The Whispering Woods cleared into open plains by midday. The air warmed, carrying the distant scent of sulfur and embergrass—the first sign they were nearing the Drakenridge Mountains, homeland of dragons and dragon-blooded races.
Helena slowed her horse.
"We're entering draconic territory," she warned. "Be cautious. Dragons don't attack without reason, but they are… prideful."
Lyra scoffed. "If any dragon comes too close to Sohag, I'll pluck its scales."
Mira, hidden among the rocks, muttered,
> "Please don't start a war."
Elowen walked beside Sohag's horse, her elven grace unshaken even on uneven ground. She looked calm… but her bright emerald eyes kept drifting toward him with gentle affection.
Then—
The sky trembled.
A ripple of heat rolled over the plains.
BOOOOM—
A deafening shockwave shook the earth as a massive shape descended from the clouds. Soldiers clutched their weapons. Horses screamed. Dust blasted everywhere.
Helena immediately raised her shield.
Lyra drew her sword.
Mira vanished into thin air.
Elowen readied her spirit bow.
Only one person remained unaffected—
Sohag.
He looked up calmly
as a dragon landed before the group.
Its scales shimmered from crimson to gold. Its wings spanned wider than a castle tower. Eyes of molten amber stared down at the humans with ancient intelligence.
Helena whispered tightly, "A High Dragon…"
Lyra gulped. "Why is that here?!"
Mira hissed through the communication link:
> "Even I can't fight that thing…"
Elowen raised her bow—but the dragon ignored everyone except Sohag.
It lowered its head.
Its massive golden eye met Sohag's calm, unreadable gaze.
A moment passed.
Then another.
Then—
The dragon knelt.
Helena's jaw dropped.
Lyra's brain short-circuited.
Mira nearly fell from her hiding spot.
Elowen gasped softly.
The dragon opened its enormous jaws.
Helena jumped in front of Sohag—
but instead of attacking, the dragon spoke with a deep, resonant voice that echoed across the plains:
"Forgive my earlier presence…
I wished only to confirm something."
It lowered its head even further.
"You carry the scent…
of the Primordial God."
Helena froze.
Lyra stumbled.
Elowen's breath caught.
The dragon continued:
"I… recognize that aura anywhere.
I served His radiance eons ago.
And now…"
Its body glowed with shifting golden fire.
From within the flames, the dragon shrank—
bones contracting, scales melting into smooth skin—
until a girl stepped out of the fire.
A breathtaking young woman with long crimson hair, golden pupils, and faint shimmering scales tracing her cheeks. She wore ceremonial draconic robes, warm smoke rising from her feet where embers still clung to her skin.
She bowed deeply to Sohag.
"I am Kaelira Ignisdrake, Princess of the Draconic Court.
Daughter of the Flame Emperor.
Half-dragon born of an ancestral dragon mother."
Her golden eyes lifted to meet Sohag's—
And instantly widened.
There it is.
That presence… that calm… that impossible depth.
Her breath hitched.
Her cheeks flushed faintly.
She whispered almost reverently:
"…You are as beautiful as the stars spoke of."
Lyra: "EXCUSE ME?!"
Mira: "Oh, come on…"
Elowen watched quietly, though her fingers tightened around her bowstring.
Kaelira stepped closer, heat radiating gently from her body but not harming anyone.
"When I sensed a divine pulse across the skies, I flew immediately."
She paused, gaze trembling with something like awe.
"To see such a soul in mortal form… it feels unreal."
Sohag blinked.
And said, softly:
"…Hello."
Kaelira's heart visibly skipped.
Her tail (previously hidden) flicked nervously behind her.
"I—I apologize," she stammered—yes, stammered, a half-dragon princess of overwhelming power. "Your aura is… difficult to withstand up close…"
Helena looked between them, uncertain.
Lyra crossed her arms furiously.
Mira whispered, "She's strong, but she's a goner…"
Elowen sighed gently.
Kaelira knelt again—this time in human form.
But then—
Her voice grew solemn.
"I must request something, Prince Sohag."
The group tensed.
Kaelira continued:
"Our kingdom is on the brink of civil conflict. A rogue faction seeks the Flame Throne. They threaten peace not only within Drakenridge… but the entire continent."
Her golden eyes locked onto Sohag with fierce sincerity.
"I came not to seek aid."
"I came to prevent disaster."
She touched her heart.
"Your existence alone can stop them."
Helena stiffened. "What do you mean?"
Kaelira bowed her head.
"If the draconic clans witness your power—
even briefly—
all rebellion will cease."
Lyra clenched her fists. "You want him to be your political tool?!"
Kaelira shook her head strongly.
"No. I apologize if my phrasing was crude."
She lifted her gaze, golden and trembling.
"I… want him to come because…
I trust him."
Her cheeks flushed deeper.
"And because… I wish to stay by his side."
Lyra nearly exploded.
Helena tried to maintain dignity.
Mira muttered a defeated sigh.
Elowen smiled knowingly.
Sohag listened calmly.
A breeze swept across the plains.
Kaelira stepped closer—not too close, but enough to be fully honest.
"I know it is sudden… but when I saw you…"
She touched her chest gently.
"My dragon heart… chose."
Silence followed.
Golden eyes shone like embers.
Her voice softened.
"If you will allow it…
I wish to join your journey."
Everyone looked at Sohag.
He blinked.
"…Hmm."
Kaelira's breath caught.
Sohag nodded once.
Kaelira's hands flew to her lips as they parted in joy.
Lyra screamed internally.
Elowen sighed contentedly.
Mira just gave up.
And thus—
the Flame Princess joined his destiny.
But the land of dragons was not done with Sohag.
A shadow stirred across the mountains.
A roar thundered in the far distance.
The air trembled.
Something else had sensed him.
Something ancient.
Something dangerous.
Something that recognized the blood of the Primordial God.
---