Part 1: Planet Ether
Since ancient times, the planet Ether has been inhabited by mighty beings known as dragons, who were closely connected to the spirit realm and possessed magical powers. However, not all of them were guided by the forces of good. Preserving harmony and balance was crucial for the planet Ether. The dragons understood that if either the light or darkness side gained complete control over the planet, it would lead to its destruction and demise. Therefore, they had to restrain each other, preventing any one of them from attaining absolute power.
In a great battle to maintain the balance, which took place in ancient times, the dragons engaged in a deadly conflict with one another. In these battles, they destroyed each other using all their magical strength. However, before their demise, each dragon sealed their power within artifacts — the heart of the darkness dragon (imp dragon) and the swords made from the bone of the light dragon. These artifacts became witnesses to the end of the great battle and contained incredible magical potency.
After this battle, peace and harmony returned to the planet Ether, until the balance was once again disrupted in a single moment.
Part 2: Meeting the Brothers
In a small village, two brothers lived peacefully. They were ordinary boys, like everyone their age, but they had an unusual curiosity about exploring the world. The older brother’s name was CV.
He was tall, well-built, with a short blond hair. In the village, he was known as the eldest son of the local blacksmith. Their father was a true jack-of-all-trades. Since childhood, he had prepared CV to continue the family trade, but the boy always yearned for more. He didn’t want to stay in the village, and the work of a blacksmith didn’t resonate with him. He knew that something greater awaited him than just working with metal. The younger brother’s name was Viii.
He was slightly shorter and thinner, with dark hair. Viii always trusted and tried to emulate CV in everything. He had a genuinely kind heart, inherited from their mother. Their mother was a woman of exceptional beauty, and she always strived to help those in need. Although she possessed a great and kind heart, it couldn’t withstand the strain, and she passed away during Viii’s birth.
One autumn, their father fell seriously ill. The sons took care of him, but the older brother understood that soon they would be left alone. When their father passed away, CV became a pillar of support for Viii. He taught the younger one about adult life. One evening, during dinner, CV decided to talk to his brother:
- Viii, we need to talk.
- About what? — Viii was surprised.
- I can’t go on like this, we need to move forward — CV said.
- Where? What are you talking about? You’re doing great. You’re a skilled craftsman, and this is our home. — Viii objected.
- The work is diminishing, people are starting to move away from the village, over the mountains. Maybe it’s better there than here? Have you ever wondered what’s beyond those mountains? And why don’t people come back? — CV asked convincingly.
- Remember what our father used to say. He wanted us to…
- Our father is gone. He wanted us to sit in one place and do what his father did, and his father before him. Is that a life, Viii? — CV said, standing up from the table and silently gazing into the distance at the mountains through the window.
In that moment, Viii felt a sense of sadness and concern, but deep down in his soul, he too was curious about what lay beyond those mountains. He sensed the seriousness and determination in CV’s words, and he decided to trust his brother.
Part 3: The Strange Discovery
Gathering all the necessary supplies, the brothers set off into the unknown. Day after day, they journeyed through fields, lakes, and forests, but the mountains still seemed unreachable. The weather worsened with each passing day. At one point, they ran out of fresh water. Entering a rocky area, they realized that the path they were walking on was unstable, and in a moment, the younger brother slipped and fell down.
- Are you okay?- Cv shouted anxiously.
- I think so, I’m still alive, — Viii replied through a thick cloud of dust.
- Don’t move, I’ll pull you up.
Cv started rummaging through his backpack for a rope. While he was contemplating a rescue plan, Viii looked around and realized he had stumbled upon a cave. Furthermore, when the dust settled, he saw a crystal-clear river flowing through the middle of the cave.
- Wait!- Viii exclaimed.- There’s water here!
They hadn’t had a drink for two days, so Cv had to descend to his brother.
- I have some torches,- Cv said.
After lighting them up, the first thing they noticed was a swarm of bats covering the cave ceiling. Giant bones protruded from the walls, indicating incredible sizes. Taking the first steps into the darkness was challenging and somewhat eerie, but they continued onward. The ground beneath their feet crunched with sandy soil, while the cave walls were adorned with extraordinary stalactites and stalagmites. The marvelous formations made the cave feel magical and mysterious. When they reached the river, they knelt down to drink. As Cv leaned closer, he noticed something unusual in the water’s reflection — a strange object emitting a faint glow.
- Look, Viii, what is this? — Cv asked, pointing to it.
Raising his head, Viii saw a rather large item, about the size of a bucket. However, it was clearly not made of stone or anything natural. It had an unmistakable magical aura, as it was surrounded by symbols. After quenching their thirst, the brothers decided to approach it.
