Lost in thought, the White Dragon gazed at the sunset until the night slowly took over.
The dragon was steeped in stillness, pensive and distant, while his emotions seemed to overflow within him. He decided not to delve further, letting his thoughts take their own course.
As the hours passed, he felt increasingly alone in his meditation, observing the dawn as if it were a distant dream.
—Good morning, little dragon... Hungry? —he said in a calm tone, watching the young dragon's demeanor, still lost in his thoughts—. Hmm, why does he persist in that same mood? Hey! If you stay depressed, you'll become easy prey for predators... (Sigh) I can't bear the suspense anymore... Let's see what's troubling him.
Inside the White Dragon's mind, chaos reigned. Negative thoughts slowly invaded his consciousness.
—Hmm, I see the situation... I'll have to forcibly drive those bad vibes out of you, little friend... (Sigh) It's time to take a bigger role.
The divine voice, deep and tranquil, interrupted him, prompting the dragon to rise quickly from the ground, startled.
—Every path has its challenges… Difficult decisions require strong wills —said the voice, like a gentle reminder.
The young dragon, completely disoriented, stood up quickly, his body vibrating with the sensation of something immense and transcendent.
—Primordial Dragon God! I bow before you; tell me... what is the reason for your coming? —he said, with deep respect but also a shadow of uncertainty.
The divine voice responded unhurriedly, calmly.
—Your conscience is unsettled, White Dragon. What troubles you?
The dragon, visibly confused and vulnerable, spoke humbly.
—Dragon God, recently I... lacked the strength and will required... I would be dead now if not for Voice of Wisdom… I don't think I am a servant worthy of your expectations. Surely, there is someone better suited than I.
With a firmness that resonated in the dragon's mind, the divine voice responded encouragingly.
—So what? You are still young; you'll have other opportunities to prove your worth. Don't let situations like this define who you are, but rather who you can become… You choose your limits, as well as your ambitions... So tell me, can I trust that I was not mistaken in choosing you?
The White Dragon, with tears streaming from his eyes, lifted his head to the skies, his voice trembling yet filled with determination.
—No one will prevent me from fulfilling the divine mission entrusted to me!
He felt a new strength surge from within, without doubts, without fear.
With a deep breath and a shift in attitude, the White Dragon decided to move forward with his mission, resolving in his mind not to be weak any longer.
—I cannot continue being weak; I need to control my new power at will. I am certain that my physical and elemental capabilities can grow much more compared to when I was just a normal fire dragon... Voice of Wisdom, guide me to a place where I can train safely.
The voice responded with precision and certainty.
—[Calculating route]
—[Location found]
—[The ideal place that best suits the needs of the White Dragon is 3 kilometers south of here]
—Perfect —replied the dragon firmly.
He moved swiftly across the ground, his legs propelling his body with speed and agility, avoiding drawing attention as he advanced toward the location indicated by the voice.
—Is this... a cave? I suppose no one will be able to see or sense me here —he thought, relieved to find a place where he could safely continue his training.
Without hesitation, the dragon entered the dark cave, where visibility was scarce.
—This is inconvenient... Voice of Wisdom, is there any ability that can help?
—[Activating ability, Controlled Radiant Light]
The White Dragon began to glow with enough light to clearly observe the cave's surroundings.
—Hmm, this cave is larger than it seems… It would be best to delve deeper inside; I think I'll be safer there —he decided, confident that he was taking the right path.
As he explored deeper, he noticed claw marks on the walls and footprints on the ground.
—These aren't mine… Why…?
A threatening roar echoed through the cave.
—Who!? —he prepared for whatever might come.
Turning his head toward the source of the sound, he saw a battered and wounded tail of a color he recognized.
—Could it be…?
Approaching further, the White Dragon confirmed his suspicions.
—It really is you... Cesin.
The elder dragoness regarded the young one with a slight smile, though her gaze seemed challenging.
—We meet again, little one... though I wish it were under different circumstances —she said, assessing the young dragon.
The White Dragon, surprised and somewhat tense, hadn't expected to meet her again. He remained silent for a moment, questioning his situation.
