In the chilly embrace of a hesitant morning, Sol, a young student, made their way through the frosty air towards the imposing buildings of the school. The pathway beneath their feet was paved with cobblestones, echoing with the sounds of countless footsteps and hushed conversations. A gentle mist draped the school field, muffling the voices and adding an air of mystery to the bustling activity all around. As he made his way to his English class, a weary sigh escaped him upon hearing Mr. Montgomery's familiar voice about the profound impact of the Greek's contributions in shaping the foundations of Western civilization.
'This 2-hour lecture is such a drag. I got other class registrations I'm missing out on. Why is this a thing anyway? Sol thought.'
Trailing behind him, a diminutive figure bobbed in and out of sight. Hannah, a sprightly Korean girl, her raven-black hair straight as a ruler, trailed him like a shadow. Her diminutive stature was a stark contrast to her spirited persona, and she seemed to brighten the grey landscape with her vibrant energy.
"Hey, Sol!" Her voice cut through the dull murmur of the morning. "What's with the mood? You look sadder than usual," Hannah smirked.
Sol turned to Hannah, countering her mocking demeanor.
"Ah it's nothing, just hate the long hours of English literature classes. Does it have to be that long? I mean, all our other classes are an hour."
Hannah scoffed as they entered the class.
White chalk screeched across the newly polished blackboard. The topic today got some people excited, as fantasy terms were written across the board.
"Now, class, today we will begin on chapter 29, the myths and folklore of the ancient world. In this chapter we'll be talking about dragons, I'm sure you all have heard of them before. They go back spanning hundreds of years ago, told by almost all civilizations you could think of all around the world, from the Chinese to the Europeans to the Norse and the Celtics, yet they are not real," Mr. Montgomery said.
Hannah interrupted, breaking the excitement from the boy's wonders. "So, why are we learning about it anyways."
"Exactly," Mr. Montgomery replied as he scribbled additional notes onto the board. "Myths and folklores are not meant merely for storytelling, but it signifies the day-to-day triumph and tribulations within people's lives."
"Ms. Hannah, would you be so kind as to tell me what a dragon might signify in stories – other than a fire-breathing, flesh-eating beast?" Mr. Montgomery said.
"Erm… they are perceived as obstacles towards a certain goal, maybe?" Hannah said.
"And why do we need to slay the dragon?" Mr. Montgomery scanned the faces of several students, before eventually landing on Sol's, pointing his finger at him as if cueing for his response.
Sol did not answer, nor was he interested. Breaking the silence, someone in front of the class spoke. "Well, the dragon signifies a problem that needs to be dealt with immediately or risk the lives of many, causing despair and destruction in villages nearby," he spoke.
"Right on! The dragon symbolizes a problem that has to be dealt with, and it is the responsibility of the hero, who in this case, could be anyone who dares to take up arms, and rage on, in the face of adversity – this is perhaps, not only a responsibility, but a fundamental key to surviving in life, and that is why in English literature, there are thousands of stories that uses the dragon as a symbol for many to take action." Mr. Montgomery's voice echoed throughout the hallways, his passion for English literature really got his blood pumping, hyping up most of the students in the class in taking notes, except for Sol.
"Well, what if the dragons are the ones that need saving? Stories are written by mankind and are biased in portraying the beasts. Maybe the dragons aren't the actual problem, but mankind themselves." Sol's voice blurted out. The class went silent again as a buzz of thoughts passed by the students.
Mr. Montgomery let out a smile, happy his student is participating in the lecture.
"Well, excellent thought. But that's usually not the case."
The professor glanced at his watch and then cleared his throat, as he carried on with the class till the school bell rang.
"Ok class, that's all for today. Make sure to catch up on what we didn't finish today and if you have questions ask your classmates. We'll be going over this again tomorrow. See you then."
As the class filed out, Hannah fell into step beside Sol, her brows furrowed in thought. The silence stretched between them, punctuated only by the murmur of students and the dull thud of classroom doors closing.
Finally, she turned to him, her eyes reflecting the glow of curiosity. "That was a pretty interesting point you made back there, Sol. About dragons needing saving."
Sol shrugged, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "History is written from those that write it, if the truth is buried far enough then we can say whatever we want about the past."
Hannah chuckled at his quip before her expression turned serious. "Do you really think we're the ones at fault?"
Sol glanced at her before his gaze returned to the path ahead. "Isn't it always the case? We invade territories, wage wars, deplete resources... and when something fights back, we make it the villain of our stories." He sneered.
His words hung in the air, heavy and thought-provoking. Hannah bit her lower lip, absorbing the new perspective Sol had introduced her to. "You know, I never thought of it that way." She confessed. "We're so used to seeing ourselves as the heroes. It's hard to imagine we might be the villains sometimes."
Exhausted from a long day of classes, Sol glanced at his phone to check if there were any pending notifications. His stomach growled audibly as the time read 6:30 pm.
Feeling the pull of his empty stomach, he turned to Hannah, "How about we get something to eat?"
