Kite PoV
Kite stood up, the necklace in his hands, and looked at his friends. "This is it. Stay strong, and stay together."
The Sapphire Dragon appeared on the horizon, her massive form silhouetted against the setting sun. Her scales shimmered with a mesmerizing blue, and her eyes glowed with an intense, otherworldly light.
She landed with a thunderous impact, her gaze fixed on the group. "You lot sure are a violent bunch. You attacked my golems before I could even question you."
"Question us?" Kite asked, his voice trembling just slightly.
Cassia stepped forward, her signature smirk in place. "Well, maybe your golems shouldn't have attacked us first. We were just minding our own business."
The Sapphire Dragon's eyes narrowed, but there was a hint of amusement in her gaze. "They were meant to subdue, not attack. I wanted to speak with you, and they were the messengers."
Kite felt a mix of relief and confusion. "You wanted to speak with us? Why?"
The dragon's gaze shifted to Kite, her expression inscrutable. "I have been watching you, observing your journey. There is something about you that piques my interest. Your actions, your determination, and now, this offering." She gestured to the necklace in Kite's hands.
Kite took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the necklace in his palms. "Great Sapphire Dragon, we offer you this necklace as a token of our respect and apology. We hope you will accept it and forgive us for any offense we may have caused."
He stepped forward, holding the necklace out with both hands. The gems and enchanted leaves glistened in the fading light, casting a soft glow.
The Sapphire Dragon's eyes softened as she examined the necklace. She reached out with a massive claw and delicately picked it up, holding it up to the light. The tension in the air was almost unbearable as the group awaited her response.
Finally, she let out a deep, rumbling chuckle. "You have impressed me, mortals. This is a worthy offering." She carefully placed the necklace around her neck, the gems sparkling against her azure scales.
Kite let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Thank you, great Sapphire Dragon."
The dragon nodded, her gaze sweeping over the group. "Your sincerity has spared you this time. But remember, you are always being watched."
Cassia crossed her arms, her sassy demeanor returning. "We'll keep that in mind. Just let us know next time you want to chat. Maybe send a less aggressive messenger?"
The Sapphire Dragon's eyes twinkled with amusement. "I will consider it. However, I'm not finished." She glanced back at Kite.
"Boy, that sword you have on you, where did you get it?"
Kite looked over his shoulder at his golden sword. "It's a family heirloom. My mom gave it to me."
"Your mother? Does her name happen to be Arosia?"
Kite shook his head. "No, her name was Yung Li."
The Sapphire Dragon's eyes narrowed and she let out a sigh, her massive wings shifting slightly. "Then it wasn't my master who gave it to you."
Kite's eyes widened in shock. "Your master owned a sword like this?"
The dragon's gaze locked onto Kite's, her expression serious and intense. "Not just a sword like it, boy. That very same sword. As a dragon, I would never mistake one sword for another, even if they were identical."
Kite felt his heart race. "What do you mean? How could my family's heirloom be the same sword your master owned?"
The Sapphire Dragon's eyes softened slightly, and she seemed to be weighing her words carefully. "My master, Arosia, was a powerful mage and a wise teacher. She wielded that sword with great skill and entrusted it with a powerful enchantment. She disappeared many years ago, and the sword was lost with her."
Kite's mind raced with questions. "Could it be she is an ancestor of mine?"
She stared at his red turf of hair. "Maybe. That spot of red you got is the same color as hers. And your scent, while different, does resemble hers a tad. It would explain how a twerp like you managed to hold his own against me."
He sighed, not liking her wording. "Ignoring that comment, what was the enchantment for?"
"I'm not sure, but it did relate to her clan. She said it would be a key to unlock the past and pave they way to a new future."
Kite eyed his sword again, recalling how it had pointed them to the ruins back in Whispering Forest five years ago. There was even less doubt now that his ancestors had a hand in those ancient places.
Kite looked up at the Sapphire Dragon, feeling a deep sense of gratitude despite her intimidating presence. "Thank you, great Sapphire Dragon. Your insights mean a lot to me."
The dragon inclined her head slightly, an almost imperceptible gesture of acknowledgment. "Use that knowledge well, boy. The path ahead is fraught with challenges, but also great rewards."
Liliana, emboldened by the dragon's somewhat softened demeanor, stepped forward. "Would you consider joining us on our trip to Auroria? Your wisdom and strength would be invaluable."
The Sapphire Dragon let out a booming laugh that echoed through the clearing. "Travel with some snotnosed kids? I have other matters to attend to. My duties as a guardian of my lands are far too important to abandon."
Cassia couldn't resist a sassy retort. "Well, it was worth a shot. Guess we'll just have to learn about that prophecy without you."
The dragon's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Indeed, you will. But know this: I will be watching your progress. Should you ever prove yourselves worthy of my direct aid, perhaps our paths will cross again."
Elian, who had been silent, nodded respectfully. "Thank you for your guidance. We won't let you down."
The dragon nodded, her massive wings beginning to unfurl. "I look forward to seeing what you accomplish. Farewell, brave ones."
With a powerful beat of her wings, the Sapphire Dragon rose into the sky, her form quickly becoming a distant silhouette against the setting sun. The group watched in awe until she was out of sight, the tension of the encounter slowly dissipating.
Liliana turned to Kite, her eyes filled with curiosity and excitement. "Well, let's get some rest. Tomorrow we continue our trip to Auroria."
Kite smiled and nodded. There, he hoped to uncover more about the prophecy and maybe even some information about his clan. He would've liked it if the Sapphire Dragon had given him more details on his master, but something told him she wouldn't just give away that info. Alas, he would have to find it by different means.