The sky over Valerion burned red.
Kael stood in the middle of the palace courtyard, his small hands shaking as soldiers dragged his parents forward. He was only ten years old, but he understood one thing clearly:
This was the end.
His mother, General Seraphina Drayke, stood tall despite her chains. Her silver armor was cracked, stained with blood, yet her eyes were fierce. She had defeated thousands in battle… but today, she was helpless.
His father, Lord Elias Drayke, was on his knees, beaten and bruised. Still, he forced a smile at Kael.
"Be brave," he whispered.
On the throne above them sat King Aurelion the Black.
His crown glowed with dark magic. The air around him twisted like smoke. People said he was chosen by the gods… but Kael only saw a monster.
"You betrayed me," the king said calmly.
"We were loyal," Seraphina replied. "You are the one who betrayed the kingdom."
The king laughed.
"Loyalty means nothing to a ruler."
He raised his hand.
Magic exploded.
Kael screamed.
His mother fell first.
His father followed.
The world went silent.
Kael was thrown into a slave wagon.
He cried until his throat burned.
No one listened.
Days passed.
Weeks.
Years.
The boy who once lived in a mansion now slept on cold stone.
The heir of a great family now carried rocks in dark mines.
Scars covered his back.
His master, Gorvak, loved pain.
"Move, trash!"
WHIP!
"Faster!"
WHIP!
Kael bit his lip so he wouldn't scream.
Inside his chest… something grew.
Hatred
One night, while working deep underground, Kael collapsed.
His vision blurred.
That's when he saw it.
A sword buried in black crystal.
It felt… alive.
He reached out.
The moment his fingers touched it, a cold voice whispered inside his mind:
"What do you desire?"
Kael closed his eyes.
Images flashed: His mother dying.
His father burning.
Gorvak laughing.
His answer was quiet.
"I want them dead."
The crystal shattered.
Dark mist wrapped around his arm.
The sword accepted him.
Gorvak entered the cave.
"What are you doing, worm?!"
He kicked Kael to the ground and stepped on his chest.
"You think you deserve a weapon?"
Kael slowly stood up.
Something had changed.
His eyes were calm.
The sword moved on its own.
One slash.
Gorvak fell.
Kael stared at the body.
No fear.
No tears.
Only silence.
Kael ran.
Out of the mines.
Out of slavery.
Out of hell.
He looked at the blade in his hands.
"From today…"
"I choose my fate."
The sword pulsed.
Somewhere far away…
The tyrant king smiled.
"The heir still lives."
END OF CHAPTER ONE.