Albion spent the next several days with his grandfather.
He learned quite a lot.
For one thing, Albion the First was five thousand years old.
That alone had shocked him.
Apparently, Dragons lived for an incredibly long time.
A thousand years was already considered old for some Dragons.
The oldest could live for ten thousand years.
Some legends even claimed certain Dragons had lived longer.
Albion had also noticed something else about his grandfather.
Despite being the former King of Dragons, Albion the First treated everyone with respect.
The soldiers.
The maids.
The Elemental Monarchs.
Even the servants working around the Royal Mansion.
He never acted as though being royalty made him better than them.
Albion had also discovered that his grandfather was surprisingly kind toward children.
Which was funny considering how terrifying he looked.
One afternoon, Albion, Asterion, Scarlet, the Charmers and Vesiculo were gathered together with Albion the First.
The old Dragon King looked at the children.
"Tell me, have you heard the story of Gearfried?"
The children looked at each other.
Lyna raised her hand slightly.
"I've heard the name."
She tilted her head.
"But I thought you meant Immortal Phoenix Gearfried, the Emanator of Ra."
Albion the First chuckled.
"Yes. That is one of the names he became known by."
He leaned back.
"But Gearfried was known by many names."
Albion's eyes widened.
"You knew him?"
"I did."
The old Dragon smiled.
"Gearfried and I lived during the same age. Five thousand years ago."
Everyone became quiet.
Asterion leaned forward.
"You actually met him?"
"Many times."
Scarlet's eyes narrowed with interest.
"What was he like?"
Albion the First looked toward the sky.
"Strong."
He paused.
"Very strong."
Albion tilted his head.
"How strong?"
Albion the First looked at him.
"Strong enough that simply giving him a weapon was considered dangerous."
Albion blinked.
"Wait, what?"
His grandfather nodded.
"Gearfried possessed an extraordinary amount of physical power. His strength was so great that he feared what would happen if he fought without restraint."
Lyna's eyes widened.
"So that's why he wore the armor?"
"Exactly."
Albion the First pointed toward Albion.
"The armor wasn't designed to make him stronger."
He tapped his chest.
"It was designed to hold him back."
Albion stared.
"Wait."
He slowly looked at Asterion.
"That sounds backwards."
Asterion nodded.
"It does."
Albion the First smiled.
"That is what made Gearfried so unusual."
He continued.
"Most warriors wear armor to protect themselves."
His expression became serious.
"Gearfried wore armor to protect everyone else from himself."
The children fell silent.
Albion's eyes widened.
'Okay.'
'That's actually really cool.'
Albion the First continued.
"His armor became known as the Iron Knight. Gearfried accepted the restraint because he feared his own power."
Lyna nodded slowly.
"And when he finally removed it..."
"Gearfried the Swordmaster."
Albion the First smiled.
"The warrior beneath the armor."
The children looked fascinated.
Albion raised his hand.
"So he basically sealed his own power?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't someone just teach him how to control it?"
Albion the First laughed.
"That is easier said than done."
He looked at Albion.
"Remember what your father has taught you about power."
Albion thought about it.
"Control."
"Exactly."
Albion the First nodded.
"Raw strength is easy to admire."
He looked toward the children.
"But controlling that strength is much harder."
Asterion nodded.
"That sounds familiar."
Scarlet glanced at him.
"Very."
Asterion frowned.
"What?"
"You've broken three training swords this month."
"They were cheap."
Scarlet stared at him.
"They were royal training swords."
"...Expensive royal training swords."
Albion laughed.
Albion the First smiled.
"Gearfried eventually learned to control himself."
He looked toward Albion.
"But his story is important for another reason."
Albion tilted his head.
"What reason?"
"Because Gearfried proved something."
The old Dragon King's expression became serious.
"Power does not make someone dangerous."
Everyone listened.
"A lack of control does."
Albion became thoughtful.
His grandfather continued.
"Remember that."
Albion nodded.
"I will."
Albion the First smiled.
"Good."
Then he looked toward the little Dragon Prince.
"Because one day, you may become far stronger than you are now."
Albion's eyes sparkled.
"Really?"
His grandfather laughed.
"Much stronger."
Albion clenched his fists.
"Then I'll learn to control it."
Albion the First's smile widened.
"That is exactly what I wanted to hear."
He looked toward the children.
"Now."
Everyone looked at him.
"Who wants to hear what Gearfried was like before he became the Iron Knight?"
Albion's hand immediately shot into the air.
"ME!"
Asterion raised his hand.
"Me too."
Scarlet sighed.
"Of course."
Lyna smiled.
"I want to hear it."
Albion the First laughed.
"Very well."
He leaned back.
"Then let me tell you about the warrior who became Gearfried."
Albion the First continued.
"During the War of the Black Flames, Gearfried joined my side."
Scarlet's eyes widened.
