Rebirth Of The Dragon Prince

Chapter 8 - The Unchosen One

Chapter 8

A hush fell over the Grand Dragon Hall as the sacred ritual began.

Adrian still wearing the identity of Prince kael sat in the shadows, his gaze steady despite the sea of glittering robes and curious eyes. But one glare in particular pierced through the crowd like a spear. The same handsome man from earlier, standing proudly among the other princes, stared at Adrian with naked hostility.

Adrian blinked, puzzled. Did I offend him somehow? He forced himself to look away, refusing to let it rattle him.

Suddenly, the emperor’s deep voice echoed through the chamber, silencing all whispers.

“Today, we honor the bravest among us,” the emperor declared. “Thirty young men, chosen for their potential, will attempt to bond with the sacred Dragon Spirit Beads. May the blessings of the Dragon Master Clan guide their fate.”

A respectful silence fell as everyone bowed low. Father Thorian stepped forward in his ceremonial blue robes, raising both arms. “Let the ceremony begin!”

In the center of the hall, on its towering pedestal, the Holy Dragon Bead gleamed ancient, glowing faintly like a slumbering star. Once a true Dragon Spirit Bead, it had long been considered a relic too powerful, too proud to accept a human partner.

Seraphina, standing just beside Father Thorian, chanted softly under her breath. Her hands moved in delicate patterns as a spell circle formed in the air, shimmering with mystical light.

Then, from thin air, a golden shimmer appeared and a glowing figure stepped into the room. It was a messenger from the Dragon Master Clan, a being of light and ethereal presence. Without a word, the spirit lifted its hand, and thirty new Dragon Spirit Beads floated down like glowing seeds from a divine tree, each one pulsing with raw energy.

The first boy stepped forward. His hands trembled as he reached for a bead but the moment he touched it, light exploded from his body. Glowing lines formed on his skin, trailing down his arm like sacred ink.

“He succeeded!” someone gasped.

Cheers followed. The boy bowed, beaming with pride.

One by one, more candidates came forward. Some bonded instantly. Others struggled, their beads rejecting them with a faint spark before rolling away. For each success, applause rang out. The spiritual mark, proof of a connection to dragon power, was now etched on the arms of more than half the candidates.

Adrian watched, captivated. They make it look easy. But kael failed five times… How?

When the last boy stepped up, silence gripped the hall. He was tall and well-built, confident. But as he touched the bead, his expression changed first surprise, then pain.

Suddenly, the bead flared red.

“Ahhh!” the boy screamed, collapsing to his knees.

“Father Thorian!” Seraphina shouted.

The old priest raised his staff and muttered a spell. A brilliant blue shield engulfed the boy as Thorian thrust his palm forward. A blast of wind flung the bead away straight into the pedestal.

CRACK!

The Holy Dragon Bead tumbled from its sacred place.

Gasps echoed around the chamber.

“No!” Seraphina cried. “Everyone back!”

The bead hit the ground and began to glow no, burn with blinding power. Pulses of energy surged outward, shaking the floor. Nobles stumbled. The emperor raised a barrier. Chaos erupted.

Then Adrian heard something strange.

A soft sound. Fragile. Heartbreaking.

Was that… crying?

He turned his head toward the glowing bead. Among the storm of power and fear, Adrian stepped forward.

“kael, get back!” Seraphina screamed.

But he couldn’t move away. The sound like a weeping child called to him, tugging at something deep inside.

With slow steps, Adrian reached the bead.

“Don’t touch it!” Father Thorian bellowed.

Adrian knelt.

And placed his hand on the Holy Dragon Bead.

Time froze.

Light exploded, not outward, but inward spiraling into Adrian’s arm. A thunderous roar echoed through the hall as if a great dragon had just awakened.

The bead melted into him.

Everyone stared in stunned silence.

A mark no ordinary one, but a glowing, ancient rune etched itself onto Adrian’s arm, brighter and more complex than anything seen today.

“The Holy Dragon Bead has… bonded?” someone whispered.

“Impossible,” another gasped. “No one’s ever”

The emperor’s eyes narrowed. Seraphina dropped to her knees in disbelief. Even the haughty prince from earlier looked like he'd been struck.

Adrian stood slowly. The hall fell completely silent.

He looked at his arm. “Guess I’m not so worthless after all,” he murmured.

He didn’t know what this bond meant, but one thing was clear:

The boy everyone had dismissed… had just become the chosen one.

But just as Adrian dared to believe he had been accepted… a cold fire surged through his veins. His smile faded. His legs trembled. And then his eyes rolled back, his body collapsing as a sinister force dragged him into darkness.