THE CHOSEN ONE (Reunion)

DRAGON AND DESTINY

AXRAX 

King Raynold sat on his throne in the council hall. The council members of Axrax and the kings from the four kingdoms, along with their prime ministers, were seated in front of him on chairs.

King Raynold addressed everyone, his voice calm but commanding: “I am sure we all know the reason why we are here, so there is no need to beat around the bush. I, together with the council of Axrax, have made our decision. I would like to know what the other kings and their councils have decided.”

“Your royal majesty,” King James said, standing and bowing his head. “I, King James, and every member of my council have decided to raise more armies and improve the standard of the army.”

“Is that true, Prime Minister of Lythridite?” King Raynold asked.

“Yes, your royal majesty,” the prime minister of Lythridite replied with a bow.

One by one, every king and prime minister agreed to raise more armies and improve army standards—except King Josh and his prime minister.

Since King Josh was the only one who disagreed, King Raynold declared that every kingdom could raise an army of 500,000 and improve army standards. If King Josh chose not to, he would not be required to comply.

---

NIGHT

Zussorender was about to prepare dinner for the two royal princes, knowing they didn’t know how to cook, when he realized there was no firewood.

He called the two princes over. He said to them,

“I want you both to go to the forest to fetch firewood so I can cook for you".

Noah grinned, saying, “Master, do you think we’re going to fall for your trick again?”.

Zussorender frowned, confused. He asked, “What are you talking about?”.

“We know you’re just trying to send us to the forest so we can go stop another spears,” Noah said with a sly smile.

Zussorender’s annoyance flared. He said, “Sometimes I wonder which of you is dumber. Go to the forest and get me firewood—or else you aren’t eating tonight!”

Noah hesitated, “But master, don’t you think it might be dangerous? It’s very late. Why don’t you come with us?”.

“Nothing is going to happen. Besides, can’t you both fight?” Zussorender asked.

“We can, but…” Ramsay began, only to be cut off.

“Now get going, and don’t stay too long!” Zussorender said sharply.

The two royal princes exchanged glances and left for the forest.

---

The two royal princes gathered every piece of wood they could find in the forest, staying close together so they wouldn’t get separated.

After collecting enough, they began their journey home. The forest was quiet at first, until a low, menacing growl echoed through the trees. Both froze.

Noah’s voice trembled, “What the hell is that?”.

“I don’t know, and I don’t want to know. But you will do exactly as I say", Ramsay said, trying to sound brave.

“Okay…” Noah replied, fear evident in his voice.

“Run, Noah!” Ramsay shouted.

They bolted, but out of nowhere, ten wolves leapt into the path and began chasing them. They ran as fast as they could, even dropping the firewood they had carried.

One wolf lunged at Ramsay, sinking its claws into his back and sending him crashing to the ground with the wolf pinned on top of him.

Noah froze in terror. He couldn’t move at first, but desperation pushed him to look around for something to fight back with.

Ramsay groaned in pain as the wolf’s claws tore his back.

Noah grabbed a piece of wood and swung it at the wolf, forcing it to release Ramsay for a moment. He dropped the wood and noticed blood seeping from the wound.

“Ramsay!” Noah cried, kneeling beside him. There was no response. Ramsay had fainted.

Fear surged through Noah as he looked around. They were completely surrounded by snarling wolves. He knew there was no way to escape with his wounded brother.

Suddenly, a wolf charged at Noah, jaws wide. Noah raised his arm instinctively, but the wolf bit down hard. Pain shot through him as he struggled to free his arm from the wolf’s teeth.

The wolf refused to let go. The pain intensified, unbearable, and Noah screamed.

Then, something strange happened. A surge of immense strength coursed through his body. His muscles tensed, and his eyes flared bright yellow, glowing in the darkness of the forest.

Noah stood, lifting the wolf that refused to let go of his arm. With a single, powerful punch—hard as a rock—he sent the wolf sprawling, unconscious.

He flexed his arm and noticed his body changing: scales began covering his skin, his fingers sharpened into claws, and massive wings sprouted from his back.

Pain shot through him in waves as his transformation continued, and a scream tore from his throat. But there was no time to focus on the agony—many glowing eyes surrounded him. All the wolves lunged at once.

Noah pushed the pain aside and fought. Claws raked through fur, bones snapped, and hearts were pierced. One by one, the wolves fell, their snarls silenced forever.

When the last wolf collapsed, Noah realized something terrifying: he no longer felt the pain. His body was fully transformed—scales covering every inch, claws glinting in the moonlight, and his new wings stretching wide. His face had taken on the feral features of a predator.

He studied himself, marveling and trembling at the same time. Then a sudden weakness overtook him. Kneeling, he felt the wings retract, the claws shortening, the scales melting back into skin. His vision blurred. The forest spun around him as his body returned to human form.

Exhausted, he collapsed onto the forest floor. Above him, the flapping of enormous wings cut through the night air. He looked up—and saw a dragon descending toward him. Darkness claimed him, and he fainted.