Feeling slightly uneasy, he thought that the Voice of Wisdom hadn't mentioned her proximity.
The dragoness's voice interrupted his thoughts, maintaining a firm tone.
—You don't need to stay on guard, little one. If I had wanted to kill you, you'd already be dead. Even in this state, you're no match for me.
The White Dragon couldn't help but feel frustrated but understood the truth of her words.
—So there's a significant gap between me and the elder dragons... I should've expected that —he replied, resigned.
The dragoness, noticing his defeated tone, softened her demeanor. Her gaze grew more understanding.
—Don't let it discourage you. In time, you will grow stronger. You'll be as strong as I am, or even more. Remember, you are a unique kind. We still don't know your true potential.
The White Dragon, with a glimmer of hope, felt relieved by her words.
—Thank you for the encouraging words —he replied, raising his gaze.
The elder dragoness, seemingly curious, observed him closely.
—By the way, how did you come to this place? I remember you were with me, and then… you just disappeared. For a moment, I thought you'd died from the collateral damage. Fortunately, you're alive.
The White Dragon hesitated before responding, unsure how to recount his experience.
—I... —he began but couldn't continue.
The dragoness, recognizing his discomfort, nodded.
—I understand. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.
The young dragon, after a moment of thought, replied with a hint of sadness in his tone.
—It's not that I don't want to tell you; I simply can't.
The dragoness, noticing the White Dragon's internal struggle, smiled kindly.
—I understand, little one... How should I call you?
The White Dragon, with a mix of shyness and determination, spoke his name.
—My name is "White Dragon."
The dragoness let out a light laugh.
—"White Dragon"... Haha, what a peculiar name, little White. You may call me Cesin, plain and simple.
The White Dragon nodded, unsure of exactly how to respond.
—I'll do that then… Hmm...
Suddenly, a strange sensation in his paws made him stop. He looked down and saw, alarmed, a scene he hadn't expected.
—Cesin!... You're...
Cesin, seeing the alarm on his face, responded calmly.
—Don't worry about that... It's nothing.
But the White Dragon didn't hold back.
—Don't say such nonsense! You're bleeding out! At this rate, you'll...
Cesin, with a calmness only age could provide, sighed.
—This is my punishment... I failed to complete my mission… Nor do I have the strength to heal myself... My life has already been claimed by death.
The White Dragon, without a second thought, leaped toward her.
—No! I won't allow it!
Before Cesin could continue speaking, the White Dragon interrupted her with his shout.
—You will not die here!
A burst of light shot out from his body, directly reaching Cesin. The dragoness, surprised by the act, quickly recovered and rose to her feet.
This dragon... has more power than I thought, Cesin reflected silently, gazing in awe at Blanco.
—Blanco… you… Thank you, —Cesin said softly, touching the dragon gently as she recovered.
The white dragon, exhausted from the effort, collapsed onto the ground to rest, falling into a peaceful sleep.
With a bittersweet smile, Cesin approached and murmured:
—Rest... I will protect you.
Back with the Being...
(The Being): Fascinating, isn't it? Honestly, it wasn't much. After all, the events that just unfolded are all part of the plan… Hahaha… cough, cough! It seems the White Dragon truly wanted to save her. Remember, I told him to earn the favor of the elder dragoness. Everything has a purpose... and soon, you'll see it unfold...
Now, if you're wondering how the White Dragon managed to heal Cesin, it's because it's something I granted him. That's right. In this world, there are no abilities per se… rather, there is elemental control, which is divided into evolutionary stages. The more stages one achieves, the stronger they become. This world is ruled by strength. The weak perish, the strong prevail.
End of the Being's message.
At the Earth Clan camp, Brock, the military leader, paced nervously around his command tent. His face bore an expression of deep concern as he pondered the situation.
—This is highly unusual... The victorious clan should have already passed through with the target, —he remarked, more to himself than to anyone else.
Saturn, his commander, rushed into the tent with urgent news.
—General, the scout is here, —he announced gravely.
Brock nodded slightly. —Good, it's about time.
The two headed to the meeting tent, where the scout was already waiting. Brock, in his authoritative tone, wasted no time.
—Tell me what happened. Why hasn't any clan been sighted?
