At the far eastern edge of the Oran continent lies the Alin Mountain Range. Alin is one of the largest mountain ranges on the continent, stretching nearly 10,000 kilometers along the eastern boundary, curving and wrapping around nearly half of the east, separating the Oran continent from the Kahal continent. Due to its remoteness and the abundance of vegetation, this vast stretch of mountains is home to numerous undiscovered species and hidden nests.
The highest peak of the Alin Mountains, however, is barren of vegetation because it is an enormous active volcano. At the top of this massive volcano, suspended above the molten lava below, stands a colossal structure, resembling a nest.
The name of this active volcano is Mango, which in the Oran dialect means “The Everlasting Flame.” Since the dawn of the oldest human kingdoms on the Oran continent, this volcano has never ceased its activity. Although it doesn’t always erupt, its ancient, unbroken history far outstrips the lifespans of any kingdom, earning its title as the "Eternal Flame."
In this enormous nest lies a majestic dragon. Despite its massive size, the creature exudes an air of elegance.
From afar, the sound of roaring dragons echoed, announcing the return of a ruler to Mount Mango. As fierce winds howled, blowing away the heat of the summit, a much larger and more ferocious black dragon descended at the entrance of the structure.
“I’m back, my love. Are you still asleep?” The fierce dragon shifted into a human form, though even then, the man stood over two meters tall, his muscular frame akin to that of a bodybuilder. His upper body was bare, while he wore loose-fitting pants that had transformed with him.
Inside the nest, the elegant dragon stirred at her lover's voice, her enormous eyes, as tall as a person, slowly opening. Her pupils shifted from slits to circles. “It seems I’ve slept a little too long this time. I’m still a bit drowsy.”
“Wake up, my dear. Steel has also awakened. I can feel him stirring,” the muscular man said affectionately as he gazed at the mother dragon.
Upon hearing this, the mother dragon, Yin, perked up, rising to her feet and shaking her wings before transforming into a human form—a stunningly beautiful and regal woman. Her long, black curly hair flowed down her back, and she wore an elegant gown draped with a thin veil. In her human form, her elegance only became more pronounced.
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
“Really? Yang, don’t tease me. I’m still a bit sleepy.”
The dragon, known as Yang, replied, “Of course not. Would I lie to you? Our son has already begun to move, and I can sense a powerful human by his side. It seems to be someone we know.”
Yin's voice was lazy yet melodic. “He’s mixed up with humans? Who could be so powerful that even you can sense them? Could it be that one?”
Yang responded, “I’m not certain yet, but my instincts tell me it could be that person.”
Yin’s enchanting eyes flashed briefly. “So, my dear husband, do you want to go find our son?”
Yang shook his head. “No need for now. If he’s with that person, there won’t be any trouble. Besides, our son is fully grown now. He should have his own adventures and trials, right?”
As a mother, Yin was well aware that her son was now an adult. In the long life cycle of dragons, 400 years was just the beginning. However, many dragon families held coming-of-age ceremonies for their children when they turned 300, celebrating their maturity into adult dragons.
For the long-tailed black dragons, who lived even longer and were regarded as rulers of all species on the continent, the coming-of-age milestone was typically set at 350 years. Still, Yin spoke softly, “I know, dear. Steel has grown up. Even though we haven’t yet held his coming-of-age ceremony, he’s no longer a child and should find his own path in life.”
After a brief pause, she added, “But I still want to see him, and perhaps we could host his coming-of-age ceremony. What do you think?”
Yang laughed heartily, “Haha! I knew you’d say that. Don’t worry. Last time, while he was asleep, I gave him a communication orb. He’ll reach out to us soon, and then we can arrange a place to meet.”
In dragon tradition, there’s an unusual custom: when a dragon is nearing adulthood, the parents move away from their old home, so the juvenile dragon, upon awakening from its “dragon’s silence,” can’t find them, forcing it to become independent and mature quickly.
Hearing Yang’s explanation, Yin smiled and no longer insisted. “Alright then, we’ll wait until he contacts us.” Her smile was radiant, and even on the desolate Mount Mango, it seemed to bring vibrant color to the landscape. “I’m hungry. Let’s prepare a meal.”
Out of nowhere, Yang suddenly produced the carcass of a massive, two-horned bull with its horns still aflame, placing it in the center of the nest. The entire nest began to heat up.
Yin’s eyes sparkled with delight. “A Crimson Flame Bull? It’s been so long since I’ve eaten one. Where did you find it? They haven’t been seen in the Alin Mountains for years!”
For long-tailed black dragons, who feed on flames and drink lava, it’s rare for them to eat other creatures. The Crimson Flame Bull, one of the few exceptions, is a favorite delicacy. However, these bulls had nearly disappeared from the Alin Mountains in recent years, and Yin hadn’t had the chance to enjoy one since their move to Mount Mango.
Yang, proud of himself, replied, “I went all the way to the Mila Mountains on the western edge of the Oran continent to catch one. It was lucky, really. After accompanying that person to the ‘Silent Lands,’ I spotted a few on my way back through the Mila Mountains, so I snatched one while you were sleeping. Eating nothing but lava can’t be healthy, right?”
Yang’s remark was a joke. For a creature like a dragon, the continent’s lava, or the energy they draw from lightning or ice, is more than enough to sustain them.
Though the Crimson Flame Bull was already dead, the immense energy stored in its body kept it burning hot. As it lay in the center of the nest, the surrounding temperature soared, and with a loud “whoosh,” the nest seemed to ignite, making it appear as if the entire dragon’s nest atop Mount Mango was on fire.
(To be continued)