Ayco
As the anthem of the Dragonborn sung out and his people cheered, Ayco road a tsunami of adrenaline, praying to the Great Dragon that it would keep him conscious, his body strong and Primordial's Wrath high in the air for all to see.
The feeling brewing in his heart couldn't truly be described. It neglected all his pain and exhaustion, a bizarre but spectacular blend of happiness, excitement, relief, sorrow, amazement, anxiety and even a hint of fear.
He'd done it. For the first time in nearly a century a warrior had been crowned Alcalron's Chosen, they were worthy in the Great Dragon's eyes once again. Ayco forced back the tears threatening to pierce his eyes. He wondered if his family were watching down upon him from the beyond.
The elder rose and joined him beside the altar, an unbreakable and prideful smile stretching across her wrinkled face. Suddenly the temple cut to silence and without delay Ayco took a knee, carefully resting Primordial's Wrath across his leg. Gently, the elder pushed back his hair, exposing his forehead, and with a quick swipe of her thumb drew forth ancient blood from her forefinger. With great care, she then drew across his forehead, painting a vertical line bisected by the eye of Alcalron, crowning him.
"Rise great dragon," she stated. Ayco rose, facing towards his clan, holding the Founding Blade up against the ground, for all to see. Elder Drakones turned to the crowds. "Ninety one years in exile. A dark age of nearly a century, a time of penance for the Sins of the Dragonborn's past. Well, with great pride and joy I'm honoured to declare that it has come to an end. Alcalron has restored his faith in us once again and bestowed us with his power. Ayco Drakones, first of his name, Dragonlord, and chieftain of the Dragonborn you are the hero of the prophecy. You have claimed Primordial's Wrath. You are Alcalron's Chosen."
Ayco stepped forward towards his people, embracing their gazes of hope and accepting the burden of their faith and futures.
"We are the last of the Dragonborn upon Eshina, our race extinct. We will not rot in exile among these caverns any longer. We will no longer hide away from Akuresh or the world disgraced in the dark, fighting for survival in our penance. With Primordial's Wrath in my hand I will march out into Akuresh," his voice boomed as his conviction grew stronger, "I will redeem our clan and when I return we will abandon these caverns and I will lead you to our true home upon the peaks of Kiyama. To our sacred castles and temples where we will claim a true place upon Eshina." Ayco raised the Founding Blade high and the temple erupted.
Later that night the Drakones family gathered in their home, the largest in the capital settlement and set high among the cavernous terrain.
After escaping the villages festivities and excitement, Ayco sat around their living room table with his family as they ate and drank, hosting their own private celebration. Even without the alcohol's aid, all the tension within his family had finally dispersed and Ayco happily bathed in the relief. Like the rest of the Dragonborn, their stress had now been replaced with eagerness, excitement and pure amazement that a Chosen had truly been crowned.
Ayco caught himself subconsciously glancing across the room again to where Primordial's Wrath rested proudly upon the mantle. Even now it was calling out to his Retsu, tugging at his senses. He would never admit it, not wanting to worry anyone, but a tiny iota of him was still astonished he'd truly pulled it off. When he'd been rejected he thought he'd fall like Ladon fighting to his final breath.
But then. 'That voice.' It was like he'd been possessed by another existence, an unfathomable power.
Ayco shook the thoughts away. It didn't matter, he'd achieved anointment and now he must focus on what comes next. He must set out in Akuresh and redeem the Dragonborn. The exact method on how he was going to accomplish that still eluded him but trying to help save Akuresh couldn't be a bad start. If want the travellers that come across their village say is true, then Akuresh truly is approaching death.
"So, brother … how does it feel to be the Chosen?" Oro asked, barely managing to not slur his words.
Ayco glanced at his flushed cheeks, painting his brother's pale skin like a cherry blossom and couldn't help but chuckle. "It feels the same Oro. Except now a have an even greater sword at my side and a true goal to pursue."
Being reminded of his elder brother's task, Oro quickly sobered himself up, it even looked like as if his skin turned a shade whiter. "When do you plan to set off?"
"I'll have one day to familiarise myself with the Founding Blade and then will leave on the next morrow."
"… So soon. Would you not desire more time to adjust to Primordial Wrath's power?" Oro inquired.