"Under the Red-Eyes Clan?"
Albion the First nodded.
"Exactly."
He smiled.
"He became Gearfried the Red-Eyes Iron Knight."
Scarlet looked excited.
"Oh! I've heard that story from the elders."
Albion the First chuckled.
"Then you already know that the Red-Eyes Clan gave him access to one of their Clan Gems."
Albion blinked.
"Clan Gem?"
Scarlet answered before his grandfather could.
"Each ancient Clan possesses a special gem. They contain a portion of the Clan's power. They're normally only given to people the Clan trusts."
Albion looked at his grandfather.
"And Gearfried was trusted?"
"He earned it."
Albion the First's expression became serious.
"Gearfried fought beside us through some of the worst battles of the war."
He paused.
"He wasn't a Dragon. He wasn't a member of the Red-Eyes Clan."
"But he fought alongside them anyway."
Albion nodded.
"That sounds like him."
His grandfather smiled.
"It was."
He looked toward the children.
"But Gearfried's story didn't end there."
Hiita leaned forward.
"What happened?"
"Years later, Gearfried encountered the Evocator Chevalier."
Asterion frowned.
"Another Warrior?"
"Yes."
Albion the First nodded.
"And the two fought."
His expression became darker.
"It was an incredible battle."
The children listened quietly.
"Gearfried eventually defeated him."
Albion the First looked down.
"But the battle came at a terrible cost."
"His sword was destroyed."
Albion frowned.
"Destroyed?"
"Completely."
He paused.
"And Gearfried was covered in flames."
Hiita's eyes widened.
"The Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys?"
Albion the First smiled.
"Yes."
Hiita immediately pointed upward.
"That's the Guardian of the Fire Kingdom!"
Albion the First nodded.
"She found him."
He looked toward the children.
"Gearfried should have died that day."
"But he didn't."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"The Sacred Phoenix carried him back from the brink of death."
Albion's eyes widened.
"So he became Phoenix Gearfried."
"Correct."
Albion the First continued.
"His body changed. His armor changed. Even his relationship with fire changed."
"He wasn't simply the same warrior who had survived."
"He had been reborn."
Albion looked fascinated.
"So what happened after that?"
Albion the First laughed.
"Gearfried went traveling."
"Of course he did."
"He crossed kingdoms. He fought monsters. He protected villages. He trained with warriors from different nations."
Scarlet smiled.
"That sounds like the stories the elders tell."
"They left out quite a few things."
Albion leaned forward.
"Like what?"
Albion the First grinned.
"That's a story for another day."
"Aw."
The old Dragon King continued.
"During one part of his journey, Gearfried came into contact with the Light forces."
Lyna's eyes widened.
"The Lightrays?"
"Yes."
"He eventually became known as Lightray Gearfried."
Lyna smiled.
"I knew that name."
Albion the First looked toward the sky.
"But even that wasn't the end."
Everyone became quiet.
"By the end of his journey, Gearfried had become something far beyond the warrior he had once been."
Albion blinked.
"That's when he met Ra?"
Albion the First nodded.
"Yes."
He looked at the children.
"Ra recognized something within him."
Hiita's eyes widened.
"The God of Permanence?"
"Yes."
"Gearfried was chosen to walk the path of permanence."
Albion stared.
"And that's how he became..."
Albion the First finished the sentence.
"Immortal Phoenix Gearfried, the Emanator of Ra."
The children fell silent.
Albion's eyes were practically sparkling.
"That's insane."
Asterion nodded.
"His life sounds like an entire series."
Scarlet laughed.
"It probably was."
Albion the First chuckled.
"Gearfried lived many lives without ever actually becoming a different person."
He looked at Albion.
"That is the important part."
Albion tilted his head.
"What do you mean?"
"His armor changed."
"His powers changed."
"His allies changed."
"Even the Gods recognized him."
"But Gearfried remained Gearfried."
Albion smiled.
"So his different forms weren't different people."
"Exactly."
Albion the First placed a hand on his grandson's head.
"Never forget that."
Albion nodded.
"Okay."
His grandfather smiled.
"Good."
Then Albion suddenly raised his hand.
"One question."
"What is it?"
"Was he always this dramatic?"
Silence.
Scarlet covered his mouth.
Asterion started laughing.
Hiita giggled.
Even Lyna smiled.
Albion the First stared at his grandson.
Then he burst out laughing.
"Oh, you would have gotten along with him."
After a while, the adults left.
It was just the children now.
Albion looked around at everyone.
There was one word he had heard several times that he still didn't understand.
"Hey."
Housekee looked up from the book she was reading.
"What?"
Albion pointed at her.
"What exactly are Emanators?"
Housekee blinked.
"Oh."
She adjusted her glasses.
"Right. We should probably explain that to you."
Albion nodded.
"I keep hearing the word."
Housekee closed her book.