Viii noticed a peculiar stone that stood out from the others in the cave. It had the shape of a fossilized heart, with faint light emanating from its cracks. If one listened carefully, a faint heartbeat could be heard.
- Just look at this. What is it? It doesn’t seem like an ordinary stone: — Cv said, reaching out to touch the enigmatic object.
- Wait! — Viii shouted and grabbed his brother’s hand: — What if it’s dangerous? I think we should leave.
- Calm down, Viii, — Cv said calmly, displaying his determination: — I just want to take a closer look.
Viii released his brother’s hand, and Cv picked up the mysterious object. At that moment, the cave flooded with light, and the stone heart pulsated even stronger. Everything changed in an instant.
The brothers felt as if a surge of power filled their bodies, particularly noticeable after their previous exhaustion.
- Throw it away! — Viii screamed. The light vanished, and he continued: — Let’s get out of here.
- Did you feel that power? — Cv asked.
- Yes, but… but what is it? — Viii said, sounding worried.
- I don’t know, but we have to take it with us and investigate, — Cv said.
- I don’t think it’s a good idea.
- Trust me, Viii. I feel that it’s the key to our new life, — Cv affirmed.
Viii listened to his older brother. They packed the remaining food into one backpack and carefully placed their newfound discovery in another. Filling their water containers, the brothers left the cave as they walked through.
Part 4: Changes
They continued their journey for three more days until they came across a small town.
CV couldn’t shake off thoughts of their discovery in the cave and the sensations it had filled him with. Finding an temporary home, they settled in. They were fortunate because in this town, they met Nando, their father’s old friend, who offered them free accommodation.
After unpacking their belongings, the brothers took a closer look at their finding.
- This is definitely some kind of heart, but how does it continue its life? And whose heart is it? — Cv asked.
- I’m not sure, but judging by its size and the bones in the cave, it’s the heart of some massive creature, — Viii replied.
At that moment, Nando entered to invite them for lunch. However, the boys were too engrossed in examining their finding and didn’t pay attention to the invitation. Nando approached and noticed their focused attention.
- What are you looking at, boys? — Nando asked with curiosity.
- On our way here, we stumbled upon a cave where we found this, — Viii said.
Nando leaned in for a closer look at the object.
- Wait, I think I know what this is, — Nando replied and quickly went to another room.
Nando returned with an old, dusty book titled “The History of Ether.”
He settled down with them on the bed and began sharing his old interest in history.
- Long time ago, dragons roamed our land, — he said, pointing to the pictures in the book.
- Dragons? I thought they were just myths, — CV replied.
- I thought so too, but it seems that your discovery confirms their existence. Look at this!
Nando returned with an old, dusty book titled “The History of Ether.” He settled down with them on the bed and began sharing his old interest in history.
- Long ago, dragons roamed our land, — he said, pointing to the pictures in the book.
- Dragons? I thought they were just myths, — Cv replied.
- I thought so too, but it seems that your discovery confirms their existence. Look at this!
Nando opened the page with an illustration of an Imp dragon’s heart, which was identical to the one lying on their table.
- It says here that it holds incredible magical power, — Cv said excitedly.
- Yes, but it doesn’t mention how it can affect humans. No one has discovered that before, — Viii said.
- So, we’ll be the first, — Cv responded.
Vii didn’t like his brother’s excessive excitement about their finding. He had been feeling strange ever since they took the heart with them. However, he chose not to show his dissatisfaction. After having lunch, the boys were exhausted and went to sleep. The next day, they informed Nando that they would continue their journey and thanked him for his hospitality. Gathering their essentials, they set off again.
- Why didn’t you want to stay there? — Viii asked.
- We can’t trust him. What if he stole this heart? Where would we look for it then? I don’t want to miss the opportunity to possess such power, — Cv rudely replied.
- But we’ve known him since childhood. He’s a close friend of our father, — Viii said, surprised.
- For our father, yes, but not for us, — Cv responded.
With each passing day, Vii noticed changes in both himself and his brother. Their endurance grew stronger. They could go longer without food and water. One day, Cv managed to topple an entire tree with minimal effort. After several days without rest, they finally decided to take a break. It was late, and they wanted to start a fire.
- That’s the remarkable thing about this artifact. It grants us incredible power, — Cv said: — Look, I’ll show you.
Arranging the firewood, Cv leaned in, focused, and blew a powerful stream of fire. Vii was amazed by what he saw.
- You can do it too, — Cv said.
Viii attempted to replicate his brother’s trick, but he failed.
- Focus and feel the flame within you, — Cv advised.
Viii tried again, and this time, flames emerged from his mouth
-This is incredible! — Viii exclaimed joyfully. — I wonder what else we can do.