Surprised, she spun around, her eyes twinkling in anticipation. "Absolutely! I'm always ready for food. Where are we heading?"
He pondered for a moment, his mouth watering at the thought of the food in their local area. "What about the Japanese ramen shop down the street? It's been a while."
A satisfied grin spread across Hannah's face as she moved ahead, her stride confident.
"Sounds perfect!"
Watching the bob of hair bounce as she walked, Sol called after her. "Just so you know, I'm not covering your meal."
She threw him a fake confident glance over her shoulder. He knew her well enough to see the flutter of surprise
"Of course, I have my own money!"
Eventually, they arrived at their favorite ramen shop, choosing a cozy booth by the window. Sol waved down a waiter.
"Two bowls of ramen, please!"
The elderly owner nodded, "Right away!"
As soon as they settled into their seats, Hannah whipped out her notebooks, immediately engrossed in her studies. Sol watched her incredulously. "Can't you ever take a break? Your dad might be a Quantum Physics professor, but I'm sure he won't mind if you enjoy your meal."
Hannah rolled her eyes at him, not breaking her concentration. "Sol, you've known my dad since we were kids. He's not a tyrant, but he does expect me to study a certain amount each day."
The waiter returned with their drinks, leaving them to wait for their ramen. She sipped her water and glanced at him reproachfully. "You could stand to take your studies a bit more seriously, you know. Just because you don't like the subjects, doesn't mean you should slack off."
Sol scrolled through his phone, shrugging off her reprimand. "I'm not slacking off... I just focus on what's important and leave the rest."
He looked at Hannah, her head bent over her books. "And sure, sometimes I need to ask a classmate about the day's lessons. But that's just efficient use of resources, not slacking off."
As Sol's phone idly auto'd through his daily rounds of a popular Gacha game, he found himself drawn to the window. Raindrops had begun their rhythmic dance on the glass pane, a common occurrence in Washington. Leaning back against the plush booth cushion, he gazed at the brooding grey clouds overhead.
'I wonder what the sky looks like in other parts of the world right now. Sunny and vibrant somewhere, a beach sunset elsewhere, a thunderstorm raging in another corner, the barren expanse of a desert, and spaces untouched by human presence.' The thought of famous landmarks across the globe stirred a longing within him.
'Is life really all about grinding for a degree, landing a job, and saving for retirement?'
His thoughts meandered, fueled by his intrinsic desire to explore the world, to witness the dance of time from primitive cave paintings to the marvels of modern technology. Wouldn't it be fascinating to stand before those ancient sketches, contemplating the hands that had created them, their thoughts, and their emotions?
His archery skills brought many scholarships to choose from, which led to careers that held promises of worldwide travel, but that wasn't the exploration he yearned for. Where's the joy in following a schedule set by others, being told where to go and when to leave? That's not traveling, that's just another job. Regardless if he kept his plan of getting a scholarship, believing he was committed to his sports dreams, he was quietly seeking his true calling. Whatever that may be.
His gaze seemed to pierce through the clouds, as though seeking something beyond the obvious. Hannah looked up from her notes, studying him for a moment. Picking up an eraser, she flung it at him, breaking his reverie.
"Hello, Earth to Sol! What's got you so engrossed...if only you'd show such focus in your studies," she teased a hint of laughter in her voice.
But beneath the jest, a pang of unease pricked her. Sol's faraway look always unnerved her, hinting at a yearning for something more. A quiet fear lurked in her heart that one day he would find that elusive something and leave their hometown behind. Sol let out a quick laugh, but before he took his eyes off the endless clouds, lightning struck and a silhouette appeared.
As Sol's gaze traveled to the distant horizon, nestled within the towering clouds, he caught sight of a colossal entity. A chill ran down his spine as he stared at the spectacle, a sense of dread telling him that he was witnessing something he wasn't meant to. Outlined against the heavy clouds, a gargantuan winged figure soared. Its wingspan dwarfed anything he had seen, seemingly large enough to shelter two to three commercial planes beneath it. The creature bore four limbs and a sinuous tail, and its head was adorned with what appeared to be long strands of hair or perhaps whiskers. Barely a few moments later, the spectacle dimmed as the figure disappeared, leaving behind only a thunderous echo.
'Am I hallucinating from exhaustion? What is going on with my vision, that was so surreal.'
Caught in his thoughts, he barely noticed the approach of the waiter until he placed two steaming bowls of ramen on their table.
"Here you go, folks! Two servings of authentic Japanese ramen! Enjoy!"
The man bustled off to attend to other patrons in the modestly busy restaurant, leaving them to their meal. Hannah broke apart a pair of wooden chopsticks, her grin reflecting in the steam from the ramen bowl.
"Mmm! The aroma is divine. Ramen on a rainy day? Couldn't ask for more!"
Sol found himself grinning at her enthusiasm, and they both dug into their meals.