Meanwhile, Zussorender had grown anxious. The royal princes had been gone far too long. Gathering his resolve, he entered the forest to search.

He moved carefully, scanning every shadow. Soon, he arrived at a clearing scattered with dead wolves and blood. Fear gripped him—had the princes been hurt?

Zussorender pressed on, combing the forest until morning. Exhausted and unable to find the princes, he returned home. He packed food and water, then created a magical sphere designed to track the royal princes wherever they might be. 

---

SHAPE TOWN 

Ramsay opened his eyes and found himself lying on a bed. Beside him, Noah was still asleep. He sat up and scanned the room, noting its unfamiliar surroundings.

He tapped Noah, asking, “Get up… where the hell are we?”.

Noah stirred but kept his eyes closed. He asked, “What is it, brother? Where else could we be if not our room?”.

“This is not our room. Get up and look for yourself,” Ramsay said, confused about how they ended up there.

Noah finally opened his eyes and sat up. He took in the room and realized it was indeed strange.

“Where the hell are we?” he asked, a hint of fear in his voice.

“That’s the same question I’m asking you,” Ramsay replied.

Just then, a young man and woman, around their age, entered the room, followed by four men who stood behind them. The young man and woman took seats in chairs placed in front of Ramsay and Noah, who remained on the bed, watching cautiously.

“Who are you people?” Noah demanded.

“And where are we?” Ramsay added.

“I am Lord Benjamin of Shape Town,” the young man said, gesturing to the girl beside him. “And this is my sister, Ryn. You are in Shape Town.”

“Shape Town? Never heard of this place. Where is it located?” Ramsay asked.

Benjamin shook his head slightly. He replied, “Well… I can’t tell you that. It’s not uncommon for people who end up here to have no knowledge of this place beforehand.”

“Can I ask how we got here?” Noah asked.

“Ethusa brought you here,” Ryn replied.

“Ethusa? Who is Ethusa? And please don’t tell me you can’t tell us who Ethusa is,” Ramsay said, frustrated.

“Ethusa is the one who healed your wound and brought you both here,” Benjamin explained.

“My wound?” Ramsay asked, confused.

He touched his back and realized the wolves’ attack from the night before had left no trace—no pain, no wound—only the torn fabric of his clothing.

“My wound is gone,” Ramsay said, astonished.

“What wound?” Noah asked.

“The wolves last night, when we went to fetch firewood,” Ramsay replied.

“What wolves and firewood are you talking about?” Noah asked, bewildered.

“Don’t you remember what happened last night?” Ramsay asked.

“Nothing happened… or did something happen?” Noah said, confused.

“Oh God, you’ve lost your memory again. Let me remind you. Master sent us to the forest to get some firewood, but we were attacked by wolves. One of them hurt me, and then I blacked out. That’s all I remember,” Ramsay explained.

“What about me?” Noah asked.

“I don’t know. You seem to have lost your memory too, just like last time… which means… nothing,” Ramsay said.

“No, you just cut your words short,” Noah said, sensing there was more Ramsay wasn’t saying.

“No, I didn’t,” Ramsay insisted.

“Yes, you did. What does it mean? You have to tell me,” Noah pressed.

“There’s nothing to say,” Ramsay replied firmly.

“Are you both done talking to each other?” Benjamin asked, interrupting the two princes.

“Who is Ethusa really?” Ramsay asked.

“Ethusa is a dragon,” Ryn said.

“Oh… it can’t be,” Noah said, surprised.

“What can’t be?” Ramsay asked.

“It’s the dragon that fought alongside King Damon, the Light Army, and the wizards—the story Father told us about,” Noah said.

“Yes, I remember. But wait… why did Ethusa save us and bring us here?” Ramsay asked.

“We don’t know. But for Ethusa to do that, you both must be special in some way… because Ethusa cares about no one", Benjamin said.

“How do you know Ethusa? We’ve heard no one has seen her since the death of King Damon,” Noah asked.

“We just know her. And I wondered why she left the Light Castle… because of you both. I wondered what's so special about you both that made her leave the castle", Ryn replied.

“What is a Light Castle?” Ramsay asked.

“You both don’t know anything. Let’s forget about that for now. What are your names?” Benjamin asked.

“My name is Noah, and this is my brother Ramsay,” Noah said with a smile.

“Okay. Clothes will be sent to you both so you can have a change. After that, you should meet us downstairs,” Benjamin instructed.

“Okay, and thank you for your hospitality,” Noah said.

Benjamin and Ryn, along with the four men, left the room.

---

Meanwhile, the five kingdoms began recruiting more people into their armies and creating new weapons and shields.

At first, the people feared these actions signaled an impending war. But their fears were eased when the kings assured them that the armies were meant to secure the unknown future and protect the people.

Seeing Lythridite recruiting for its army, Zussorender transformed into a young man and hid his staff outside the city. Then, together with Philip and the mercenaries, he suspended their business operations and joined the army.