THE FALL OF LIGHT (The Rising Flame)

(Renji’s Vow)

The kingdom mourned, but the fires within Renji Arkus were just beginning to burn.

Days passed since the burial of King Raiku, yet the South still stood in silence. The royal court resumed meetings, but every chair felt cold, every hall empty. Emberlyis—the capital of hope—was now a city of shadows.

Renji had not spoken to anyone since the burial. Not to the queen. Not to Arya. He had locked himself within the Flame Hall, his father’s training chamber deep beneath the palace. A hall built from dragonstone and imbued with light-sealing enchantments—only accessible to the bloodline of kings.

There, he stared at the walls etched with his father's battles. The final mural was unfinished—a depiction of the war with the North, now forever stained with blood.

He trained.

Every day. Every night. Without rest.
His fists were bruised. His breath ragged. His soul, tortured.
He recalled every lesson his father taught him—the sword swings, the body stances, the fire channeling, the chants of protection.
He repeated them a thousand times.

“You must never fight for revenge,” his father once said.
“You fight to protect what matters.”

But Renji could no longer tell the difference.

Then came the night of the Red Moon.

Renji sat beneath the starless sky, atop the royal tower, clutching his father's sword—now sealed with the dormant energy of Drakther.

Suddenly, the air shifted.

Wind howled. Time slowed.

A voice, deep and echoing like thunder in a canyon, filled his mind.

“Renji Arkus… Son of Raiku… Heir of the South…”

Renji stood up, startled. “Who’s there?!”

And from the blade, a glow sparked. A crimson aura. A faint dragon-shaped mist circled him.

“You are the one… The one he chose.”

Renji’s eyes widened. “...Drakther?”

“He gave me to you… Not out of pity. But purpose. Your blood is light, but your heart is fire. Let me burn through your soul… and together, we will rise.”

Renji tightened his grip.

“Then lend me your strength.
I swear on my father’s grave…
I’ll destroy everything that dares threaten this kingdom again.”

A surge of energy exploded from him. The seal of the sword shimmered. His hair fluttered as if caught in a blaze of wind.

A glowing dragon mark appeared on the wrist of his right hand—burning red. Half awakened.

Suddenly a strange light swirled around his right wrist—then, it appeared—a glowing crimson mark shaped like a dragon’s eye, burning into his skin.

He looked up, confused and overwhelmed.

Suddenly, the world around him vanished into darkness.

Renji stood in a silent void—silent, until a familiar voice called out from behind.

“Renji…”

He turned. His eyes widened.

“F-Father…?”

There stood King Raiku, dressed in celestial robes of white flame, a calm smile sat on his face.

Renji ran toward him, but his father gently raised a hand.

“My son… the weight of this world will soon rest on your shoulders. I know your heart burns with anger, but let not vengeance consume you. Anger is wild fire—it destroys without thought. But your will… your will is a flame with purpose. Let that flame be your guide.”

Renji trembled.

“But I couldn’t protect you… I wasn’t strong enough.”

Raiku stepped closer.

“You are not just my son—you are the vessel of Drakther, the Celestial Dragon of Light and Flame. Within you flows a power greater than mine, born of fire, loss, and destiny. Use it not for hate, but to protect. Protect your people… your mother… Arya.”

Renji gasped.

“Arya…?”

Raiku smiled warmly.

“She is more than she seems. She, too, is a vessel—you will understand when the time comes. Watch over her, Renji. Watch over everyone. You are the last flame of our light.”

Raiku placed his hand on Renji’s chest—his spirit blazing like a sun.

“You have surpassed me already, Renji. But do not rush to chase revenge. When the time comes, strike not from rage—but from resolve.”

“You are the son of Light… now become its Flame. The Flame of Vengeance the world will never forget.”

As Raiku’s spirit faded, his voice echoed once more:

“I flow with you, my son. Always.”

Scene opens in the silent throne room of the South Kingdom. The King's sword rests on the royal altar. Thunder rumbles outside.

Narrator (or internal monologue – Renji's voice):
"The one who carried the light... is gone. But his flame remains. In me."

Cut to: Renji, now in the king’s old armor, standing before the elders and captains.

Renji:
"This war is not over. My father didn’t die for peace—he died to protect it. Now it’s my turn. I’ll carry the flame... and when I find them—every last one of them will feel it burn."

Camera zooms in on his right wrist — the Dragon’s Mark begins to glow faintly red.

Cut to: Drakther’s eye opening within the void of the blade.

Cut to black. A few seconds of silence

Season 2: Rise of the Phoenix – Coming Soon...

"From light he came… and now from vengeance he rises. The world shall remember the day the dragon’s flame returned."