AWAKENING THE BLOODLINE

Pain.

It started as a dull ache in Elias's chest, but withinsecinds, it grew into soemthing unbearable. His vision blurred, his breath came in a ragged gasps, and the world around him twisted and darkened. His body felt like it was on fire, yet frozen at the same time-like his very essence was being rewritten.

Something was awakening inside him. Something ancient. Something powerful.

The book he had been holding, THE BLOODLINE OF ELDROS, slipped from his fingers, crashing onto the cold stone floor of the Academy's library. The words he had just read about tje Arcane Kings still echoed in his mind.

"The Arcane Kings were not born, but awakened".

"Only those with the right bloodline could survive the transformation".

Elias staggered back, gripping the edge of the wooden table for support as a surge of uncontrollable energy pulsed through his veins. It was as if something buried deep within him had been unlocked-something that had always been there, waiting for the right moment to break free.

His breathing grew heavier. His vision flashed-images of ancient warriors, of towering castles, of battlefields soaked in blood, of kings wielding magic that could shake the heavens.

And then-darkness.

THE AWAKENING...

when Elias opened his eyes, he was no longer in the Academy's library.

He stood in an endless void, a place where time and space seemed meaningless. The air crackeld with raw energy, and before him floated a massive throne-carved from black obsidian, covered in glowing arcane runes. It pulsed with an eerie blue light, like a beating heart.

And sitting upon the throne was a shadowed figure.

A man dressed in ancient royal armor, a flowing dark cape drapped over his shoulders, his face hidden Beneath a hood. But Elias could feel it-the sheer power radiating from him.

Then, the figure spoke.

"You... carry our blood." His voice was deep, echoing, as if spoken from the depths of time itself. "You have awakened. But are you worthy?"

Elias tried to speak, but the weight of the figure's presence pressed down on him like a mountain. His very soul trembled.

"Who....are you?" Elias finally managed to ask.

The figure leaned forward, and for a brief moment,Elias saw glowing Golden eyes beneath the hood-eyes that burned with the power of an empire long forgotten.

"I am what remains of the first Arcane King." The figure's voice sent chills down Elias's spine.

"And you, boy are the last of my bloodline."

Elias's heart pounded. The last of the Arcane kings?

"No." He whispered, shaking his head. "That can't be possible!"

The king's gaze bore into him. "Deny it all you want. The blood runs in you veins. And now, you must decide. Will you embrace your destiny.... or will you fall like the rest?"

Before Elias could answer, a sidde surge of power exploded around him, and the world shattered.

BACK IN REALITY- THE DUEL BEGINS...

Elias's eyes snapped open, and he found himself back in the Academy's library. But something was different.

His body felt lighter, his mind clearer. The energy thay had surged through him was now calm, controlled, but still burning beneath the surface. He could feel it - an entirely new force pulsing within him.

Then, voice shattered the silence.

"NIGHTSHADE!"

Elias barely had time to react before searing blast of Golden flames came hurtling towards him. He dodged on instinct, rolling across the floor as the flames exploded against a nearby bookshelf, sending books and embers flying in all directions.

He looked up- Lucius Vorn stood at the entrance of the library, his hand still outstretched, smoke curling form his fingertips. His golden eyes burned with rage.

"I've had enough of you!" Lucius spat. "You walk around here like you belong? Like you're one of us? You'r nothing but a FRAUD!"

Elias pushed himself to his feet, his body still adjusting to the power inside him.

Lucius clenched his fists, and the entire room grew hotter as fire magic swirled around him. The students who had followed him to the library walked away., their faces filled with anticipation.

"I challenge you to the duel, Elias Nightshade," Lucius announced, his voice echoing through the halls. "Right here. Right now."

The challenge had been issued. There was no turning back.

THE BATTLE THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED...

The library was cleared out within minutes. Students whispered excitedly as they gathered outside, waiting fot the duel to take place in the training ground. It wasn't an official match-it was personal.

Elias stood on one side of the circular stone arena, his hands clenched at his sides. He srill didn't fully understand what had hapoened to him. He could feel the energy within him, but he hadn't had time to test it. To control it.

Lucius stood on the opposite end, fire crackling around him. He was the Academy's top ranked student, the one everyone expected to become a champion, a warload, a ruler. And Elias?? Elias was just the weakling who had suddenly, inexplicably, become a threat.

Lucius smirked. "This is your last chance, Nightshade. Bow out now before I humiliate you in front of everyone."

Elias exhaled, steadying himself. No more running. No more being weak.

He lifted his gaze to meet Lucius's. "Do your worst."

Lucius's smirk faded. Then, without warning- he attacked.

A blazing inferno erupted from his palm, twisting into the shape of a serpent made of fire. The flames surged toward Elias, burning through the air with deadly precision.

For a split second, time slowed.

And then- Elias moved.

His body acted on instinct. With a flick of his wrist, the dark energy inside him surged forth. A barrier of swirling black mist erupted around him, meeting Lucius's flames head- on. The moment the two forces collided, a shockwave exploded across the training grounds.

The students gasped. Lucius's flames....had been stopped.

Lucius staggered back, disbelief written across his face. "What....what didi you just do?!"

Elias didn't answer. He couldn't Because evem he didn't fully understand what had just happened.

But one thing was certain.

He was not the same Elias Nightshade from yesterday.

And the world was about to find out exactly what that meant.