The voice vanished instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The boy stared at the scrap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then he quickly hid it beneath his torn cloak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nobody could know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because Rowan owned nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not even his own future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
The royal forge sat beneath the mountain fortress of Ashkar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thousands of weapons were made there every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Swords for kings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spears for armies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Armor for champions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And Rowan?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was only a servant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An orphan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A boy nobody noticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every morning before sunrise he cleaned ashes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carried coal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scrubbed anvils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And endured the endless mockery of the master blacksmiths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Especially Forge Master Garrick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Garrick was enormous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His arms looked carved from stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His beard was streaked with silver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And his temper was legendary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Move faster, boy!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Clean that furnace!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Stop staring into space!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every day was the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every insult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every shove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every bruise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet Rowan endured it all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because years ago his mother had told him something before she died.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The world only sees what stands on the surface.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n “The greatest treasures are always hidden deeper.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n At the time he had not understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now he repeated those words every night before sleeping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They were all he had left of her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Weeks passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each night after the forge emptied, Rowan secretly worked on the strange iron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He hid inside an abandoned storage chamber beneath the mountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There he built a tiny furnace from stolen bricks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Piece by piece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hour by hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He hammered the cracked metal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The iron resisted everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Normal steel would have shattered long ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet this metal endured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And every strike caused blue sparks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tiny blue sparks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like stars trapped inside stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rowan never told anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not because he feared ridicule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But because he feared what the metal might truly be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The whispers grew stronger each night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Almost there.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep going.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not stop.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes he woke in terror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dreaming of enormous blue eyes staring at him through darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Watching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Waiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remembering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One evening Garrick caught him leaving the storage tunnels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The giant blacksmith narrowed his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “What are you hiding?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Nothing.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Open your hands.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rowan obeyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His palms were covered in fresh burns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garrick frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “You’re forging something.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The boy said nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The master grabbed him by the collar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “What are you making?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Just scrap.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garrick laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Scrap for a scrap boy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The other smiths joined in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The laughter followed Rowan long after he walked away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet something unexpected happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the first time…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garrick looked worried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Three months later the annual Royal Forging Trial arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was Ashkar’s greatest competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blacksmiths from across the kingdom gathered beneath the mountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The winner would forge a ceremonial weapon for the king himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Master craftsmen arrived carrying masterpieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silver swords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Golden spears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jeweled axes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile Rowan carried a cloth-wrapped bundle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The crowd erupted into laughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even the nobles watching from above smirked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Aldric sat upon an elevated throne overlooking the forge floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beside him stood Princess Elara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike the others, she watched Rowan carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not mockingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Curiously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garrick stepped forward first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His masterpiece drew gasps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A magnificent war axe forged from dragon-steel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The judges applauded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several competitors followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each weapon more impressive than the last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then Rowan’s name was called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silence fell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The boy stepped into the center of the forge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whispers spread immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The servant?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The orphan?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Why is he even here?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garrick folded his arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “This should be entertaining.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rowan slowly unwrapped the cloth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inside rested only the cracked piece of iron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The same ugly scrap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The same fractured metal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The crowd exploded with laughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One noble nearly fell from his chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even several judges smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garrick shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Pathetic.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Princess Elara did not laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because she saw something nobody else noticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blue light flickered deep within the cracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The competition began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One by one blacksmiths forged before the audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hours passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The forge blazed hotter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The air became thick with smoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally Rowan stepped forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He lifted his hammer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CLANG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blue sparks burst outward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The laughter weakened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CLANG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The nearest furnace flickered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several judges exchanged confused glances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CLANG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The chains hanging from the ceiling rattled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suddenly nobody was laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rowan forgot the audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Forgot the king.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Forgot the nobles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Forgot everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only the iron mattered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each strike revealed another glowing vein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blue light spread beneath the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The metal transformed before everyone’s eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hour after hour he worked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blood ran from his blistered hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sweat soaked his ragged clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still he continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The whispers grew louder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You are close.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wake me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember what?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rowan didn’t understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet tears suddenly appeared in his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Images flashed through his mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A woman smiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blue fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A mountain breaking apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A dragon roaring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then everything vanished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The final strike arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The iron was no longer iron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It glowed like captured lightning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rowan raised the hammer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The entire forge held its breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CLAAAAAAAAANG!