Andre tossed and turned restlessly in his bed, the room dimly illuminated by the faint, flickering glow of the lantern resting on his nightstand.
The warm energy radiating from his chest pulsed in an erratic rhythm, a constant reminder of the extraordinary power that had reshaped his life in ways he was still struggling to comprehend. Yet tonight, it felt different; much deeper and heavier, as if something ancient and powerful was stirring within him, awakening from a long slumber.
When sleep finally engulfed him, it was not the restful slumber he had wished for. Instead, Andre found himself standing in an expanse of desolation, surrounded by a landscape that was both vast and hauntingly beautiful. The ground beneath his feet was cracked and barren, a dry crust punctuated by glowing embers that radiated an eerie light. Above him, the sky churned in a spectacular display of crimson and gold, swirling and clashing as if the heavens themselves were engaged in a fierce battle of fire and light.
Up above, in the sky, stood the crimson moon like a crown to the gold and crimson sky. Andre could feel it in his bones, this place didn't feel like earth.
Confusion gripped his chest as Andre turned slowly in a circle, taking in the unreal yet vividly detailed surroundings. The oppressive heat hung heavy in the air, wrapping around him like a thick blanket and making him feel disoriented and hard for him to breathe.
Suddenly, a voice rumbled through the air, deep and resonant, shaking the very ground beneath him. "You have come."
Andre's breath caught in his throat, fear and awe battling within him as the ground beneath shivered in response to the voice. A massive shadow loomed in the distance, growing larger and more defined with each heartbeat. Andre found himself frozen in place, unable to move as the colossal figure approached, revealing itself in stunning detail.
It was a dragon. Andre couldn't rub his eyes to confirm if he was seeing clearly or not, he was transfixed in place.
This magnificent creature was unlike anything Andre had ever imagined. It's long powerful limbs were adorned with long sharp claws, and eyes like molten lava locked onto Andre with an intensity that was both mesmerizing and terrifying.
To top it all off, it was shrouded in black mist for the most part revealing only a portion of its limbs, and molten lava-like eyes.The dragon unfolded its immense wings, casting Andre into shadow despite the glowing embers beneath him.
As far as Andre could see, its scales shimmered in iridescent hues of crimson, each scale catching and reflecting the flickering firelight that surrounded them. The shrouded silhouette displayed even more intimidating horns on it's massive head that seemed to be reaching the clouds.
Stumbling back, his legs trembling with a mix of fear and wonder, Andre finally stammered, "What… what are you?"
The dragon lowered its massive head,
"I am Kael," the dragon declared, its voice reverberating within Andre's very soul, stirring something deep inside him.
Andre stared in disbelief, his mind struggling to process the reality of what was before him. It didn't seem to be speaking the same language as him, but somehow he understood the dragon perfectly "Why am I here? What do you want from me?"
Kael's penetrating gaze held Andre captive, unblinking and fierce. "You carry my flame, child. It burns within you, waiting to be unleashed. But you are untrained and unfocused. You cannot hope to wield its full power in your current state."
Instinctively, Andre's hand moved to his chest, where he could feel the warmth pulsing steadily, like a heartbeat. "Do you mean this? I don't understand what it is!"
A plume of smoke curled from Kael's nostrils as it lowered its massive head, a hint of amusement mingling with its seriousness. "The Flame does not choose lightly. It sees potential; a vessel capable of bearing its immense might. Whether you sought it or not, the choice has been made."
Andre clenched his fists, frustration rising within him like a tidal wave. "Then tell me how to control it! How am I supposed to use something I don't even understand?"
The dragon let out a deep chuckle, low and rumbling, sending vibrations through the ground. "Control? Understanding? You seek to tame the storm before you have braved its winds. Patience, young one. The path to mastery is not so easily walked."
Andre's frustration flared, his heart racing. "What's the point of all this?"
Kael's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Andre felt the full weight of its ancient wisdom. "I am helping you, I'll be with you. Your awakening has begun, Andre. The dreams, the power; all are pieces of a greater whole. But you must be willing to face the trials that lie ahead."
"Trials?" Andre echoed, his voice barely rising above a whisper, a chill running down his spine despite the oppressive heat surrounding them.
With a powerful sweep of its wings, Kael raised its head, engulfing the sky with its presence. "The Flame is both a gift and a burden. To wield it is to walk a path fraught with danger, for there are those who would seek to claim it for themselves. You must be prepared to not only wield it but to defend it and yourself."
Andre's mind raced, the weight of the dragon's words sinking in. The cryptic warnings, the mysterious power; it all felt surreal, yet here he was, speaking to a dragon in a realm of fire and shadows. "Why me?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly. "Why not someone stronger? Someone who knows what they're doing?"
The dragon regarded him with a calm, unwavering gaze for what felt like an eternity before answering. "Strength is not measured by mere muscle or skill alone. It is the will to endure, the courage to rise when others would falter. When I siphoned my powers into the coin, I gave the Flame the will to choose, hence it's has a mind of its own. It chose you because it saw in you a spark; a spark that, if nurtured, could ignite into something extraordinary."
Andre swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Kael's words press heavily upon him. "And if I fail?"
Kael's gaze softened, its tone almost gentle. "Failure is not the end, Andre. It is a teacher, a guide. But know this: the Flame does not forgive complacency. To ignore it is to risk being consumed by it."
The towering dragon let smoke o ut of snout, its fiery eyes locking onto Andre's with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine. "You will find answers as you continue"
Kael's wings beat once, stirring a gust of wind that carried with it the acrid scent of ash and smoke "The time is almost nigh"
Before Andre could voice his questions, the ground beneath him began to tremble violently, as if the very earth was responding to the dragon's words. The world around him began to distort, and in that moment, he knew he was on the brink of something monumental.
Jolting awake, Andre stared at the lantern on the nightstand with its flickering light.
'You must be prepared to not just wield it but defend it and yourself.' The words rang in his head over and over. This dream felt so real, like he was there in person.