Catty and Rutger sat on the empty shore. The tranquil sea stretched before them, shimmering under the afternoon sun like a vast mirror. The only sounds were the gentle lapping of waves, and the light breeze was filled with the salty tang.

The girl was the first to break the silence, "Do you feel that, Rutger?"

"Yes," the old man replied, scanning the horizon. "The wind is picking up," his voice was calm but alert as he watched the sky. There, far away, dark clouds appeared.

Catty followed his gaze. "Feels like something's about to go down."

The lines on Rutger's face deepened as he looked at the clouds gather like an army preparing for war.

The waves swelled, growing larger with each passing moment, and disrupted their rhythmic dance. Their restless energy mirrored the tension in the air. The sky was darkening rapidly, a canvas of deep blues and purples. A distant thunder rumbled, a forewarning of the tempest to come.

The wind grew stronger and howled around them, blowing Catty's hair. The air was now thick with moisture, heavy, and cold as if the storm were breathing down their necks.

The sea was no longer whispering. It roared, waves crashing against the shore with increasing ferocity, spray biting as it hit their faces.

The sky darkened further, the storm clouds rolling in to blot out the sun. Yet, there was no rain—only the wild wind and the roaring sea.

"We should prepare," Rutger said, extending a hand to help Catty reach her feet. The wind tossed his grey beard into disarray.

Lightning flashed, brilliant and sharp, slicing through the blackened sky. It was followed closely by the deep bellow of thunder, which vibrated through the earth beneath them.

The storm built ferociously, the sea boiling as if in the throes.

"Stay close, Catty!" Rutger shouted over the roar of the wind and the crashing of the waves. Catty nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. Together, they watched as the sea thrashed violently, its waves like the furious strokes of an ancient beast.

Each lightning flash illuminated the storm's growing rampage, a dance of light against the dark, revealing the heart of the tempest, where something extraordinary was taking shape.

The wind howled louder, like a primal scream. The storm now encircled them, a mighty vortex of air and water, its center where they stood.

"Rutger, what's happening?!" Catty's voice trembled.

Then, without warning, the storm shifted gears. What had been a gathering storm now roared into the ferocity of a hurricane. The wind became a monstrous force, relentless and all-consuming. It whipped around Catty, her dress billowing and twisting in the gusts and becoming a sail caught in the relentless wind, pulling at her with each new surge of the gale.

The sea, mirroring the raging sky, surged onto the shore. Waves, taller than any that had come before, crashed with explosive force, sending spray high into the air—it mingled with the torrential downpour that now fell from the black sky.

Amidst this chaos, the world seemed to blur, the lines between sea, sky, and shore smudged by the overwhelming power of the hurricane. The sound was deafening—the howling of the wind, the crashing of the waves, the incessant hammering of the rain, and the boom of thunder merging together.

Catty's dress tore and whipped around her, caught in the wild dance of the storm.

When the hurricane reached its apex, the wind and waves converged upon a single point out at sea. It seemed the hurricane was a living entity, preparing to shift the reality around Rutger and Catty.

It was a towering vortex of wind and water, encapsulating them in a furious dome.

Then, suddenly, silence.

Catty and Rutger ended up in a sphere of calm, isolated from the fury that raged around them.

A brilliant, blinding light pierced the sky, cutting through the chaos of the hurricane.

As their eyes adjusted to the light, they noticed a single, luminous point before them. It was small at first, no larger than a pebble, yet it shone with the intensity of a sun.

Within moments, the small point began an extraordinary transformation. It shimmered momentarily and then gently divided, each division a mirror image of the original. These new objects, like shards of light, continued the process, each splitting in a dance of replication that was both mesmerizing and precise. This cascade of division and multiplication unfolded with a unified rhythm, each new scale growing seamlessly from the last, expanding outward in the fractal pattern.

"This is the Pink Dragon's Scale!" Rutger exclaimed.

The ensemble of scales, now numerous, pulsated together in harmony. They shimmered with a soft pink glow, their surfaces iridescent and captivating. As they multiplied, they moved with fluid grace, like droplets of water coalescing on a windowpane during a gentle rain.

This radiant body of light and color breathed, expanding and contracting ever so slightly, alive with quiet energy.

"The Pink Dragon's Scale..." Catty repeated.

When she cautiously stepped closer, the scales reacted. They rippled, reflecting her puzzled expression. Warmth radiated from the artifact, intensifying as Catty drew nearer. It felt as if the artifact recognized her presence and responded to her proximity, inviting her to come even closer.

Rutger watched quietly from a step behind. His face was severe, as usual. When Catty was within touching distance of the radiant scales, he spoke up, his tone matter-of-fact.

"You see how they grow? They know you're here."

"They're beautiful..." the girl said, her eyes fixed on the shimmering scales, "but there's something... disturbing about them."

