The Unlikely Guardian

Varion's golden eyes blazed with fury. He took a step forward, his deep voice echoing through the chamber.

"This is a plot against me and my family." His fists clenched at his sides. "Never in the history of Vaelora has the Pyronis been wielded by a human. You all conspired to make this happen!"

"Silence!" one of the elders thundered.

Varion stiffened as the elder rose to his feet.

"Varion, son of Zareth," the elder continued, "the Pyronis has made its choice. We, the elders of Vaelora, will abide by it."

Varion's jaw tightened, his chest rising and falling in anger. His people had failed him. The sacred power that rightfully belonged to his bloodline had been stolen… and no one would stand by him.

Without another word, he turned sharply on his heel and stormed out of the hall, his dark cloak billowing behind him.

This was not over.

Earth – Dragon City

A cozy restaurant hummed with soft jazz music as Charles entered, scanning the room. His eyes landed on a familiar figure sitting at a table near the window.

He walked over quickly.

"You're late," Valerie said, arms crossed.

"I know, I know," Charles sighed, dragging the chair back to sit across from her. "I had to stay behind at work."

Valerie raised an eyebrow. "Work? How's that going?"

Charles let out a dry laugh. "Terrible. I might lose my job soon."

Valerie blinked. "Wait… what?"

He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "I confronted my boss. He's trying to release a chemical that could harm 30% of the people in this city."

Valerie's eyes widened. "What?!"

"Yeah," Charles muttered. "And the worst part? I never thought David would do something like this."

Valerie's expression darkened at the mention of her ex-boyfriend's name.

"Well," Charles continued, "I guess a lot has changed about your ex."

Valerie shot him a sharp look.

Charles immediately raised his hands in surrender. "Sorry. That was out of line."

She exhaled, rubbing her temples. "It's fine. I just… I can't believe this. You're sure about what he's planning?"

"I wish I wasn't." Charles ran a hand through his hair. "I can't stand by and let this happen, Val. But if I push any further… I'll be out of a job."

Valerie reached across the table, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Charles… don't worry. We'll figure this out. Everything will be fine."

Charles nodded, but deep down, he wasn't sure he believed that.

Charles' Nightmare

Darkness surrounded him.

Charles stood in an endless void, his breath quickening as a chilling wind swept through the air. Then, from the shadows, a towering figure emerged—cloaked in swirling darkness, its eyes glowing like molten fire.

A deep, echoing voice filled the void.

"It is time… rise and claim what is rightfully yours."

Charles felt his body tense as the figure reached toward him, pressing something cold and burning into his chest. A surge of power shot through his veins, searing into his very soul. His skin ignited with pain, his mind spiraling into chaos—

He gasped.

With a violent jolt, Charles shot up from his sleep, drenched in sweat. His breath came in ragged bursts as his heart pounded against his ribs.

Beside him, Valarie stirred, her hand immediately finding his shoulder.

"Charles… what's wrong?" she asked, her voice thick with concern.

He swallowed hard, running a hand through his damp hair. "I just… had a nightmare. It's fine."

Valarie frowned, searching his face. "Are you sure?"

Charles forced a small nod. "Yeah… I'm fine."

Not entirely convinced, she gave him a soft squeeze before lying back down.

As Charles wrapped his arms around her, he closed his eyes, pretending to sleep. But deep down, he knew—he wouldn't be getting any rest that night.

The sterile scent of chemicals filled the air as Charles stepped into the laboratory early that morning.

"Hey, Charles," a voice called.

Charles looked up to see Mike, one of his colleagues, leaning against a workbench.

"Morning, Mike," Charles replied, setting his bag down on the desk.

"Oh, before I forget," Mike added, "David was here early this morning. He wanted an update on Viro 16."

At those words, Charles exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples.

"Well, I told him you're the only one with the latest updates," Mike continued, "so he said you should report to his office as soon as you arrive."

Charles nodded slowly, already dreading the conversation ahead. "Alright. Thanks."

With reluctant steps, he left the lab and made his way to David Walton's office

A sharp knock echoed through the sleek office.

"Come in," David's voice called from inside.

Charles stepped in, nodding stiffly. "Good morning, David."

David leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing at his lips. "Ah, Charles. I was told you're the only one with the update on Viro 16." He laced his fingers together. "I assume that means you've come to your senses and are ready to do your job?"

His tone was mocking, condescending.

Charles clenched his jaw.