The brothers were seized by a thirst for developing their powers. They began to explore what they were capable of. They understood that their powers were a way to change the world. However, their views differed somewhat. CV sought power and recognition above all else, while Viii wanted to help people and change the world for the better. As time passed, the artifact’s influence on the brothers grew stronger. The power and magic that permeated their beings transformed them each day. Their bodies started to change, acquiring dragon-like features. Sharp horns grew on their heads, and tails dragged behind them on the ground. Realizing that their transformation into dragon-like beings looked dangerous, Viii realized the need to stop their exploration of the artifact and preserve their human essence.
- CV, we can’t continue this research. The appearance we’ve taken on is dangerous and unpredictable — said Viii.
- You don’t understand, Viii! This is a chance for incredible power and control. I’m not willing to give it up. Our potential is not fully realized yet! — CV replied.
- But where will all of this lead us? We will lose our human essence, our understanding, and our ability to communicate with people. This is not what we wanted — Viii said poignantly.
- You’ve always been too cautious. I’m not afraid to take risks. I’m ready to go all the way. And I’m confident that I can overcome these obstacles and possess incredible power.
- You’re misunderstanding the situation, CV. I can’t afford to lose my humanity and replace it with something uncertain — Viii said with concern.
- Then go! I’ll find my own path and achieve greatness without you. And when I find full power, you’ll see what opportunity you missed — CV angrily replied.
Viii was forced to leave his brother, convinced that soon he would understand the consequences of his actions.
Part 5: Finding a Solution
The sun was setting, and Viii sat alone near the dying bonfire, pondering what to do next.
The only thing that came to his mind was returning to Nando’s house. He gathered his belongings and set off on the journey. Viii was overwhelmed by everything that had happened to him and his brother in the past few days. However, he understood clearly that he could no longer follow his brother. Viii looked at his reflection in the water and realized that returning to his normal life would be difficult.
After making his way back to the town where Nando lived, Viii found himself standing outside his friend’s door. The boy stood there, hiding his tail under a long cloak and his horns under a large hood, uncertain of what reaction to expect from his father’s friend. Gathering his strength, Viii knocked on the door. Nando opened it and didn’t recognize who was standing before him.
- Hello, can I come in?- Viii asked softly.
- Viii, is that you? Of course, come in,- Nando replied, letting the boy into the house. He asked, — Why are you alone? Where is your brother?
- I need to show you something, just don’t be scared,- Viii said.
- Alright,- Nando replied, feeling wary.
Viii removed his hood and cloak, revealing his transformed appearance.
- Mother of mercy!- Nando exclaimed shaken up. — Is this really the Viii I know?
- Yes, Nando, it’s me. I’m ashamed to admit it, but we went too far exploring the Heart. It granted us magical abilities and clouded our judgment. I managed to keep my sanity, but CV…
- What happened to him?- Nando asked.
Viii explained everything that had happened to them during their journey, including the transformation and the fight with his brother.
- So, he took the Heart with him?- Nando asked.
- Yes, his mind was clouded by the thirst for power — Viii replied.
- And what do you plan to do now?
- We started this journey to find a new place where we could change our lives for the better. I would have stayed in the town, but with this appearance, it will be hard for me to find work.
- Do you still have your powers? — Nando asked.
- Yes, they are significantly weaker without the artifact, but yes, — Viii confirmed.
- Then I guess I’ll help you find a job, and in the meantime, you can stay with me.
Nando arranged for Viii to work at the local blacksmith’s shop. The blacksmith accepted the boy’s unusual appearance and “talents.” Here, Viii could use his powers for good, just as he had wanted. Alongside his work, he developed a hobby of swordsmanship and trained every day after work.
Time passed, and Viii’s younger brother adapted to his new surroundings. Meanwhile, strange things started happening in the world. Floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions became more frequent.
It was clear that the balance in the world had been disrupted, and Viii knew it was somehow connected to his brother. He felt responsible for it all, believing that if he hadn’t fallen into that cave, everything would have been fine. He began studying the books in Nando’s possession and learned that the Heart of the Dark Dragon was not the only artifact left from the magnificent dragons. There was another one — the Sword of the Dragon’s Light. Viii realized that this could be his chance to stop his brother. However, there was no information on where to find this sword. After reading all the books in the local library and finding no clues, Viii gave up on the idea of finding the sword.
