The Past

Auric sat in silence, absorbing every word that Magnus spoke with a grave expression. The atmosphere in the room was heavy.

"And since your mother chose not to follow the clan's decision," Magnus continued, his voice tinged with regret, "she was banished from the family. But it wasn't that simple; there was a catch. The person who would be banished would also be stripped of the Emberclaw techniques, effectively weakening their strength.

However, your mother accepted this fate willingly, embracing it with open arms. She declared that she didn't need those techniques to become strong."

Auric's eyes remained fixed on Magnus, wanting to know what happened next.

Magnus paused, allowing the gravity of his next words to settle in. "Lady Evangeline entered the ritual to close her DuoCardia, which is the dragonborn's second heart. It is an essential organ for us, as without it, one cannot perform any kind of draconic technique."

Auric's mind raced, trying to comprehend the significance of the DuoCardia. Magnus continued, his voice carrying a mixture of wisdom and sadness. "In Arcanum, all the racers—be they humans, beastmen, elves, or dragonborn—are fundamentally based on humans. It may be a truth we don't want to accept, but it is, in the beginning of all as time passed, each race evolved from humans due to different factors."

He glanced at Auric, his gaze filled with a deep understanding. "Each race possesses its own unique trait that sets them apart, and for us dragonborns, it is the DuoCardia. This second heart acts as a conduit, pumping SynthiBlood, a liquid form of mana, throughout our bodies. It enhances our mana conductivity, increases our mana pool, and boosts our physical prowess, allowing us to utilize draconic techniques. And the Emberclaw clan's techniques are among the finest in all of Drakoria."

"And once one's DuoCardia is sealed," Magnus continued, his voice filled with a hint of melancholy, "all their draconic traits become null. They become akin to humans, losing their horns, tail, and wings."

Auric's brow furrowed as he processed this new information. Confusion lingered in his eyes as he voiced his question. "But why do I not see any tails and wings on you and the soldiers then?"

Magnus smiled gently, understanding the curiosity that burned within Auric. He rose from his seat, a sense of anticipation emanating from his presence. Suddenly, a wave of warmth enveloped the area around Magnus, causing the air to shimmer. Auric's eyes widened in awe as he witnessed a transformation before him.

From Magnus's back, a crimson tail emerged, its scales gleaming with a deep, rich hue. It swayed gracefully, its design simple yet powerful, embodying the essence of a dragonborn. Alongside the tail, blood-red wings unfurled, their membrane stretched between skeletal framework, each beat causing ripples of energy to ripple through the air. The wings lacked intricate designs, portraying a raw and primal instinct.

"These traits only manifest when we activate the second heart," Magnus explained, his voice carrying a mixture of pride and nostalgia. "They are a part of our true selves, dormant until called upon. When our DuoCardia is awakened, our wings carry us through the skies, and our tails become an extension of our strength."

Auric's gaze remained fixed on the magnificent display before him, his heart filled with a newfound admiration for the dragonborn heritage. The sight of Magnus's wings and tail symbolized the power that lay within their bloodline, a testament to their connection to the dragons of old.

The transformation lasted but a moment, and Magnus's wings and tail retracted, disappearing as if they were a mere dream. The room returned to its previous state, yet the memory of the awe-inspiring sight remained etched in Auric's mind.

Magnus lowered himself back into his seat, his expression heavy with sadness. "After the ritual, she left. I wanted to follow her, but she didn't allow me," he confessed, a tinge of regret lacing his words.

"As for what happened to her after that, it remains unknown to us. We were ordered not to interfere in her life any longer," Magnus continued, his voice tinged with a mix of sorrow and resignation.

Auric's brows furrowed as he contemplated his own fate. "But won't that apply to me too? As her son, won't the clan shun me as well?"

"No, young master," Magnus reassured him. "The rules state that the banishment only applies to the individual in question, not their relatives. Furthermore, if the relatives are children of the banished, we cannot approach them. It is only when they come to us first that we may associate with them. In your case, you were the first to approach us."

Confusion flickered across Auric's face as he sought to understand the reasoning behind these rules. "But why? Won't the banished children seek revenge and harm the clan?"

Magnus leaned forward, his voice filled with wisdom. "That's why the clan signs the blood contract. With it, the individual is bound from causing harm to the clan in any way. Of course, if someone from the clan attempts to harm you, you have the right to defend yourself. However, the contract is impartial and ensures that no loopholes can be exploited, such as instigating others to attack you first. It dictates the terms and ensures fairness for all parties involved."

Auric absorbed the information, a mix of relief and understanding washing over him. The clan's rules and the blood contract were designed to maintain order and protect both the banished and the clan itself. Though the path ahead seemed uncertain, knowing that the contract existed offered him a sense of security.

"So you do not know anything what happened to her after that?"

Magnus shook his head, a touch of sorrow in his eyes. "No, we do not know what happened to her after that. We were unable to contact her anymore and could not adhere to the family rules..."

Auric's frustration whispered through his mutterings, though Magnus caught his words. "I really wanted to know what happened to her and what led her to marry Avalon... tsk."

Magnus paused for a moment before offering a glimmer of hope. "Well, she may have left you a message."

Auric's eyes widened in surprise. "How?" he exclaimed, eager to uncover any traces of his mother's whereabouts.

"The ring you possess, the family insignia ring, is an artifact," Magnus explained. "It serves as a means for clan members to send and receive distress signals, record messages, and act as an identity marker. She may have left a message for you within the ring. However, it appears to be quite damaged and would require repair, which would require the clan patriarch's permission. And a banished could only use the signal once, which the lady never used, and you were able to use it when you were in the woods."

Auric nodded, his gaze shifting to the ring on his finger. It bore the symbol of a black ring with a striking red dragon, its steel claws etched in intricate detail. The design exuded an intimidating aura, reflecting the legacy of the clan.

Auric's mind raced as he recalled the moment when he had used the ring to send out a signal, inadvertently damaging it. Regret coursed through him, but well it was necessary, without it he would have been dead by now.

"But why is it damaged so easily? Isn't it supposed to be sturdy?" Auric inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Magnus sighed, his voice carrying a hint of remorse. "The ring requires maintenance every five years, and it has been over two decades since she left the clan. The passage of time and lack of upkeep may have weakened its structure."

Auric pondered silently, affirming his decision to seek the patriarch's permission when he met him. However, before he could dwell too deeply on his plans, Magnus called out to him, breaking the silence.

"Young master," Magnus began, his voice gentle yet curious. Auric lifted his gaze, meeting Magnus's expectant eyes. "Now, would you mind telling me what you were doing in the forest? I want to know everything, from the beginning, including your life in Gaia."

Auric let out a sigh, bracing himself to recount the entirety of his journey. He began by sharing the details of his life before the forest, omitting only the truth of witnessing his mother's passing moments after his birth. Instead, he stated that he had heard of her death following his birth.

He continued, revealing the story of how he became cursed and his encounter with Lumina, emphasizing her unwavering support throughout his tribulations. He spoke of the quest to lift his curse and how a beggar in Lacasn had provided him with the elixir plant (a lie ofcourse).

Auric's voice carried a hint of sadness as he recounted the tragic events that unfolded in the town of Winding Grove. He described the ruthless assassins and the deaths of his uncle, aunt, and countless others.

He shared his harrowing escape into the depths of the forest, the relentless pursuit of the assassin who served as a constant threat. And finally, he disclosed his belief that the assassin was sent by Avalon.