The moonlight reflected off the tranquil waters of the river as Ling stood at the water's edge. The faint shimmer of stars above seemed to stretch endlessly, and the soft murmur of the river was the only sound that reached her ears. She had always found solace in water—in its calm, its depth, its mystery—but tonight, the river felt different. It felt alive. And beneath that calm surface, there was something waiting for her.
Ling took a deep breath and closed her eyes, allowing the cool night air to fill her lungs. She could feel it—the pull of the water, the subtle currents that ran just beneath her skin. The essence of Hydrokros, the Water Dragon, was deep inside her, a constant presence that she had only just begun to truly understand. But tonight, something more was calling her, something urgent, something that could no longer be ignored.
The Dragon's Heart.
She had heard whispers of it all her life—of the ancient artifact said to hold the very essence of Hydrokros's power. Some said it was a myth, an unattainable legend, while others swore it was a key to unlocking unimaginable strength. But no one had ever found it, and no one had ever returned from the search.
Ling had never believed in myths. She had always relied on reason, on her knowledge of water and the natural world. But as her connection to Hydrokros grew stronger, so too did the pull to find the Heart. It wasn't just her curiosity anymore—it was her destiny. And, as the visions had shown her, the balance of the world rested on finding it.
She opened her eyes and gazed down at the river, watching the moonlight dance across the rippling surface. The water was calm, but beneath it, she could sense the roiling power, the deep currents that only she could feel. There was something beneath the surface—a hidden current, something pulling her down.
Without hesitation, Ling stepped forward, her feet sinking into the soft earth as the river flowed around her. She let the water rise to her ankles, then to her knees, and soon she was wading into the deeper parts of the river, her breath steady, her focus unwavering.
The water was colder now, the current stronger, and Ling could feel the pulse of Hydrokros within her, the call of the Dragon's Heart growing more insistent. She had followed this river for days, tracing it from its source to this remote stretch, where no one else dared to go. The ancient maps she had studied had pointed to this place—a hidden temple, buried deep in the river's heart. It was here that the Dragon's Heart was said to rest, protected by the water itself, hidden from the world.
Ling's fingers grazed the surface of the water, and she felt it—the vibration, the pulse, the surge of power that came from the depths. The river was more than just water; it was alive with energy. And that energy was calling her.
She stepped deeper, letting the water rise to her waist, then her chest. Her eyes narrowed, and with a deep breath, she submerged herself beneath the surface, her body gliding through the cool, dark water. The world above was distant now, muffled and dim. But beneath, in the depths, she could see it—the faint glow of something far below, something that pulsed with light and power.
The Dragon's Heart.
Ling swam deeper, her hands cutting through the water as she descended into the river's secret heart. The water grew colder, the current stronger, but she pressed on, her breath controlled, her body moving with purpose.
The glow grew brighter as she neared it, and soon, Ling found herself at the entrance to a hidden cavern, its walls lined with ancient carvings of serpentine dragons and swirling water. The cavern was illuminated by the faint glow of bioluminescent algae, but the true light came from the object at its center—an enormous, crystal-clear sphere, floating in the air, its surface rippling like liquid glass. The Dragon's Heart.
Ling reached out, her fingers trembling as they brushed against the glowing surface of the Heart. She could feel its warmth, its power, flowing into her the moment she made contact. The water around her seemed to shift, to rise and fall in response to the Heart's energy, as if the river itself were alive with the force of Hydrokros.
And then, the water exploded.
Ling's heart raced as the cavern filled with an immense rush of water, torrents pouring from every crevice. She struggled to stay afloat as the powerful currents twisted around her, pulling her toward the Heart. The glow of the crystal intensified, and she realized with growing horror that the Heart was not just an object of power—it was a trap.
The currents grew stronger, and the water was now a force beyond her control. She was drowning, caught in a violent surge of power that threatened to overwhelm her. But through the chaos, she heard it—the voice of Hydrokros, calm, soothing, but filled with urgency.
Ling. Do not fight the water. Embrace it.
Ling's vision blurred as she struggled to stay conscious, the water choking her. But something deep within her stirred—a deep-seated understanding of what she had to do. Her connection to the Water Dragon had always been one of harmony, not control. Hydrokros was not a force to be mastered. It was a force to be understood.
Ling closed her eyes, focusing on the pulse of the water, the rhythm of the currents, the deep, unshakable flow that connected all things. She had spent her entire life studying the behavior of water—its patterns, its movements, its natural flow. But she had never truly understood it.
Now, she did.
Ling let go.
Her body relaxed, her mind quieting as the water swirled around her. She could feel the currents moving, guiding her, lifting her as she surrendered to the flow. The chaos subsided as she became one with the water, her body flowing with the river's pulse, her essence entwined with that of Hydrokros itself.
The Dragon's Heart ceased to glow with blinding intensity. It pulsed softly, in harmony with the river, as Ling felt the power of Hydrokros flood her soul. She was no longer drowning. She was one with the water.
As the current gentled, Ling's head broke the surface of the water, gasping for breath. She floated there, weightless, the heart of the river beneath her. The Dragon's Heart was now calm, its energy woven into the river's flow, just as it had always been. Ling's connection to it was now complete.
You are ready, Ling. The voice of Hydrokros was gentle, but filled with an undeniable strength. The Heart has chosen you. And the world will need you soon.
Ling's pulse quickened. The weight of the Dragon's power settled upon her shoulders, and she understood what Hydrokros meant. The world was not safe. An ancient power was stirring, and the balance was tipping toward destruction. But now, Ling felt the strength to face it.
She took one last look at the Heart as it floated serenely in the cavern, its light a soft reflection of the power now within her. Slowly, she swam toward the exit of the cavern, the water parting effortlessly before her. It was time to leave the river's heart and seek the others. The heirs were out there, and together, they would face the coming storm.