Chapter Eighteen - Ava
The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the lush valley where I played among the flowers. I was no older than ten at the time. The vibrant colors of the meadow dazzled me—blues, pinks, and yellows danced around me like confetti in the wind. As I knelt beside a patch of daisies, the sweet fragrance of the blossoms mixed with the earthy scent of soil, creating a soothing balance that filled my heart with joy.
Today was perfect. The gentle breeze played with my silver and black scales, making them shimmer in the light. I was a child again, unburdened by the heavy responsibilities of being a dragon in hiding. All I wanted was to enjoy this moment with my best friend, Arin.
"Catch me if you can, Ava!" he called, his voice ringing with youthful excitement. Arin, the Sunlight Dragon, gleamed like molten gold as he dove into a patch of flowers, sending petals flying everywhere.
"I'm coming for you!" I shouted, laughter bubbling up inside me as I chased after him. With each beat of my wings, I soared just above the colorful blooms, weaving between them with ease. The thrill of the chase sent adrenaline coursing through my veins, making me feel alive.
As we raced through the meadow, I marveled at how our friendship felt so effortless. Our worlds were supposed to be different; Arin's light was bright and inviting, while my shadows held secrets I had to guard closely. But here, in this vast expanse of freedom, those differences melted away.
"Let's race to the top of that hill!" Arin shouted, pointing toward a majestic peak that loomed in the distance, its green slopes dappled with sunlight. "Last one there has to tell a scary story!"
"Fine! You're on!" I replied, a grin spreading across my face. Without a moment's hesitation, we took off, wings beating in unison as we raced toward the hill, the wind whipping through our scales.
The excitement surged within me, propelling me forward. The world below blurred into a tapestry of colors, and I could feel the exhilaration of flight in every fiber of my being. As we soared over the sparkling river, I dipped lower, skimming just above the surface, laughing as I splashed water at Arin.
As we approached the hill, Arin pulled ahead, his speed mesmerizing. I pushed myself harder, determination fueling my every movement. With one final surge, I caught up just as we reached the crest, both of us tumbling to a stop, panting and giggling.
"I can't believe we made it!" Arin exclaimed, rolling onto his back and gazing up at the bright blue sky. The sun warmed my scales, and for a moment, all my worries melted away.
I joined him, lying on my back and soaking in the serenity of the moment. "You know, you owe me a scary story!" I reminded him, still grinning.
Arin groaned dramatically, his playful pout making me laugh even harder. "Alright, but only because I'm such a good friend," he said, glancing around as if to make sure we were truly alone. "Okay, once upon a time, there was a dragon who lived in a cave filled with shadows..."
I leaned in, eager for his tale. "What kind of shadows?" I asked, my heart racing with anticipation.
"The kind that whispered secrets of the forest. If you ventured too close, the shadows would reach out and pull you into their dark depths!" Arin's voice dropped low, and he gestured dramatically with his claws.
I felt a shiver run down my spine, both from the thrill of the story and the truth that lingered within it. Shadows had always intrigued me. They were mysterious and alluring, hiding secrets that could change everything.
"What happened next?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"The dragon, terrified but curious, ventured into the cave, only to find it filled with treasure! Gold and jewels sparkled like stars. But when he tried to take something, the shadows came alive, swirling around him. They promised to grant him the power to control the darkness if he agreed to become one of them," he said, his voice laced with suspense.
"What did he do?" I pressed, captivated by the story.
"He was tempted, of course! Who wouldn't want that kind of power? But in the end, he realized that he would lose himself to the shadows forever. So he fled, leaving the treasure behind, knowing that some things were not worth the risk." Arin concluded, looking at me with wide eyes, filled with excitement.
The weight of his words sank deep within me. Shadows could be powerful, yes, but they could also consume you. I thought of my own life—how I had to keep my true identity hidden, balancing the line between light and darkness. The dragon within me longed for freedom, yet I was trapped in this double life as a maid in the palace, always on guard.
"That was... kind of scary but also kind of beautiful," I said, contemplating the deeper meaning behind the tale. "Sometimes, I think the shadows can be more powerful than we realize. They hide things we don't understand."
Arin nodded solemnly, his expression turning serious. "But you, Ava, you're the Moonlight Dragon. You bring light to the darkness. You show others that even in the shadows, there can be hope."
His words warmed me, filling the void of loneliness that often lurked within. "And you're the Sunlight Dragon. You shine brighter than anyone I know, Arin. Together, we can face anything, even the shadows."
We shared a knowing smile, a bond that felt unbreakable in that moment. The afternoon sun continued to shine down on us, bathing the valley in a golden hue. But I couldn't shake the feeling that our innocent games would soon be overshadowed by the darker realities we would face.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, painting the horizon with streaks of orange and purple, I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding creeping in. I pushed it aside, focusing instead on the laughter and joy we shared.
"Promise we'll always be friends, no matter what?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, a hint of vulnerability seeping through.
"Always," Arin replied without hesitation, extending a claw toward me. "No matter where our paths take us."
I clasped his claw with my own, sealing our promise with the innocence of childhood and the strength of our bond. We were just two young dragons, dreaming under the sunlit sky, united by friendship and the magic of our shared adventures.
In that moment, with the warmth of the sun on our backs and the promise of countless adventures ahead, I felt a flicker of hope. Together, we could illuminate even the darkest corners of our world.
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Okay, let's get a total of 150 reads or 25-30 votes for the next chapter!
Teaser: Someones goes "bye-bye!"
~𝕄𝕠𝕠𝕟𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥✨
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𝒜 ℋℯ𝒶𝓇𝓉 ℴ𝒻 𝒮𝒸𝒶𝓁ℯ𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒮𝓉ℯℯ𝓁
Fantasy"You kept all these secrets from me...I trusted you, Ava." he says as he took a step closer. "Was it all a lie...?" "It was better for the both of us..." I said, my voice calm and cold. "You should go before I kill you, like I did to your father." A...