The scout, still winded from the journey, spoke quickly.
—General, all I found were the decaying corpses of dragons from the Void and Fire Clans.
Saturn, who had remained silent until then, frowned deeply at the revelation. —It's strange that they only sent regular soldiers. Were there no elder dragons? —he asked incredulously.
The scout shook his head. —No, Commander. I only found massive craters stretching for miles.
Brock narrowed his eyes, piecing together the puzzle. —Most likely, two elder dragons clashed there… The rest is history.
Saturn looked at his leader, his expression a mix of worry and urgency. —That means…
—Yes… They fought to the death. The treasure they discovered must have been extremely valuable, —Brock interrupted. Then, turning to the scout, he added: —Did you notice anything else besides the bodies?
The scout hesitated before responding. —Yes, General. From a distance, I saw what appeared to be Void Clan dragons. I believe they were scouts, like me.
Brock nodded slowly. —Understood… You may go.
After the scout left, Brock and Saturn remained alone in the tent. A heavy silence settled over them until Brock broke it.
—If there was nothing else there, it means that…
Saturn finished his thought firmly. —The target has already been taken... or managed to escape. Since no dragon passed through this sole exit route, the latter is the only option.
Brock nodded, making a swift decision. —Saturn, we're moving out. We need to reach the conflict zone and track the target before the Void and Fire Clans catch wind of what happened.
—Yes, General. Although it will take some time to coordinate the movement, —Saturn replied diligently.
In the Void Clan territory, a scout reported to Gradad, the clan leader. His tone was respectful but urgent.
—As you foresaw, they are all dead, —he informed her, bowing slightly.
Gradad turned to him, her eyes blazing with fury. —What about Cesin? —she asked coldly.
The scout lowered his gaze before replying. —I couldn't find her body.
Gradad slammed the ground forcefully, making the room tremble. —Those bastards! Tell me, who dared obstruct my plans and kill my subordinate?
—My lady, alongside the corpses of our clan's dragons were those of the Fire Clan, —the scout replied cautiously.
Gradad clenched her teeth, her rage intensifying. —I knew this day would come… —Turning to Cron, her second-in-command, she commanded: —Prepare the soldiers. We will annihilate the Fire Clan once and for all.
Cron, without hesitation, bowed in compliance. —As you wish.
Meanwhile, at the Fire Clan's headquarters, Calico, their leader, paced restlessly in the council room.
—This is strange… Ernes should have returned with the target by now. Why is it taking so long? —she mused aloud.
A soldier entered hastily, stopping at the entrance. —My lady, the messenger insists he has urgent news.
—Let him in, —Calico ordered, returning to her seat.
The messenger entered, visibly agitated. —My lady, this is critical… —he said, handing her a document.
Calico took the paper and began reading it, her expression shifting to one of disbelief and anger. —So, Gradad finally shows her true colors… —she murmured, letting out a disdainful chuckle.
The messenger waited nervously. —How will you respond to the document, my lady?
—I accept the challenge. Inform them I will gather the dragons of the capital for a speech. We will prepare for this war.
The messenger nodded and quickly departed. Calico lingered for a moment, contemplating the recent developments. She knew that her every word in the upcoming speech could shape the war's trajectory.
Location: Air Clan
Gaspar burst into the main hall holding a scroll in his claws. —Leader, look at this, —he said, handing it to Humte.
The clan leader, seated on a polished marble throne, accepted it calmly, though his gaze sharpened as he read. —Hmm… So Gradad made the first move… Perfect.
—Sir, how should we respond to this situation? —Gaspar asked expectantly.
Humte closed the scroll and stood, walking slowly to a large map of the territory. —We'll remain neutral… For now, we must keep up appearances.
Gaspar nodded. —As you command, Leader.
Location: Water Clan
Alicia ran into the great council hall of the clan, her breath heavy. —Freda! This is bad. Soon, the Void and Fire clans will...
Freda, the clan leader, sat by a large window, gazing at the calm of the nearby rivers. —I know, Alicia... I suspected something like this would happen. Throw a bone to a pack of hungry dogs, and they will kill each other for it.
—So, what will we do? —Alicia asked, her worry evident.