"Of course I would, but plentiful time is not a luxury we possess. The longer I wait, the longer our people rot away in these caverns."
Despite clearly not liking the answer, Oro nodded understandingly. They had a duty, like Ladon, Oro understood that better than most. "I imagine you plan to set off alone?"
"The prophecy dictates I must and I will not risk challenging fate when we are so close to liberation," Ayco confirmed, taking a considerable gulp of sake. "Until then the Dragonlords will be under your command, wield them well."
His younger brother's eyes nearly bulged from his head and Tia began uncontrollably laughing at their brother's reaction, her cheeks almost as flush as his.
"Why would I need the six Dragonlords? Only their commander and Chosen, which in both cases are you, are meant to lead them, those are the sacred laws," Oro stated still stunned.
"It's simply a precaution for the sake of our people and family, truly I'm hoping you won't need them. And in my absence, stated by the same laws, I'm allowed to temporarily pass command down to you, the village chieftain," Oro remained speechless, "And besides it is only until I need to call upon their aid," Ayco grinned, feeling his own cheeks burn bright, "you'll be fine little brother, you're a great and proven leader."
"Thank you Ayco. I'm honoured." Oro went to take another sip of sake but nearly spilt it all over himself and would have if not for Era. She'd practically teleported beside him in perfect timing to stop the young Drakones from spilling the alcohol all over his clothes and the rug they sat on.
"Maybe it is time for some rest Oro. Prepare for your new great honours," Era suggested smiling at her little brother in law and holding him up right.
At first Oro was reluctant and tried to say he's fine however, after Era released him and he nearly collapsed face first (while sitting down) he quickly changed his mind. "You know what? I think you're right Era," Oro laughed.
"Come on young dragon." Era then helped the young man to his feet and supported his body as she guided him out the living room and to his private quarters.
"Do you think he'll throw up?" Tia inquired, grinning.
Ayco chuckled and shook his head. "We Drakones have iron stomachs. But he will awaken with a foul headache."
As Ayco drew his gaze from where Oro and his wife had vanished he turned his Tia watching him with bright eyes, irises like glistening rubies.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I can't believe you're actually the Chosen. After everything that has happened, you done it."
Ayco took a sip of sake. "Neither can I," he finally admitted. He then turned his gaze down to Tia's arms. "How is your progress at the temple? I see you've achieved a collection new runes."
Proudly smiling, Tia pulled up the sleeves of her robes, fully uncovering her intricate runes of deep black ink that carved deep into her skin. Ayco recognised a few for their powerful, combative prowess and couldn't help but grin. Despite not being allowed into the Dragonlords, due to their sacred laws, his sister was still finding a path to becoming a great warrior. The dragon's spirit truly did course through their blood.
"Do you think one day I'd be able to fight at your side? In Dragonborn history it is not uncommon for the priestess to support the Dragonlords and Dragonknights."
Ayco didn't think about for long and nodded. "Once I redeem our clan and guide us back to our home the possibilities are endless. I see no reason for us to not fight side by side if you wish little sister."
"I'd like that."
"As would I," Ayco stated clinking his cup against Tia's and then they both through the sake back.
Ayco remained mostly unaffected by its taste and toxins but his sister couldn't hide her repulsive wince. Unlike Ayco his sister always knew her limits.
"I think I'm going to follow in our brother's footsteps and get some rest. Goodnight Ayco."
"Goodnight Tia."
She stood and left the room but before she vanished into the hall's darkness she abruptly turned back to him. Ayco titled his head. Had she forgotten something?
"I think I'll thank you now for saving us all." And then she was gone.
Ayco called it a night not long after his siblings and returned to his quarters. He lay in his bed beside Era staring up at the ceiling once again imagining the gigantic, magnificent temples and castles their legends foretold. They were so close now. Ayco reached up and felt a strange tingling in his fingers as if he could feel their sacred home tug at his Retsu like Primordial's Wrath did, begging to be claimed.
"What's wrong?" Era asked. Ayco hadn't realised she was awake, she was lying across his chest and he must've disturbed when he raised his arm.
"It's nothing, just lost in thought. My apologies."
Era chuckled. "Don't worry I was not asleep."
"Is everything alright?"