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The explosion shook the mountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blue fire erupted across the chamber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furnaces died instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anvils cracked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Weapons vibrated violently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blacksmiths crashed backward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nobles screamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smoke swallowed everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the haze cleared…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rowan still stood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And in his hands rested a colossal black hammer covered in ancient blue runes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The weapon seemed alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The room fell silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Terrified silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then came the roar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not from the crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From beneath the mountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A deep, ancient roar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The stone floor cracked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And somewhere below…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Something awakened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Panic erupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guards rushed forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The mountain trembled again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dust rained from the ceiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Aldric rose from his throne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “What was that?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nobody answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because nobody knew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Except one person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An elderly scholar stepped forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His face had gone white.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “No…”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The king turned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Speak.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The scholar trembled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “That hammer…”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “What about it?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I’ve seen its markings before.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The chamber froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The old man swallowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “It belongs to the Dragon Kings.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The words struck like lightning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ancient legends claimed Ashkar had once been ruled by Dragon Kings thousands of years earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most believed the stories were myths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Children’s tales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nothing more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The scholar pointed at Rowan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “That hammer is called Stormheart.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The mountain shook again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the roar returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Much closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That night chaos consumed the kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cracks spread across the mountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Entire tunnels collapsed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Soldiers evacuated the lower levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile Rowan sat alone in a guarded chamber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stormheart rested beside him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The runes glowed softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He couldn’t stop staring at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Questions filled his mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why had the hammer chosen him?<\/p>\n\n\n\n What were the whispers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n And why did the sight of blue fire feel familiar?<\/p>\n\n\n\n A knock interrupted his thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Princess Elara entered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without guards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without servants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She sat opposite him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a long moment neither spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally she asked,<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Are you afraid?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rowan nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Good.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n He blinked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She smiled slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Fear means you understand how serious this is.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then she leaned forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Tell me something honestly.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “What?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Have you heard a voice?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n His blood froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “How did you know?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elara looked toward the hammer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Because my father heard one too.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The revelation changed everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Aldric eventually arrived carrying an ancient wooden chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inside rested dozens of journals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Personal journals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Written by Ashkar’s kings across generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rowan spent hours reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every ruler had recorded strange dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blue eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whispers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visions beneath the mountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nobody understood them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet all roads led to the same place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The deepest cavern beneath Ashkar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A place sealed for nearly a thousand years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And according to the oldest journal…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Something had been imprisoned there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not a monster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not a dragon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A guardian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next morning an expedition descended into the mountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Aldric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Princess Elara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Forge Master Garrick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rowan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And fifty elite soldiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The deeper they traveled, the stranger the tunnels became.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ancient runes covered the walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blue crystals glowed softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The air felt charged with power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hours later they reached a colossal stone gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The same runes decorating Stormheart covered its surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the center was a hammer-shaped indentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone looked at Rowan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His heart pounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Slowly he approached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then inserted Stormheart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The mountain shook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ancient mechanisms awakened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The gate opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And beyond it lay a chamber larger than a city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nobody was prepared for what they saw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An enormous dragon slept beneath chains of blue fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Its scales resembled midnight skies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Its body stretched across the cavern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Its breathing alone created hurricane-force winds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The creature slowly opened its eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The exact eyes Rowan had seen in every dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dragon stared directly at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Welcome home.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Soldiers panicked instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several fled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Others raised weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the dragon ignored them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Its gaze remained fixed upon Rowan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The boy felt strangely calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Almost… familiar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Who are you?” he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dragon lowered its head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I am Veyrath.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The name echoed through the chamber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ancient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Powerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I have waited centuries for you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rowan’s voice shook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “For me?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Yes.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dragon closed its eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “And I am sorry.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before Rowan could respond, memories exploded inside his mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thousands of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A kingdom of blue fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dragon banners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ancient towers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A laughing woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A younger version of himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then came war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Betrayal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A desperate sacrifice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The visions ended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rowan collapsed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tears streamed down his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because he finally understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He wasn’t merely Rowan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He was the reincarnation of the last Dragon King.