“Fate…” The unfamiliar voice spoke within the young dragon’s dream. “What would it take to change destiny? To be consumed by the idea that dragons, are symbols of evil” “Harbingers of destruction, associated with the devil. Shackled by the chains of destiny, for you dragons are unable to achieve true freedom. But…” “Will you still try?”

The young dragon tried to make an answer, but nothing came out of his mouth as he looked out into the darkness, with a single glowing four pointed star above him. The young dragon’s dream changed into a different scenery where he sees within someone’s point of view, lying unconscious on the floor. Looking down at him was a green LushFang Dragoness with white hair fur and covered with lilies in her mane.

“I’m sorry. Please... Forgive me. I cannot protect you guys any longer. I am... Not worthy to be called a hero, nor a dragon” the mysterious dragoness wept. The young dragon couldn’t see who she was in the dream as it was dark and foggy. The last thing he saw was the dragoness crying in pain before fleeing into the woods.

“Rarian… Rarian…!”

Rarian jolted up from his bed of leaves. Turning towards the cavern hall, he can hear his father, Merlinus Drachenberg, calling out to him. “Rarian, wake up already son! Before the cows will get overcooked!”

“Coming dad!” Rarian responded. He began to stretch his paws and then, walking up to the reflective crystal mirror, he cleaned himself up by licking his paws. He took a look at his ragged red hoodie that was knitted by his mother, who went missing according to Merlinus.

“I still miss you mom…” Rarian said ruefully. He shouldn’t keep himself sad as his mother wouldn’t want that. He was also saddened that his wings hadn't grown or fully developed yet, as he considers himself a late hatchling.

Rarian walked out of his sleeping cave and went to the dinner cave, with Merlinus cooking a fresh grilled cow along with dragon fruits. “Morning son, you woke up late again,” said Merlinus.

“Heheh, sorry dad… I just had a weird dream,” Rarian responded.

“I see,” Merlinus added before putting the cooked cow meat on the platform, same with the dragon fruits. However, not long after Rarian started chowing down on his breakfast, Merlinus grabbed his pointed yellow hat with two blue four-pointed star shaped gemstones and his ragged light brown scarf, “I will be heading out now…”

“What?!” Rarian said after swallowing his food, “You seriously can’t be going out again, dad. This is like, what? The 67th time this week.”

“I know that…” Merlinus said as he was about to exit the cave. “If you’re heading out, please block the cave with the boulder and get inside before a storm approaches… You know that-”

“I know… ‘Devils’. They often come out in the stormy rain,” Rarian interrupted, “But dad… Can you at least tell me what they look like?”

"You know the Adulthood Ceremony is tomorrow at dusk! I’m practically an adult now, so at least stop hiding things from me,” Rarian added.

Merlinus sighed. He thinks of what to say, perhaps it’s time he can just tell Rarian the truth? Merlinus did tell stories about his experience when he was a young adult dragon. The stories of war and the loss of his friends. But young Rarian was skeptical as he just believed these to be old stories told by parents.

“Alright son, I’ll tell you when I arrive home tonight,” Merlinus said, agreeing to tell Rarian the truth.

Rarian’s eyes widened and smiled, “Promise?”

“I promise…” Merlinus said, nodding approvingly.

Merlinus left the cave while leaving an open gap for Rarian to squeeze through, in case he wishes to leave and explore of course.

After Rarian was finished with his breakfast, he slipped through the gap of the entrance and headed out. Rarian thinks of heading to the village first and say hello to his childhood friend, a young LushFang dragon who works at a flower stall with her parents.

When arrived at the village, he can see a large crowd of EarthFangs and LushFangs wandering about. Some of them were gathering their fresh livestock and fruits. Others were playing and chatting with their friends and families.

He walked around and greeted a few dragons. Eventually, he reached the flower shop labeled as “The Engeika Flower Shop”. Walking up to the counter, Rarian called out for his friend. “Anya! Anya!? Are you home?”

No response… He sighed disappointed, thinking Anya must be busy with her family household chores. Just as he was able to leave. “BOO!” Rarian jumped in fear and turned to see his friend Anya, a Green LushFang Dragon with yellow roses on her head, brown eyes, and wears a pink bandana with two flower designs.

“Anya, you scared me!” Rarian shrieked, before feeling embarrassed as his face turned a bit red. Anya Engeika, she was Rarian’s childhood friend, the first girl he met at the village whom he has a slight crush on.

He remembers the day he and Anya met, the day of Rarian’s mother’s disappearance. Rarian was tasked to buy his mother’s favorite flowers, vanilla orchids, from the village, to which he bolted to the village square and found the flower shop. He wasn’t looking where he was going and bumped into Anya who, coincidentally, was carrying a box of the same flowers he’s looking for.

Anya offered the flowers to Rarian out of pity when she heard of what happened and why he came here. Rarian was also embarrassed for being so clumsy, but Anya’s gentle and sweet smile, as well as her kindness, cheered him up. Rarian, at that moment, knew that he liked her.

“Teehee!” Anya giggled before she asked, “Well, are you excited for the Adulthood Ceremony, Rarian?”

“We, as well as the few dragon hatchlings in this village, are gonna be adults!” Anya exclaimed.

Rarian nodded approvingly, “Yes, I am. And I thought I would also go adventuring one last time just like the old days before, y’know… People might pick on me for doing childish things as an adult”

Anya laughed, “Oh nobody would do that. Adults can have fun too, y’know. My dad loves gardening and some immature dragons see him as childish for having hobbies, but I don’t see it that way.”

“Yeah… It’s what makes him happy. Just like my dad probably…” Rarian added.

Anya’s facial expression turned to concern, “Does your dad, I mean, Mr. Drachenberg still goes outside a lot?”

Anya asked, “I know you and your dad lives in the woods nearby, isolated from the village”

“Yeah, he does… He’s so secretive and doesn’t tell me anything!” Rarian exclaimed, “But, I know this time will be different… He promised he’ll tell me the truth on why he goes out alot and, hopefully, it’s not just some silly bedtime story”

“I bet it will” Anya jokingly said, playfully punching Rarian’s paw. Ow.

“Anyway, I better go to Anya. Oh and see you at the Adulthood Ceremony tomorrow!” Rarian said before leaving. As he looks back at Anya, he sees her waving a cheerful goodbye at her friend. To which Rarian waved too before descending into the woods.