ONLINE: Blades of Eternity

Chapter 122 KAELEN'S ORIGIN

Kaelen stood in the center of the ancient ruin, his friends surrounding him, their gazes expectant and filled with confusion. The boy with the white sword had stepped back, giving Kaelen space, but the weight of his revelation still hung in the air. Kaelen sighed, feeling the burden of the truth pressing on him from all sides. He knew he could no longer avoid it.

Morris, the first to speak, broke the silence. "Kaelen... what is this about the Dragonyx family? You've kept this from us all this time?"

Guinevere folded her arms, her fiery gaze locked on Kaelen, but beneath the intensity was concern. "We've been through so much together. Why would you hide something this big?"

Sofia stayed quiet, but her eyes reflected the same confusion as the others. Eldric, still tense from the encounter with the boy, narrowed his eyes. "You owe us an explanation."

Kaelen took a deep breath, feeling his heart pound in his chest. He had tried so hard to keep his past hidden, to forge his own path, but there was no running from it now. "Alright... I'll tell you everything."

He glanced at the mural on the wall depicting the battle between the Dragonyx family and the First Magi, a constant reminder of his past. "My parents... they were part of the Dragonyx family, one of the most powerful and feared bloodlines in Aetheris. The Dragonyx family has held incredible power for centuries, and with that power came strict principles — ruthless principles.

Control, dominance, and the belief that they were above all others."

His friends listened intently, the gravity of his words settling in.

"My parents..." Kaelen's voice faltered for a moment, "they didn't believe in those ideals. They saw the Dragonyx family for what it had become — a machine of tyranny. They wanted out. They wanted a different life, away from the manipulation and power struggles."

Kaelen clenched his fists, the memories of his childhood flooding back. "When they refused to comply with the Dragonyx family's commands, they were branded as traitors. The family sent people after them, to silence them. We were constantly on the run. I grew up in hiding, moving from place to place, never staying long enough to feel safe. And eventually...

they caught up with us."

His voice dropped, and the pain in his eyes became evident. "My parents... didn't survive. They gave everything to protect me. That's why I've kept this secret, even from you. I didn't want to be associated with that family or the legacy they represent."

Morris, Guinevere, Sofia, and Eldric remained quiet, processing what Kaelen had revealed.

"So, all this time..." Sofia murmured, her voice soft, "you've been carrying this burden alone?"

Kaelen nodded. "I didn't want to put any of you in danger. The Dragonyx family is still out there, and they haven't forgotten about me."

Guinevere's fiery demeanor softened, and she stepped closer to Kaelen. "We're your friends, Kaelen. You don't have to carry this alone. No matter what your family's past is, it doesn't change who you are to us."

Morris gave a firm nod. "Yeah, we've got your back. Dragonyx or not, you're still Kaelen."

Eldric crossed his arms, his expression serious but supportive. "Secrets like this can tear a group apart, but... we'll face whatever comes together."

Kaelen felt a surge of gratitude for his friends. He had feared this moment for so long, but now that the truth was out, it didn't feel as heavy as it once did. He wasn't alone anymore.

Kaelen glanced at Morris, surprised that he had asked the very question that had been brewing in his own mind. Aether, still holding the Celestial Fang, looked at Morris with a faint smile of approval.

"You are perceptive," Aether said softly. "Yes, there were three Blades of Eternity forged by the Order, each imbued with immense power. Together, they made up the foundation of our order, the reason we were feared and respected throughout the land."

He began pacing slowly, his eyes distant, as if recalling ancient memories. "Each of the three blades had a unique purpose, bound by the ancient magic of the world's elements. The first was the Celestial Fang," Aether raised his own blade slightly. "A blade of pure power, designed to channel the energy of the stars and the heavens.

It is a sword that can cleave through the very fabric of magic itself."

Kaelen watched as the Celestial Fang seemed to shimmer with a faint starlight, its presence powerful and imposing.

"The second was the Voidbreaker," Aether continued, his voice growing more solemn. "A blade crafted to destroy the very essence of existence. It could cut through any material or barrier, no matter how enchanted or reinforced. The Voidbreaker was the most destructive of the three, a weapon of finality and chaos."

Morris's eyes widened at the thought of such a sword, a blade that could tear through reality itself. Even Kaelen felt a shiver of apprehension at the idea of a weapon with such power.

"But the third blade," Aether said, his eyes shifting to Kaelen, "is the one you hold, Kaelen. The Blade of Eternity. It was the most unique of the three. While the Celestial Fang and Voidbreaker were created for destruction and combat, the Blade of Eternity was different."

Aether paused, as if weighing his words carefully.

"The Blade of Eternity was forged not just for battle, but to be a protector of balance. Its power lies in its ability to preserve and restore. It has the capacity to amplify the wielder's strength but also to regenerate, heal, and protect those it deems worthy. It is the sword that governs time and existence, allowing the wielder to transcend the limits of mortality."

Kaelen's heart raced as he realized the significance of what he held. The sword had always felt special, but now he understood why. It wasn't just a weapon— it was a force that connected him to something far greater.

Aether's gaze intensified as he spoke his next words. "Among the three, the Blade of Eternity is the most special. It chose its wielder, unlike the others. It's tied to fate, to destiny. And Kaelen," Aether added, his voice lowering, "it chose you for a reason."

The weight of those words settled on Kaelen's shoulders. He could feel the presence of the Blade of Eternity even more now, its quiet hum resonating with his very soul. But the responsibility that came with it was immense.

Guinevere stepped forward, her expression serious. "So, the Dragonyx family... they wanted these blades. For power?"

Aether nodded. "Yes. They sought the blades to gain control over the elemental forces of the world. But they never succeeded. The Order of the Eternal Blades fought them off, but the cost was high. Now, with the Order nearly wiped out, there are still those who seek to claim the Blades of Eternity for their own purposes."

Morris, his eyes still filled with wonder, looked at Kaelen. "So, your sword— it's more than just a weapon. It's a key to something much bigger."

Kaelen gripped the hilt of the Blade of Eternity tightly. "I may not fully understand its power yet," he said, "but I'll protect it. No one is going to use this sword for their own gain."

Aether nodded approvingly. "That is the spirit of the Blade of Eternity's true wielder. But know this— those who seek to control the blade will stop at nothing to claim it. You must be ready for the battles ahead, Kaelen."

The room fell into silence once more, as the gravity of their situation fully settled on them. The Blade of Eternity was no ordinary sword, and Kaelen's journey was only just beginning. But with his companions by his side, he knew he wasn't alone in facing the dangers that lay ahead.