Golden sunbeams slipped through the large windows of the Draconis Palace, dancing across the white marble floors and casting warm shadows on the walls adorned with portraits of the noble family's ancestors. On this beautiful spring morning in May, everything in the palace seemed perfect, as if it had stepped out of a fairytale about happiness and familial love.
Arios Val Draconis, eight years old, was running through the long corridors of the palace, his small feet making soft sounds on the cool floor. His soft black hair bounced with his movement, and his clear blue eyes sparkled with energy and joy. He wore a simple white shirt and brown trousers, comfortable clothes that allowed him to move freely around his large home.
"Luna! Luna! Where are you?" Arios called in his sweet, childish voice, searching for his little sister in every room he passed. In his hand, he held a small toy—a carefully carved wooden horse, a gift from his father on his last birthday.
From behind one of the large marble columns, a gentle laugh rang out like a silver bell. Luna Val Draconis, the four-year-old girl, was hiding there, her blue eyes twinkling with innocent mischief. Her soft golden hair was braided with blue silk ribbons, and her little white dress was embroidered with tiny flowers in golden thread.
"Found you!" Arios shouted joyfully, rushing toward her. He scooped her up in his arms and spun her around in the air, their laughter filling the grand corridor with the most beautiful music in the world—the music of innocent childhood and sincere sibling love.
"Arios! Arios!" Luna laughed, reaching out her small hands for the wooden horse. "Can I play with it?"
"Of course, little sister," Arios said, gently setting her down and handing her the toy. "But we have to be careful. It's a magic horse, just like Father told me."
Her eyes widened in wonder and admiration. "Really magic?"
Arios nodded with childish seriousness. "Yes, Father said if you believe in it strongly enough, it might take you on wonderful adventures."
At that moment, they heard the sound of heavy yet gentle footsteps approaching. Victor Draconis, Arios's father, appeared at the end of the corridor. He was a man in his early thirties, tall and broad-shouldered, with black hair like his son's and deep blue eyes that held wisdom beyond his years. He wore a dark blue robe embroidered with silver threads, a mark of his noble status, but his warm smile made him look like any loving father.
"What's going on here?" Victor asked in a deep yet cheerful voice, kneeling down to be at his children's level. "Are my children waking up everyone in the palace with their laughter?"
"Father!" Arios cried, rushing toward him, followed by Luna clutching the wooden horse. Victor embraced his children, feeling an indescribable warmth fill his heart. These were the moments he lived for—simple moments of happiness with his little family.
"Father, will you teach us more about magic today?" Arios asked eagerly, his eyes shining with curiosity. He had recently begun to show early signs of magical ability, and Victor was teaching him the basics with care and patience.
Victor smiled, running his hand through his son's hair. "Of course, my little hero. But first, we must have breakfast. Your mother is waiting for us in the dining hall, and I believe she's prepared something special for you both."
"Mama!" Luna cried happily, running toward the dining hall, the wooden horse still in her hand. Arios followed, but paused for a moment and turned to his father.
"Father, will you teach me how to make the horse really fly?"
Victor laughed, deep and warm. "Maybe, Arios. But remember, true magic isn't in making things fly. True magic is in the love we share with those we care about."
Arios nodded, not fully understanding what his father meant, but feeling a strange warmth in his chest. He ran after his sister toward the dining hall, leaving Victor standing alone for a moment, watching them with deep love mixed with a hidden worry he could not quite conceal.
The dining hall in Draconis Palace was a masterpiece of architecture. A long table of polished oak stood at the center of the room, surrounded by blue velvet-upholstered chairs. A massive crystal chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling, reflecting the morning sunlight in rainbow colors that danced on the walls.
Isabella Draconis stood by the large window, gazing out at the green gardens stretching beyond the palace. She was a woman in her late twenties, beautiful in a timeless, classic way. Her long golden hair was elegantly braided, and her gentle green eyes held a warmth that made everyone who saw her feel safe. She wore a simple yet elegant white dress, embroidered with delicate golden threads.
When she heard the sound of her children's footsteps and laughter approaching, she turned with a smile that lit up her whole face. "My dear children!" she said, opening her arms to welcome them.
"Mama!" Arios and Luna cried together, running to her. Isabella embraced them tenderly, kissing their heads gently. The scent of her light perfume—a blend of jasmine and rose—was familiar and comforting to them.
