As the words of the letter settled in his heart, Lucas stared at the orb resting in his palm.
So much power. So much love.
But now wasn't the time to lose himself in emotion—his grandfather had left him tools, not just for survival, but for ascension. He needed to think, to plan how to use everything he had been given.
He gently began folding the letter, his fingers brushing along the aged parchment with reverence. But as he turned it to place it back into the box, something caught his eye.
There was more. Writing—on the back of the letter, scribbled in the same firm, familiar hand.
"I know you, kiddo. You probably waited until you understood everything before even touching the items. That's just like you."
"So, since this old man gave you the 'why,' let me give you the 'how' too."
Lucas's breath caught. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"First, look to your right. You'll see a lever embedded into the wall—pull it."
"That will activate the shield array hidden beneath this temple. It's old, but strong—strong enough to hide you when the storm inside you begins to awaken. Because once you start, even without realizing it, your body will release waves of energy. You'll shine like a beacon to anyone nearby. This array will cover your presence and suppress your leaking aura, so no unwanted eyes come knocking."
Lucas turned, and just as the letter said, there it was—an unassuming lever, half-covered in dust. His fingers curled around it and pulled.
A low hum vibrated beneath his feet. Ancient runes flickered to life around the temple's edge, glowing faintly like sleeping dragons stirred by his touch.
"Now, listen carefully."
"Drop a single drop of your blood onto the orb. That's all it needs to recognize you as its master. Once you do, it will bind to your soul forever. You won't be able to remove it—and no one else will be able to steal it. Once bound, it will vanish from your hand and take root within your very soul."
Lucas's heart pounded harder with every word.
"Once that's done… drink the dragon blood."
"Let it flow through you. Let it change you. But before you do—read the Chaos Arts. Let it etch itself into your soul. It will burn into your memory, unerasable, unshakable. Then… begin."
"When the Chaos Dragon Body starts forming, your next task is crucial—create the Chaos Core. That core, born from dragon essence and chaos energy, will become the foundation of your future."
"And while all this happens… the array will keep you hidden, buying you time from the enemies you don't yet know. Because the moment you awaken… so too will the eyes of fate."
Lucas exhaled slowly, his chest rising and falling like a tide preparing for war.
This wasn't just an inheritance. This was a rebirth.
And now, he stood at the edge of it—on the brink of something that could shake the heavens.
The silence in the temple turned weightless, as if even the air was holding its breath.
He stepped forward. No hesitation. No fear.
Only purpose.