In a dimly lit room, the prominent members of the Zeus and Hera families gathered around a bed, where a frail woman lay, her face pale and strained as she prepared to give birth. Unbeknownst to the mortals in the room, the baby's life force was teetering on the brink of non-existence.
Hera leaned closer, her voice heavy with concern. “Meteria, I fear your child may not survive.”
Overwhelmed, Meteria erupted into tears. One of the others rushed to her side, enveloping her in a warm embrace, and she clung to her friend, sobbing uncontrollably.
“I don’t care if I die,” Meteria cried. “I just want my child to live! I may not be able to watch them grow, but I at least want them to have a chance.”
Alfia's frustration boiled over. “Dammit! Where is that fool Bob at a time like this? He’s probably hidden away somewhere, acting like a coward.”
Zald nodded grimly. “We haven’t seen him for a month. I hate to agree, but you might be right, Alfia.”
Suddenly, a figure burst through the door, bloodied and battered—a deep gash ran down his arm from shoulder to knuckle, and a gaping claw wound marred his chest from shoulder to waist. It was a miracle he was still standing. The room's occupants gasped in shock at his appearance.
“That’s pretty harsh to say after I risked my life for my wife’s last wish,” Bob said, trying to catch his breath. “I have a way to save our child.”
Gasps of disbelief rippled through the room, and both Zeus and Hera stepped forward, their expressions a mix of hope and skepticism.
“How?” Hera asked, her voice trembling.
“Bob, how do you plan to do that?” Zeus pressed. “The only known methods are dark rituals or lost knowledge.”
Bob’s gaze hardened with determination. “The blood of the Red and White Guardians was never truly lost, Zeus—it was simply hidden away. I’ve been gone for a month searching for an ancient map that’s been passed down through my family. I found it—the blood of supremacy and domination, the blood of the Heavenly Dragons.”
Confusion clouded the faces of everyone but Zeus and Hera, yet a glimmer of hope sparked in Meteria’s tear-filled eyes.
“How is that possible?” Zeus demanded. “I witnessed the Guardians fall, their bodies destroyed by the three remaining traitors!”
“Can someone explain?” Alfia and Zald echoed in unison, their brows knitted in confusion.
Stepping forward, Zeus began recounting the fate of the Heavenly Dragons.
“The Heavenly Dragons were equals to the heavens themselves, possessing absolute power as the greatest guardians of humanity alongside ten other creatures: Gengo, the Swift; the Griffin, the Father of Birds; the Centaur, the Father of Horses; the Basilisk, the Father of Lizards; the Phoenix, the Burning One; the Cyclops, the All-Seeing; the Hydra, the Mother of Fish; the Leviathan; the Behemoth; and the Black Dragon. They protected humanity until one day, resentment poisoned the hearts of the ten creatures. Believing themselves superior, they conspired to eliminate the very humans they had once vowed to safeguard.”
He continued, his voice growing somber. “In their folly, they approached the Heavenly Dragons, but it backfired—the Dragons were too strong. In the ensuing battle, Gengo, Hydra, Cyclops, Phoenix, Basilisk, Centaur, and Griffin fell, and the Black Dragon lost an eye. In a final stand, the Leviathan and the Behemoth, alongside the one-eyed Black Dragon, defeated the remaining Guardians. Thus began the three great quests of this world, and it was then that many gods, including Ddraig and Albion, descended from Genkai to aid the Heavenly Dragons. But by the time we arrived, our friends had already perished.”
