Legends of Kepler: The Dragon & The Woman

In that same moment, the main square of the Hanging Gardens was covered with a grayish steam. All were far from the statue, where the energy explosion had initially occurred. A spooky sound encompassed the kingdom. The natural lights emanating from the trees in the Garden went out, and a slightly darkness covered the place.

In front of Wiz and Bongo, there was a column of blue fire, very high, that bordered the statue. The dragon of the two swords could not be seen. The blue energy emerged as a high circular wall, making it impossible for anything to be seen inwards; it seemed to be protecting something. They believed that, within it, Rosaleth was still laying.

Wiz was the first one who dare to touch the huge blue shield, and it didn’t hurt him. Bongo followed, and the blue fire did not harm him either. However, other dragons tried to touch this fire barrier, and no one could enter. They felt the fire burned them. If they took a step further, they were going to be burned alive.

Apparently, the fire barrier could only be crossed by Bongo and Wiz. Both decided to enter slowly through it for they wanted to know what had happened to Rosaleth. When they entered, they realized they had passed only the first layer of fire. In front of them, there was a second barrier of light. This had a phosphorescent red color, and was smaller than the previous one. They looked behind them, and the blue barrier divided both dragons from everyone else, who were all baffled. Both, without saying a single word, decided to cross the second fire barrier.

Adelia, Wiz, and Bongo were in the presence of celestial beings. As she approached, her face to the ring of light, she figured out the creature better, and her cries were heard clearer. Simultaneously, the dragons crossed the second layer of fire, and started listening the cry of a baby Raēn. Bongo and Wiz, looked each other dumbfounded, for the baby was wrapped in the blanket Rosaleth was wearing before.

Adelia dared to grab the illuminated baby, carefully. Bongo slowly opened the white blanket. And, at the same time, both held the newborn creations, having the privilege of being the first testimonies of the most divine creatures ever made by the Architect.

The glow of the illuminated babies faded little by little. In the arms of Adelia, laid a newborn girl. In the arms of Bongo, a male dragon, newborn as well.

“This is” said Bongo, “What is this?”

For the first and last time, he saw a fearful expression on the Golden King’s face. He had never seen Wiz this way.

“He’s your son, Bongo. It’s a true miracle of life” exclaimed the Golden King, nervously.

Dracko suddenly entered the scene in a hurry, crossing both layers of fire. Apparently, he could also pass through them. Wiz was sitting on the edge of the statue and his father was kneeling, holding the creature.

“Could someone explain to me what is going on?” Dracko asked.

“It is the birth of a Raēn” Wiz exclaimed. “This is, speaking with greater certainty, a new prince of the Lineage of Fire. Son of Bongo and Rosaleth, and therefore, your brother by blood.”

“What?! How is that possible?!” Dracko said, confused. “This can’t be true! Where is my mother?!”

“Rosaleth has sacrificed her life to give birth to this creature. It is obvious that it is not just another dragon” emphasized the Golden King. “Life has allowed a divine conception, in front of our eyes.”

“No! What does this mean father?” Dracko said negligently. “Excuse me sir, that is, is just– this being cannot be a miracle of life. Instead, it looks like a parasite! This creature took hold of my mother, and was begotten with the price of her flesh. What type of sacred does that have within?”

“Don’t talk like that, Dracko” said Bongo. “This being is a blessing. It is naturally powerful, and it is from my lineage. He’s my son.”

“Father, have you become insane?” asked Dracko. “Are you listening to what you are saying? How can you rest assured in these words?”

“Through my feelings” he replied, “I feel real love when I have it, and I won’t answer your questions anymore. It has been enough.”

“So you will leave me with these doubts? Where are you leaving my mother?”

“Enough, Dracko” said the Supreme Dragon.

“Are you going to let her die like this for this being? Is this what she meant to you?”

“Dracko, stop” said Bongo.

“You don’t know what you are doing! Don’t touch that baby!”

“I said stop! Enough is enough!” shouted Bongo.

And when the Supreme Dragon raised his voice in such a way, the layers of fire disintegrated in an instant and returned to the view of the Hanging Garden. The natural lights of the trees and squares reappeared. The dragons were still in the Square of Sacred Pity, and they noticed that Bongo had in his hands, a baby dragon with very fine features, and a splendid reddish color on his skin.

There was a shocking silence, which forced Wiz to improvise a statement.

