The Dragon's Awakening
"Dragon…" Boomer's voice was just a whisper, drowned out by the thunder above Skyfire Mountain. He gazed upwards, helplessly unable to articulate the wonder and terror twisting his chest.
Out of the depths of the tempest-lashed sky, figures dropped. Their auras were more radiant than the lightning, each shadow emitting a power that put all onlookers on high alert. These were not ordinary cultivators—these were the best of the academy, the cream of the crop.
Among them, one figure floated in midair. Middle-aged, handsome, and unflappable, his very presence made even the already assured men stumble ever so slightly. Respect emanated from his every step, an authority that did not require introduction.
"That is not a dragon," the man intoned serenely, hands behind his back, his voice piercing the storm. The declaration sent shivers coursing down everyone's spine.
"It only appears and behaves like a dragon," he continued, eyes never leaving the creature as it danced through lightning-lit clouds. "For it to replicate a dragon so perfectly, someone must have had contact with a true dragon. But why release it here, on Skyfire Mountain?"
"So that's why it hasn't harmed anyone," one of the men whispered. "If it were real, we'd all be dead."
"Even if it's a hoax, we still don't know why it's appeared over Greenhold Academy," the middle-aged man continued, drifting with smooth elegance, his eyes scanning the children below. "And you bunch. you've got nerve."
Kai and Boomer were down below him, staring up at the spectacle. They were not alone in disregarding evacuation; curiosity tended to tie those attracted to legends.
"These rascals," one of the older men growled, frowning. "Disrupting the lockdown just to gawk…"
But Kai did not listen to their complaints. His mind was fixed on the dragon. Every turn, every twist of its coiled body, seared itself into his mind.
The FreeMind Meditation burst forth in him, thunder and lightning running through his War Soul Palace. There was a ghostly dragon standing in the tempestuous turmoil of his mind, each lightning flash outlining its scales, each boom of thunder vibrating in his very bones. His mind reeled under the power, but he was unable to turn away. All movement, all glint of the dragon's eyes, seared itself deeper into him.
A bolt of lightning flashed suddenly between his eyes, burning the picture into his mind. The thrumming of the storm resonated within his own body, evoking a growling snarl from him. He was no longer watching—the storm was running through him, taking in each detail of the creature.
"Watch out!" Boomer yelped, realizing the transformation in Kai, but the warning was too late.
The dragon came at him with an impossible speed and ferocity. Where its snout touched the space between his eyebrows, it seemed to penetrate his very essence. A storm unloosed, pain burned through him, an ear-shattering scream wrenched from his throat as if a genuine dragon had stormed into his mind.
"Boom!" His mind shattered, shattering into a thousand fragments across the storm-torn realm of his War Soul Palace.
"You've finally… grown up." A voice boomed inside his mind as his body fell back limply. Around him, the storm dissipated, and the chaotic anomalies vanished.
"What…?" The onlooking men muttered, their eyes locking on Kai's collapsed form. "What just happened?"
"That poor guy… looks like he was attacked by the fake dragon," another remarked, shaking his head.
"Bold move. Let's see if he's okay," said a third.
"He's okay," the middle-aged fellow answered matter-of-factly. "I'll take him back and have him checked out." His eyes locked into Boomer's, and the boy could detect a heavy burden of authority that required trust.
"Elder, may I ride with you?" Boomer inquired warily.
"No need. He's safe; I'm taking him only as far as the academy," the man said, his eyes carrying an odd, compelling certainty. Boomer nodded, feeling that he could trust the elder completely. "Please take care of him, Elder."
…
When Kai finally came to, he discovered his body intact, unharmed—a pleasant surprise. His awareness flowed instantaneously into his War Soul Palace, wherein the tempest still raged about the Word Tree. The dragon remained there, riding high, wild and unconstrained, living legend personified.
"Can't believe it actually went into my War Soul Palace." Excitement coursed through him, combining with residual fear. He'd already fainted twice since starting his cultivation, and a bitter grin pulled at his mouth. If fainting a few more times could make him stronger, then it might be worth it.
Something was wrong. A hasty look down exposed strange clothes. His environment was strange too—the tranquil, refined interior of a tasteful home substituted his usual dorm.
He pushed aside a well-oiled door and entered a pavilion. Inside, a young woman sat elegantly, her attention on a drawing. To her side, a middle-aged man enjoyed tea, exuding quiet authority. The atmosphere was peaceful, nearly serene, compared to the turmoil Kai had been through.
He crept closer, his eyes resting on her creation. What she painted was not just art; the strokes shone with Spiritual Mana, light but potent.
"This. it's an amulet," he breathed in wonder. She's an Inscriber? That's uncommon. extremely uncommon.
"Have you ever seen one before?" the elder asked, setting down his teacup and looking straight at Kai.
Not in person, but only in books," Kai said. "A shield is being drawn on the scroll with Metal Spiritual Mana. This is obviously a defense spell."
"You can see it?" The elder raised his eyebrows in amazement.
Kai nodded. His experience with FreeMind Meditation had honed his senses immensely.
The man smiled. "Would you like to learn?"
"YES!" Kai answered eagerly, bowing respectfully. "Disciple Kai Dawnsworn offers respect, Master.
He glided with care, knowing the great worth of learning the art. Being an Inscriber was not only uncommon—it was esteemed, requiring both skill and a solid background in Spell Craft skills.
"You're as shameless as they say," the young woman told him, setting her brush aside and regarding him with a pointed stare.
Kai simply grinned, unashamed. Composing himself of her striking looks, he joked lightly, "Hey, beautiful. So we meet again."
Her green eyes narrowed, a spark of amusement flashing in defiance of her scolding.
And so, the tempest of Skyfire Mountain's myths had brought him here, to new wisdom, new trials—and maybe, a new start.