Freda turned to her, her gaze firm. —Nothing. If death is what they want, death is what they will have. Their dispute is none of our concern.
Alicia seemed relieved by Freda's clarity but tensed at the warning that followed. —However... if straggler dragons come seeking refuge, offer them all the hospitality of the Water Clan. But warn them that if they break our laws, their punishment will range from expulsion to the death penalty.
Alicia nodded. —I understand, Freda.
Location: Earth Clan
Seia watched from the top of a hill, her thoughts grim. —(Sigh)... So they killed each other.
Brock, one of her strategists, nodded as he approached. —Yes, my lord. If our suspicions are correct... the objective will be worth the sacrifice.
Seia slightly turned her head toward him. —I see... Don't draw too much attention. It seems a war has just broken out between the Void and Fire clans.
Brock crossed his arms, reflecting. —It was to be expected.
The clan leader looked directly at him. —I leave the rest to you, Brock. Don't fail me.
—Yes, leader.
At that moment, Selfi, one of the clan advisors, approached with a worried expression. —So... what will you do?
Seia responded without hesitation. —Clarck, prepare the Earth army. The path we're on is a double-edged sword... we need to be ready for anything.
Clarck bowed his head in respect. —As you command, leader.
—Are you planning to fight? —Selfi asked, still unsure.
—Soon they will discover I'm after that flash of light. Once they do, danger will be looming... —Seia murmured with determination.
Location: Fire Clan
The dragons of the capital gathered in the central square, as ordered by their leader. Confused and nervous, many murmured among themselves, from childish rumors to more serious fears. The air was heavy, laden with uncertainty, until a roar echoed through the place, silencing the voices instantly.
Calico, the elderly leader of the clan, rose on a natural pedestal, her eyes glowing like burning coals. With a firm and powerful voice, she began her speech:
—Today, we gather under the shadow of an imminent challenge, a threat that tests our strength, unity, and courage. The Void Dragon Clan has declared war, and a conflict is coming that will define our fate.
The crowd listened in complete silence, captivated by the intensity of her words.
—Since time immemorial, we, the Fire Dragons, have been the guardians of these lands. Our flames have forged mountains, and our roars have echoed through the valleys. We are a clan forged in the heat of battle, in determination, and in the passion that burns in our hearts.
Calico paused, her gaze sweeping over each dragon present.
—The Void Clan, with its coldness and darkness, seeks to take from us what is rightfully ours. But we must not fear. In each of us burns a flame that cannot be extinguished. In our hearts lives an eternal fire that illuminates even the darkest night.
The passion in her voice made some dragons tighten their claws, and others raise their heads with pride.
—Prepare yourselves, my brave dragons. Sharpen your claws, spread your wings, and let the fire within you be unleashed. This war is not only for the land we defend, but for our identity, our freedom, and our legacy.
With a final roar that shook the ground beneath them, she proclaimed: —For the honor of the Fire Clan, to victory!
The dragons responded in unison, roaring with determination. —Yes! We will never surrender to them!
Satisfied with the reaction of her warriors, Calico returned to the interior of her castle, where her daughters and the clan council awaited. She knew that strategic planning would be key in the days ahead. But that story would be told another time.
Next location: back with the White Dragon and Cesin
The night hung heavy with its darkness, a reminder of what it used to bring: fear, suffering, and traces of death that never seemed to disappear entirely. Despite this, the White Dragon slept peacefully, trusting in the presence of Cesin, whose strength and determination had become a silent refuge.
The young dragon slowly awoke, shaking off the lethargy with a soft growl.
—Hmmm... What? I'm sorry, Cesin! —he said, startled.
The older dragoness, who had been watching calmly, smiled faintly.
—Don't worry, little one. It was a pleasure to care for you while you rested.
With concern, the White Dragon tilted his head toward her.
—How is your body? Do you feel better?
Cesin slightly shook her head, but her voice conveyed serenity.
—I appreciate your concern, White, but I'm not fully recovered yet. However, thanks to your help, I'm much better than before.
The atmosphere grew tense for a moment, both aware of the strange turn that had made them temporary allies. Cesin broke the silence with a serious look.