Until his town was affected by a strong earthquake, he decides to return to the place where it all began, the same cave, in hopes of finding any clue. As Viii approached the cave, he was overwhelmed by fear, the same fear he felt when he first fell into that cave. Upon entering, he saw two torches, the same ones he and his brother left behind when they exited the cave. Using his power, Viii lit one of the torches. At that moment, he had a strong sense of déjà vu. The same river, the same cave. He decided to inspect the spot where he and his brother found the fateful artifact. Approaching the place, he saw the footprints they left there last time. In his mind, he recalled the memory of grabbing his older brother’s hand and begging to leave the cave. After examining the spot where the artifact lay and finding nothing next to it, Viii decided to explore other parts of the cave. As he ventured deeper into the cave along the river, the boy carefully scrutinized every corner. After a long investigation, Viii noticed a faint light coming from one of the tunnels. Entering this tunnel, he saw an incomprehensible semi-transparent figure.
- So, you took the heart? — the figure asked.
- Well, yes, it was me and my brother, — Viii replied before the figure interrupted.
- Yes, I heard you, felt you last time. You have no idea what you’ve done, although judging by your appearance, I think you can guess, — the figure interjected.
- Perhaps, who are you? — Viii asked.
- I am Spirit Ether, and I embody the light.
- I understand, so the heart is darkness. Is that right?
- Exactly. By awakening the power of darkness, you have disrupted the balance of the universe, which can destroy this world.
- It’s already crumbling. I can’t remember if there were ever earthquakes before, and now they happen so frequently that it’s terrifying for the future of this planet.
- The balance has been disrupted before. There was a time when a dragon named Reygar sought to seize power on the planet. He wielded the forces of darkness and was incredibly powerful. During the battle between Reygar and the dragons of light, they annihilated each other. However, before their death, they managed to imbue all their magical power into two artifacts…
- The Heart and the Sword, — Viii interrupted.
- Yes, after that battle, peace and harmony reigned on the planet until you and your brother, two idiots, appeared. You unleashed the dragon’s power of darkness, which began to engulf your minds and change your bodies.
- But I’m here to fix everything, — Viii said.
- You’re searching for the Sword of the Dragon of Light, thinking that with its help, everything can be resolved.
- Yes.
- Not entirely. You’ll have to first master the power of light. I can help you with that. I’ll give you the sword and teach you light magic. I am bound to this sword, so you have no choice if you want to save the world.
- Fine, teach me. I have to stop my brother.
Spirit Ether steps aside and points to the sword. Viii retrieves the sword and holds it in his hands, at that moment, the tunnel they were in becomes filled with light. Viii immediately feels relief and a new surge of strength.
- Let’s go, find a suitable place for your training, — Spirit Ether says.
At that moment, the walls began to tremble, and the cave collapsed. Viii managed to survive the collapse without being harmed. As he emerged from under the rubble with the sword in hand, he saw a large dragon in the sky. Viii immediately knew who it was…
Part 6: Restoring Balance
- Don’t recognize me? Look at what power you’ve forsaken, — the dragon spoke with a mocking tone, observing his younger brother.
Vii examined his older brother and lifted his gaze. Determination was reflected in his eyes. He replied firmly:
- I knew what this could lead to. You create imbalance in the Universe, destroying the world and turning people into abominations, and that is the price of the dark power you’ve obtained.
The older brother, the dragon, responded angrily:
- Now I am the ruler of this world, and I alone decide its fate. I have no interest in the lives of mere mortals!
The younger brother silently spoke to himself:
- Its time to take matters into my own hands…
An epic battle commenced. Within the whirlwind of flames and light, Spirit Ether addressed the younger brother:
- You will have to make a decision, Vii. He is too powerful, and you lack the strength. The only way to defeat the dragon is by merging with me. Then you will gain the ability to seal. This form is not sustainable for an ordinary mortal, and in the end, you will perish. You have always wanted to restore the balance of the Universe. This is your only chance; otherwise, the world will perish. Consider your decision carefully.
The younger brother, without hesitation, replied:
- I accept this responsibility. Let what must happen, happen!
In the next moment, Vii and Spirit Ether merged into one, transforming into a new incredible form. Vii felt a tremendous power surging through him, amplifying his every move.
The dragon, releasing a torrent of flames, attempted to destroy the younger brother, but at that moment, a new ability activated within Vii. Emitting daggers of light energy, they pierced through the flames, impaled the dragon’s heart, and freed the older brother from the dark power.
Both brothers fell into the water and were carried to the shore by the current. Vii survived and, looking at his brother, understood the consequences of his actions. Vii spoke his final words:
- CV, you must hide these artifacts so that no one ever finds them. Take care, brother.
Vii passed away, sealing the powers back into the artifacts.
The rain that had fallen during the battle ceased, and the sun emerged in the sky. Everyday life on the planet Ether gradually returned to balance. The harmony of the Universe was restored.
The end.
