Mirage ✔️

Chapter 20: Kiran

"Taehyung, are you ready?" Nara asks her son as she walks into his room.

"I am ready." Taehyung takes a deep breath as he turns to face his mother in his ceremonial clothing.

"Do not be nervous. You will do well." She smiles and walks over to her son.

"Thank you, Ina." Taehyung breathes out and lets his mother straighten up his hair and clothing. "I just wish that he was here," Taehyung whispers with a sorrowful sigh.

"I know that your ononi is very proud of you." Nara gently tells her son as she pats his shoulder.

"Once I am strong enough to turn into my dragon form, I will search for him. I know that Jungkook will search with me." Taehyung smiles as he looks at the small shadow dragon that is resting on his shoulder.

"It is time." Hwal's voice fills the room as he approaches his son and wife.

With an encouraging smile, Nara and Hwal lead their son out of the castle to the forge where the master swordsmith is waiting to guide Taehyung in creating his sword.

"Your Highness." The swordsmith bows her head to Taehyung when he approaches her. "It is an honor to assist you during your coming-of-age crafting."

"Thank you. I ask you to guide me and help me." Taehyung respectfully responds with a kind smile.

"Please, pick the stone for your sword." She motions to a large wooden table covered in different metals for the sword for Taehyung to choose from.

Taehyung walks over to the metals and carefully examines them. To his surprise, the dragon on his shoulder flies to one of the stones and circles around it. Taehyung watches as the dragon's white core glows brighter. With a smile, Taehyung picks up the metal that his shadow dragon chose. 

When the swordsmith examines the stone, she smiles brightly. "You have chosen a wonderful ore for your sword. It is filled with fire energy."

"Thank you." Taehyung smiles and holds his hand out for his small dragon.

"It is time to begin. The sun has reached its highest peak." Nara informs Taehyung and the master swordsmith.

Soon, chanting fills the air as the dragons surround the smithy. Taehyung watches in awe as all of the dragons' eyes glow brightly in the daylight. He takes a deep breath and follows the swordsmith to the forge.

"Light the fire, Your Highness." The swordsmith tells Taehyung as they stand in front of the forge.

Taehyung takes a deep breath and then blows out a steady stream of fire into the forge. He smiles when he watches the wood catch fire. The swordsmith's eyes widen in awe when she sees the strength and heat of Taehyung's fire.

Once the fire is roaring, the swordsmith has Taehyung place his ore into the fire. Taehyung watches as his ore heats up and begins to glow a bright yellow. When the metal is hot enough, the swordsmith instructs Taehyung to remove it from the fire.

The moment the first sound of a hammer falling onto the metal rings through the air as Taehyung shapes it, the chanting of the dragons grows louder and more reverent. Taehyung sweats as the fire from the forge fills the beautiful marble building and the physical exertion he is putting out tires him.

As the sun begins to set, the sound of Taehyung's hammer never falters. He heats the metal, shapes the metal, and cools the metal over and over again. His eyes shimmer in excitement as he watches his sword take shape.

Many days pass by without rest as the young prince shapes his beautiful sword. His people chant and wait in anticipation for the moment their Crown Prince exits the smithy to reveal his sword.