"An Emanator is basically a Demigod."
Albion nodded.
"I see."
Housekee immediately shook her head.
"Well, not exactly like the Demigods from the stories."
Albion tilted his head.
"Then what's the difference?"
Housekee thought for a moment.
"First, we need to talk about the Gods."
Albion nodded.
Housekee held up one finger.
"The Fourteen Gods aren't just powerful monsters."
She held up another.
"They each represent a Concept."
Albion's expression became more serious.
"Yes I remember you told me."
Housekee smiled.
"Ra represents Permanence."
"Obelisk represents the Hunt."
"Slifer represents Harmony."
"Ghostrick Angel of Mischief represents Beauty."
"Toon Master represents Elation."
Housekee adjusted her glasses.
"They don't just control an element. Their existence is connected to the Concept they represent."
Albion looked thoughtful.
"Okay. Then where do Emanators come in?"
Housekee pointed upward.
"Think of the Gods as the source."
She pointed toward Albion.
"Then think of everyone else as people walking beneath that source."
Albion nodded slowly.
"Pathstriders."
"Correct."
Housekee smiled.
"A Pathstrider is someone whose beliefs, actions, or nature align with one of the God's Concepts."
"So someone who follows the Hunt could become a Pathstrider of Obelisk?"
"Yes."
"And someone who lives for Permanence could follow Ra?"
"Exactly."
Albion nodded.
"Then what's the difference between them and an Emanator?"
Housekee became more serious.
"Permission."
Albion blinked.
"Permission?"
"Yes."
She pointed toward the sky.
"A normal Pathstrider can walk a Path and draw a small amount of power from it."
She then pointed at herself.
"But an Emanator has been directly recognized by the God."
Albion's eyes widened.
"So the God gives them more power?"
"Much more."
Housekee nodded.
"An Emanator is someone who has been given direct access to the God's power."
Albion looked impressed.
"So becoming an Emanator means the God personally chose you?"
"Usually."
Housekee paused.
"Although the Gods don't all choose their Emanators in the same way."
Albion raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"Some Gods deliberately choose them."
She counted on her fingers.
"Some give their power freely."
"Some barely care."
"And some..."
Housekee shuddered.
"...have very strange ideas about who deserves their power."
Albion stared at her.
"That sounds concerning."
"It is."
Dharc suddenly spoke from behind them.
"Especially when we're talking about the God of Elation."
Albion looked over.
"Why?"
Dharc sighed.
"Because sometimes the God of Elation gives people power simply because it would be funny."
Albion stared at him.
"...That's terrible."
Dharc nodded.
"Welcome to the Gods."
Asterion laughed.
Albion looked back at Housekee.
"So Emanators are basically the strongest followers of the Gods?"
Housekee nodded.
"That's a simple way to put it."
She paused.
"But don't think that every Emanator is equal."
Albion looked confused.
"Why?"
"Because the amount of power a God gives their Emanator isn't always the same."
She tapped her book.
"One Emanator might receive a tiny portion of their God's power."
"Another might receive much more."
Albion's eyes widened.
"So two Emanators of the same God could be completely different in strength."
"Exactly."
Housekee smiled.
"And that's why becoming an Emanator isn't simply about being strong."
Albion thought about that.
"You have to be recognized."
"Yes."
"By the God."
"Yes."
"And then you get access to their power."
"Yes."
Albion nodded.
"Okay."
He looked toward the sky.
"So if Gearfried became an Emanator of Ra..."
Housekee nodded.
"Then Ra personally recognized Gearfried and allowed him to draw upon the power of Permanence."
Albion smiled.
"That actually explains a lot."
Scarlet looked at him.
"Does it?"
Albion nodded.
"Gearfried kept changing."
He counted on his fingers.
"Red-Eyes Iron Knight."
"Phoenix Gearfried."
"Lightray Gearfried."
"And eventually Immortal Phoenix Gearfried."
Albion looked thoughtful.
"Every time he gained a new power, he wasn't becoming a different person."
He smiled.
"He was becoming a stronger version of himself."
Housekee smiled.
"Exactly."
Albion looked toward the sky again.
"Then becoming an Emanator sounds really important."
Housekee nodded.
"It is."
She closed her book.
"But remember something."
Albion looked at her.
"What's that?"
"An Emanator isn't a God."
Albion nodded.
"They're still mortal."
"Usually."
Albion stared at her.
"Usually?"
Housekee smiled nervously.
"That's a much longer conversation."
Albion sighed.
"Of course it is."
Dharc laughed.
"You're going to be asking questions for the rest of your childhood."
Albion crossed his arms.
"Good."
He grinned.
"I like learning things."
Asterion looked at him.
"That's going to get you into trouble."
Albion smiled.
"Probably."
And judging by everyone's expressions, they all knew he was right.
To be continue
Hope people like this Ch and Give me power stones and