The Light Within - Book 1

Chapter 5

The meadow we landed in was a stunning sight. The grass beneath our feet was a deep shade of green, with tiny, iridescent insects flitting around. They looked similar to a butterfly but not quite. It glowed red and had shimmering wings that reflected every color of the rainbow.

As I stood up, I noticed a small, furry creature scurrying through the grass. It was about the size of a rabbit, but with short, stubby wings and a long, pointed snout. Its fur was a bright pink, and it had a tuft of blue hair on the top of its head. It paused for a moment to sniff the air, then took off again, disappearing into a nearby thicket.

Above us, I could see a flock of large, dragonfly-like creatures soaring through the sky. They had long, graceful wings that shimmered in the sunlight, and tails that trailed behind them like streamers. Their bodies were a deep green, with silver stripes running down their backs.

The whole meadow was alive with color and movement, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at the incredible creatures that surrounded us.

"Are you guys seeing this," I ask as I go to help Kamden up. He looks around with a smile on his face as he stands, "I can't believe this is real." He takes in a deep breath, "We are not on earth anymore."

Ryze nods in agreement as Fyrek surveys the area, looking for any signs of danger. "This is the Storm Dragon territory. It's one of the few safe havens left in the Dragon Realm," Ryze explains. "We'll need to head to the castle to get you both proper attire and introduce you to my family, but first we will send, Kamden was it, home"

Kamden speaks up, "I want to stay, I'll make sure Kaida stays safe."

As I looked at Kamden, I couldn't help but feel guilty for him staying in this unfamiliar place with me. But at the same time, I felt relieved and grateful to have a friend by my side. "Are you sure you want to stay?" I asked him, wanting to make sure he wasn't just doing it out of obligation.

Kamden smiled at me reassuringly. "I'm sure," he said. "I want to make sure you stay safe, and I'm curious to see what this place has in store for us."

I smiled back, grateful for his support. "Thank you, Kamden," I said. "I'm glad to have you here with me."

Ryze and Fyrek exchanged a look, then Ryze sighed and nodded. "Very well," he said, "but if anything happens to Kamden, it's his own responsibility."

Kamden's reassurance was a comforting presence, but Ryze's mention of a castle and meeting his family sent a jolt of nervous energy through me. I looked down at my birthday outfit, still adorned with the celebratory banner, and let out a sigh of relief that at least I was wearing flats. Wait, did he just say castle?

As we begin walking, thoughts begin racing through my mind. What if they don't like me? What if they think I'm not good enough to be a dragon? I start to fidget with my hands, feeling nervous and self-conscious. Why do I even care? "Why does your family live in a castle," I asked puzzled.

Ryze smiled at me and said, "My family has a long and storied history. We come from a line of nobles who have lived in this region for centuries. The castle has been passed down from generation to generation and has become a symbol of our family's heritage."

Ryze catches on to my anxiety and grins. "Don't worry, Kaida. My family can be a bit intimidating, but they're not that bad. And they'll love you, I'm sure of it."

I scoff, "Why would I worry about what your family thinks of me?" I give him a sideways glance hoping he doesn't see right through me. But the smirk on his face tells me otherwise. I cannot believe I am crushing on a noble. What am I going to do?

Fyrek, who's been watching this encounter, grabs Kamden by the arm, "Let's walk ahead and I can fill you in on everything. The castle isn't much further ahead." I look up and sure enough I can see the castle in the distance. I take a deep breath and try to push away my nerves. "Okay, let's go," I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel.