Ryo stood atop the palace, surveying the stretch of fertile land, dark and infested with monsters.
The dragons were rebuilding around him, but all felt the tension that hung over Ashen.
He raised a hand and pointed to one of the Guardians.
> "Kaelen."
The Guardian slowly lifted his eyes, his expression immovable yet attentive.
> "These lands are cursed," Ryo said, his voice echoing through the silence of the palace.
"Filled with creatures even our eldest fear. Yet they must become our heritage."
Kaelen bowed slightly, his calm, deep voice breaking the silence:
> "I will not fail. These lands will become our home, or I will fall purifying them."
Ryo nodded, his decision firm:
> "You will go alone. The others will stay here, to protect the kingdom and watch over our people. But you… you will be the blade that opens this path."
The wind lifted ashes around Ryo.
The dragons present watched the scene with a mixture of fear and admiration.
Kaelen stepped forward, his footsteps echoing like a heartbeat of eternity.
His body relaxed, and his wings spread wide, perfect and imposing. The air vibrated around him.
> "I understand. I will walk where no dragon dares place its claws. No monster will survive."
Then, with a movement of his hands, Kaelen unleashed a white, pure light around him.
The cursed ground trembled under the impact of his aura.
Every withered plant, every corrupted root, every stone infected by monsters was touched by this purifying energy.
The land screamed, burning and cleansing at once, yet Kaelen's light never wavered.
> "Let these lands be purified, and let the fire of Ashen rise anew!" he roared.
The monsters surged forth, drawn to this force.
Kaelen, unmoving, watched them approach.
But before they could strike, a radiant wave erupted from him.
Every breath, every step, every beat of his wings devastated the creatures.
Corruption was consumed. The land became fertile once more, ready to welcome the draconic people.
Ryo lowered his eyes, calm yet inscrutable.
> "Go, Kaelen. Let nothing sway you from your mission. Let these lands become our new home."
The Guardian nodded, and with a beat of his wings, he vanished toward the dark territories, where the monsters reigned.
The other Guardians watched, unmoving but ready.
A new chapter of Ashen had begun — and this time, conquest would not be carried out by the entire army, but by the silent force of a single being, purifying and preparing the world for its people.