a tingling sensation in his finger as if the ring was somehow connecting with him on a deeper level.
Suddenly, the Dragon ring emitted even a brighter light, and it was so powerful it felt like the sun was shining on Danial's finger. The brightness of the Dragon ring kept increasing until it looked like the entire neighbourhood was covered in bright golden light.
During that, Danial, who was wearing the finger, didn't feel any type of concern or fear. He felt like he was being baptised in the ligh,t and the light rays were entering his body. Dania felt a deeper connection to the ring as if the ring was made specifically for him.
The golden light coming from the ring dimmed down and it came back to normal. Danial watched the ring in amazement as he had never encountered anything like this before. Suddenly, the ring vibrated, and a projection came out of the ring and it was displayed in the open of the room. Danial looked in shock as he realised who the projection was.
The projection before Danial coalesced into the form of his father, Jason. The figure stood tall and proud, emanating a sense of strength and wisdom. Danial couldn't believe what he was witnessing—the very man he had resented for so long was now speaking to him from beyond.
"My dear son, Danial," Jason's voice echoed in the room, "I hope this message reaches you well. First and foremost, know that I love you with all my heart, and my decision to leave was never easy. I had to make sacrifices to protect you and your mother, and I regret leaving you both every single day."
Danial felt a mix of emotions wash over him as he listened to his father's voice. It was both comforting and heart-wrenching to hear him speak again.
"I have left you with the Golden Emperor Dragon Ring, an heirloom that holds not only our family's history but also a powerful connection to the ancient arts of martial prowess and healing," Jason continued. "This ring is no mere vessel for knowledge; it is a conduit that will help you unlock your full potential."
He raised his hand, and the golden light emanated from the ring again. "The ring has chosen you, my son, and it will guide you on a path of martial arts and healing arts. As you train and grow stronger, you will unlock the true potential of the ring, and its power will become clearer to you."
"I have spent years studying various martial arts and collecting knowledge of medicinal herbs and remedies from around the world. This knowledge is now yours to inherit. Within the ring, you will find a wealth of information that will aid you in your journey."
Danial suddenly felt a sharp pain in his brain. The pain was but for a moment but it was enough to knock a man out. He felt all of the information about martial arts and medicine rush into his brain and it imprinted itself.
"As you delve into this knowledge, you will discover more about our family's history and the reasons behind my departure. The truth will unfold as you embrace your legacy and grow stronger," Jason's projection continued.
"But remember, my son, true strength is not just physical. It is the strength of character, the courage to face one's fears and embrace compassion for others. Use the ring's power wisely and responsibly. The path of a martial artist is one of discipline and humility."
Danial watched in fascination. He never thought his father would leave him with something like this.
"You are not alone in this journey, my son," Jason's projection said with a warm smile. "Your mother, Sophie, is a pillar of strength, and she will support you every step of the way. And you will also find allies and mentors who will guide you on your path."
Danial's heart swelled with a mix of emotions—gratitude for his father's love and sacrifice, excitement for the journey ahead, and determination to embrace his legacy.
"As you grow stronger, my son, you will also come closer to unravelling the mystery of my disappearance. Trust in yourself, trust in the ring, train to your heart's content and reach the pinnacle." Jason's projection said his image was starting to fade.
"I believe in you, Danial. Embrace your destiny, and always remember that I am with you in spirit. You carry the legacy of the Golden Emperor Dragon, and I am proud to call you my son."
As Jason's projection faded away, Danial was left with a mix of emotions and thoughts swirling in his mind. The weight of his father's words and the newfound knowledge he had received through the ring were both exhilarating and overwhelming.
"What did my father mean by 'reaching the pinnacle'?" Danial mused, looking at the jade ring that now felt like an integral part of him. "And why did he leave me with such a powerful and mysterious inheritance?"
He remembered his father's words about unravelling the mystery of his disappearance and embracing his legacy. It was evident that the ring held the key to understanding the truth behind his father's departure, but he couldn't comprehend the full extent of the journey he was about to undertake.
At that moment, Sophie entered the room to check on Danial, her eyes still red from her earlier emotional conversation. "Danial, are you alright? What was that bright light?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.
Danial wiped his tears and thought," If I tell her about anything that I saw, she will definitely be worried, and I don't want her to be worried about me all the time."
Danial replied casually, " I don't know. I was also wondering what the light was. Do you know about it?"
Sophie replied, " I don't know why I came up to you and checked on you ."
Danial casually waved in the air and said, " Guess we will never know."
Sophie chuckled softly at Danial's response. "You're right, I guess we'll never know. Maybe it's just one of life's little mysteries," she said with a smile.
Danial decided to lighten the mood further. He gave his mother a mischievous grin and said, "Or maybe it was a secret message from aliens trying to communicate with us."
Sophie played along, pretending to be amazed. "Oh my, you might be right! We could be receiving messages from a distant galaxy, and we didn't even realize it."
They both burst into laughter, their previous tension melting away. Sophie sat down beside Danial on the bed and playfully started tickling him. "You're such a funny and imaginative young man," she said between giggles. "I'm glad we can share some lighthearted moments like this."
Danial squirmed and laughed, trying to fend off his mother's tickles. "Mom, stop! It's not fair!" he exclaimed, his laughter blending with hers.
After a few moments of playfully wrestling with each other, they finally settled down, both smiling and catching their breath. The atmosphere in the room had completely transformed, and Danial felt a sense of relief and warmth.
"Thank you, Mom," Danial said, feeling grateful for his mother's presence and the comfort she provided.
Sophie hugged him tightly, her arms wrapped around him protectively. "You're welcome, my dear. I'm always here for you, no matter what. I know your father's letter was a lot to take in, but I hope you know that he loved you so much and he did what he thought was best for us."
Danial nodded, feeling a renewed sense of understanding and acceptance. "I know, Mom. It's just a lot to process, but I want to learn more about him, about his legacy, and about this ring. I want to make him proud."
"I have no doubt that you will," Sophie said, her voice filled with love and pride. "You have a strong heart and a compassionate spirit, just like your father."
............................
Back in the Mansion, Grandmaster Quintan was reading some documents when suddenly a pressure descended upon him. Even though it lasted for a moment, it made Grandmaster Quintan vigilant. The Heaven's Edge flew into Grandmaster Quintan's hand and he stood there waiting for something while he looked around as well.
After confirming, he put the sword back and stared into the starry night. No one knew what Grandmaster Quintan was thinking. Then Grandmaster Quintan muttered slowly, "In the dance of fate, we are mere players, and destiny orchestrates the symphony. The Dragon rises once more, and the path of the chosen one unfolds."