HARED DESTINY
The village of Eldrion awoke to birdsong and the gentle whisper of the morning breeze, promising yet another peaceful day. But for Zyrion, that calm only served to hide the unease twisting inside him. He walked down the narrow path toward the market, the small dragon figurine he had bought the day before peeking out of his pocket—a tiny reminder that his life was beginning to shift in ways he didn't yet understand.
Halfway there, he spotted Kyrahna crouched beside a patch of wildflowers, carefully gathering a bouquet. She looked absorbed in her task.
"Kyrahna!" Zyrion called with his usual carefree grin. "What are you doing? Planning to decorate the whole village, or is this part of some mysterious plot?"
She looked up, returning the smile with a softer one of her own."Good morning, Zyrion. I'm picking flowers for Starfall Night. These have a special fragrance, and I thought they'd be perfect for decorating the plaza."
Zyrion crouched to smell one."They do smell good… but my plan is simpler: food, a blanket, and trying not to fall asleep before the show starts."
Kyrahna let out a quiet laugh and shook her head."You're hopeless. But if you're so free today, how about exploring something different? I heard there's an ancient shrine north of here. They say it has some connection to dragons."
"Dragons?" he repeated, curiosity instantly lighting up his eyes. "Okay, that does sound like an epic adventure… though probably not safe."
"Since when do you care about safety?" she teased. "Besides, I'm not going alone. You're coming with me, right?"
"Of course. If there are dragons, someone has to make bad jokes while you fight them."
Their laughter echoed lightly between the trees as they entered the forest. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating shifting patterns of gold and green on the ground. But the deeper they went, the more the atmosphere changed. The birds went quiet, and an unsettling stillness settled around them.
After hours of walking, they reached the top of a hill where the ruined shrine stood. Fallen pillars, weather-worn dragon statues, and a moss-covered altar hinted at a history long buried.
"This is incredible," Zyrion murmured as he examined the broken structures. "I can't believe something this majestic has been sitting out here all along."
Kyrahna approached the altar, brushing her fingers over the worn carvings."These symbols… they look like ancient script. Can you read them?"
"I'd need more than my limited skills for that," he said with a sigh, crouching beside a half-buried pillar. "But look at this! Something's hidden under here."
Together, they unearthed a small metal box sealed with a strange mechanism that resisted Zyrion's attempts for several minutes—accompanied, of course, by Kyrahna's relentless teasing.
"Problem-solving expert, huh?" she said with a smirk as he tried again.
Finally, the mechanism clicked open. Inside lay a glowing crystal and a rolled parchment. The crystal pulsed faintly, as if it were breathing.
"This is… incredible," Kyrahna whispered as she unrolled the parchment. Her expression changed as her eyes moved across the first lines.
"'Whoever discovers this shrine and claims the crystal has been chosen to carry the legacy of the dragons.'" Her voice dropped to a hush.
Zyrion stared at the crystal, then at her."Chosen? I'm not sure I'm ready to become the protagonist of this story."
"Zyrion…" Her tone softened but carried a seriousness he wasn't used to hearing. "This isn't ordinary. This crystal has a purpose. And I think you're connected to it."
The walk back to Eldrion felt heavier, the air charged with an energy that hadn't been there before. The once-familiar forest now seemed to watch them with silent awareness.
When they reached the village, they went straight to Dervan, the elder known for his knowledge of ancient legends. His small cabin, filled with scrolls and wooden carvings, smelled faintly of incense.
"Well, young ones," Dervan greeted with a warm smile, "what brings you here? Curiosity? Or hunger for honey cookies?"
Zyrion placed the crystal on the table. Dervan's smile faded instantly as he leaned in.
"This…" he whispered, examining the glow, "is no ordinary object."
After they explained everything, Dervan exhaled slowly."That crystal is a fragment of the ancient dragons' power. A remnant of an age when humans and dragons shared one destiny. If it has resurfaced now… it means something is awakening. Something that may reshape our world."
Zyrion shifted uneasily."So what do we do with it?"
"Protect it. Study it. And seek the truths still hidden. But remember, Zyrion… power never comes without sacrifice. This is only the beginning of a long and perilous path."
Zyrion exchanged a look with Kyrahna."Great. I just hope this path includes lunch breaks."
Kyrahna managed a small smile, though worry flickered in her eyes. The crystal—bright, alive, and mysterious—seemed to whisper secrets neither of them were ready for.
TO BE CONTINUED…