“Attentive, my Dragons!” he started impetuously. “We have witnessed the manifestation of a true miracle! An act of nature itself! It is the birth of a new descendant of the Royal Lineage of Fire. Rejoice yourselves! Do not fear this gesture of heaven! For this is a true blessing for our kingdom! Rather, feel fortunate to have had the allowance of witnessing this event, which will be perpetuated in the history of our generations! It’s a true blessing! A new Raēn! A new prince! It’s the prince–”

“What will be the name of your son, Bongo?” he muttered to the Supreme Dragon, pausing his speech.

Bongo looked at the baby’s eyes. He lost in the fineness of his pupils, and remained like this for a moment. And as if he could see through them, the name came to his mind.

“Argônæth.” Said Bongo.

“The Miraculous Prince Argônæth!” the Golden King shouted aloud. “Welcome to the kingdom, my boy! Receive with joy and fervor, the birth of Argôn The Prince!”

The dragons began to clap and dance, continuing the magical night. A great celebration quickly formed in the square, and the festivity was supported by Wiz himself. This remained in place, celebrating with his people, the miraculous birth of the baby dragon. He gave the Dragonary Blessing to all, and accompanied them in joy. Although he still was, in fact, totally perplexed. He could not find the necessary arguments to understand what had happened.

Bongo was given all kinds of gifts, and tributes rained at him, for dragons wanted to commemorate the heroic act of his beloved Rosaleth. They wanted to stand out the courage that Bongo had for honorably accepting the mysterious course of life. Dracko, meanwhile, was filled with hatred against his brother, and since that day, he blamed him for the death of their mother, and was convinced that this being was not going to bring more than problems and difficulties to the kingdom.

Adelia, on the other hand, experienced a feeling of fullness when she had the firefly girl in her arms. She could never describe the tranquility she felt. From her right eye, a tear came out which fell on the girl’s forehead. The manifestation of divine beings was normal in these times, at least in these physical forms, but it was not common for them to born in the presence of humans, in fact, she did not know exactly how she would adapt this being under the simple conditions in which she lived.

She didn’t know how the community was going to receive the news. The Villages of Anaís had no similar beings, but she really didn’t care about this. The moment she carried the girl in her arms, she fell in love with her. She felt a deep feeling of hope. She was really sure she was someone special, with unique purposes. She felt that life had trusted her enough to take care of such responsibility, so she thought she was destined to find her.

She left with the girl among the forest paths, and the fireflies led her way back to the small village. She reaches her town, and she still didn’t know what to think of, for her mind still didn’t accept what had happened. If it weren’t for her grandfather’s stories, Adelia would not have been able to process everything she was experiencing.

She got home. In her living room, were two of her sisters and Lelio; her mother and grandmother were also there. They were all extremely worried about her.

Adelia entered, and everyone was confused to see her carrying a baby. She then explained what had happened. The girl was the most beautiful thing they had ever seen, with clear and bright honey eyes, and with blond features from head to toe; reflecting a delicate and bright pink skin.

“I know she looks like one of us,” says Adelia, “but this girl is a living miracle. She was brought from the nest of Light itself, and it is a gift that has been presented to us, to live among us. We must take care of her and protect her. We must teach her everything we know. I don’t want her to feel left out. I don’t want her to feel like a strange being, even if she is. I want her to be her, and develop her love with us.”

“Does she have a name?” asked the grandmother. “I could give her one.”

“Mother, what kind of imprudence is that?” said Clara. “Besides, in any case, I´m the one who should give her a name. She’s my granddaughter!”

“With the permission of Adelia,” says one of the woman’s sisters, “you both chose all of our names, and they are all boring! Plus, you are both already old women. We are younger and we know what is styled, way better than you!”

“What did you dare to just tell me?! Old women?!” Clara exclaimed. “Do you know how old your mother is? Only one hundred and thirteen years old! Your grandmother is already going for her two hundred! That is old!”

“That’s what you say!” said the grandmother. “I have more experience than any of you, so I know many more names, even mystical ones! For your grandfather and I saw several which you wouldn´t never know!”

“This discussion is over!” shouted Lelio.

Lelio was forced to intervene, and try to stop them, but who can stop a group of arguing women? And more if they are family! Lelio gave up, saw Adelia thoughtfully for a second and approached her and she only softly whispered a word looking at the girl.

“Amalia”

“I know whose story this is!” interrupted Theo.

“I also do!” exclaimed Erin. “It’s the story of nu–”

“Do not say a thing!” exclaims the woman “Let’s leave surprises for the end, shall we? You’re going to ruin the story. The best parts are yet to come. Get comfortable, bring the firewood. Now you will know, the fate of Elgoneth.”