"I've prepared a special breakfast for you today," Isabella said, gesturing to the table. It was filled with delicious dishes—golden pancakes with honey, colorful fresh fruits, warm fragrant bread, and glasses of fresh milk.
"Wow!" Arios exclaimed, gazing at the feast. "Is there a special occasion?"
Isabella smiled and exchanged a quick glance with Victor, who entered the hall at that moment. "Sometimes, my dear, we don't need a special occasion to celebrate. Sometimes, just being together as a happy family is reason enough."
The family sat around the table—Arios and Luna on one side, their parents on the other. They began breakfast amid cheerful conversation and warm laughter. Arios told his parents about a strange dream he'd had the night before, where he flew on the back of a golden dragon above the clouds. Luna played with the wooden horse, making it "eat" small pieces of pancake.
"Father," Arios said suddenly, setting his glass of milk on the table. "Why are we different from other people?"
Victor paused, looking at his son seriously. "What do you mean, Arios?"
"I mean… magic. Why can we do things other people can't? And what about those strange dreams I sometimes have?"
Victor and Isabella exchanged a quick, worried glance. They knew this day would come—the day Arios would begin to ask difficult questions about the nature of their family and their abilities.
"Arios," Victor began in a calm, thoughtful voice, "we're not really different. Every person has something special that makes them unique. Some people paint beautifully, some sing sweetly, and some… can work with magical energy."
"But why us?" Arios insisted, his childish curiosity not easily satisfied. Isabella rose from her seat and came to sit beside Arius. She took his small hands in her soft ones. "My dear, sometimes in life, we are given special gifts. But with every gift comes responsibility. Our magical abilities are not for showing off or hurting others. They are meant to protect those we love and help those in need."
"Like the heroes in stories?" Arius asked, his eyes sparkling.
Isabella laughed gently. "Yes, my little hero. Like the heroes in stories."
"And me?" Luna asked in her soft voice, looking up at her parents with wide eyes. "Will I be a hero too?"
Isabella hugged her tenderly. "You're already a hero, my darling. You're the hero of our hearts."
After breakfast, Victor suggested taking Arius to his private library for his daily magic lesson. The library was a large room filled with books from floor to ceiling, with a big wooden desk in the center and tall windows overlooking the gardens. The scent of old books, ink, and candles filled the air, creating an atmosphere of wisdom and tranquility.
"Today, Arius, we'll learn something new," Victor said as he sat behind his desk and gestured for Arius to sit in the chair opposite him. "We'll learn about controlling your inner energy."
Arius sat eagerly, his eyes focused on his father. "How do we do that?"
"First, close your eyes," Victor said in a calm voice. "Now, breathe slowly and deeply. Feel the air entering and leaving your lungs."
Arius obeyed, his young face showing a seriousness beyond his years.
"Now," Victor continued, "try to feel the warmth in your chest. It's always there, but sometimes we don't notice it."
For a few minutes, Arius sat silently, trying to concentrate. Suddenly, he opened his eyes in surprise. "Father! I can feel it! It's like… like a little sun in my chest!"
Victor smiled proudly. "Excellent, Arius. That's the source of your magical power. But remember, this power must be used with wisdom and love."
"Can I make something happen with it?" Arius asked excitedly.
"Something small," Victor said cautiously. "Reach out your hand toward that feather on the desk."
There was a small white feather on the edge of the desk. Arius reached toward it, focusing on the warmth in his chest. Slowly, the feather began to rise into the air, dancing gently as if carried by a light breeze.
"Amazing!" Arius cried out in joy, but his excitement made him lose focus, and the feather fell to the ground.
Victor laughed. "That's alright, my hero. Control comes with practice. But more important than power is the heart that guides it."
At that moment, Isabella entered the library, carrying Luna in her arms. "How is the lesson going?"
"Mama! I made the feather fly!" Arius exclaimed excitedly, jumping from his chair to hug his mother.
"That's wonderful, my dear," Isabella said, kissing his head. "But remember what we taught you about using your abilities."
"Yes, Mama. Only to help others and protect those I love."
Isabella set Luna down, and the little girl came to stand beside her brother. "Arius, can you teach me too?"
Arius knelt down to be at his sister's level and placed his hands on her small shoulders. "Of course, Luna. But first, you have to learn to feel the warmth in your heart."
"Like this?" Luna asked, and suddenly, her eyes began to glow with a soft golden light.
