COURAGE WITHIN

The Lyraeans had been locked in a battle with dragons for months now. It was only recently that Cerio Elysien, King of Lyraea, had fallen in battle, and in his place, his heir Luzene Elysien had to step up to take his place and fight. They were afraid, but still had to continue fighting. The fight was becoming dire – and it seemed like they were going to lose. Lyraea was in ruins, and not even Luzene’s hereditary Brand of Luxana could help in this fight. On the field of battle, they were cornered by a dark dragon by the name of Aria. She revealed to Luzene the truth of why they had waged war – to awaken Neiran. Naturally, Lyraea’s royal bloodline, which bore the Brand of Neiran, was their target. She also revealed that Luzene’s father was killed because he did not have the potential to awaken Neiran fully, and so the next target was Luzene themself. Casting a dark spell, Luzene was immobilized and captured by Aria, taken away so she could awaken Neiran’s consciousness lurking within them.

Nero Xenia came from a Glaciaen clan that was dragonbranded by a benevolent dragon. He was trained to control its powers at a young age. Word got out that Lyraea was in trouble and so he, alongside other warriors from Glaciae, went to Lyraea to send help. There, he fought alongside with, and befriended Luzene. When they were captured, he took the initiative to go after them to save them. He located Aria’s lair, where there was a ritual being held to awaken Neiran. But he was too late – magic surrounded Luzene, as they yelled in pain and agony. Suddenly, they began to transform, and Neiran had awoken with newfound power. Knowing he would be unable to do anything by himself, Nero left to search for answers. He ended up in Lunaer, where he would seek help from their defender Cascade Lan'vive, a fellow dragonbranded.

Planning to intercept Neiran and Aria before they could reach Lyraea again, Cascade and Nero flew out to their lair again, while Cascade rallied fighters from Lunaer to provide support to the front lines at Lyraea. Nero learned of how Cascade gained unity with Aeginarra and her brand – and the latter suggested that the nature of Neiran’s Brand seemed similar, and could be controlled if the brand bearer could overcome its power. With this in mind, Nero believed he could use his words and magic to reach out to Luzene within Neiran, and help them gain control again. They reached Aria’s lair once more, and found Neiran there, and engaged in a fight. Together, Nero and Cascade trapped Neiran in a binding spell, and Nero began to call out to Luzene. Within their heart, Luzene heard Nero, and fought against Neiran in their heart. They won, and regained their body back. This angered Aria, and she began to rally all the dragons to cause ultimate destruction. The trio decided to head back to Lyraea to prepare for the battle ahead.

Legend has it that the twin princesses Althea and Kyria Elysien slayed the wretched dragon Neiran, bringing peace to Lyraea and subduing the then-new threat of the dragons. They used their power of the Brand of Luxana – that which was bestowed upon their bloodline centuries ago – to bring light to the darkness. It is this very same Brand that carries through the bloodline, as the people of Lyraea trusted the royal family to defend them with their divine blessings.

The Lyraean royal line harbors a deep secret, though: one that has haunted them for generations.

They know Neiran never truly died. They know this very well. The hidden power of the Elysien family is that of the Brand of Neiran – for it was Neiran who “blessed” Kyria and Althea with his power. In truth, this blessing was a curse – it would force his consciousness into the royal line, waiting to reawaken generations later.

This truth that haunted them struck more fear into their hearts when Luzene Elysien was born. Cerio Elysien and Lisia Verys gave birth to a new royal heir. However, they were born with red hair and striking red eyes – unlike their parents, but very much like the accursed dragon, Neiran, of old. In a sense, Luzene’s birth was the omen of a dark age for Lyraea.

Luzene was the sole heir to Lyraea. Despite the circumstances of their birth, they were loved and cherished by their parents. The compassion of Luxana even extended to those destined to create an age of darkness – especially if it was not their fault.

In any case, it was more imperative than ever to keep the secret of Neiran a secret. Cerio did not wish for his country to fall to chaos and disorder – he vowed, with his wife Lisia, to cherish their child Luzene, and to defend the peace and compassion of Lyraea. Because before they were an omen of darkness, they were Cerio and Lisia’s child.

