Chapter 1
Chapter One: A Kingdom on Edge
The Human Kingdom of Velmeria which was once immersed in golden peace, its pebbled streets filled with laughter of people and traders. But that peace and joy has slowly disappeared like it was never there before. In the past year, a chilling darkness had settled over the realm.
Famine spread across the countryside. Crops withered. Trade routes of merchants are blocked by some fearsome beasts who are untamed dragons whose masters has long perished in their childhood only. These orphaned dragons has lost their ability to reason and with it their restraints. They burn down the fields, devoured livestock, and bring terror to the towns that once slept peacefully.
The Human King — King Caelum — is sitting on his throne whose face is filled with worries. He was never a weak man. His reign had been marked by prosperity, diplomacy and a just hand. But now, the burden is piling and taking a toll on him. Things are getting out of his hands and he is unable to find a way to help his own people.
The throne room echoed with the hushed voices of ministers and advisors , each of the eight gathered in their aristocratic clothing of purple caught in the unrest enveloping the kingdom.
"We cannot keep feeding the people from the reserves" said Lord Brian, the Minister of Grains. His tone was tight. "If this winter proves itself to be worse than the last.."
"It will " murmured Lady Hiva who was a sharp eyed and a colder woman. "The dragons have destroyed over a dozen storehouses. We must try our petition to the Dragon King before it's too late."
"You wish to grovel?" snapped Minister Kelmar. "The Dragon King does not aid out kingdoms out of mercy."
King Caelum raised a hand silencing them saying that he has already send a word.
A wave of murmur spread across the court.
Lady Hiva arched a brow. "And will he answer?"
The King exhaled slowly. "He should. If not for the duty, then for his pride."
At that, a silence fell over. Everyone understood the political weight held by the Dragon King who is cruel and calculating but bound by the ancient codes of power and perception.
"And if he dismisses us entirely?" Kelmar asked.
The King’s voice remained steady. "Then we have to return to the old ways and bleed for each and every inch."
The message arrived at the evening.
The scroll was sealed inside a silver crest representing the emblem of House Caelum . The guards carrying it were trembling by the time they reached to the grand gates of the Dragon King’s palace.
Obsidian spires clawed high at the sky. The court was vast and cold which was something carved from the ancient stone and shadows. Fire danced along the lines of the walls which were crackling in braziers suspended by the chains.
The Dragon King who was draped in his black and red barely noticed when the scroll was presented to him. He was lounged in his seat with a beautiful woman curled lazily against his side who was not his queen but a courtesan from southern clans. He dismissed her with a flick of his fingers.
"Another plea for mercy?" he muttered. "Tell them to rot in hell."
But his ministers who were older and more calculating men in their gold braided robes exchanged looks among themselves.
"Your Majesty," one of them said while bowing slightly, "To ignore this could be... damaging."
"To my reputation?"
"To your rule"
The Dragon King rolled his eyes and snatched the scroll open. It was nothing but filled with desperation. Crops, Beasts, Chaos and more Begging.
He was about to throw it into the fire when his eyes caught something — a brief line written into middle of the formal plea:
...under the counsel of the Commander’s ward - the girl who brought down the Sand Serpent of Veghar.
His fingers paused. Just a fraction.
"The girl?"
"A human," said the advisor. "Raised by Caelum’s champion and trained at the outer territories."
"Interesting"
He smiled which didn’t quiet reached his eyes. "Very well. Send a word. I’ll attend their poor little meeting."
Back in Velmeria , the Human King stood along his wife in the garden at dawn. He looked tired but content in her presence where there is a flicker of warmth.
"You sent the message?"
"Yes" he said. "To our son. And to Vexa."
She smiled faintly. "It’s been a long time."
Inside the council chamber, the ministers gathered once more and the tense atmosphere filled.
"You want to bring her back?" murmured Kelmar.
"She was never gone," replied the Queen, stepping into the room with a quiet authority.
"She fights like one of us," Brenn admitted. "But her ways... they’re not ours."
Lady Hiva crossed her arms. "She doesn’t ask for loyalty. She have it which unsettles men like Kelmar"
King Caelum said nothing for a long moment. Then he looked each of them in the eyes.
"Different or not," he said quietly, "she is family. And she must share the crown’s burden with my son."
He stepped forward with a voice rising with finality.
"Send for them. It’s time they come back home."
Far away across the kingdoms was the Dragon King standing at his private balcony watching his realm bathed in dusk sunlight. Behind him were courtiers murmuring among themselves. He waved off their presence.
He turned to one of his generals. "Recall my sons. Tell them it’s time."
"And what shall I inform them, my King?"
He smiled darkly. "Tell them a storm is coming and we might have found its spark."
