The mysterious old box

When Sapphire was a baby she had been separated from her family for years.

During that time she was unaware of her powers and lived like a beggar on the streets, without a name or a proper home in her human form.

It was only when she met Lea that her powers were activated due to the soul bond they shared, transforming her into a dragon and revealing her true identity.

Later on, when Lea discovered that her dragon friend had no name, she gave her the name 'Sapphire,' prompting Sapphire to cry like a baby.

So, she deeply disliked being called any other names, especially something as impersonal as "dragon girl."

Breaking the awakened atmosphere Lea spoke, "What you got snacks for Sapphire or for us as well?".

"No, No… we bought snacks for everyone" Jude responded as he started distributing the snacks to the others.

At this moment Ria and Lily also joined them.

"We met Sharen and Alex on our way here, they asked us to go back to the palace without them as it would take some more time for them to get done with their work," Ria said as she approached the group.

"Okay then let's look around for some more time and see if we find anything we like and then head home as there is still time for dinner" Alisha suggested to which everyone agreed.

----

In a dim alley of the enchanted market, Alex walked alongside Sharen, his brow furrowed with concern.

"Baby, why are we here?" Alex asked, his worry evident in his voice.

Sharen glanced around cautiously before responding, her tone hushed. "Remember when I went on a mission with Alisha a few months ago?"

Alex nodded indicating he remembered and then Sharen continued,

"I found a mysterious box that seemed to be made of some strange metal. I tried everything to open it or break it, but it was impenetrable."

Alex listened intently, intrigued by her story.

"What does that have to do with this place? Couldn't you have just consulted a locksmith in the city or asked for advice at the palace? Why the secrecy?"

"It's because I sensed a strange power emanating from this box," Sharen explained.

"When I showed it to Alisha, she felt nothing and dismissed it. But out of curiosity, I kept it later when I researched about it in the library, I found something astonishing."

Alex's curiosity peaked. "What did you discover?"

"Out of curiosity, I kept the box with me and later when I searched for information about it in the library, I found something astonishing."

Alex's curiosity peaked. "What did you discover?"

"After a long search, I found an ancient book dating back five hundred years before the legendary war. It mentioned that this box was a unique creation of a renowned craftsman from the Kingdom of Alynthia. It's completely indestructible and can only be opened with a specific code.

Not only that there were only two such boxes made due to how rare the metal used was and he gifted it to the Prince of Alynthia and his fiancée, the Crown Princess of Asterin at that time, whom we know as Queen Zenobia on their engagement".

Alex's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you speaking about the Queen Zenobia in legends?"

"Yes," Sharen confirmed. "That's why this box is so special and I need to uncover its secrets. There is also this strange energy that I feel whenever I touch it".

Understanding dawned on Alex. "But why keep this a secret from the others?"

Sharen looked sheepish, scratching her head. "Because I feel that they will ask me to stop what I am doing as they might think what is inside might be something bad and… and... they'd probably tease me..."

Alex was taken aback. He thought to himself, "How can my girlfriend be simultaneously brilliant and naive?" But he wisely kept the thought to himself.

"But baby what if there is something actually bad inside?"

"Whatever is in this box is not bad Alex, please trust me I can feel it"

Listening to Sharen, Alex's emotions were a bit complicated but after a few seconds he sighed as he decided to believe his girlfriend then nodded in understanding and asked,

"So why did you bring the box here?"