—Listen to me, little one... This is not a safe place for you. In fact, I don't know if there is anywhere you can rest peacefully. It's likely that the other clans already know about your existence. The damage from the battle with those two older dragons must have alerted them.
The White Dragon looked at her steadily, without any trace of fear.
—Even if you say that, I'm not afraid of what the future holds. I have a mission to complete, and I intend to do so.
Cesin raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
—Mission? What do you mean?
The White Dragon's voice hardened, but he kept respect in his words.
—I can't speak of it lightly... But it's something entrusted to me by someone very important to me.
The older dragoness nodded slowly, understanding the determination in his eyes.
—If that's the case, I hope you succeed, little one. I suppose it has something to do with your peculiarity.
—It does. And I hope you'll be there when I achieve it —he replied with an unexpected sincerity.
—I say the same, little one —Cesin affirmed with a hint of tenderness in her voice.
Suddenly, a sound from the White Dragon's stomach broke the tension.
—Hmm... I'm hungry. Ah! Cesin, have you eaten yet?
—Don't worry about that, I still have plenty of energy —she responded, downplaying it.
The young dragon frowned and flicked his tail decisively.
—I'll go hunt something to eat.
—You don't have to do that, White —Cesin insisted, but her tone showed she knew she wouldn't stop him.
—Please, let me take care of you this time —he said, with a determination that left no room for argument.
Cesin sighed and lowered her head in approval.
—Alright. Be careful.
Without wasting time, the White Dragon left the cave, taking with him the light that illuminated it. Cesin watched him depart, then settled in to rest a bit longer.
Cesin's Past: Fifty Years Ago
The sun illuminated the territory of the Void Clan, where young dragons played cheerfully. Among them, a small figure stood out for her boundless energy.
—Daughter, don't wander too far from me. Stay where I can see you —Cesin warned firmly, though her voice reflected affection.
—Yes, mom! —the little one replied, never stopping her movement.
From a short distance away, Gradad, the clan leader, watched the scene with a smile.
—Your daughter is very lively, Cesin.
—She's been like that since birth. Her joy is my light —Cesin responded proudly.
Gradad nodded, thoughtful.
—You're very fortunate to have such a charming girl. I'm a bit jealous... My son is too serious and reserved. Well, enjoy yourself, Cesin.
The dragoness nodded and turned her attention back to her daughter, but not for long.
—General Cesin! General Cesin! —called a messenger who arrived hurriedly.
Cesin turned sharply, her face hardening as she sensed the urgency in the newcomer's tone.
—What's happening? Speak!
—It's your husband... His health suddenly declined. He's with the healers right now.
Cesin's heart raced, but she maintained her composure.
—Maid!
—Here, ma'am. How can I serve you?
Cesin leaned down to her daughter, gently stroking her head.
—Little one, mom has something urgent to attend to. For now, you'll stay with the maid. Listen to her, alright?
The little one looked at her with concern but nodded.
—Yes, mom.
With one last glance, Cesin quickly headed toward where her husband was. The maid watched as she disappeared into the distance, then looked at the little dragoness with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
—Hmmm... It's now or never. Little one, do you remember what your mother told you about obeying me?
The little dragon nodded enthusiastically, unaware of the danger looming over her.
—Yes… I remember —she replied with a confident voice, full of innocence.
The maid gave a smile full of false calm, hiding dark intentions. In a sweet yet firm tone, she said:
—Perfect… We'll take a walk outside the clan.
The little one frowned, hesitating for a moment as she remembered her mother's words.
—Are you sure?... Mom always says it's forbidden to go outside the protection of the clan —she murmured, fearful.
The maid gently took her hand, squeezing it a little more than necessary.
—You have nothing to worry about —she replied, maintaining her calm tone—. You'll be with me, and we won't let anything bad happen.
After a brief silence, the little one gave in. She trusted the maid, who had always been by her side and cared for her like a second mother. The two walked toward the clan's borders, passing by the guards without raising suspicion. The air outside was cold and silent, and a sense of unease seemed to float in the atmosphere.
