Chapitre 11: Chapter 11: The Dragon’s Call
Draven awoke in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat, his heart pounding as if it were trying to escape his chest. The dream was vivid, more real than any he had experienced before. He saw himself standing on a cliff, overlooking a vast, fiery landscape. The ground trembled beneath him as a massive dragon, its scales glowing like molten lava, circled overhead. The dragon's roar echoed through his mind, a primal sound that sent shivers down his spine.
He could still feel the heat of the dragon's breath, the power in its roar. It was calling to him, but the message was unclear. Draven sat up in bed, trying to shake off the remnants of the dream. His hands trembled, and when he pressed them to his chest, he felt the steady pulse of the Dragonheart, warm against his skin.
Aria had told him that the Dragonheart was more than just a relic—it was a living entity, connected to the very essence of the dragons. It responded to the wielder's emotions, their will, and their strength. But Draven still didn't fully understand its power, or why it had chosen him.
He climbed out of bed, unable to shake the lingering unease. The fortress was silent, the corridors empty as he made his way to the training grounds. The night air was cool against his skin, a welcome contrast to the heat of the dream. He needed to clear his mind, to focus on something tangible.
As he stepped into the open air of the training grounds, he saw Aria standing in the center, her silhouette illuminated by the pale light of the moon. She turned as he approached, her eyes narrowing as she took in his disheveled appearance.
"Another dream?" she asked, her voice calm but tinged with concern.
Draven nodded, running a hand through his hair. "It was different this time. More intense. The dragon… it was like it was trying to tell me something."
Aria's expression softened slightly. "The Dragonheart is awakening, Draven. It's connected to you, and through it, you're connected to the dragons. The dreams are a manifestation of that connection. But they're also a warning."
"A warning of what?" Draven asked, frustration creeping into his voice. He felt like he was stumbling in the dark, trying to grasp at something just out of reach.
"Of the power you hold, and the responsibility that comes with it," Aria replied. She stepped closer, her gaze steady. "The Dragonheart chose you for a reason, but that doesn't mean you're ready to wield its full power. You have to earn that right."
Draven frowned. "How? How do I earn it?"
"By facing your fears, by understanding the nature of the power within you," Aria said. "And by accepting the consequences of that power."
Draven sighed, the weight of her words settling heavily on his shoulders. He had known from the beginning that the Dragonheart was more than just a weapon, but the reality of what that meant was starting to sink in. He wasn't just fighting to survive—he was fighting to control something that could change the course of history.
"I want to understand," Draven said quietly. "I want to be ready."
Aria studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Then we start now. There's something I need to show you."
She led him away from the training grounds, through a series of winding corridors that seemed to lead deeper into the heart of the fortress. Draven followed in silence, his mind racing with questions. Aria was usually so guarded, so focused on the task at hand. But tonight, there was something different about her—a sense of urgency that made Draven's pulse quicken.
They finally reached a set of large, ornate doors, guarded by two sentries who stood at attention as Aria approached. She nodded to them, and they stepped aside, allowing her to push the doors open. The room beyond was vast, its walls lined with shelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. A large, circular table sat in the center, its surface covered in maps and documents.
Draven recognized the room—it was the fortress's library, a place he had only glimpsed in passing. But Aria wasn't interested in the books. She led him to a smaller door at the back of the room, which opened into a dark, narrow stairway that descended into the depths of the fortress.
"What is this place?" Draven asked as they began to descend.
"It's a place few know about, even within the fortress," Aria replied. "It's where the history of the dragons and their connection to the Dragonheart is kept. It's where you'll begin to understand what you're dealing with."
They reached the bottom of the stairs, and Aria pushed open another door, revealing a chamber bathed in the soft glow of enchanted torches. The walls were covered in carvings depicting dragons in various forms—soaring through the skies, battling ancient foes, and standing beside figures who looked like warriors and kings.
In the center of the room was a large, stone pedestal, on which rested a massive, ancient book bound in dark leather. The air in the chamber was thick with the scent of old parchment and magic, and Draven felt a shiver of anticipation run down his spine.
"This is the Tome of Dragons," Aria said, her voice reverent. "It contains the history of the dragons, the Dragonheart, and those who have wielded its power throughout the ages. It's not just a record—it's a guide."
Draven approached the pedestal, his eyes wide as he took in the sheer size of the tome. It looked like it hadn't been touched in centuries, yet there was a sense of vitality to it, as if it were waiting for someone to open it.
"Why are you showing me this now?" Draven asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Because the dreams are only the beginning," Aria replied. "The Dragonheart is awakening, and with it, so are the forces that seek to control it. You need to understand what you're up against, and this tome will help you do that."
Draven hesitated for a moment before reaching out and placing his hand on the cover of the tome. The leather was cool to the touch, and as his fingers brushed against it, he felt a faint pulse of energy, like the heartbeat of a sleeping giant.
With a deep breath, Draven opened the tome. The pages were thick and yellowed with age, filled with intricate illustrations and flowing script that seemed to shift and change as he read. The words were in a language he didn't recognize, but as he focused, the meanings began to come to him, as if the tome itself were guiding him.
He read about the ancient dragonlords, beings of immense power who had once ruled over vast kingdoms with the help of the dragons. They were revered and feared in equal measure, for their power was both a blessing and a curse. The Dragonheart, he learned, was the source of their strength, a relic imbued with the essence of the dragons themselves.
But as Draven continued to read, he began to understand the darker side of the Dragonheart's power. The tome spoke of those who had been consumed by it, their minds twisted by the overwhelming force of the dragons' will. It warned of the dangers of wielding such power without the necessary wisdom and control, and of the catastrophic consequences that could result.
Draven's heart pounded as he turned the pages, the weight of the knowledge pressing down on him. This was more than just a weapon—it was a force of nature, one that could either save the world or destroy it.
Aria stood silently beside him, allowing him to absorb the information at his own pace. When he finally closed the tome, his hands trembling, she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Now you understand," she said softly. "The Dragonheart is both a gift and a burden. It will make you powerful, but it will also test you in ways you can't imagine. You need to be ready for that."
Draven nodded, his mind reeling. "How do I prepare for something like this?"
"By continuing your training, by learning to control your emotions and your will," Aria replied. "But most importantly, by understanding that the power of the Dragonheart isn't just about strength—it's about balance. The dragons are creatures of both creation and destruction, and to wield their power, you must find that balance within yourself."
Draven took a deep breath, letting her words sink in. He had come so far since that day in the village, but he knew now that his journey was only beginning. The Dragonheart had chosen him for a reason, and he was determined to prove himself worthy of that choice.
As they left the chamber and made their way back to the surface, Draven felt a new sense of purpose settling over him. The dreams, the power, the responsibility—it was all part of his destiny, and he would face it head-on.
For he was Draven, the last of the Draconic Bloodline, and his journey had only just begun.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone