Storm clouds rumbled low above the floating isles of Aetheria.
Deep within the Elder Shrine — a forbidding place few had the courage to enter — Sayuri stood still before an ancient stone altar. Flickering candles illuminated wall carvings of a dragon seemingly engaged in a battle for its life against unending darkness.
In her hold lay an old scroll sealed by the order of sages supreme.
It was time.
The truth... the truth about Kenzo — the man who had given everything for the sake of Aetheria — and Riku, the boy drawn into powers even he had yet to comprehend.
Sayuri closed her eyes and remembered that dreadful day.
Fifteen Years Ago
The roar of the Void Serpent pierced the heavens, cutting through the depths of Aetheria itself.
No one could stop it.
Not even the united powers of the Elemental Sages.
Except for one man — Kenzo, the Fourth Elemental Sage
Yet, Kenzo knew that force alone would not suffice. To save Aetheria, he had to seal away the heart of the beast.
In doing so, he sacrificed his soul.
For in that last desperate moment, Kenzo turned to bind the rampaging Spirit called Kitsune — dragon of chaos born out of the oldest storms.
Bound it not to chains.
Not to stone.
But to his own infant son.
Riku.
Kenzo whispered his last blessing on the child:
"Live strong... Live free... Be better than me..."
Then, Kenzo was gone, leaving behind the pendant now hanging at Riku's neck and the raging spirit locked in the child's heart.
The world said Kenzo died fighting the Void Serpent.
No one spoke of the child.
No one spoke of the dragon sealed inside him.
Only the Sages knew the truth.
And they kept it a secret.
To protect Riku.
And protect Aetheria.
Back to Present
Riku leaned against the training ground's old fence, staring out at the sky. The rain was pouring down on him; he cared not.
Of late...
Something inside of him stirred,
Something wild,
Something he just could not explain.
His own reflection shimmered slightly in a puddle — and for one brief moment, he thought he saw golden eyes staring back at him.
A low voice whispered in his head:
"Soon... you will need me."
Riku shook his head, trying to push that feeling further back.
It must be fatigue, he thought.
But Sayuri, watching from the shadows, knew otherwise.
The Dragon was awakening.
And whether Riku was ready or not...
Kitsune's power would alter everything.