REAWAKENED S-RANKED DRAGON LORD

A Stranger

10:00 PM.

The old laundry store far from Kael's apartment had the same problems, almost every day.

Faulty washing machines, long lines, and unfortunately, nowhere to sit inside while waiting.

So Kael opted waiting outside. Rather than join the chaos inside, he let the others fight it out. He'd learned it wasn't worth the stress.

After seven hours of soul-crushing waiting, he finally got in, when everyone had gotten their items cleaned.

"I could've slept through all that," Kael muttered, dumping his clothes into one washers.

The fading sounds of the city, still buzzing at night, washed over him like soft white noise.

He climbed onto the washer and pulled out his phone to scroll.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a boy—maybe nine years old—standing beside him. Kael glanced at the kid, then back at his screen.

Wait a second.

He turned sharply. "You?!"

The boy unwrapped a lollipop, cool as ever. "Hey—"

"What? When did you—? Why are you here?!"

The boy tilted his head, eyes locked on Kael. Crimson red eyes with slit pupils gleaming softly.

Kael froze. "Your eyes?," he pointed. "I've never seen anyone with—"

"Yours is one of a kind," the boy said, pulling the candy from his mouth. He pointed it at Kael's face. "Golden. Like the sun."

'Eyes golden as the sun? Was that even something to be proud of?'

Kael lowered his head. From the earliest memory he could recall, his mother would always say, 'No one in our family line has eyes like this. So, I don't think it's inherited. Maybe a recessive gene? Or a dominant one? From a long-lost ancestor... or your father's side.'

And, it only got bittersweet when school started. His eyes became a source of admiration... and envy.

But in all, he was always seen as the odd one.

"What are you thinking?" the boy asked, slipping the lollipop back into his mouth.

"You speak like it's a gift," Kael muttered. "But to me, it's always felt like a curse. Or maybe..." he paused, staring at the boy, "... For all records, Who even are you?"

"Well," the boy said, grinning, "I'm you."

Kael squinted. "What—"

"Okay, not you... but... like you... Do you know anything about yourself?," The boy leaned in slightly. Kael shifted back,

"Myself?"

"Yes! Want me to help you remember?" the boy asked, voice clear with amusement. "Wanna know the truth about those golden eyes?"

Kael jumped down from the washer, his patience wearing thin. "Well, I don't want to play a game with you. I have to dry, fold my clothes—"

The boy's smile vanished, replaced by a stern expression. "You were more serious a century ago. Now, you're reluctant. I won't allow you to remain so vile of yourself."

Kael blinked, confused. "What are you—"

"One way or another, you must transform, Remember and Understand," The boy snapped his finger, and a small flame ignited.

"So, you're a magician now?" Kael asked, his tone skeptical. "Okay, what element are you? Fire? Or is it an ancient language you use to ignite a burning flame?"

The boy's expression became confused, "Have you heard of the Dragon language?"

Kael nodded. "Yes."

The boy's confusion deepened. "You remember? You remember everything—?"

Kael smiled. "I also know about the Lizard language. So, don't worry, you can say anything—"

The boy whispered something under his breath, "Civynya"

"What did you just say?" Kael asked.

"I summoned a corruption to where we stand," the boy replied, his sly smile returning. "You would have to defeat it, or else, you will die... Don't worry, you might be reborn again, your soul can't die, can it?.."

As the boy walked out the door, Kael reached out to him.

"Hey," but his attention was diverted by a loud crash. The window shattered, and the roof caved in. Kael slowly raised his head, his eyes widening in horror as he took in the creature standing before him.

A monster of horror, a nightmare his mind would have a hard time construction.

****

A step back, followed by another.

Kael trembled in the face of a creature, similar to a giant bee, but with a head that twisted and shifted into countless forms, never settling on one shape.

His legs gave way. He fell to the ground—well, safe to say, the fall saved him from a strike that would've claimed half his life.

Scrambling to the door, he gripped the knob, pulled... However, it didn't budge.

Locked.

"No, no, no, no, no!," He slammed his fists against the wood, heart pounding in panic, as the creature slipped in behind him.

He slowly turned.

The Corruption was already in front of him.

"Seriously?," he muttered, taking cautious steps away from the door.

It didn't help.

Another barrage of deadly strikes came flying at him. He dove behind a washing machine, the impact rattling the metal casing.

The Corruption turned, smashing through the washing machines, forcing Kael to crawl along the narrow row of six machines, which were all knocked off balance now.

And there he sat at the corner of the wall, trembling, helpless, Staring death in the face.

"I don't want to die!," he yelled, feeling thatt same cold sensation spread across his chest, he same one he felt before the accident had occurred.

'I'm afraid. I don't want to die. I don't know what that boy meant... I don't know what to transform or unlock... I don't want to die!'

A tear rolled down his cheek.

'I don't want to die—!'

He shut his eyes.

But instead of pain…. Warmth spread through his chest, slowly replacing the cold.

He opened his eyes.

His golden irises flared with a strange glow, and for a moment, the creature froze.

Then, a second passed, before lunging again.

The glow in Kael's eyes faded, replaced by fear. And just when the beast struck...

A deep voice cut through the air.

"100 Blessings of Death"

Dozens of ethereal blades rained down from above, each one glowing brighter than the last as they sliced through the creature.

With a final shriek, the Corruption burst into ash.

Kael slowly looked up.

Standing on the broken roof edge, hand extended, was the golden-silver-haired man he had seen earlier.

The man spoke up, his voice was calm, but at the same time, commanding, "Get up Kael Von, We're going to Eclipsera, NOW!."