Thalia stared at the shimmering blue dragon hovering before her, her breath caught in her throat. Its luminous scales glimmered like liquid sapphire, and its warm blue eyes studied her with a mix of amusement and expectation.
Finally, it broke the silence. "I am Suiryu, the Water Dragon, guardian of the water spirits, and your guide to the power you have yet to master."
"Water spirits?" Thalia repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "Guide? Master? What are you talking about?"
Suiryu flapped his wings and landed lightly on the balcony railing, his gaze never leaving hers. "You, Thalia Astoria, are no ordinary fire user. You are the next master of the water spirits—the only water user in this world."
Thalia's jaw dropped slightly. "The only one?"
"Yes," Suiryu replied. "Water, unlike fire or wind, is not just rare—it is unique. Only one chosen soul wields its power in a generation. The last was the Ice Hero, who, alongside the head of the Acantha family, sealed the Demon Lord centuries ago. But bits of the Demon Lord's essence survived the sealing, corrupting the land and resulting in the shadowbeasts that occasionally attack the capital."
Thalia swallowed hard, her mind reeling. She had heard tales of the Demon Lord's defeat and the great heroics of the Acantha family, but never did she imagine she would have a connection to such a legacy.
"Why me?" she asked softly. "I'm just... nobody."
Suiryu's gaze softened. "You are far from nobody, child. You are a special case, unlike any before you. Not only do you wield water—an element tied to serenity, strength, and balance—you also wield fire, the embodiment of power and passion. These two elements, different yet complementary, make you unstoppable. Together, they symbolize destruction and renewal, chaos and harmony."
Thalia stared down at her hands, feeling a surge of warmth and coolness running through her veins, as though fire and water had always been there, lying dormant. "But if this power is so dangerous, why hasn't it shown itself before?"
"Because your father made sure of it," Suiryu said, his voice tinged with sadness. "The man you saw in your dream—was your father. He knew of your unique potential and created the bracelet you wear to seal your water abilities until you were ready to handle them. He understood the danger of your combined powers, not just to others but to you."
Thalia's breath hitched. "My father... he did this for me?"
Suiryu nodded. "He loved you deeply, Thalia. He foresaw the immense burden and responsibility you would bear, and he wanted to protect you until the time was right. The bracelet was his way of ensuring you could live a normal life before the weight of your destiny caught up to you."
Her fingers trembled as she touched the bracelet on her hand, the blue gemstones glinting faintly in the moonlight. Memories of her father were faint—his voice, his laughter, his warmth—but this revelation filled her with both grief and gratitude.
"So what now?" she asked, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside her.
Suiryu smirked, his sharp teeth gleaming. "Now, you learn. The shadowbeasts that plague the land are remnants of the Demon Lord's corruption. They are a warning of what is to come if his fragments gather strength. If you wish to protect this world, you must master your powers—both fire and water."
Thalia straightened, her crimson eyes blazing with determination. "I'll do it. I'll learn to control both. But I can't let anyone know, not yet. I'll keep my water abilities hidden until I'm ready."
"A wise decision," Suiryu said with a nod. "Few would understand your power, and fewer still would accept it. But know this—your journey will not be easy. Fire and water are opposites for a reason, and balancing them will take everything you have."
Thalia felt a thrill of excitement mingling with her fear. "Good. I like a challenge."
Suiryu chuckled. "I expected no less. Let's see how you handle your first test."
The dragon leapt off the balcony railing, his wings glowing faintly as he motioned for her to follow. "A pack of shadowbeasts has been sighted near the forest. They're small, but they'll serve as a decent warm-up."
Thalia hesitated for only a moment before grabbing her cloak and following Suiryu into the night.
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