After what felt like an eternity… a very… a very long time…
Aether finally began to understand, or more accurately, was forced to listen to that lengthy tale which was meant to be wrapped up in just a few words!
Drakhairs’ life had been simple… he was like a free bird… well, a free dragon, so he followed the call of his heart, with no hidden agenda. He destroyed anyone who dared to stand in his way and climbed the ladder of power and political influence without hesitation.
Even the Dragon Emperors during his era were left both shocked and deeply worried at the thought that he might one day be chosen by the Arcane and take their throne.
And, as it turns out… he was a chosen one!
Fuck!
Aether was taken aback when he heard this detail… Drakhairs was, in fact, a chosen one from an old era, long before Dora, and even before Master Snape. Yet, surprisingly, Drakhairs had never become a Sovereign!
Due to various restrictions and other tedious responsibilities that he had no interest in… Drakhairs, in his prime, had chosen to walk away from the trial without any hesitation. He never sought power for its own sake… he simply craved freedom.
Nothing more!
He roamed through many Empires, battled numerous adversaries… even faced the chosen ones from new eras.
Sometimes, he even worked as a professor in the academy… As he’d mentioned, he did whatever he wanted, but always on his own terms, always with his freedom intact.
He was like a rogue hero straight out of the novels!
But after living the high life, playing hard enough for so long… Drakhairs finally decided to settle down.
It was as though age had caught up with him and hit him harder than he expected, so he chose to spend the rest of his days quietly in the corner of the Empire.
If he had wanted to, he could have seized the throne… yet, he didn’t want to rule over these people—it would have been nothing more than a nuisance.
What’s more… the Dragon Emperor’s horns controlled him, even though he was a chosen one… no one could escape the grip of that control. So, rather than causing the Dragon Emperor fear and trying to assassinate him, Drakhairs chose to take a break and vowed never to interfere with the royalty again.
For the next thousand years, he rested, living a peaceful, comfortable life free from battles.
Until… now,
Aether blinked in disbelief, still trying to process the story, his eyes wide as he stared at the old man with an expression that conveyed utter amazement.
Aether wasn’t sure if he was lucky to have this man by his side, or if it was just his lazy attitude that Aether had managed to use to his advantage.
“Sigh… I can’t believe it… a chosen one from five eras ago is still alive…” Aether muttered, shaking his head in astonishment.
Drakhairs chuckled softly, a hint of amusement in his voice, “Haha… Indeed… I’m honestly surprised I’m still even alive…”
Aether’s lips twitched at hearing that, and he frowned in thought. “Then why did you let me rule? With you here, this much stronger than me… you could have taken it from me at any time… and yet—”
“Please stop right there, sir,” Drakhairs interrupted, his voice heavy with a sigh,
“I’m just an old bone…. I don’t know when my time will come.
I can’t simply rule an empire out of nowhere when it’s something I’m not even interested in. And also…” His face grew darker as he recalled the past,
“Even with all the power and everything I had, when that bastard took my daughter from me… I realized I was powerless.
All the strength in the world meant nothing when I couldn’t control the situation when I couldn’t protect what mattered most to me… That’s when I truly understood that power is nothing if you don’t have control over the things that truly matter.” His teeth ground together as his anger resurfaced… even sparks seemingly escaping from his mouth!!
“…” Aether sat in silence, staring at him, the weight of the old man’s words sinking in.
He understood that part…. It was an honour for any dragon to marry the Dragon Emperor, but after that day, Drakhairs had never seen his daughter again. And even when he tried to search for her, he was easily controlled by the Emperor’s horns. Drakhairs could only blame himself for feeling helpless and losing his daughter.
That’s why he hadn’t cared when Arkanis died.
“To be honest,” Drakhairs said with a tinge of awkwardness in his voice, “I just wanted to see what kind of ruler you would become… from the sidelines. Truly not intent to help you or anything”
Aether chuckled, a smirk tugging at his lips as he nodded knowing this old man’s habit!
But then, Drakhairs’ tone shifted, becoming far softer as his expression softened with a mixture of gratitude and longing.
“However, when I saw… your eyes… something changed. Something deep inside me stopped for a moment and then began to beat again… Even after living all this time, I couldn’t quite understand why I felt this way.
As though you were different, in a way that I couldn’t quite place… Let’s just say, after all my years of experience, I felt like you possessed something that nobody I’d ever encountered had… and what’s more,” his voice turned tender as a soft smile played on his lips,
“Most of all… you saved my daughter.
You brought my life back from the brink.
What else could I possibly do other than give you everything I have?” He looked at Aether, his soft, wrinkled face full of sincerity, evoking even the coldest hearts to feel his emotions.
Aether blinked, his gaze softening just slightly. He did it all for his own gain… that was the truth!
Feeling a sudden awkwardness from the gratitude, Aether changed the subject,
Curiously, “So… do you know anything about Snape?”
“Hmm? Who?” Drakhairs replied, his brows furrowing as if trying to recall the name.
“I mean… Sovereign Snape, before the current Sovereign,” Aether clarified, his voice laced with impatience.
