An amazing piece by the wonderful ArtsByChloe

So guess who accidentally refreshed the page after writing over half an hours worth of lore and story on this piece. Dying inside but we'll do it again. But do forgive me if it's a little rushed

So this piece is a little different than usual. It's not going to be a very common type of artwork from me but it holds sentimental value. Solaris here is a character from a writing project I've been working on since I was a kid. (I have adapted it with me. It isn't nearly as cringe anymore I swear). And as such is an important part of my journey as a writer. So I hope you all like him even if he is a little different. Ill have a story as usual but it requires a bit of lore context. So we'll start with that.

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Neumann is a dragonforce sorcerer. A being born once every 1000 years. Even across multiple realities and dimensions. Only one can be born in this time. Dragonforce sorcerers are gifted with the blood of dragons and have the ability to generate and utilize draconic energy. The energy that gives all dragons their powers. Though our understanding of how it works is extremely limited. However it is extremely powerful. Using this energy. Dragonforce sorcerers can transform into fully draconic forms. They can only use one draconic form. However there have been two exceptions to this throughout history. A being long forgotten by time. With scattered records and more fairy tale than reality. The ancient one. And Neumann Penn. These two are known as the Apex dragonforce sorcerers. Who can absorb different types of energy to gain new draconic forms. And to strengthen the forms they already exist with.

~~~

Floating in the sea of stars. Neumann couldn't help but think back on the events that led him here. He was drawn here by a feeling deep within his soul. Despite never visiting this dimension before. He knew he had to be here. Of course. That focus made him completely oblivious to the fact he was followed. Ship completely destroyed in a surprise attack by an old "friend" with a grudge. He drifted aimlessly among the ocean. Only kept alive by magic keeping him breathing. And the energy of a fire elder dragon deep within his soul. But it wouldn't last forever. He knew that eventually. He would run out. Dissapointed in himself for not going down protecting what he cares for. Slowly closing his eyes to accept his fate.

Yet. Shortly after closing his eyes he felt. Warmth? And a physical object on his back. He opened his eyes to find himself in some form of temple. Magma rivers flowing under bridges. And molten rocks and metals falling from the ceiling as he stood up. He considered whether he was dead. But no. He could feel his breathing. His heartbeat. And this heat was much too vivid to be a dream. So. He pressed forward. Walking into this temple. Unsure of what to expect.

"Well... Still not the weirdest thing to happen to me... Yet"

Walking through the doors in front of him. He found himself in a large room. A ceremonial altar in the center. And writing on the back wall in a language he'd never seen before. This was the place that had called to him. But why? He walked forward towards that back wall. Reading it

"Apex of dragon kind. Read these runes and be blessed by their strength. Gain the power to correct the mistakes of the past. And to protect the future. Place your hand upon the altar to begin your journey. And summon forth the power that is needed to save us all."

"....... Wait... How the hell can I read this? Hmmmmm. I should snap a pic. Ask Issac about it later. Maybe he'll have an idea. Still. It's clear that I was brought here..."

He takes out his phone and takes a quick picture of the wall before looking back at the altar. If he was brought here. Then the odds these words were for him was definitely not zero. And if it was a trap. They would have left him to die outside. So. He walks over to the altar. And with a little hesitation. Places his hand upon it. Before feeling a presence behind him turning around to see an orange haired man. Wearing a bright red jacket and black scales on his neck. And he was somehow familiar.

"So. The apex has finally decided to show up. Alright young blood. This is gonna be your first trial. And as such the easiest. Normally I like to solve things with my fists. But to start your journey. You don't need to prove the strength of your fists. But that you won't misuse the power granted to you. This room is bound by a magic seal that will kill us if we attempt to lie. So. Be honest. Or else."

Young blood. His hot headed attitude. That orange hair. And the much more modern outfit despite the old interior. Neumann finally realized the familiarity

"Ignatio... History books say you died. So why don't you prove this seal is genuine by answering a question I already know the answer to. And that you have every reason to lie about for your ego. Did those books tell the truth?"

Ignatio couldn't help but laugh at it. A smirk on his face as he responds.

"Oh looky here. A historian and a smartass. Fine then. Yeah. The invincible Ignatio is dead and I'm just a ghost. Summoned here for your trial by the fucks who built this place. Something about needing the strongest wielder of flame to do it. But hey. Once you fuck off I get to rest in peace again. So hurry the hell up and answer my questions. Real easy stuff. Starting with. What do you know about your unique abilities."

"Fine. The history books didn't mention how much of an impatient dick you were. I don't know much about what makes me unique. Especially among other dragonforce sorcerers. I just know that I am stronger than my peers."

"Yeah well I earned that right smartass. Now. Question two. What do you want to do with this power"

"I want to protect the people I care about. I've seen too many good people hurt for nothing"

"And lastly. Do you fight for the good of the people. Or the good of yourself"

Neumann pauses for a moment. A question he'd thought about before. But it wasn't an answer he liked

"Neither. I don't really care much what happens to me. But likewise. I don't much care about people as a whole. The same people who made sure so many of my friends could never lead normal lives. I fight to protect the people I care for. Maybe it's selfish. But it's the truth."

Ignatio pauses for a moment. Thinking on that answer before laughing

"Alright apex. Then you get a pass from me. It might not satisfy the people who sent me here. But I don't really care much about them either. Now. Go to the altar once more. And take what's rightfully yours"

Neumann had a hundred questions. But he had been here too long. That attack on him would embolden those assholes to attack his friends. And he wasn't going to let that happen. Walking over to the altar and placing his hand on it once more.

He once again woke in the cold vacuum of space. Though he certainly couldn't tell it was cold anymore. A burning heat deep inside his core filling his body. He knew what he had to do.

"I call upon your power. SOLARIS! DEITY DRAGON OF STARLIGHT! GRANT ME YOUR POWER"

He says. His body growing more draconic. Scales turning pitch black. Yet the flames coursing through his veins ran so hot that they could be seen from the surface. Simulating twinkling starlight on his scales. Hin wings imposing. And his power unstoppable. He no longer needed something as meaningless as oxygen. So he flew right in the direction of his would be attackers. Flying so fast without the air resistance to hold him back that he found them in under 10 minutes.

"What the hell is that?!"

Was the last words they would utter on this earth. As Neumann lifted his hand. And the stars around him shivered. This was the power of a Deity dragon.

"Solar flare"

He says. As the molten cores of all the stars around him shoot directly towards the ship. Blasting it from every direction. Giving it nowhere to run before it was destroyed. Neumann breathed heavy. And took his time to admire the new form of his. Smirking as he flew back towards the dimensional portal that brought him here.

"Let's see what this journey he mentioned is all about~"