Kael's hand still tingled where the map had once been, the warmth of its magic lingering beneath his skin, like an ember that refused to die. The faint glow of the runes had faded, but something inside him felt changed, awakened. He glanced at Erya, who stood beside him, her sharp gaze never leaving the hooded figure emerging from the mist.
The figure stepped closer, cloaked in dark robes, his face hidden in shadow. But it wasn't the figure's appearance that caught Kael's attention—it was the sharp, almost blinding light emanating from his hand. A symbol, glowing faintly but unmistakably, pulsing with a strange energy.
The figure froze, his eyes locking onto the glow. His lips parted in surprise, and Kael could hear him whisper under his breath, "No way..."
Kael's pulse quickened, confusion mixing with a growing sense of unease. "What? What do you mean?"
Before the stranger could respond, Erya took a step forward, hand resting on the hilt of her sword. Her stance was protective, though she spoke with authority. "Who are you? And what do you mean by 'it'?"
The figure's eyes never left Kael's hand as he took a step back, as if trying to process what he was seeing. His voice was slower now, more measured. "I didn't think it would choose him..."
Kael's mind spun with confusion. "Chosen me? How?" he asked, his voice edged with disbelief. "Who are you?" he asked again, more urgently.
The stranger finally straightened, a seriousness settling over him as he looked at them both. "I'm Calen," he said, his voice low but steady.
Calen's gaze remained fixed on Kael's hand, where the glowing symbol pulsed faintly. "The map you have," Calen explained, his voice calm yet heavy with meaning, "is more than just a map. It's both a curse and an ancient artifact, forged to choose the heir to the Dragon's power. And it has chosen you." Kael took an instinctive step back, the weight of the revelation settling in. "But I'm just a man," he said, his voice shaky. "I don't know anything about dragons." Calen's expression grew stern, his tone firm. "That no longer matters. You are the vessel now. You must learn to control it—or it will control you."
A stunned silence settled over them. Erya's voice cut through it, skeptical. "A dragon? That's just a legend. Dragons don't exist."
Calen's eyes darkened, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "Oh, they existed. But they were sealed away long ago, after the fall of Eryndor. The dragons were too powerful, too dangerous. Their magic was unpredictable, and after the kingdom's collapse, the dragons were locked away. The power was hidden, buried deep—until now."
Kael's breath caught in his throat. He felt a rush of excitement, mixed with fear. "You mean... I have the power of a dragon?"
Calen's expression grew grim. "Yes. But it's not a gift to be taken lightly. You're not simply wielding power. You are the vessel for it. The power of transformation, of strength, of fire. But with it comes a responsibility—one you may not be ready for."
Kael's mind raced. A dragon? The very idea seemed too impossible to believe. But then, the mark on his hand, the strange warmth coursing through him—it all made sense. He had to be more than just human now. "I can transform? Into a dragon?"
Calen nodded, though the warning in his eyes was unmistakable. "You can. The mark you bear is a sign that you can channel the dragon's essence. You'll be able to shift—grow into a mighty dragon, as large as mountains. Or shrink to the atomic level, where you're virtually invisible, but just as powerful. The choice is yours. The power is yours to command."
Kael's mind reeled, a mix of awe and fear surging through him. "A dragon... That's incredible."
"It is," Calen agreed, but his voice was tinged with caution. "But the power of a dragon is not something to be controlled easily. It feeds on your emotions—anger, fear, desire. If you lose control, the power will consume you. You'll become a danger not just to your enemies, but to everyone around you."
Kael's excitement faltered slightly, but his determination hardened. He would learn. He had no choice. "I can control it," he said, his voice firm. "I have to."
Erya, who had been quietly watching the exchange, spoke up. Her grip on her sword remained loose, but her tone was still sharp. "And you, Calen? What's your role in all of this? Why are you here?"
Calen met her gaze, his expression softening for a brief moment before he answered. "I'm not here to help you. I'm here because I must. The power you've unlocked, Kael, will attract those who want to use it for their own ends. There are forces at play that you don't understand. Forces that will stop at nothing to take that power from you. And I can teach you how to fight them, how to control the power inside you before it controls you."
Kael's chest tightened, but his resolve only grew. "I don't care what it takes," he said, determination burning in his eyes. "I'll learn. I'll do whatever it takes to control this."
Calen gave him a small, almost imperceptible nod. "We'll see. But first, we need to get to safety. The journey ahead is long, and you'll need rest. Preparation."
With that, Calen turned, leading them through the mist. They moved quickly, the shadows pressing in on all sides, until they reached a small cottage nestled at the edge of the forest. The warm glow of the hearth inside was a welcome contrast to the cold night air.
As they entered, Calen motioned toward a table laden with maps, books, and scrolls. "Sit," he ordered firmly. "We need to plan. And you," he turned to Kael, his voice soft but intense, "need to learn. If you're to survive what's coming, you must understand what you've unleashed."
Kael sat at the table, his heart still racing. His mind was a whirl of questions, doubts, and possibilities. The power of a dragon. It was both a gift and a curse, and Kael felt the weight of it all pressing down on him. But he had no choice now. He had to learn to control this power. There was no turning back.
The fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows around the room as the night deepened. Erya, Kael, and Calen gathered around the table, preparing for the journey ahead. The path would be long, and the dangers unknown. But one thing was certain: Kael's life had changed forever.
And with that change came the responsibility of a power greater than he could have ever imagined.