However, the truth of this omen weighed heavily on Luzene’s shoulders.

“Mama, what happens if I go berserk…? If I kill everyone…? Why do you still love me?” They would ask.

“That is the way of Lyraea – love and compassion abounds,” Lisia would reply, “and it is simply not right to condemn one’s own child.”

“Even so, I must be a burden for everyone, isn’t that so?”

“Even if the darkness of Neiran would lead you astray, I trust the light of Luxana shall guide you back.”

Often would Luzene tell their worries to Lisia and Cerio, and often would they be met with words of reassurement. But it was not enough to quell the anxiety within themself.

Luzene was not their name at birth, in fact. In their early teens, they decided to choose a new name for themself – “Luzene” – meaning “light.” For if they were destined for darkness, the least they could do was be light in name. Their name bearing light brought hope to the people of Lyraea – it was a fitting homage to their god, Luxana.

“But how much longer do I have to bear this secret, before I shatter everyone’s hopes? Before I am no longer worthy of their love?”

The choice of Luzene’s clothing also reflected their fears and emotions. They had insisted on dressing more like a commoner would, instead of like a noble or royal would – so as to lower people’s expectations of them. They also chose to cover their ears with special accessories – for one way dragons differ from humans is that they have pointed ears. As such, they would hide that main feature that could potentially become draconic.

They often trained with others to master their magic and weaponry skills. Though due to the Brands they wielded, their magical and physical abilities were more enhanced than those around them. Thus, walking around Lyraea, they would always be treated with respect and admiration by passers-by. The people would often say sentiments of praise and thankfulness – “thank Luxana that our land is in such powerful, capable hands.”

Becoming powerful to protect Lyraea was important for Luzene, but they feared this power would backfire – for their power would be Neiran’s as well.

As sure as the days rose and nights fell, inevitably, disaster befell Lyraea.

Luzene was now an adult, in their early twenties, when the dragons – unheard of for years and years – launched an attack on Lyraea. Naturally, as the leaders of Lyraea, Cerio and Lisia took the front lines. The attack took most of Lyraea by surprise, but to Cerio, Lisia, and Luzene, it was completely anticipated.

Cerio Elysien, the dignified king of Lyraea, named after the first king Cerio Orithyia himself, led the front lines with his strength and determination. Lisia of the respectable Verys mage line shone out with unparalleled fearlessness and passion – fighting for the sake of Lyraea, and for the sake of her child. With these two leading the battlefield, the fighting forces of Lyraea would become inspired – finding it within themselves to fight with all their heart and soul against the dragons and their monster spawns.

However, the one who was expected to live up to such brilliance did not shine as brightly as one would think. The child of the brave Cerio Elysien; the child of the distinguished Lisia Verys – was struck with great anxiousness, fear, and self-blame.

“This all happened because of me,” Luzene thought to themself. “This is entirely my fault…”

“What do I even do? I’m not worthy enough to fight on the battlefield.”

As they sank into their despairing thoughts, into the darkness; reborn malice began to swirl beneath the surface.

Despair would soon abound. The war continued to go on for months. Unfortunately, the dragons would prove to be far too strong – King Cerio would fall in battle; an untimely death. Grief struck the people of Lyraea. Despite the anguish Luzene felt, they had to step up as the royal heir to lead the people against the fight.

Reinforcements that were called from allying lands had arrived; among them a dragonbranded warrior named Nero Xenia – a youth of courage and spirit. He and Luzene became fast friends…

Perhaps this fateful meeting could bring out the courage within.

Many years ago, a benevolent dragon fell in love with a warrior of the Xenia clan, and thus their line was blessed with the power of the dragonbrand. Most dragons were allied with the dragon queen Aria, however there were those much like this one who would willingly walk alongside humans and their gods. It is rare, but not entirely impossible to come across a dragon of benevolence.