As their dinner concluded, Sol bid Hannah goodbye and they parted ways. His home was a considerable distance away and with the heavy rain persisting, he decided to take the bus. The bus was quiet, and an ambiance of weariness hung in the air as people yearned for their homes. Lost in his thoughts, he rested his head against the cold metal frame of the seat and closed his eyes.
'What on earth was that? The sheer size...those wings, it looked like a dragon, didn't it?'
He sighed as the bus trundled to a stop.
'I'm going crazy' Sol thought.
He took a quick glance outside and stood up.
As Sol disembarked from the bus, he found himself enveloped in the hushed whispers of the night, punctuated by the occasional pitter-patter of rain. The streetlights cast long, eerie shadows on the damp asphalt as he began his trek towards home. A medley of thoughts buzzed in his mind, each one circling back to the colossal winged creature he had seen. Could it have been a trick of light? A figment of his imagination, perhaps? But the image was so vivid, so real. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
Continuing his solitary journey, the familiar sight of his house nestled atop a hill came into view. He paused for a moment, allowing the image to sink in. The house stood like a beacon in the darkness, its warm glow a comforting sight against the backdrop of the dreary weather. Sol moved up the winding path, the crunch of gravel under his boots echoing in the quiet night. Behind the house, the expansive lake stretched out, its placid surface shimmering under the dim moonlight. A curtain of mist hung low over the water, adding an ethereal quality to the scene. Despite its remoteness, the house was always filled with warmth and chatter. It was large enough to accommodate his parents, little sister, and grandparents, with room to spare. Yet, it was the only house near the lake, a fact that lent an added layer of tranquility to their dwelling.
As he approached the house, a soft glow emanated from the windows, casting a warm, inviting light onto the wet lawn. The muffled sound of laughter and conversation seeped through the walls, a soothing balm to his tumultuous thoughts. Sol paused at the doorstep, glancing back at the lake and the vast expanse of the night sky. His mind lingered on the mysterious creature one last time before he shook off the thoughts, turned the doorknob, and stepped into the comforting familiarity of home. Standing underneath the cover of his house, Sol shakes off the umbrella and enters, and turns on the lights.
"Just me, I'm home!" Sol declared.
The familiar scent of a home-cooked meal filled Sol's nostrils. His mother, a warm and congenial woman, was at the stove, stirring a pot. Her laughter echoed through the house as she shared a light-hearted conversation with his grandparents, both of whom were as kind-hearted as they were wise.
"Sol, you're home late!" his mother called out, turning to flash him a welcoming smile.
"Yeah, we had a study session after class," Sol replied, shrugging off his wet coat.
From the living room, a flurry of brown curls dashed toward him. His little sister, Ava, a spitfire with a bratty streak, was full of energy, even at this late hour. Despite her occasional tantrums, Sol knew she had a soft spot for him. After all, he was often the one to soothe her when she was upset, to tell her stories when she couldn't sleep, and to protect her when she felt scared.
"Sol! You're home!" Ava exclaimed, throwing her arms around his waist. "I beat your high score in Genshin. You owe me a chocolate bar!"
He chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Alright, punk, a deal's a deal. But remember, it's bedtime soon."
Ava stuck her tongue out at him before scampering back to the living room. Sol couldn't help but smile. Despite the chaos of the day, the warmth of his family always grounded him. As he joined them, all thoughts of winged beasts and mystery were momentarily pushed aside, replaced by the comforting rhythm of the home.
Time seemed to slip away as the household succumbed to the tranquility of the night. The storm outside intensified, as the rain crashed against the windows in a relentless rhythm.
Some time passed and most of his family were fast asleep. Inexplicably drawn, Sol found himself wandering outside, towards the lake. The normally serene dock now churned with the storm's energy.
His hair became damp as the rain of the storm drenched him.
'What am I even doing out here, wasn't I inside a moment ago?' he asked himself still in some sort of daze.
The storm slightly picked up once again as Sol raised his arms in an attempt to shield himself from the rain and wind.
Suddenly, an ethereal figure appeared above the lake. The sight stole his breath away – a dragon, its scales shimmering like a galaxy of stars. It was as if he was gazing directly into the cosmic void of space, a sight so beautiful it was overwhelming.
The dragon, however, appeared unstable. It flickered and wavered, a ghost-like glitch in the fabric of reality, struggling to maintain its form. It seemed to be fighting a battle against its own existence.
Then, a voice, not in the air but directly within Sol's mind, resonated. It was the dragon speaking to him.
'Yes...you shall do...I – ca-can't explain - time...find...my...altars...'
Without warning, the dragon dematerialized and coiled around him, bright lights of all kinds filled his vision as the material swirled in his proximity. A searing heat flared at his hands, spiraling up his arms to his shoulders. It was as if a brand was being pressed into his very soul. A sharp cry tore from his throat as his vision blurred and his strength drained away. The last thing he saw before succumbing to the darkness was the mesmerizing glow of the dragon's galaxy-like scales, shimmering brightly and then fading into a charcoal tattoo.