One hundred and fifty years had passed since the end of the Doomsday War. The realms had changed. Cities once shattered by void storms were now reborn, covered in radiant trees, magic-woven rivers, and floating crystal spires.
The world lived in peace.
But in the shadows beyond that peace, something watched.
And at the heart of the Dragon Kingdom, in the grand palace that scraped the sky, five young souls were preparing to carry forward a legacy older than themselves.
They were the grandchildren of Kai Dragon, and their trials were about to begin.
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The New Generation
1. Aurin Dragon, son of Lyra. At just 17, he was already a prodigy in Lightning, Fire, and Divine Magic, with an ego to match. Brave, bold, and impatient, he dreamed of surpassing his grandfather—not in power, but in legend.
2. Mira Dragon, daughter of Fenric. Gifted with Spirit Magic and the rare ability to communicate with ancient souls, she was quiet, deeply perceptive, and always watching the threads of fate others ignored.
3. Tyros Dragon, son of Selene. A strategic mind with access to Future Sight and Gift Magic, he often knew what would happen before it did—but struggled with his own identity, tired of being seen only as "the calm one."
4. Kael Dragon, son of Riven. Magicless, like his father, but strong beyond mortal limits. Kael believed in fists over spells, honor over glory. Though he bore no magical type, his raw physicality was enhanced by enchanted armor gifted to him by his grandmother Marsha.
5. Iris Dragon, daughter of Lilitha. The youngest, only 14, but already the most feared. Born with Creation and Evolution Magic, she had once accidentally evolved a wolf cub into a six-winged draconic beast when she was seven. Since then, her power had been sealed—until she proved she could control it.
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The Trial Announced
One crisp dawn, the royal summons came.
Each grandchild was called to the Circle of Ancients, a stone arena carved from dragonbone and golden crystal, surrounded by the statues of Kai's past allies: Valen, Ralya, Thorn, and the rest.
At its center stood Kai Dragon himself, clad in flowing robes laced with Creation Magic, his eyes glowing softly.
"Children," he began, "you were born into peace—but peace is not a teacher."
The five stood still, tense.
"I give you your first royal trial," Kai continued. "You will journey beyond the Divine Woods, into the forgotten realm of Ashfall Hollow."
Mira's brow furrowed. "Ashfall? Isn't that where the Starfall Crater is?"
"Yes," Kai said. "And something has begun to stir there—something that resisted even my divine senses. I cannot act directly."
He paused.
"You five will go, together, without your parents. Without divine armor. Without intervention."
Kael crossed his arms. "A real mission?"
Kai nodded. "You must learn not only to survive, but to trust one another. If you succeed, I will unlock your first sealed abilities. If you fail… you return empty-handed, and the world grows a little darker."
Iris looked up at her grandfather with sparkling eyes. "What's in the crater?"
Kai closed his eyes.
"…Something old. Something that remembers what the world was before even I arrived."
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The Journey Begins
The next morning, the five set out.
Aurin summoned his stormsteed, a glowing black horse infused with lightning. Mira carried a satchel of enchanted bone tokens to summon spirits. Tyros brought a map and an ancient compass carved from starlight. Kael carried only a twin blade forged from the bones of a void beast. Iris, to everyone's concern, walked with a simple wooden staff.
Their journey took them through the Divine Woods, across bridges grown from living roots, and past villages rebuilt after the war. Children waved. Elders whispered blessings.
But as they passed into the land known as Ashfall Hollow, the skies changed.
Ash fell like snow. The trees twisted. Magic grew heavy in the air.
Something ancient had awakened.
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The Crater
By the third day, they reached it.
The Starfall Crater was vast, miles wide, with black crystal spikes rising from its center. The land pulsed with forgotten power—wild, unformed, unpredictable.
Tyros stared at it, eyes glowing faintly with Future Sight.
"…Something is waiting down there."
Kael stepped forward. "Then let's go meet it."
Mira put a hand on his arm. "We shouldn't rush."
Aurin scoffed. "Come on. We're Demigod-blooded. What's the worst that could—"
Before he finished, the ground cracked open beneath them.
They fell.
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The Echo Below
When they landed, it was in a cavern of mirrored stone and swirling mists. A presence pulsed in the air—neither alive nor dead. It spoke into their minds all at once.
> "You are the children of the god-king…
But you have yet to become worthy of your blood."
The mist parted to reveal a humanoid figure—tall, silver-skinned, with hollow eyes and no mouth. A forgotten fragment of an ancient Demigod, long erased from time.
"I am Eidren, the Echo of Despair," it said. "Born from a failed Demigod… the first who turned against Kai."
The five exchanged nervous glances.
Aurin stepped forward. "We're not afraid of you."
Eidren's form pulsed.
"Then prove it. Only one of you will leave this place unharmed. The rest must suffer."
Kael drew his blade. "We fight together."
Eidren smiled for the first time—empty, broken.
"Let's test that claim."