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The revelation shattered everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even King Aldric staggered backward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the greatest shock came next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Veyrath spoke again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The kingdom was never destroyed by invaders.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dragon’s voice darkened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “It was destroyed by its own king.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The chamber grew cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Veyrath turned toward King Aldric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Your ancestor betrayed us.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nobody moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nobody breathed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The Dragon Kings entrusted him with protecting the realm.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dragon’s eyes burned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Instead he murdered them.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Aldric stared in disbelief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “No.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Yes.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ancient illusions appeared throughout the cavern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Showing everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The betrayal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The murders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The stolen throne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A thousand years of lies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The royal bloodline of Ashkar had been built upon treason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The truth broke King Aldric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet he surprised everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of denying it…<\/p>\n\n\n\n he knelt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I cannot change what my ancestor did.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n His voice cracked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “But I can choose what I do now.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The king removed his crown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then placed it before Rowan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The entire cavern froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “My family stole this kingdom.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n He lowered his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “It belongs to you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rowan stared at the crown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The throne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A few months earlier he had been a forgotten servant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now he could become king.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet something felt wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His mother’s words echoed inside his heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The greatest treasures are hidden deeper.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Slowly Rowan shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gasps spread through the chamber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Aldric looked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “You refuse?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Yes.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Why?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rowan smiled sadly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Because Ashkar is already yours.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The boy stepped toward the king.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “You spent your life protecting these people.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n He glanced toward Elara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “And she loves this kingdom.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then he placed the crown back into Aldric’s hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The sins of the dead don’t belong to the living.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silence filled the cavern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many soldiers openly wept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even Garrick wiped his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Veyrath watched everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A deep rumbling laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Excellent.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone turned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dragon’s chains began breaking apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One by one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blue fire exploded across the cavern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The mountain trembled violently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Aldric reached for his sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “What is happening?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Veyrath smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At least, as much as a dragon could smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The final test.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “What test?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dragon’s eyes glowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I was never imprisoned.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shock rippled through the chamber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “What?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I remained here willingly.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dragon looked at Rowan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Waiting.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Waiting for what?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “For a king worthy of power.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The chains shattered completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blue light filled the cavern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then Veyrath revealed the final truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Dragon Kings had never truly ruled through strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hammer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The throne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All of it had been a test designed centuries earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not to find the strongest ruler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the one willing to walk away from power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only such a person could be trusted with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Dragon Kings knew corruption eventually claimed every empire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So they created a safeguard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A hidden trial stretching across centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And Rowan had passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cavern erupted with blue fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stormheart floated into the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hammer transformed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Its enormous size shrank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Its runes softened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The terrifying weapon became something simpler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Something beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A blacksmith’s hammer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not a weapon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rowan stared in confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Veyrath smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The greatest king was never meant to sit on a throne.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dragon nodded toward the hammer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “He was meant to build a better future.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The meaning finally struck him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His entire journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The forge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The scrap iron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The suffering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The kindness he chose despite cruelty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It had never been about becoming king.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It had been about becoming himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Years later Ashkar entered its greatest age of peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Aldric remained king.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Princess Elara became queen after him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And Rowan?<\/p>\n\n\n\n He became the Master Smith of Ashkar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not because he possessed ancient power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But because he inspired people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His forge stood at the center of the kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Open to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nobles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Farmers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Orphans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Above the entrance hung a simple sign:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Nothing is worthless.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Forge Master Garrick worked beside him until old age finally claimed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before dying, the giant blacksmith confessed something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I was jealous of you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rowan laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Why?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Because you never became what they said you were.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The old man smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “You became something greater.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many nights later Rowan often sat outside the forge staring toward the mountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes blue fire flickered among the distant peaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes he heard laughter on the wind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And sometimes…<\/p>\n\n\n\n just sometimes…<\/p>\n\n\n\n he saw two enormous glowing eyes watching from the stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Protective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Proud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Waiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not because another king would come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But because another forgotten child might someday discover a worthless piece of scrap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And change the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The same way Rowan once had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The first time Rowan saw the cracked piece of iron, it was lying in a pile of discarded scraps beside the royal forge. Nobody wanted it. Nobody… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3566","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3566","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3566"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3566\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3568,"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3566\/revisions\/3568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3566"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3566"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moviechilltrailer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3566"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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