**Volume 1: The Awakened Dragon**
**Chapter 1: A New Beginning**
The rain drummed relentlessly against the windows of the small apartment, a dismal symphony that matched the atmosphere inside. A man sat in the darkness, staring blankly at the monitor in front of him. His reflection—a man with unkempt hair, dark circles under his eyes, and a haunted, weary look—stared back. He had no name that mattered, no identity that anyone would remember.
The computer screen displayed a familiar sight: job rejection emails, all piling up, one after another. His chest tightened as he leaned back in his chair, feeling the weight of his reality pressing in on him. A failed career. No family to turn to. No real purpose.
"What am I even doing here?"
He had asked himself this question countless times, each day blending into the next with no direction or hope. He was brilliant in his own way—able to pick up almost anything and master it quickly, from martial arts to technical skills—but the world didn’t care. His talents were wasted in a life that seemed to offer no meaning.
Then, the world shattered.
A crackling sound filled the air, growing louder until it became deafening. The man jumped to his feet, looking around frantically, his heart racing. A blinding light erupted from the computer screen, bathing the entire room in an unnatural glow. His legs gave out beneath him as the ground seemed to vanish, pulling him into the abyss. The last thing he heard was the sound of his own scream.
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He awoke to the smell of damp earth and the rustling of leaves in the wind. His eyes fluttered open, revealing a dense canopy of trees above him, the golden light of a setting sun filtering through the branches. The air was thick with the scent of pine and moss, a world away from the polluted city air he had known just moments ago.
"Where… am I?"
Slowly, he pushed himself up, taking in his surroundings. He was lying in a forest, but not like any forest he had ever seen. The trees towered high into the sky, their trunks as wide as houses, with shimmering leaves that glowed faintly. Strange, ethereal lights flickered among the branches, and the sounds of distant creatures echoed through the woods.
This was no ordinary place.
His heart pounded in his chest as he scrambled to his feet, every sense alert. He checked himself—his body seemed fine, no injuries—but his clothes were tattered and unfamiliar. His breathing came fast and shallow as he tried to make sense of what had just happened.
“Am I… dreaming?” he muttered, running a hand through his hair.
Suddenly, a voice—a deep, ancient voice—rumbled through the forest, causing the ground beneath him to tremble.
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“You are not dreaming, child.”
He spun around, eyes wide. Standing before him, towering above the trees, was an immense figure. It was neither human nor animal, but a being made of light and shadow, its form shifting like smoke. Its eyes were deep, glowing pools of emerald light, filled with ageless wisdom.
“I have been waiting for you,” the voice boomed.
He stepped back, his instincts screaming at him to run, but his body was frozen in place. “W-who… what are you?” he stammered.
The being seemed to smile, though its face was a blur of light. “I am the **Forest Deity**, protector of this land. And you… you are destined for far greater things.”
His mind raced. How did this creature know him? What was it talking about—destiny? None of this made sense.
“I don’t understand,” he said, shaking his head. “Why am I here?”
The deity’s voice softened, though it still carried the weight of centuries. “You were chosen, long before your birth, to fulfill a prophecy. This world, much like your own, teeters on the edge of ruin. Greed, hatred, and darkness have spread through the hearts of the people. But there is hope—hope in you.”
He took a step back, disbelief clouding his thoughts. “Me? I’m no hero. I’m just… no one.”
The Forest Deity’s eyes glowed brighter. “You are more than you know. You carry the blood of a **dragon god** within you. A power that has lain dormant, waiting for the right moment to awaken. And now, that time has come.”
The words struck him like a thunderbolt. A dragon god? Powers? He wanted to laugh at the absurdity, but the serious, almost reverent tone of the deity silenced any doubts.
As if in response to the deity’s words, a sudden surge of energy coursed through his body. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he could see the forest in ways he hadn’t before—every leaf, every breeze, every ripple of magic flowing through the air. His heart raced as his eyes seemed to burn, a searing pain shooting through his skull.
“W-what’s happening?!” he gasped, clutching his head.
The deity’s voice was calm. “Your true power is awakening. The **Draconic Eye**, an ancient gift from your ancestors. It will allow you to see the world as no other can, to copy and perfect any skill, magic, or art. You will become a master of all you behold.”
He staggered back, his breathing ragged. The pain in his eyes subsided, and when he opened them again, the world seemed sharper, clearer. Every detail of the forest stood out to him, as if he could see the very essence of the magic that flowed through it.
“This… this is insane,” he whispered, but deep down, something in him stirred. It felt right. As if a missing piece of himself had finally clicked into place.
The deity loomed closer, its voice now almost tender. “I shall grant you a name, as you step into your new fate. From this moment on, you will be known as **Azaryon**.”
The name echoed through the forest, carrying with it a strange sense of power. It resonated deep within him, as if it had always been his true name, hidden until this moment.
Azaryon.
The man—now Azaryon—looked up at the deity, his eyes burning with a newfound determination. He didn’t fully understand what was happening, but something inside him had awakened. He had a purpose now. A name.
“Alright,” Azaryon muttered to himself. “Let’s see what this world has to offer.”
The Forest Deity smiled, its form beginning to fade into the mist. “You will create a kingdom where all races live in harmony. A nation free from hatred and discrimination. But beware, Azaryon. Dark forces stir, and they will not allow you to achieve your destiny easily.”
Azaryon nodded, clenching his fists. The weight of this new life was heavy, but for the first time, he didn’t feel crushed by it. Instead, he felt… alive.
With that, the deity vanished, leaving Azaryon alone in the forest, standing on the edge of his new life, his new journey.
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**End of Chapter 1**