The hidden valley holds its breath. The circle of monoliths seems to vibrate in sympathy with the egg, the ancient draconic runes glowing with a soft light. Our small company has gathered, forming a protective circle around the miracle that is about to happen. Borin and his dwarves have set down their hammers, the mercenaries have lowered their swords. All eyes are fixed on the cracking egg.
I am the closest, kneeling on the warm ground. Lyanna is beside me, her hand on my shoulder, an anchor in the swirling energy being unleashed. Through our bond, I feel the struggle inside the shell, the immense effort of birth.
With a final, loud crack, the eggshell shatters. Fragments of incandescent volcanic stone are thrown into the air, burning to dust before they hit the ground. A blinding orange light forces us to look away.
When the light subsides, we see it.
It is not a monster. It is not the massive bipedal lizard I imagined.
The creature that stands amidst the debris of its shell is small, barely as high as my knee. It has the form of a dragon. A true dragon, with four sturdy legs, a long, graceful neck, and membranous wings folded against its back. Its scales are not black or red, but a deep bronze, almost like my Guild plate, and they shine with a metallic luster. Golden veins, like molten gold, run through its body. Its eyes, when it opens them, are not reptilian, but intelligent, and the color of molten amber.
It is magnificent.
Analyze.
Name: Ignis
Level: 1
Status: Newborn, Imprinted
Skills (Innate):
[Ember Breath (Active)]
[Draconic Bond (Passive)]: Forms a permanent telepathic bond with the first creature perceived as a "parent" or "protector."
[Accelerated Growth (Passive)]: Gains experience and levels at a much faster rate than other creatures.
Weaknesses: Cold, Water Magic.
Essence: Draconic, Primordial (Fire), Royal. Absorption Potential... IMMEASURABLE.
Ignis. The name appears in my mind, an obvious truth. Fire. The imprinting... The bond... It has chosen me. The absorption potential is so high my system cannot even quantify it. The thought of devouring it flashes through my mind for a split second, a reflex from Gluttony, but I push it away with horror. I could no more devour it than I could devour my own heart.
The small dragon takes a few unsteady steps, shakes its head, then its amber eyes land on me. It lets out a small cry, which sounds more like the tinkling of crystals than a roar. It trots toward me and rubs its head against my leg, like a kitten.
Its thought is clear, full of absolute trust and affection. It has adopted me.
Lyanna laughs softly beside me. "Looks like you're a father, Reinhardt."
The mercenaries and dwarves burst out laughing, dissipating the solemn tension. The birth of a dragon. It is the kind of event one only sees once in a lifetime.
I kneel and hesitantly run a hand over Ignis's head. His scales are incredibly warm, but they do not burn me. He purrs, a sound like the rumbling of a small volcano.
The days that follow are surreal. Ignis grows at a staggering rate, true to his Accelerated Growth skill. In a week, he is already the size of a large dog. He follows me everywhere, a shadow of bronze and gold. Our telepathic bond strengthens. I don't need to speak to him. He understands my thoughts, my emotions. And I feel his: an insatiable curiosity, a fierce loyalty, and a simple, pure affection that is a balm on my wounded soul.
He is not just a companion. He is a weapon. When I hunt, he accompanies me. His Ember Breath is already capable of melting rock. He learns quickly, observing my combat techniques, coordinating his attacks with mine. We are becoming a perfectly synchronized predatory duo.
Ignis's presence also changes the dynamic of our company. He becomes our mascot, our symbol. The mercenaries, hard, cynical men, melt at his young dragon antics. Borin forges him a small iron collar on which he engraves his name. Lyanna spends hours studying him, fascinated by his innate magic. He brings an unexpected light and joy into our fugitive lives.
Our refuge has become a true community. A family.
But I know this peace cannot last.
One evening, as I am training with Ignis, teaching him to aim his breath, Lyanna comes to find me. Her face is grave.
"I've finished translating the runes on the monoliths," she says.
"And?"
"This is not a simple temple. It is a place of prophecy. The runes tell the story of a line of Fire-Dragon Kings, the guardians of this continent's thermal balance." She looks at me. "And they speak of the Heir of Ash. A dragon who will be born in an age of great imbalance, destined to restore the power of the primordial fire and prevent the Age of Eternal Frost."
I look at Ignis, who is chasing a lizard. "Him?"
"All signs point to it. But there's more. The prophecy says the Heir will not be able to fulfill his destiny alone. He will be bound to a mortal champion, a 'Shadow Devourer,' who will share his power and guide him through the darkness."
Shadow Devourer. The words resonate within me.
"Reinhardt..." Lyanna says, her voice trembling. "I think the prophecy is about the two of you."
I am bound to the destiny of a legendary dragon. My personal quest for vengeance and power has just been overshadowed by something infinitely greater. I am no longer just a boy with a cursed skill. I am a key piece in a cosmic game.
This revelation does not bring me pride. It brings me weight. An overwhelming responsibility.
"What are we supposed to do?" I ask Lyanna.
"I don't know yet. The texts are fragmented. But one thing is clear. Ignis's power will attract attention. Not just from mercenaries like Kaelen. From forces far older and more powerful. People who will want to control him. Or destroy him."
As if to confirm her words, a piercing shriek tears through the sky above our valley. It is not the cry of a Harpy. It is larger, more powerful.
We look up. A winged figure, much larger than a dragon, is soaring high above us. It is made of ice and wind, its wings shimmering with a cold light.
Analyze.
Name: ?? (Too far)
Level: ??
Status: Observing
Ignis hisses and presses against me, his scales bristling.
"The Age of Eternal Frost," Lyanna whispers, her face pale. "The prophecy. They know he has been born. They are already here."
The peace is over. Our refuge has been discovered.
I look at the icy figure in the sky, then at the young dragon trembling at my side.
My hunger has a new purpose. I am no longer fighting for myself. I am fighting for him. For our shared destiny. And I will devour the sky and the ice if I have to, to protect him.