“Hmm…” The old man frowned deeply, his mind evidently searching for the information. After a moment, his eyebrows shot up in recognition. “Ah… yes, that child… hmm… right.”
“Do you know him?” Aether asked, his curiosity piqued, his tone almost desperate to learn anything related to Snape.
“Hmm… Not personally, since I left my position as a professor during that time… but I did hear a lot about him from others. They said he was incredibly good-hearted and a bit naive… and I even saw him a few times, putting his life on the line to protect people he barely knew.
People would sometimes call him ‘Living-God,’ as if he were the protector of everything, which I suppose was fitting considering his nature,” Drakhairs said, his voice filled with a strange kind of admiration.
Aether raised his eyebrows in surprise, “That much of a good guy?”
“Indeed,” Drakhairs confirmed, though his voice had a hint of frustration now, “Although I wasn’t personally close to him, I did fight him a few times. He always went easy on me, telling me I was too old to be fighting. That irritated me more than you can imagine… haha… what a good lad” he added, remembering how others had started going easy on him, pitying him for his age, which only made him feel more irritated.
‘Brats! They don’t understand that wine tastes best when it ages!’ he thought inwardly, but instead, he spoke again, trying to push aside his frustration,
“But all I can say is… he was a good guy. He even helped build those orphanages… the ones in every empire, including ours, which wouldn’t have been possible considering our closed self without him. He was the kind of adamant person who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted…” His face grew a bit sour as he continued,
“Well, this wasn’t meant to come out but believe me when I say… that same guy ended up destroying everything.”
“Huh?” Aether let out a surprised expression even though he knew the same details from Dora.
Drakhairs continued, “I don’t know the details, and since I couldn’t get involved with the Trials, I never learned them. The man who once risked his life to save others turned against them, and in the process, killed many people, many of whom were innocent. But still, during that time, I saw the full extent of his powers—the kind of power only a Sovereign could wield.”
Aether listened quietly, his expression unreadable, “I see…”
Drakhairs frowned, sensing Aether’s expression, “Is there any reason for you interested in him who died long ago, Sir?”
Aether shook his head. “Nothing… I just wanted to know.”
“Hmm…” Drakhairs frowned for a moment, pausing to consider something, before shrugging his shoulders as if to say it didn’t matter anymore.
“Anyway… I need to leave now,” Aether said as he began to feel the emotions of Raven’s growing annoyance and Thalia’s panic. He could sense the pressure of what was happening without even needing to see it.
He stood up and added, “Tell Lyirrs to prepare the thrusters as soon as possible. We can’t afford any delays, and we need as many people as we can. I’ll handle the negotiations with the other Empires.”
Drakhairs nodded as he stood as well, bowing his head deeply in acknowledgement, his expression serious and focused.
Aether turned to leave, but before he could take another step, Drakhairs suddenly spoke again.
“Dragon Emperor.”
Aether flinched, his thoughts briefly halting. ‘Dragon Emperor?’ he wondered, puzzled by the sudden shift in Drakhairs’ address. Before he could react, Drakhairs was already kneeling before him, taking Aether’s hand with great reverence and respect, his gesture almost ceremonial.
Rustle, rustle!
Two enormous wings rustled, so powerfully that they nearly tore apart the grounds beneath them and destroyed things on it’s path…
‘He is the one who is going to repair it,’ Aether thought inwardly.
[Tsk, Don’t be a dick!😑]
‘… You are getting really annoying’ Aether commented before focusing on Drakhairs.
Drakhairs spoke with a deep promise in his voice, his tone unwavering,
“Fear not, Your Majesty.
I have witnessed your worthiness, seen the sacrifices you have made, and the burdens you have borne for this Empire—a land that was once on the brink of ruin, crumbling under the rule of those unworthy.
The previous Emperors bound me with their disgusting horns, forcing me into silence, reducing me to nothing more than a tool for their ambitions.
I was a blade with no purpose…. a dragon with clipped wings!” There was a pain in his tone at the end before continuing with proud and blazing fire on his eyes,
But now, I stand before you of my own free will… No, Not only me but also the people who once were bound by the chains…
You have lifted this Empire from the ashes, not for power, not for glory, but for the people!
The very people who now cherish you, who look upon you not with fear but with devotion!!
The people who, without hesitation, would lay down their lives for you.
You are not one of the so-called chosen ones of Arcane… and yet, to us—To us, the Dragons…
You are our Chosen Sovereign!
Your Majesty, MY one and only Dragon Emperor, I, Drakharis, swear upon my soul, my fangs, and my flames—
I shall be your weapon until my last breath.
A blade that shall never waver, never falter, and never turn against you, no matter what may come!!!!”
The voice boomed around Empire!!!!
As if the very Empire registering his words!
With that solemn reverence, he lowered his gaze, pressing his lips to Aether’s hand in a gesture of absolute loyalty!
!~Ding~!
[New Title Acquired: Eternal Sovereign of Draconic Pride!]
“!!… Hehe~”