They Called Me Forsaken, Not Knowing I Was the Dragon God

CHAPTER THREE

Aeron’s eyes snapped open to the execution grounds again.

Only a few seconds had passed. Everyone was still murmuring and confused.

Ignar’s eyes still burned brightly with curiosity as he stared intently at him.

But something was different; and it wasn't just the fact that the weather had returned back to normal.

Aeron felt a strange fire burn within his chest now, but it didn't hurt this time.

It gave him a sense of confidence and identity.

“What is that?!” The executioner shrieked, jumping back slightly.

That was when the priest noticed the snake wrapped around his arm.

But because he was sitted behind the gallows, most of the spectators couldn't see the snake.

Questions and whispers floated around the square.

“What do you think it is?”

“Has he finally awoken a beast?”

“Good heavens! Is the land purged?”

“After five years?!”

“What are the odds? That's impossible!”

Priest Ignar raised his hands to silence the crowd. “Patience, everyone. It would seem the lad has awakened something.”

Signaling to the elders, he drew closer to Aeron. The elders also surrounded him and they examined the snake.

Elder Aurelius waved his hand over the snake, a misty glow emitting in his wake. “The aura of this beast is very weak.”

“Yes. And it barely has any presence,” another noted.

“It’s quite insignificant in the grand scheme of things too. How sad!” Ignar stated.

Aeron heard Valeor's voice float around him. "That is intentional."

Cassius let out a loud, obnoxious laugh. “Really? Five years of delay for that?! A pathetic little snake??!”

Laughter erupted around the square as everyone made their comments about the snake.

“How terrible. This is even worse than being cursed!”

“What's the point of having a beast that can't even play any role in the kingdom?!”

“Such a shame! Sucks to be him!”

“Five years of delay for… that?”

Even the elders had confused faces but mocking glints in their eyes.

It was truly a shame.

Aeron watched them laugh and jest with a calm expression.

This time, their laughter hit him differently. Like water hitting a rock.

His little snake wrapped around his arm again, and this time he felt strangely at ease.

He knew something every single person in that square didn't.

King Tharos looked quite impatient now. “So? What is going on now, Ignar? Give the signal to the executioner. I don't have all day.”

Ignar cleared his throat. “Your highness, the lad has finally awakened a… beast.”

King Tharos raised a brow. “Really? And where is this beast because I can't see anything.”

“It's a tiny snake, your highness,” elder Aurelius chipped in, lifting Aeron’s wrist to the view of the king.

King Tharos froze in disbelief and amazement. “What is that?”

“The beast we have waited five years for.”

“Hmm.”

Everyone watched the king stare at the snake, deeply in thought.

“So what's the verdict?” Someone among the crowd asked.

Everyone concurred.

“Yes. Is that worthy to be called a beast?”

“I still think he should die. That's not a beast. It's a joke!”

As the unrest spread across the square again, the king raised his hand to silence them.

“The law cannot be disobeyed. A law is a law. This lad was supposed to awaken a guardian beast within five years. Technically, he has.”

Murmur spread again but the king continued.

“Aeron is acquitted of the charges of being a Forsaken. Release him!”

His mother let put a cry of relief and his father sighed.

As they led him away from the gallows, his mother pushed through the crowd to get to him, his father right on her tail.

“My dear son! Oh, thank heavens!” His mother exclaimed, hugging him tightly.

“Where is your beast, my boy?” His father asked. He had been too grieved to hear all that had been said earlier.

Without any expression, he raised his hands to show them his wrist.

Relief filled their faces for a moment … then disappointment.

“Oh.” His mother said.

His father sighed. “Hmm.”

Elara marched over to him, her face bright with mockery.

If she had once felt any fear easier, it had disappeared totally.

“All that drama… for a snake?” She asked in a high-pitched tone. “To think I was actually excited for you. I was even hoping that you'd finally prove them wrong.”

Areon stared blankly at her.

Cassius, beside her laughed even more, “At least you can keep it as a pet. So you won't be lonely and miserable anymore. It's just like you, after all. Weak, useless, and pathetic!”

Elara laughed uncomfortably. “You'll enjoy its company though. I'm happy for you.”

“Thank you for your concern.” The coldness in his tone cut Elara deep. He sounded so detached from her.

“Oh, don't act like you don't care. I'm just trying to show you some –”

“I don't need it. Keep it to yourself. I need to leave now.” He started walking away but paused. “Oh, and I'm grateful for my tiny snake. Far more than you can know.”

He moved through the crowd, bearing their murmurs loudly but he refused to bow.

"You should thank the king for being so lenient and merciful. Left to me, your head would be rolling on the ground now because that thing on your wrist is no beast!"

Aeron paused, turning around to face the person who had had the guts to insult him to his face.

A heavier silence settled again as everyone watched, curious about what he would do.

Kael, the loud captain with the largest and strongest beast in the Northern region smirked.

He stood gallantly, his shoulders puffed with pride. "I'm just saying the truth."

Aeron took low steps to him and stopped in front of him.

Kael glared at him, though Aeron's calmness made his confidence falter.

"Enjoy your laughter while you can."

That was all. Yet, Kael's stance visibly crumbled slightly.

Aeron walked away, his gait commanding. His gaze flickered back to the snake.

Valeor smirked, his eyes glinting with a gold flash.

No one noticed it. It happened very fast, lasting for a fraction of a second, before disappearing.

But priest Ignar did and his face drained of all colour.

Within a second, a cold breeze hit him and cast him into a vision.

He saw them.

Dragons.

Thousands of dragons.

Trembling mountains.

A sea of wings.

In their center, Aeron with a crown on his head.

All the dragons kneeling before him.

Then the flash disappeared as fast as it had come, but its impact knocked Ignar to the ground.

He breathed heavily, watching Aeron leave.

"W-Who... What are you?"