Fog covered the oldest temple in the capital
The Sanctuary of Silent Waters.
It opened only once every hundred years.
Or when a "presence linked to the dragon lineage" appeared.
The test was clear:
The black lotus must bloom in the hands of the worthy.
Those who failed... would be banished from the palace forever.
—
The Emperor did not attend.
He ordered the ritual to be performed in silence, without imperial intervention.
But his eyes...
Never stopped looking eastward all morning.
—
Suwei entered alone.
He wore white robes.
His bare feet touched the sacred water.
The lotus slept in the center of the pond.
Dark, closed, motionless.
—
As he placed his hands upon the water, Suwei felt a deep pull in his chest.
His eyes clouded.
A vision enveloped him like a dream:
A golden dragon flew over an empire in flames.
In its jaws, it carried a child wrapped in fire and mist.
Ancient voices spoke his name... but only one became clear:
"Dragon Heart."
—
