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?
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