HARED DESTINY
The village of Eldrion awoke to the song of birds and the whisper of the breeze, promising another peaceful day. But for Zyrion, the calm only masked his unease. He walked down the path toward the market, the small dragon figurine he had bought peeking from his pocket—a tiny reminder that his life was about to change.
Halfway there, he found Kyrahna crouched beside a patch of wildflowers, gently picking a bouquet. She seemed lost in thought.
"Kyrahna!" Zyrion called with a carefree smile. "What are you doing? Planning to decorate the whole village, or are you plotting something mysterious?"
She looked up, smiling at his tone."Good morning, Zyrion. I’m gathering flowers for the starfall night. These have a special fragrance, and I thought it would be nice to decorate the plaza with them."
Zyrion crouched down to smell one."They do smell good… but I think my plan is simpler: food, a blanket, and trying not to fall asleep before the show starts."
Kyrahna laughed softly, shaking her head."You're hopeless, Zyrion. But if you're so free, how about exploring something different? I heard there’s an ancient shrine to the north. They say it’s connected to dragons."
"Dragons?" he asked, eyes lighting up with curiosity. "That sounds like an epic adventure… though not exactly safe."
"Since when do you care about safety?" she teased. "Besides, I won’t go alone. You’re coming with me, right?"
"Of course. If there are dragons, someone has to make bad jokes while you deal with them."
Their laughter accompanied them as they headed into the forest. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating dancing patterns of light on the ground. But as they walked deeper, the atmosphere began to change. Birds fell silent, and the forest grew unnervingly still.
After hours of walking, they reached the top of a hill where the ruins of the shrine stood. Fallen pillars, weathered statues of dragons, and a moss-covered central altar told stories long forgotten.
"This is incredible," Zyrion murmured, examining the surroundings. "I can't believe something this majestic was just… here all along."
Kyrahna approached the altar, running her fingers over worn carvings."These marks… they look like ancient script. Can you read them?"
"I’d say they need more than my skills to decipher," he replied, crouching near a fallen pillar. "But look at this! There’s something buried here."
Together, they dug out a small metal box. It was sealed with a strange mechanism that resisted Zyrion’s attempts for several minutes—accompanied by Kyrahna’s relentless teasing.
"Problem-solving expert, huh?" she joked as he tried once more.
Finally, the mechanism clicked open. Inside lay a glowing crystal and a rolled parchment. The crystal pulsed with a faint light, almost like it was alive.
"This is… amazing," Kyrahna whispered, unrolling the parchment. Her expression shifted as she read the first lines.
"‘Whoever discovers this shrine and claims the crystal has been chosen to carry the legacy of the dragons.’" Her voice grew quiet. They exchanged a look, feeling the weight of the words.
"Chosen?" Zyrion asked, holding the crystal carefully. "I don't know if I want to be the protagonist of this story."
"Zyrion," Kyrahna said, her tone more serious than he’d ever heard, "this isn’t something ordinary. This crystal… it has a purpose, and I think you’re part of it."
The walk back to Eldrion was filled with silence and cautious glances at the forest. The air, once peaceful, now felt charged with a hidden energy.
Upon reaching the village, they decided to visit Dervan, the elder known for his knowledge of ancient tales. In his small cabin—surrounded by scrolls and wooden carvings—Dervan greeted them with a warm smile.
"Well, young ones, what brings you here? Curiosity, or hunger for honey cookies?"
Zyrion placed the crystal on the table, and Dervan’s smile faded."This…" he whispered, examining it, "is no ordinary object."
After listening to their story, Dervan sighed deeply."That crystal is a fragment of the ancient dragons’ power. A remnant of an age when dragons and humans shared a single destiny. If it has appeared now, it means something is awakening—something that may change the course of our history."
"So what do we do with it?" Zyrion asked, clearly unsettled.
"Protect it. Understand it. And seek the answers still hidden. But remember, Zyrion… power never comes without sacrifice. This is only the beginning of a path full of trials."
Zyrion exchanged a glance with Kyrahna."Great. I just hope this path includes lunch breaks."
Kyrahna smiled faintly, though worry shimmered in her eyes. The crystal, bright and hypnotic, seemed to whisper secrets they had only begun to uncover.
TO BE CONTINUED…