Titan

It Ends With A Kiss

Centuries ago, there existed humans unlike any other. Gifted with extraordinary abilities, these individuals were set apart from the common man. Their powers coursed through their bloodlines, each clan distinguished by unique traits. The Gorges, descendants of giants, were known for their unmatched strength. The Jorkes possessed incredible speed, while the Laavins had a deep bond with animals, some even capable of commanding them. Wizards wielded magic, bending reality with spells, and the Druids were one with nature, controlling the elements themselves. The Ranis were unparalleled warriors, thriving in the chaos of battle, while the Hakuris were legendary hunters. The Alchemists, known for their ability to manipulate energy, were even rumoured to be immortal.

Though remnants of these special humans still exist, their numbers have dwindled, casualties of an age-old war between mankind and dragons. Over time, peace was brokered, and from this accord, a new faction emerged—the Arvins. These chosen few served as intermediaries between humans and dragons, wielding a rare power that blended wizardry with draconic essence, allowing them to communicate with dragons telepathically.

Yet, among all the gifted bloodlines, one stood above the rest—the Zurani. A singular warrior, appearing only once in a generation, the Zurani was a supreme combatant, possessing the uncanny ability to read, predict, and counter an opponent’s every move. Many clans have since scattered, their lineages blending into newly formed houses, leaving only the Hakuris and Arvins with established settlements.

“Any questions?” A young woman stood before a group of eager children, her voice firm yet warm.

A small hand shot up. “Is Sir Atlan the Zurani?”

The question caught the young woman slightly off guard. “And where did you hear that from, little one?”

“I heard some men talking about it!” The child grinned with excitement.

“Well—” The woman began, only to be interrupted.

“Who else would it be?!” A deep voice called from behind her. The children erupted in delight as Atlan himself stepped into view.

“Atlan.” The woman sighed, relief evident in her tone.

The children nearly vibrated with excitement, their eyes wide with admiration.

“Sir Atlan, are you really the Zurani?” the same child pressed.

Atlan chuckled. “Yes, dear one, I am.” Then, with a nod toward the woman, he added, “But for now, I need a word with the princess.”

The children groaned in disappointment as Atlan and the princess stepped away.

Outside, the cool breeze carried the distant hum of village life.

“You don’t have to hide it from them, you know,” Atlan said as they walked. “It’s hardly a secret.”

The princess—Lilian—sighed. “I suppose you’re right. Even the Egorks recognize you.” She glanced at him with a smirk. “Not that you mind.”

Atlan shrugged. He had long grown used to the weight of his reputation, ever since ‘the incident’—the one that had made him the most feared and revered man alive.

“I’m just glad you’re back safely,” Lilian murmured, stepping into his embrace. Her auburn hair contrasted with his dark locks, her sharp gaze meeting his deep blue eyes.

“You worry too much, Lilian. It’s me we’re talking about.” He grinned, cocky as ever.

“And that’s exactly why I worry. You can be reckless, Atlan. Zurani or not, you’re not immortal.” Her tone turned stern, though concern softened her eyes.

Atlan placed his hands on her face, feigning solemnity. “I’ll be more careful,” he promised—only to burst into laughter moments later.

Lilian scowled. “You always do this.”

“Because your reactions are adorable.” He teased, knowing full well how much he enjoyed provoking her. Yet, as he sobered, his expression turned serious. “A friend came to see me.”

“An Arvin?” she asked.

“Yes. The Beast of the Nura.”

Lilian stiffened. “The Beast?! What did he want?”

“To accelerate our plan.”

She frowned. “What do the others think?”

Atlan hesitated. “I haven’t told them yet.”

Before she could respond, a new voice chimed in. “I can’t believe you told Lilian first.”

Harold emerged from the shadows, his sudden appearance not surprising either of them.

Lilian smirked. “I am special, after all.” Then, turning to Harold, she added, “And stop sneaking up on us. It’s creepy.”

Harold grinned. “What’s the point of being undetectable if I can’t use it for fun?”

Atlan sighed. “Gather everyone. We need to talk.”

***

Later, in the meeting hall, twelve individuals sat around the grand table—the six Elites, the Head of the Royal Guard, the Royal Adviser, Gin, Lilian, Prince Brian, and the King himself.

Atlan stood, his voice steady. “With His Highness’s permission, I’ll begin.” At the King’s nod, he continued. “To my left is my friend, Gin, the Beast of the Nura. He brings troubling news. The enemy is planning to summon a Titan.”

Murmurs spread through the room, confusion evident on many faces. Atlan sighed. “A Titan is the pinnacle of the mega-dragon hierarchy. If we compare it to standard dragons, it is akin to their King. Bigger, stronger, and nearly invincible. If a Titan emerges, we face utter annihilation.”

Rickon, the Royal Adviser, scowled. “How is this only reaching us now, Atlan?”

Atlan exhaled. “That’s on me. I learned of it a few years ago from Tia, the Dolphin of the Nura. I assumed some of you knew.”

The King turned to Gin. “And how did you confirm this?”

Gin folded his arms. “After our defeat against the Mega Dragons last year, we discovered the existence of changelings—humans experimented on by wizards, capable of transforming into humanoid dragons.”

Gasps filled the chamber.

“Wizards?” The King’s voice was sharp.

“Yes, Your Highness. We believe rogue wizards are working with the enemy. We also detected Alchemist energy signatures. After capturing changelings, we took them to a Sooth in the east. It was then we learned of the Titan.”

Harold scoffed. “A Sooth? That’s your proof?”

Gin’s gaze was unwavering. “I trust my sources. And Atlan trusts me.”

Atlan raised a hand, silencing the brewing argument. “Even if there’s a 1% chance this is true, we can’t ignore it. We’ve been reacting for too long. This time, we take the fight to them.”

Slowly, one by one, hands began to rest on the table, signalling their agreement.

Atlan nodded. “We’ll need every special human we can gather.”

“What about the Hakuris?” Gin asked.

“They won’t join us,” Harold muttered.

Gin frowned. “Why not?”

Harold’s expression darkened. “Because I was exiled. And they don’t take kindly to outcasts.”

Gin sighed, realization dawning. “Then we move forward without them.”

Atlan exhaled. “We have our plan. Now, let’s execute it.”