Ardentis no longer remained a stray planet but had transformed into a well-organized world. The blessed humans of Ardentis often wondered how their counterparts on the opposite side of the orbit lived simple, peaceful lives—unaware of the trials faced—because of their hard work and dedication. Thanks to the blessings of the dragons, their lifespans had extended to around 300-400 years. However, only five individuals who had awakened the legendary Fifth Stage of the Heavenly Eye had achieved partial immortality—they would not age, though they could still be slain.
The Five Great Families came together to form an organization called The Eclipsed Vigils, tasked with protecting the universe from invaders. Though a great Seal had been forged after the war to keep these threats at bay, many invaders still slipped through the cracks, hidden in the depths of space. Worse, these invaders could call forth others from the shadows.
To combat this, the Vigils established the Academy of the Eclipsing Dawn—a training ground to forge the strongest warriors for the unseen future. Those who trained there could choose to join the organization or simply master their skills for their own paths.
A 10000 years passed. The Eclipsed Vigils remained ever watchful, preserving peace across six continents and nine realms. The age of war faded into legend. Yet it had also been a 10000 years since the five Heavenly Dragons and patriarch were last seen.
The Child of Midnight
It was midnight.
The world of Ardentis slumbered beneath a sky filled with stars. Six continents and nine realms lay wrapped in silence, the wind stilled as though the cosmos itself held its breath.
In a modest home on the edge of a quiet town, a single cry shattered the stillness.
A child had been born.
The mother, exhausted yet radiant, cradled her newborn with trembling hands as candlelight flickered across the stone walls. The father knelt beside her, eyes wide with awe and hope.
The child's gaze—though just born—seemed impossibly deep. No prophecies were spoken. No divine signs filled the sky. To the world, it was a simple birth.
But something unseen stirred.
In a forgotten temple, an ancient spirit opened its eyes.
A sealed gate trembled in its sleep.
In the spirit realm, a whisper echoed through the veil:
"He has arrived."
No one knew what the child would become. A hero? A destroyer? Or simply another soul shaped by a restless world?
But on that night, as the stars watched in silence, destiny took its first breath.