"Those scales hold all the dragon power," Rutger nodded. "Old, deep, and not entirely tame. Touching them... well, it's touching a piece of magic. It will change you. Profoundly. Forever."

Catty turned to look at him. "Change me how? Superhero makeover or something a bit more... fiery?"

The old man chuckled softly, appreciating her attempt to lighten the mood.

"More like waking something inside you that can't go back to sleep. Think of it as unlocking a door you might not be able to close."

"So, if I touch them, there's no going back?" her gaze returned to the artifact.

"That's about the size of it. It's your call, Catty. Your history, your future."

"Well, Rutger, curiosity hasn't killed me yet," the girl took a deep breath. "Let's see what's behind door number one."

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Rutger gave a resigned nod and stepped back.

"Just remember, whatever comes out of this, we face it together."

Catty touched the dragon scale decisively, but her hand still trembled slightly.

Instantly, a surge of golden light erupted from the point of contact, enveloping her in a brilliant aura.

The scales converged towards Catty, flowing like liquid light and wrapping around her. They adhered to her form, creating a suit that sparkled with pink hues and fitted her perfectly.

The moment the girl's skin made contact with the shimmering scale, a flood of warmth rushed up her arm, spreading through her entire body. It felt as if the very essence of the dragon's fire was coursing through Catty, igniting a strength she hadn't known she possessed.

"Okay, this is happening. Just breathe."

At the beginning, there was fear. It shot through her heart, a primal reaction to the unknown energies now coursing through her veins. The fear was sharp and acute, but it was swiftly overtaken by a wave of exhilaration. It was a sensation unlike any the girl had ever experienced—both comforting and overwhelming.

Her body started to change in ways Catty could never have imagined—her eyes burning, her skin tingling—as tiny scales emerged.

Her eyes were the first to change, the pupils dilating dramatically before shifting color. The soft brown of her irises sparkled, turning a yellow that shimmered with flecks of light reminiscent of molten gold.

The transformation spread quickly. A subtle glow emanated from the girl's skin, growing brighter by the second. Tiny, fine scales materialized along her arms and neck, catching the light with each movement, giving her skin an armored appearance that gleamed with a pearly iridescence.

Catty's hair was adopting strands of pink and gold that flowed and shimmered as if charged with static electricity. Each strand was alive, dancing with an unseen breeze, transforming her ordinary appearance into something ethereal.

"Well, it appears the universe has other plans for me today..."

When the girl had spoken, testing her new voice, it carried a resonant, echoing quality that vibrated with a deeper timbre, as if her vocal cords had been tuned to resonate with the ancient language of dragons.

Her fingernails hardened, elongating slightly and taking on a metallic sheen that resembled elegant claws, both beautiful and formidable. Around her, a visible aura pulsated, a shimmering field of energy that rippled with every breath the girl took, reflecting the powerful magic now coursing through her veins.

With each physical change, her mind expanded, absorbing and adapting to her newfound abilities. The dragon's memories, subtle yet potent, began to blend with her own, painting her thoughts with visions of ancient worlds.

Catty closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. The world around her sharpened, scents became more pronounced, and every sound carried a layered richness she had never noticed before. The air against her skin felt different, charged with energy, as her senses heightened to superhuman levels.

The suit, formed from the dragon scale, adhered to her form perfectly and had become a second skin. It moved seamlessly with the girl, enhancing her movements with elegance and power.

Beneath the suit, her muscles were becoming more defined. Her physique showcased increased strength and agility that felt as inborn to her as breathing. Catty moved her arms, testing her new strength, feeling the power that now flowed through her limbs.

"Whoa, I got this. It's just another Tuesday... with a side of dragon!"

Catty saw the last remnants of the golden light fade from her skin, the transformation complete. Her new form, shimmering with dragon scales and glowing eyes, felt foreign and intimately familiar. She turned to Rutger, who was watching her with pride and concern.

"This is it, huh? Any tips on dealing with these scales?"

Rutger chuckled, shaking his head.

"You'll get used to it. And if you ever need a manicure, I suggest finding a blacksmith instead of a salon."

"Good to know!" Catty grinned. "What now? Do I start breathing fire and hoarding gold?"

"Not quite. When we leave the repository, you will become an ordinary girl again," Rutger replied, "and no one will know what happened to you here. But first, we need to talk about the prophecy. The Child of Dragons has more on her plate than fire and treasure."

"The prophecy. Right. That's a heavy word. What's the deal with that?"

Rutger took a deep breath, his gaze turning serious.

"The prophecy speaks of a child born with the blood of dragons, destined to unite ancient divides and awaken the great power. That's you, Catty. You're not just any girl with dragon powers—you're the key to a much larger story."

"Great, no pressure then. So, what does being the Child of Dragons entail? Besides looking fabulous, of course."