Suddenly she sat up into the darkness, confused Ayco followed suit.
"What's wrong?" Ayco asked.
Era turned to him and instantly he saw the same gaze he'd witnessed that exact morning before the ceremony. For how brilliant the woman was, she couldn't lie or conceal her thoughts even if her life was on the line. "I worry for you," Era stated, refusing to even attempt to hide her concern this time. "After today I feel as I've only just claimed you back from the jaws of death, and yet now I must let you go again. This time to confront unknown and unimaginable danger. And despite every essence of my body and Retsu screaming at me to grab hold of you and never let go I know I must. For the sake of our family, for the sake of the Dragonborn."
"Era -"
Her head snapped towards him, her ruby eyes beaming like blood moons in a cloudy night sky. "I want you to make me a promise. One you will shatter reality to keep if you must."
Ayco nodded instantly. "Anything."
"Above Akuresh, above our clan, above our honour, above even our redemption. Return to me. Please." She failed to contain a whimper and Ayco noticed a glimmer began to shine in her eyes.
A soft smile formed upon his face. "Of course," he said. He gently pressed his forehead against hers, exactly like he had the day of their wedding when declaring their vows. "I will never leave you alone upon Eshina."
Instantly Era couldn't help but match is smile and soon hers turned to laughter as their bodies passionately embraced together. Desperately holding onto to one another, not knowing when the next time might be in their terrifying yet exciting future.
With the next day filled solely with training against his fellow Dragonlords, the day of his departure came fast.
Ayco woke before sunrise and had one last breakfast with his family before accepting Era's offer to help clad him in his in his armour.
His knight armour was nearly identical to the other Dragonlords, a beautiful yet terrifying forgery of kaezium steel and the scales of Alcalron, with a cloak that elegantly draped down from the pauldrons and back. It was all topped off with Primordial's Wrath, sheathed down his back, it's obscene length nearly greater than the armour itself.
His eyes locked onto the Founding Blade as Era slowly and carefully disassembled the panoply in preparation to clad it over his body. Concern flashed through his mind as he remembered his training yesterday. The blade was powerful, immensely so and despite its greater size he wielded it perfectly, as if he had his whole life. However, whenever the sparring and training had gotten too strenuous and he was forced to draw on more of the weapon's power he worried that it became unstable and that if pushed too far it would become uncontrollable. He'd truly prefer if had a few more days of familiarising himself with the Founding Blade but just like he'd told Oro that simply wasn't an option. Ayco allowed his worrisome thoughts to vanish with the blade as it disappeared from his sight and was sheathed upon his back over the cloak.
Holding his helm under an arm he turned to Era. "How do I look?"
"Like Alcalron's Chosen."
Grinning, Ayco equipped his helm, it fully encasing his face, leaving only two crimson moons for his enemies to see. He then adjusted his long hair so it flowed freely out the bottom of the helm and down his cloak like a true Dragonlord.
Ayco set off through the village just as the sun began to rise but still before its population began to wake. Despite his full panoply, heavy enough to crush a lesser warrior, Ayco travelled swiftly like a silent wind and had reached the village gates just as dawn slowly began to fade away.
Through the caverns huge opening Ayco could see freedom. A vast expanse of ice and snow coated the towering and steep mountain slopes that in the far distance warped into flat, emerald plains of grass and forest.
With a chilled breath, Ayco continued and then he saw them. Casually gathered in front of the village gates, bathing in the morning's growing light, stood his fellow Dragonlords. Each of them wearing near identical armour, their kaezium weaponry of display for all to see. Ayco joined his brothers in arms, his fellow Fangs of Alcalron. Including himself there were seven Dragonlords in total and they were the greatest weapons of the Dragonborn. He scanned over their helms imagining their faces underneath, reciting their names as if this could be the last time he ever did.
'Beola, Calagan, Etzal, Fefnor, Hidras and Maugas.'
"You didn't have to see me off," Ayco said and he joined the gathering beside the cavern's mouth. They all stood relaxedly, there was no need for formality between the Dragonlords. That morning no words were spoken between them, and Ayco was surprised to admit he enjoyed it. They simply just embraced each other's company, waiting in the icy mountains as the sun broke the horizon. Then with a final salute, they watched Ayco depart out into the unknown.