As they advanced, the little dragon spotted a group of figures emerging from the shadows. Her eyes gleamed with curiosity, and without stopping, she asked:
—Hey… Who are they?
The maid stopped abruptly, as if the moment had come too quickly. She took a breath and, turning toward the figures, said:
—I brought her as you asked… Now, give me the medicine.
One of the dark dragons stepped forward, allowing his imposing figure to be revealed in the dim light. A cruel smile curved his lips.
—Perfect —he growled in a deep voice—. But you're no longer useful to me.
The maid, hearing those words, widened her eyes in panic. She stepped back, trying to understand the situation.
—What are you saying?! —she shouted, as a dark claw lunged at her.
The little dragon looked on in horror as the dark dragon held the maid between his teeth, brutally piercing her throat. A heart-wrenching scream escaped the child's lips as she saw the blood stain the ground.
—Huaaaa! Huaaaa!
Inside the clan, Cesin finally reached the room where chaos reigned. Agitated voices and desperate orders echoed in the air.
—Don't let her pressure drop! —yelled a healer, his face covered in sweat—. Raise her energy to the maximum!
Another auxiliary dragon shook his head, his eyes filled with sadness and resignation.
—It's useless, sir… She already…
The door suddenly burst open, letting in a gust of cold wind. Everyone present turned to look at the figure who had entered with such force. It was Cesin, her gaze burning with pain and despair.
—Why? —she whispered, tears streaming down her face—. Why did you have to leave so soon?
She slowly approached the lifeless body of her husband. Her silhouette appeared small and vulnerable, but inside, a storm of emotions threatened to overwhelm her. The healers, understanding her pain, silently withdrew, leaving Cesin to face her loss alone.
A few minutes later, a messenger burst into the room, panting from the rush.
—General Cesin! —he shouted, his voice filled with urgency—. Your daughter!
Cesin immediately lifted her head, and an aura of power began to emanate from her body, shaking the air around her.
—What's going on? —she asked, her voice deep and trembling.
The messenger swallowed hard, struggling to find the right words.
—She… was taken… outside the clan.
Before he could explain further, Cesin vanished, leaving a trail of energy that made the ground tremble.
At the Carnal Lake, the clan's explorers had found the scene the messenger had feared to describe.
—Hey… Who do you think could have done something like this? —asked one of the dragons, his voice barely a whisper.
The other shook his head, observing the scattered remains on the ground.
—Probably someone who wanted to exploit the little one's energy. The maid was his pawn from the start.
Suddenly, a deafening roar resonated through the area, and both explorers turned alarmed. An imposing figure appeared in front of them. It was Cesin, her presence radiating a force that seemed to crush the air.
—General Cesin… —began one of the explorers, his voice trembling—. The remains are…
Cesin didn't say anything. She walked forward, stopping in front of the dismembered pieces of the maid. She observed the scene with a calmness that chilled the blood, but her eyes shone with contained fury.
—Why did you do this? —she murmured, speaking to the lifeless body of the maid—. I gave you everything… I trusted you… and this is how you repay me.
Not far away, a familiar smell caught her attention. She turned slowly, following the trail until she found what she had feared from the beginning.
—My daughter… —she whispered, as her eyes filled with tears once more.
There, surrounded by insects, was one of her daughter's legs, along with intestines scattered across the ground.
A heart-wrenching roar erupted from the depths of her being. It was a sound filled with pain, despair, and fury, resonating until it reached the farthest corners of the clan.
In the distance, Gradad closed his eyes with sorrow.
—Cesin… I'm sorry.
Back in the present
The cave's atmosphere was shrouded in gloom, broken only by the faint rays of light coming through the cracks. The white dragon walked with firm steps, holding a prey he had caught in his jaws. He stopped in front of Cesin, who was resting with her eyes closed, her body still showing traces of past wounds.
—Cesin… wake up… I brought food —said the young dragon, placing the creature in front of her.
The older dragoness slowly opened her eyes, blinking a couple of times before focusing her gaze on him.
—Hmmm… Ah, little one, it seems I fell asleep —she replied with a weak smile.
—I brought this creature. I hope it's to your liking —he replied, proud of his effort.
Cesin nodded, accepting the offering.