This one particular dragon, named Lan'on, believed strongly in the coexistence of humans and gods – as opposed to most other dragons, who believed the gods were unreliable leaders who only use humans. Although his lover had died long ago – how fleeting the lives of mortals are – Lan'on watched over his descendants and the people of Glaciae, and often aided them. Through the years, Lan'on would be there to guide the next generations – until a certain incident where he had to leave Glaciae, seemingly to seek something out. For dragons, time passes much differently than humans – so he had been gone for forty years, away for some unknown duty.

In the newer generation, the one that would soon come to know the wrath of the Dragon War that would engulf the land, Nero Xenia was born. Of course, he would train like everyone else to refine his skills – such was the way of the Glaciaen warrior. Mastery over draconic magic was also in order for descendants of the Xenia clan, so as to fully utilize the power of the Brand of Lan’on.

The people of Glaciae look up to, and strive to be like their god, and Elzina Forsyth, his vessel. They are considered to be the exemplar models of courage and unwavering spirit. For the truly exceptional among Glaciaen warriors, they would be described as bearing “Glaciae’s flame.” This concept is something that all Glaciaens know innately, and cannot be fully described in words – it is simply a gut feeling that is known, especially for those who actively follow and strive to be like Glaciae.

If ever there was the perfect embodiment of “Glaciae’s flame” in their current era, it would have most definitely been Nero Xenia. Even from his birth, even the lesser adept at magic could tell his energy had a certain exceptional quality to it. Growing up with his Brand of Lan’on and his shining spirit, he would quickly become a warrior that his community would look up to.

However, with all eyes on him, Nero would easily get a bit anxious at times. With all the pressure of being born with a higher potential for “Glaciae’s flame,” always performing the best and setting an example, it would be enough to cause many episodes of conflicted contemplation and anxiety in the dark of night.

Even for one who bore the power of the dragonbrand – the Brand of Lan’on, there was a certain unexplainable power within him, evident as he could outperform even his older family members in terms of magic power and combat skill. Was it his own skill, hard at work? Or was it a blessing, a gift; a talent?

“Just because I might’ve been blessed by some unknown power doesn’t mean I should be the one at the top,” he would think to himself. Just how much of his power was himself, truly? And how much of it was his Brand and his hidden power?

Though by day he would put on a smile, train and fight, talk with others, and be praised – by night he would always think to himself, “Why does everyone look up to me? What can I even do? Why do I have to always think about everyone’s expectations?”

Doubts would swirl within him, constantly plaguing the back of his mind through the years.

“Why does it matter to them so much?”

Ironically, a wavering heart became the bearer of the ideals of the Glaciaens. But Nero only considered himself a figurehead – a fake, a cheater who was at the top because the blessings of the world were unfair, and tipped in his favor. This would be his state of being for years to come.

When crisis struck the distant allied kingdom of Lyraea – the onslaught of the dragons, Glaciae would be called upon for reinforcements to support. This would’ve been Nero’s first time in real battle – the dire situation at hand switched his brain to a much different mindset.

“There are people out there who need our help… There’s something I must do. I can’t just stand here and watch if I have the power to do something!”

The pure desire to help others, to have the courage to face the threat head-on outweighed the anxieties he had within himself. It didn’t matter if he was the most perfect warrior or not – whatever the hell “Glaciae’s flame” was, he didn’t care if he had it or not. Whatever power he had, he was going to use it to help others.

Oh, he would most definitely get in trouble for it if he ever spoke his mind, but the people of Glaciae were far too idealistic, holding on to tradition and belief a bit too much for his tastes. Sure, he did look up to the legends of Elzina and Glaciae as much as anyone else, but as the one who would bear so much pressure from those traditions and beliefs from a young age, he would have a much different approach to it than others.

Finally leaving the bounds of Glaciae and thrusting himself into the flames of war, he would soon find his true self, and maybe make some friends along the way.

But isn’t it ironic, that he would inspire courage within others in this war, by his own nature of courage, and by his fearlessness to fight?

Isn’t it ironic, that he is the one who now bears the Brand of Glaciae – the one destined to redefine and rekindle the fire of old into something new?