THE LAST AWAKENING

Chapter 1

In the kingdom of Valenor, House Aerion was once a beacon of strength and nobility, celebrated for their bond with dragons. However, after losing their last dragon and the untimely death of the beloved queen, the house had fallen into deep decline. The grand castle, once filled with laughter and vibrant life, now echoed with whispers of a forgotten legacy.

Selene, the youngest daughter of House Aerion, roamed the shadowy halls, her heart heavy with dreams of restoring her family's honor. She often watched her older brother, Daeron, consumed by bitterness and ambition. His eyes glinted with the desire for power, and she could see his plotting against their family. Daeron intended to ally with the rival House Rhaegon, believing that together, they could seize the throne in the ensuing chaos following the queen's death.

One fateful evening, while exploring the castle's ancient library, Selene stumbled upon a hidden tome. Its pages spoke of a prophecy: a descendant of House Aerion could awaken the last dragon, buried deep within a forgotten temple, and reclaim their family's lost glory. The words ignited a spark of hope in her heart. She knew she had to act swiftly, but she also knew her brother would stop at nothing to prevent her from succeeding.

Determined, Selene set off on her journey under the cover of darkness, navigating treacherous paths and hidden trails. The air crackled with anticipation as she approached the temple, an ancient structure overgrown with vines and moss. The moment she stepped inside, a sense of magic enveloped her, filling her with renewed purpose. It was as if the very walls whispered to her, urging her to hurry. The quiet murmur of ancient power was unmistakable, and it filled her with a mixture of awe and fear.

Selene's heart raced as she moved deeper into the temple, feeling the weight of her ancestors' expectations on her shoulders. The prophecy had spoken of a ritual, but the specifics had been vague. She had studied the ancient scripts for weeks, and now, standing in the temple, she could almost feel the ancient magic stirring beneath the ground. She began the ritual to awaken the dragon, reciting the incantations from the prophecy. Her voice echoed through the stone halls, the words old and powerful, almost alive with the magic that had long slumbered.

Just as the dragon stirred, a familiar voice interrupted her concentration.

"You think you can do this without me?"

Daeron sneered, flanked by soldiers from House Rhaegon.

"This power is mine!"

Selene's heart skipped a beat, and the ritual faltered for a moment. She had expected this, yet the reality of facing her brother here, in this sacred place, struck her with a wave of emotion.

"Daeron, you don't understand," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"This isn't about power-it's about our legacy."

Daeron scoffed, stepping closer with a mocking smile.

"Legacy? You always were the favored one, Selene. Now, it's my turn. This power will be mine, and I will not let you stand in my way."

A fierce duel erupted between the siblings, swords clashing in a desperate, echoing battle. Sparks flew as steel met steel, and their strained breaths filled the ancient temple chamber. Selene fought not just for herself but for her family's legacy, feeling the weight of her ancestors behind her, while Daeron's rage fueled each of his brutal strikes. Shadows flickered on the temple walls as their swords sparked, echoing the ferocity of their struggle. Daeron's blows were fast, driven by ambition and resentment; he demanded the throne, wanting to secure what he believed was his right more than she ever could.

Selene countered each strike with quiet resolve, drawing strength from the memory of her family's ancient bond with dragons.

"Is this what you want, Daeron? To betray our family... for power?"

Selene's voice cut through the ringing of their blades, her tone edged with sorrow.

"Father always chose you,"

Daeron spat back, his anger as fierce as his strikes.

"You were always meant to be the legacy."

As the temple trembled under awakening magic, Selene glimpsed the massive form of the dragon, rising in the background, its scales catching the glint of torchlight. Its eyes opened, blazing with an ancient, knowing light. Its roar echoed through the temple, shaking both Selene and Daeron to their cores, as if assessing their hearts and intentions. For a tense moment, time itself seemed to stand still as the dragon watched them, waiting to see who would prove worthy of its power.

Selene could feel the weight of the dragon's gaze, its ancient wisdom sweeping over her, filling her with an overwhelming sense of purpose. The dragon seemed to recognize her, its roar vibrating through the stone as though answering her call. She could feel her heart beating in sync with its powerful pulse, and she knew, deep in her soul, that this moment would define her family's future.

Daeron, on the other hand, seemed to shrink under the dragoni's gaze. His strikes slowed, his arrogance faltering in the face of the ancient power that had awoken. For the first time, doubt flickered in his eyes. The dragon's magic, raw and untamed, was too much for him to control. His ambition had blinded him to the truth-he had sought power for himself, but power alone would not save House Aerion.

In the heat of the battle, Selene disarmed Daeron, her breath catching as she stood over him.

"This isn't the way, Daeron. We don't have to destroy each other for power. We can rebuild our family together, side by side."

The dragon, sensing the conflict in their hearts, roared, filling the entire temple with a radiant light. Its massive eyes met Selene's, and in that instant, it chose her as its rider, an ancient bond sparking to life. The energy that surged through her was unlike anything she had ever felt. The dragon's power flowed into her, its essence merging with hers. She felt her strength multiply, but it was not a hunger for more power-it was a deep, resonating connection with the creature before her, as if they had always been one.

Daeron, struck by the power he had craved but now saw beyond his reach, fell to his knees, overwhelmed by his own choices.

"What have I done?"

he murmured, shame softening his face as the weight of his actions became clear. The harshness of his earlier words faded, leaving only regret.

"1. I was blinded by my own ambition."

Selene reached out her hand. "Help me, Daeron. Together, we can restore our family and heal this kingdom."

After a tense pause, Daeron looked up, eyes clouded but sincere, and accepted her hand. Rising beside her, he gave a nod of silent loyalty, regret mingling with newfound resolve and a determination he hadn't felt before. The burden of his past choices lifted slightly, replaced by a shared vision of redemption. Together, they would restore what had been lost.

With the dragon at her side, Selene led Daeron back to the capital, soaring above the city as they returned home. Below, the people looked up in awe, seeing the prophecy finally fulfilled. The dragon, majestic and mighty, circled above them, its wings beating in harmony with the hearts of the people. Gradually, the noble houses that had once opposed House Aerion began to shift their loyalty, captivated by the sight of the siblings united alongside the dragon.

Though the path forward would be difficult, Selene felt ready for the challenge. With her family's honor restored and her brother beside her, she looked to the future with hope, knowing that House Aerion would rise once more. The dragon, their ancient companion, had returned, and with it came the promise of new beginnings. The kingdom of Valenor would heal, and the bonds of family, once broken, would be reforged in the fires of unity.