“Soren”, said a deep voice, “I am glad you answered my call”.

Soren realised he was lying on the floor again, his back to the rock. Although this didn’t feel like rock, it was softer, almost like he was laying on hay barrels. He was staring up into empty space, nothing but bright white emptiness all around him.

Soren sat up, reaching up to stroke the back of his head, surprised to notice that he felt no pain there. The last thing he remembered was a blinding white light and the pain of smashing his head to the floor.

Soren turned around, orientating himself towards the sound of the voice and was shocked to see a giant dragon looking down on him.

The dragon was huge, its head alone about twice the length of Soren’s own body. The dragon was lying down, his arms laid out before him, one hand crossed over the other, his eyes staring straight at Soren.

Soren reckoned that the dragon must have been about 20 paces tall and it wasn’t even standing. Recalling the small dragon he had encountered before he had lost consciousness, Soren realised the scales of this dragon were of the same pale blue and black colour.

This dragons' horns were sizable, each the length of Soren himself and although Soren couldn’t fully see the Dragons wings as they were tucked neatly into its sides, he guessed they were equally as large.

“What… what… where am I?”, asked Soren.

“I’m sure you have many questions, Soren. Please, settle yourself and know that you are safe here so you need not fear. If you will abide, I will explain all.”

Not that he intended to, but Soren struggled to see a world where he would say no to letting a dragon speak to him.

“Umm, yes, please do”, replied Soren, trying to control his heartbeat and his breathing which were rapidly increasing despite the Dragon’s attempt at comfort.

“Thank you. Now, where to begin. I am Azura, daughter of Vaeloren, and you are Soren of the flame born bloodline.”

“The what?”, asked Soren.

“Please, if you are willing, allow me to explain and hold your questions until after.”

“Ah, yes of course, uhm, Sorry”

Soren may have imagined it, but he thought he saw the dragon, Azura, smile.

“Thank you. As I was saying, I am Azura, daughter of Vaeloren, and you are Soren of the flame born bloodline. This place is known as the starlight plane. It is neither here nor there, it simply is. Your body, your true body, exists as it was in your world and is where you left it, currently sprawled out on the cavern floor deep beneath the mountain, alongside my own withering body.

Yes, you may have noticed that my scales are much the same as the dragon you have just encountered but a minute ago. We are indeed the same Dragon, yet I exist as a representation of what that dragon may become.

That may be confusing for you, but in time you will understand.”

Soren had a hundred questions but was too hesitant to speak so he just stared.

“You and I are linked you see, like a smith to a forge. You must have felt my call, for you answered and came. It took a lot out of me to shout a single word into your mind, such is a skill reserved for when our bond is stronger, if we are to reach such a level. That is why you found my physical form dead and dying. I gave everything I had to bring you here.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

I will pause there, as I am sure you will have questions you would like answered.”

Soren stared for a second, still in shock at the events unfolding in front of him. “Um yes”, he said. “You said I was of the, what was it, flame born bloodline?”

“Yes”, replied the dragon. “Such a term has been used for centuries and describes those who within them possess the ability to bond with dragons. It is passed from generation to generation. My father, Vaeloren, his rider, Queen Kaida, was also of the flame born bloodline”.

“Wait, does that mean I am related to the queen?”, asked Soren.

“Indeed. Although how closely I am not sure, the flame born line is, or was, large. Not long after my father fell, those of you who remained were targeted and wiped from the earth by those eagle riders you call the Aviori.”

“Why wasn’t I killed then? Or at least my parents?”

“A question for another time, I think. But quite simply you were missed, and fortunately so for me.”

“You mentioned my body, and your body, am are, are we, dead?”, asked Soren.

“I was for a brief time, however your touch has given me a chance at survival. It is why I gave everything to call to you when you were so close. Your body is fine, you will return there once you are finished in this place, although you may have a slight headache.”

Again it was hard to tell, but Soren thought he saw a sly grin on the dragon's big face.

“Well that’s good news I guess. How do I make sure you live? You said we were linked in some way?”, asked Soren.

“That Soren, is the important question. As much as I know, you are the last of your kind, however it was not always so. As I mentioned, the flame born bloodline was once vibrant and overflowing, my kin bonded to yours and filled the skies with their flight.

The bond you have been feeling ever since you entered the cavern from above ground is the most rudimentary level of the bond, for the sake of simplicity we will call it the pale level, for all it entails is the ability to feel each other, and it pales in comparison to what we may become.

Although we are currently linked, that does not in itself mean we are bonded. It would not be safe you see, for everyone of the flame born bloodline to bond with one of my kind if they are not worthy. In order for our bond to be fully established, you must pass the first trial, as has always been the way.”

“The first trial? What does that mean?”, asked Soren.

“Alas I cannot say. However you will discover soon enough if you choose to proceed.”

Soren was struggling to digest all this information, it was not at all how he had expected the day to go. “What does being bonded actually mean? What will we be able to do?”

“It is different for each of you. But know that you and I will both grow stronger as a result.”

“And the trials, you said the first trial, there are more?”

“Yes, although I cannot say how many, again it would compromise the integrity of the trials. But you will only undertake one at a time, and you will have time in between trials. You may not even reach more than one trial, such… stunted progression has been seen before.”

“This is all… a lot”, said Soren, still not quite believing he was talking to a Dragon.

“I am sure you have many more questions, however our time here grows short. It is time for you to make a decision. Your choice is so, do you wish to proceed to the first trial or return to your body?”

“Wait wait, one more question please”

The dragon inclined its head.

“If I don’t go forward with the trial, you will die?”

The dragon, Azura, nodded.

“And what about me, will I die if I don’t go through with this trial? And can I, you know, die or be hurt in the trial?”

“You cannot be harmed physically in the trial. Should you fail or choose not to proceed you will simply return to your body and continue to exist as you have always done. Now, you must decide.”

Soren considered for only a few seconds. It sounded like he had not much to lose, at best he would save this dragon's life and gain a dragon bond, although he still wasn’t clear what that would entail. If he chose not to proceed then he was basically signing Azura’s death away.

“Umm I guess, I mean, yes, I’m in.”

“Good.” replied Azura, “Then let us begin. I hope we speak again soon, Soren.”