Everyone stopped in their tracks. Even Victor, who had expected Luna to show magical abilities someday, was surprised by the strength and beauty of the light shining from her eyes.
"Luna…" Isabella whispered in astonishment.
But Luna didn't realize what was happening. She looked at Arius with an innocent smile. "Is that right, Arius?"
Arius hugged his sister tightly, filled with overwhelming pride. "Yes, Luna. That's perfect."
Gradually, the light faded from Luna's eyes, and she returned to normal. But something had changed in the room—a sense of warmth and peace filled the space, as if Luna had blessed the library with her innocent presence.
"It seems we have two gifted children," Victor said, his voice full of pride and worry at the same time.
"And that means our responsibility is even greater," Isabella added, looking at her husband with a meaningful gaze.
The rest of the day passed in happiness and calm. Arius and Luna played in the gardens, running between the trees and flowers, their laughter echoing in the fresh air. Isabella watched them from the window, a gentle smile on her face, while Victor read in his library, though his mind was occupied with other thoughts.
When evening came, the family gathered in the warm living room. It was a cozy room with soft couches and a fireplace burning with a gentle fire. Arius and Luna sat on the rug in front of the fireplace, playing with their toys, while their parents sat on the couch behind them.
"Father, can you tell us a story?" Arius asked, lifting his head from his toy.
"Yes, yes! A story!" Luna echoed excitedly.
Victor smiled as he came down to sit on the rug with them. "Alright, how about the story of the brave knight and the wise princess?"
"Yes!" the children shouted together.
Victor began to tell a fairy tale about a brave knight who protected his kingdom from evil monsters, and a wise princess who helped him with her white magic. His voice was warm and expressive, bringing the characters to life in the children's imagination.
"And the brave knight," Victor said, looking at Arius, "knew that his true strength did not come from his sword or shield, but from his love for his family and his desire to protect them."
"And the wise princess," he added, looking at Luna, "knew that her greatest magic was her ability to heal broken hearts and light the darkness with her inner light."
When the story ended, Arius and Luna were yawning, their eyes heavy with sleep. Isabella carried them to their rooms, helped them put on their pajamas, and gave them a warm goodnight kiss.
"Goodnight, my dear children," she whispered as she blew out the candles in their rooms.
"Goodnight, Mama," Arius whispered as he closed his eyes.
"I love you, Mama," Luna added sleepily.
"And I love you both more than all the stars in the sky," Isabella replied, leaving the room quietly.
In their bedroom, Victor and Isabella sat on the edge of the bed, speaking in hushed voices.
"You saw what Luna did today," Victor said with concern. "Her power… it's stronger than I expected."
Isabella nodded sadly. "And Arius is developing quickly too. I'm afraid that…"
"I know," Victor interrupted gently. "But we have time. We'll teach them how to control their abilities, and how to use them for good."
"And if someone finds out? If the Order of the Black Dawn learns of their existence?"
Victor took his wife's hand in his. "I won't let anyone hurt them, Isabella. I swear it on my life."
Isabella looked at him with eyes full of love and fear. "I know you'll protect them, Victor. But sometimes I feel as if a dark storm is approaching, and I fear our happiness won't last."
Victor held her tightly. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together. Our family is strong, and our love is stronger than any darkness." Outside the palace windows, the stars sparkled in the clear sky, and the moon illuminated the gardens with its calm, silvery light. Everything seemed peaceful and perfect, as if the entire world was embracing the small, happy Draconis family.
But in the distant shadows, behind the dense trees surrounding the palace, hidden eyes were watching. Masked figures moved silently in the darkness, plotting something terrible that would happen very soon.
Yet on this night, in this final moment of complete happiness, the Draconis family slept in peace, unaware of the dark storm approaching. Arius dreamed of being a brave knight flying on his magical horse, while Luna dreamed of being a princess who lit up the world with her golden light.
In their room, Victor and Isabella held each other close, savoring the last night of perfect happiness their family would ever know. For tomorrow would bring a darkness deeper than they could imagine, and a tragedy that would change their lives forever.
But for now, in this moment, everything was perfect. Love filled every corner of the palace, hope lit every heart, and the future looked bright and full of beautiful promises.
This was the last night of Arius Val Draconis's innocent childhood. The last night before he would learn that the world was a harsher and darker place than he ever imagined. The last night before the scar of vengeance would be born in his young heart.
But that is another story, to be told in the chapters to come.