"I already told you, David—I can't work on Viro 16. The process is far too dangerous."

David's expression darkened, his smirk fading. "You seem to think you have a choice." He leaned forward, his voice low and firm. "I don't pay you to make decisions, Charles. I give orders, and I expect them to be followed."

Charles met his gaze, refusing to back down.

"What you're doing is inhumane, David. And illegal. If you don't stop this, I might have to report you myself."

A tense silence filled the room.

Then—David scoffed, shaking his head. "You're fired."

Charles' stomach dropped. "What?"

"You heard me." David's voice was cold and unwavering. "Pack your shit and get out before I have the guards throw you out."

Charles gritted his teeth, anger and disbelief swirling inside him.

As he turned to leave, David chuckled.

"Oh, and one more thing," he added smugly. "I still don't know how Valerie ever saw anything in a fool like you."

Charles froze for a second, his fists clenching. But he said nothing.

With a deep breath, he walked out, his head held high—yet inside, his world was crashing down.

Planet Vaelora

Before a crowd of his followers, Varion stood tall, his piercing gaze sweeping across the sea of faces before him. His voice rang with fury.

"The elders have disgraced us!"

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd.

"For generations, the Pyronis has been wielded by our family. And now, they dare to strip us of what is rightfully ours?"

A chorus of voices shouted in outrage.

Varion's expression hardened. "We will not stand for this."

The crowd erupted in agreement. "Yes!"

Their fate had been decided.

This was war.

The air inside the Sanctum of Aetheris crackled with raw, untamed energy. The towering chamber, hidden deep within Mount Solveth, pulsed with an eerie glow, the walls lined with shifting runes that seemed to breathe as if they were alive. At the very heart of the sanctum, the Pyronis floated above an ancient pedestal, its cosmic flames swirling in an endless dance, radiating power beyond comprehension.

Varion and his followers stood at the entrance, the weight of history pressing down on them. He took a step forward, leaving his people behind. As he entered the sacred chamber, his lips curled into a smirk, his eyes locked onto the Pyronis.

"This is mine," he whispered, his voice laced with greed and triumph.

The moment his words echoed through the sanctum, a bolt of lightning struck the ground before him. The walls trembled as the energy in the chamber flared, summoning the Elders of Vaelora. Their towering figures materialized in a surge of radiant light, their presence commanding silence.

"Varion, son of Zareth," one of the elders spoke, his voice carrying the weight of ages. "You have disregarded the will of the Pyronis, defied the elders of Vaelora, and dishonored the ethics of our world. How do you plead?"

Varion clenched his fists, his fiery gaze never leaving the Pyronis.

"How do I plead?" he spat. "I have committed no crime. The Pyronis was mine to begin with!"

Another elder stepped forward, his glowing eyes piercing through Varion's rage.

"You were never destined to wield the Pyronis. Even your brother knew this truth. Your heart is filled with rage, and darkness has consumed your soul. You do not possess the purity required to become a Guardian."

"Lies!" Varion roared. His voice thundered through the sanctum. "You are the ones conspiring against me, against my family! The Pyronis has been ours for generations! You seek to steal what is rightfully mine—and you shall pay once I claim its power!"

The eldest among them, the High Elder, raised his staff.

"Varion, son of Zareth," he declared, his voice unshaken. "You and your followers have defied the will of the Pyronis and broken the sacred laws of Vaelora. For this, you are cast out. You shall never return to Vaelora."

The elder struck his staff against the ground. Instantly, an overwhelming force surged through the sanctum. Varion and his followers were engulfed in a blinding light, their forms twisting as the ancient power of Vaelora expelled them from its lands.

Above them, the Pyronis stirred. Its flames pulsed with new energy as it rose from its resting place, leaving the sanctum, leaving Vaelora—choosing its new wielder elsewhere.

Later that evening, Charles sat in his dimly lit apartment, drinking from a bottle of beer. He sighed, rubbing his temples.

"I can't believe this," he muttered. "All this destruction… just for money?"

He took another swig, but suddenly—

A bright light flashed before his eyes.

Charles blinked, thinking he was hallucinating from the alcohol. But then it happened again—a pulse of energy circling him, faster and faster.

"What the hell…?"

Before he could react, the energy lifted him off the ground.

His body tensed as the light wrapped around him, forming into streams of fire-like energy. His veins pulsed with heat, his skin glowing red, and suddenly—

A surge of power exploded from within him.

Then—darkness.