"Being the Child of Dragons means you have certain responsibilities. You'll need to learn to control your new powers, understand the rules of our world, and prepare for the challenges ahead. This transformation is a call to action."

Catty glanced at her hand, the shimmering scales glinting in the light.

"New powers? What exactly are we talking about here?" she feigned confusion.

"You felt it yourself! Enhanced strength, heightened senses, the ability to communicate with dragons, and possibly even ancient draconic magic. It's a lot, but you must learn to control and harness these abilities."

"And I thought living in the orphanage was tough!"

"This is a bit more... intense," the old man frowned. "Let me give you some historical context. Dragons and humans have a long, complicated history. There were times of peace and cooperation but also periods of conflict. Your transformation marks a pivotal event in this ongoing story."

"So, I'm a historical milestone. That's... something."

"More than a milestone. Your emergence signals a time of change, a sort of awakening for dormant strength. It's both an opportunity and a challenge."

"Sounds like the world’s about to get shaken up with me in this role."

"Exactly, and there's more. Your role could shift the balance of power in our world. There are those who will see you as a threat and others who will see you as a beacon of hope."

"I'm like... here to make sure things don't go sideways?" Catty shook her head. "Any immediate next steps? Besides not freaking out?"

"Yes. We need to focus on understanding your powers. Practice, training, and a few quests should help you get a handle on them. There's also the matter of fulfilling the first part of your prophecy."

"Quests? Like in fairy tales?"

"In a way," Rutger looked sternly at the girl. "Think of them as practical tests and opportunities to grow. But be aware—there are dangers. Those who might seek to use you for their ends."

"I'm not exactly thrilled about being someone's tool."

"You're not a tool, Catty. You're a player with your moves to make. And you have support. You're not alone in this."

"And if my path leads me to some... buried secrets?" Catty took a deep breath.

"Then you face them as any Child of Dragons would—with courage and curiosity. And maybe a touch of caution."

"Well, I've never been big on caution."

"I know," Rutger laughed. "And that's why your story is going to be one worth telling."

His expression softened.

"It's going to be challenging, but you have the strength to face it. In time, you'll meet others who will stand by you, guardians of old knowledge, and those who have walked similar paths. People who have undergone similar transformations and understood the prophecy."

"Good to know I'll have company. Anyone I should know about?"

"There are a few, but you'll meet them when the time is right. For now, focus on adjusting to your new self."

Catty sighed, feeling the weight of her new reality.

"This is all so much. I'm still trying to get my head around it."

"It's a lot to take in," Rutger agreed. "Take it one step at a time. Reflect on what you want your new role to mean. For yourself and for others."

"What do you mean?"

"This power, this destiny—it's yours to shape. Think about what you want to achieve and what kind of being you want to be. And don't forget to lean on those who care about you."

Catty nodded.

Rutger continued, "And the prophecy... it speaks of the dragon's egg. It's crucial. Your transformation and everything that happened to you will not make sense if we don't find it. Your new power is useless without the dragon that must hatch from this egg."

"The egg is crucial," the old man repeated, "all the magicians and adventurers are hunting for it. Finding it will be no easy task, but it's essential for fulfilling your role."

Rutger fell silent, giving the girl time to absorb his words. He then pointed to her bracelet.

"It will help us find the egg."

As if confirming what Rutger said, Catty's bracelet began to emit a soft glow, a gentle pulse like the heartbeat of ancient awakening.

"I guess there's a dark side to this? There usually is," the girl said.

"Indeed. Darkness looms, old as the prophecy itself. Ancient evils that have waited for a time such as this to rise again."

"Okay, no biggie, just fighting ancient evil," Catty grunted. "Why did I think this would be a straightforward job?"

"Nothing worth doing is ever straightforward, especially not for the Child of Dragons."

"And all this—does it end somewhere? What's the end game?"

"The prophecy speaks of a great sacrifice. What it entails isn't clear, but these paths often demand something personal..."

"Sacrifice? Why doesn't that sound surprising?"

Tears flashed in the old man's eyes.

"The prophecy suggests that fulfilling your destiny might come at a personal cost. It could be something—or someone—precious to you, or perhaps a part of yourself."

"That sounds pretty ominous," the girl frowned.

"The greater the power, the greater the responsibility—and sometimes, the greater the personal cost. It's about balance, Catty."

"And this... do I get to choose what I sacrifice?"

"In some ways, perhaps. The decisions you make and the paths you choose to walk will influence what the sacrifice entails."

"That doesn't make it sound any less daunting."

"No, it doesn't. It's not merely about loss. It's also about what those sacrifices allow you to achieve, the lives you touch..."

"So, if I have to give something up, is it because it serves a greater purpose? Something beyond just me?"

"Exactly."

Catty clapped her hands.

"Well, Rutger, looks like we have our work cut out for us. Where do we start?"