Chapter One: Birth and Rebirth

"Why do I climb the mountain? Because it's there." 

Its hard to find fun in anything if it's too easy right? But in my case I've always been searching for a bigger challenge, because even if the reward is nothing more than the achievement popping up on screen, a little trophy saying "You collected all 999 shiny rocks", the fact that I was able to complete that challenge is reward enough, something to say that I beat the game. Of course that's earned me a few jabs from my friends, of course their loudmouthing has also nearly earned me an unsavory nickname born from a sarcastic joke. However, to any reasonable person, only a masochist would chose something difficult or painful over the path of least resistance, right?

"Who am I...."

Staring at yet another character creation screen after logging onto...well, I should start from the beginning shouldn't I?

Im Keiku, gamer, student, and recovering chunibiyo. Juggling studies, club activities and having time to game has been difficult but fun for me, and lately Ive been looking for something new to try, which led me to...well, an online forum and a rabbit trail to an obscure game, a shady link, and now this screen to enter the game.

"Dragonbirth: Faction wars"

In essence, this game is supposed to be some kind of tactical rpg, pick where you're born and who you're pledged to, and fight for dominance, basic but yet pretty refreshing compared to the classic adventure game.

"Lets go with...my real name, for immersion's sake. Normally I wouldn't but this one's single player anyway...and done!"

The menu lit up with a new list to select from, prompting him to select a race. Human, Elf, Dwarf, Beastkin, Giant, or Halfling

"Well, Halfling seems to be the more unique option here, lets build for versatility...perfect."

Smirking as he shaped his new body, he was greeted by a new menu, but instead of selecting them himself, they selected themselves...

"Divine Boons?"

Wisdom, Chaos, Destruction, Healing, Valor. Arcane, Fertility, Hunting, and Forge appeared in front of him, however the options of arcane, valor and healing had blanked themselves out, as the rest glowed and text appeared below them.

You have been chosen.

With the world as your enemy, break the crowns.

With the knowledge from the beyond, conquer them.

Burn the world, and build again in the rubble.

You will be granted our strength to restore the balance.

Remember.

Now I remember.

With the searing, bleeding...screaming pain in my mind my eyes my soul, I remember, I know.

I know who I was.

I know who I am.

I know who I will become.

"Good, good~! Very good~" The wizard cackles, knife dripping blood, my blood.

The mark on my forehead, infinity rings formed into eyes with catlike pupils, which were also infinity, spiraling forever, five of these eyes forming a crown on my forehead, the bleeding brand dripping red mixed with green fire, it burned, it froze, it felt numb, it felt electric. 

Before I could react he leapt at me, ritual knife plunging into my throat as I was tackled to the floor.

No.

Before he could blink I held his heart in my grasp, left hand piercing ribs and glowing green, burning like acid as her power flowed through me.

These eyes see all, what was, what is and what might be. 

My vision blurs as the cost of my sight takes it's toll, the stabbing pain resonating from my skull to the tips of my toes. 

As I fall to my knees I realize the crafty geezer, my grandfather's aim. His blood soaking into the tattoo of my left hand as the flesh of his heart was being swallowed up. 

We smell smoke. 

The egg embedded in my arm, she felt it in the poisoned air, that his final test was finally beginning. Images of the solution flashed into my mind in tandem with the throbbing pains, as my gift from the Destruction God, my partner, lent me her aid in our escape. 

Emerging from the smoldering building wrapped in mist, I feel my strength leaving me once more as I remember that day...

The day I was born into this world. 

I remember the days that followed, my father and mother, how they taught me how to hunt and fish, to harness magic.

And then the memory of that day came.

Of fleeing with my grandfather as the village lay burning, stakes erected in the square as one could faintly see people dangling from them, swaying in the smoke and sparks. Of hearing the murderous chants as men in armor came to slaughter us.

All for a single egg.

A dragon's egg.

I remember how her hatred burned in my arm, how it seeped into my bones.

Egg breakers.

Oathless.

Ahhh...as I see the light again, the lid lifting from the bed Ive layed in, my metamorphosis at its end, I remember.

I remember why I entered this place, as I emerge a blood soaked butterfly...

Whose wings will disturb the world.