"Seth, Seth," a feminine voice cried out, a note of worry threading through her voice." Where are you?"
A few minutes later, the voice was closer. " Oh, there you are,"
At the crest of the hill a small figure silhouetted aginast the sky. His dark tangled hair was long enough to brush his shoulders and his body was as small and slender as a three-year-old.
He sat motionless in the shade of a massive, sprawling tree. His gaze fixed on the scene below.
"What are you doing here, Seth." The voice was a warm whisper, right beside him. He didn't need to look to know it was his mother.
He felt her presence-a blend of concern and the familiar scent of herbs from their kitchen.
She knelt a few inches away,her eyes filled with a deep, maternal love as she studied his face.
Seth, as he was now called sat still as a statue, lost in the sweeping vista. Below, the village where he now lived was a patchwork of rooftops and narrow lanes, nestled in the valley.
"You know, disappering everyday makes your mother worry, doesn't it?" She asked softly, her hand reaching out to touch his arm. "What happened? You can tell me."
He flinched, turning his face away to avoid her gaze." Just the kids in the village," he mumbled, his voice a low whisper tinged with agony.
The great dragon Valerion was now a three-year-old, reincarnated into this fragile human form. When his mother's caring eyes met his, a storm of conflicting emotions raged within him.
A part of him wanted to roar in frustration at the indignity of a human daring to touch him. Yet an unfamiliar warmth spread through his chest, a feeling that stayed his anger, a strange protectiveness he didn't want to admit he felt for this particular human.
He hadn't forgotten how humans killed his kind, his family, his friends, his loved ones. Left alone, everything he did was for justice. In his mind humans deserved what was coming to them. He still had plans for his revenge, but for one particular person, he didn't want to admit it but she was the only human he didn't wish to die.
Flora saw her son flinch and knew exactly why? Ever since he was born, he was abnormal to say the least. He acted with a silent unnerving certainty, and in a world that saw him as a curse, she saw a boy she loved and in her eyes, he was more than a son - he was a promise of something more.
A shout shattered the silence." Seth, where have you been? Do you have any idea, how much we looked for you, you idiot!" Loris, the father of the family strode toward them, his voice a hammer of frustration.
But as his eyes found his son the anger melted away. He was a swordsman, a man of action and steel but the sight of his son's bowed head softened him. He was often away defending the kingdom, his life a cycle of violence and duty, but when he was home, he found his son quiet and withdrawn.
They knew this hill was his hidding place, his refuge from the world. They never pressed him a silent agreement to let him have his space even if they couldn't understand the thoughts that swam behind his distinct gaze.
They sat beside him, the three of them a tableau against the fading light. Loris cleared his throat.
"Son," he began, his voice rougher than he intended." I know it must be hard, bearing what people think of you," he paused, searching for some flicker of emotion in Seth's face but found none.
Those pathetic humans, Seth thought, a silent smirk playing on his lips. When I have my power back I will start with those annoying ones.
Loris continued, his hand resting on Seth's shoulder. "But we have never seen you as cursed. Your our son,"
Loris's words hung in the air a stark contrast to the truth written on Seth's head. The Rune family was respected; Flora was a prominent mage and Loris a pillar of society. People often came to their door for potions and advice. But all that changed after Seth turned two.
His hair once a simple black began to transform. It changed into a black that was not ordinary, with streaks of white,red and even faint gold. A strange combination of colors in one head.
The villager saw this as a sign of something unnatural, something dark. They believed the Rune family's son was cursed by the dragons who once brought them trouble.
Loris tightened his grip on Seth's shoulder, his voice dropping to a fierce whisper.
"And we love you. Always know that."
Seth's expression remained unchanged, a mask of indifference. As the last light bled from the sky Loris and Flora gently took his little arms, guiding him back to the village. He didn't resist.
The village was a hive of life: children running, their laughter sharp and clear, young women chatting in doorways. But as the trio walked past, the atmosphere shifted. Neighbors expression soured their eyes darting away.
The boys playing with a ball made of woven grass paused, watching them. A tall boy no older than five smirked and with a swift kick, sent the ball flying straight at Seth.
Seth, his head down didn't see it coming. The impact knocked the breath from him, his small body staggering sideways.
Loris turned, his face a storm cloud of fury, but the boy rushed forward, head bowed, a perfectly crafted apology on his lips. Loris's rage fizzled, seeing only a child.
Flora stepped forward, her voice soft. "Just be more careful, next time please."
"Of course ma'am," the boy said, the smirk returning only for a moment before he ran off, a final defiant glance thrown at Seth. In that look Seth saw a challenge he couldn't answer.
He was smaller weaker and all he could do was grit his teeth and feel the burn of impotent rage.
He vowed to himself that he would pay that boy someday. The trio returned to their home.
Inside, Flora prepared a delicious meal, and the three of them settled around the table. The small house filled with the warm, comforting sounds of their chatter and laughter. They talked about the old days, sharing the story of their first meeting and their clumsy young love.
Seth listened, his thought suddenly spiraling into his revenge plans. " Its now a year since my hair changed. It can only mean one thing" he mused to himself." My previous life has effected this body. But still I don't know how to access my powers yet, maybe never! I can't wait forever, If I can't get my powers back, then I will get my revenge differently." He looked at his father, a man with a wide, infectious smile, happily devouring his meal,"
"Dad," Seth's small voice cut through the air,
"will you teach me swordsmanship?"
Loris froze, his fork midway to his mouth. His eyes went wide, and then a grin stretched from ear to ear. With a sudden burst of energy, he reached across the table and scooped Seth up in a tight hug.
"Seth, hahaha. I knew it. You've got my blood in you." He roared, his laughter a deep joyfull rumble that shook the whole room.
Seth squished against his father's broad chest was utterly confused. He just wanted to learn to fight so he could get his revenge sooner.
"Oh, no. Absolutely not." Flora's voice was firm, and she rose from her seat. " My son is going to be a mage, just like his mother."
She planted her hands on her hips a familiar look of fierce determination on her face. She wanted a safer life for him, away from the brutal battles Loris faces at the borders. Mages were rare and revered, their lives a world away from the grit and steel of a swordsman's duty.
While swordsmanship could be taught by skill and hard work magic was a gift, a blessing only a few were born with.
Loris knowing how stubborn his wife could be, set Seth down gently. He smiled at Flora a mischevious glint in his gaze." Come on, little man, magic or sword?"
Seth sat at the table, his parents eyes fixed on him. He considered his options.
"Magic? A dragon without Magic? Don't make me laugh! I, as the almighty black dragon, had the most powerful magic in the world." He was confident that once he mastered his magic again, no other mage could defeate him. And on top of that, he had a unique type of magic that made him truly a king.
It allowed him to absorb other dragon's powers with physical touch or even sometimes within a two-hundred-meter radius he could drain his opponents.
Each dragon having a unique power and this ability made him untouchable and feared by all others.
He looked at his mother, a long thoughtful stare before finally turning to his father. A small smile soared across his face.
"Sworthdmanthip,"
Loris let out another victorious roar, lifting Seth up and spinning him around in a bear hug. " You hear that, Flora? Swordsmanship."
A slight look of concern crossed Flora's face, but it quickly faded into a gentle smile. If her son chose it, she would support him, with all her heart.
***
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