—Thank you, little one. I'll gladly accept it.
They settled together, enjoying the food in comfortable silence. From time to time, they exchanged trivial comments about the taste of the prey and the difficulties of the day, until, little by little, the sky darkened, and the cave sank into the stillness of the night.
Cesin lifted her gaze toward the opening above, where the glimmer of the stars was beginning to be visible.
—Look at the time, little white. It's time to sleep —she said in a soft, almost maternal voice.
The white dragon looked at her with some concern.
—And you, Cesin? Won't you sleep too?
The older dragoness let out a soft laugh.
—I will, don't worry. But first, I want to make sure you're comfortable. You sleep first.
The young dragon hesitated for a moment, but finally agreed.
—Okay.
He lay down next to Cesin, seeking the comforting warmth of her presence. He closed his eyes slowly, feeling a safety he had forgotten long ago.
—Good night, little one —murmured Cesin, watching him fall into sleep.
The white dragon's dream
The darkness of the dream offered no comfort. In his mind, blurry images and voices from the past came to life, dragging him into a memory that still hurt like an open wound.
—No… no! Get away from me! —he screamed in his dream, his voice filled with fear and anguish.
In front of him, a gigantic shadow seemed to take away what he loved most.
A warm, firm voice resonated in his mind. It was his mother's.
—Son, run… Don't look back.
—No! —he protested, tears filling his eyes—. I don't want to lose you.
The figure of his mother approached, wrapping him in an embrace full of tenderness.
—As long as I live in your memories… I'll never leave you.
A heart-wrenching scream broke the tranquility of the night.
—Mommaaaaa! —exclaimed the white dragon, suddenly waking up, his chest rising and falling rapidly from the agitation.
Cesin, alarmed by the scream, leaned toward him with concern.
—What's wrong, little one? Did you have a nightmare? —she asked, her voice soft but firm.
The white dragon lowered his gaze, embarrassed.
—Ah… I'm sorry you had to hear that, Cesin.
The dragoness shook her head, her expression warm and understanding.
—Don't worry about little things like that. Do you want to talk about your dream?
The young dragon hesitated, his eyes reflecting an inner struggle. Finally, he took a deep breath.
—I'll tell you. I trust you, Cesin.
She nodded, settling in to listen more comfortably.
—Alright, little one. I'm listening.—
With a trembling voice, he began to tell his story.
—I used to live with my mother… she always took care of me. Everything changed when we were expelled from our clan.
Cesin raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
—You were expelled? Why would they do something like that?
The white dragon shook his head slowly.
—I don't know. I was very young when it happened, and I only have vague memories of what happened.
Cesin nodded, allowing him to continue.
—We lived near a river for a while, but life was hard. Food began to run low… Until one day, a dragon approached us, offering us help.
Curiosity reflected in the older dragon's eyes.
—A dragon? What was he like?
The young dragon's expression changed, hardening.
—He was the most horrible creature I've ever seen. He had a psychopathic personality. He tricked us… promised us shelter and food, but in exchange, we had to help him.
Cesin frowned, uneasy.
—What kind of help?
The white dragon clenched his claws against the ground, recalling the bitter truth.
—He asked us to bring lost dragonlings to his lair… He said he would help them, just like he did with us. But one day, my mother found out what he was really doing with them.
Cesin slightly tilted her head, dreading the answer.
—What was he doing?
—He was feeding on them —he whispered, his voice barely audible—. He was a monster.
The older dragoness closed her eyes, repressing a mix of anger and sadness.
—And what happened next?
—My mother ran to where I was sleeping. She woke me up and took me away, trying to keep me safe. Before we fled, she told me that this dark dragon must never catch me.
The silence in the cave became heavy. Cesin, with a heart full of empathy, extended a wing, wrapping the young dragon in a protective gesture.
—you don't have to tell me more, little one. I know it must be hard for you. But I promise you something: as long as I'm here, no one will hurt you.
The white dragon lifted his gaze, meeting Cesin's warm eyes. He couldn't help but release the weight he had been carrying, crying silently as he nestled beside her. For the first time in a long while, he felt he was in a safe place. A place he could call home.
END OF CHAPTER 2