Truth

Even though I had heard tales of the Dragon God my whole life, nothing could have prepared me for the sight of him. 

In my mind, he takes the form of a massive black dragon with shimmering scales and a striking orange mane. My mind's eye conjures up an image of the Dragon God's eyes, capable of transforming any living creature into a lifeless statue, and his breath, hot enough to reduce even the strongest of men to a pile of ashes.

It's dawning on me now that what I once thought was real was nothing but an illusion. It's possible that he's an immortal being with abilities beyond my wildest dreams, capable of transforming into a dragon at will. 

But there he was, the air around the man standing by the door crackled with energy, and I knew that he was the one I had been prepared my all life for - the Dragon God.

I remember the night Thalon and I snuck out of the house vividly - I was only 10 years old at the time. It was something only we knew, and we intended to keep it that way.

A secret.

The truth had been revealed to me only a few years prior, but I was still in disbelief when he told me. I couldn't fathom why Mother Orvi would lie to me. After all, she had always been a pillar of honesty and guidance in my life. 

Looking back, I realize how naive and foolish I was. 

Since it was summer, I had to wear a hooded cloak to protect my skin from the scorching sun. In addition to not being allowed outside, I had to cover myself in layers to avoid detection. That day, we broke so many rules that Thalon was upset because he knew I’d be punished along with him. 

My eyes were shrouded by the hood, so he had to grab my sleeve and guide me around to the front of the house. I grew up isolated from the rest of the world, with no knowledge of what lay beyond my home's walls. Being led by Thalon was a mixed experience, leaving me feeling both grateful and irritated. Thalon, much like the others, were forbidden to touch me, and he promised me he would only do so if it was necessary to protect me. As he pulled on my sleeves, I stumbled along behind him, my hood slipping down over my eyes. 

The path beneath my feet was my only reference point, but I could tell when we entered a new area by the changing textures of wood, stone, and dirt. The rule only stated that Thalon had to wear the blindfold while inside the house, so he removed it once we were out. Frustrated that he still couldn't see me, he compensated by describing the world around us with enthusiasm.

Within a few minutes of walking, I found myself gasping for air, my body unaccustomed to physical exertion. Thalon, the bumbling fool, carried me with the cloak, acting as a barrier between our skin, insisting that it didn't break any rules. Despite my exhaustion, I didn't argue with him, instead, I focused on the sound of his labored breathing.

“Release me if my weight is overwhelming you, imbecile.”

“I don't understand what you mean,” Thalon spoke in short bursts, pausing to catch his breath. With every step, I could feel the pressure of his grip on me increase, as if he was afraid we might stumble. “You're as light as a feather, Avara.”

We arrived at the temple quickly, mostly because he refused to let me walk and carried me instead, out of pure stubbornness. He set me down on the steps outside the temple, never even attempting to open the door. Gasping for air, he fell to his hands and knees, his clothes soaked through with sweat.

Without paying him any attention, I walk towards the temple's double doors and lower my hood to fully appreciate it. I had never had the opportunity to see the Dragon God's temple up close until this moment. It was only through the stories of Mother Orvi and Thalon that I learned about it. Mother Orvi always assured me that I would be living there when I turned 21, so there was no need to see it for myself.

But it was exactly as I thought - huge. 

Wooden beams, pillars, and brackets were arranged symmetrically and carved with gold. As I walked closer to the wooden pillars, I could see that they were adorned with inscriptions that looked like ancient runes. The sloped roof was covered in ceramic tiles, each one painted a deep, earthy color. And by the entrance, was a dragon statue and an offertory box.

“Would it be possible for me to open the door by simply pushing it?”

Thalon's sudden silence was puzzling, given his usual willingness to engage with my questions. Glancing over my shoulder, I caught a glimpse of him standing behind me, his hands covering his eyes. Right. The rules forbade me from showing my face, but I lowered my hood anyway, making my identity visible to him.

“Thalon,” With frustration, I repeat myself and stride towards him confidently. His shoulders stiffened, and he took a step back, which only fueled my growing frustration. “When I pose a question, I expect a response. Am I obligated to repeatedly bring this to your attention?”

“Right. Hey, put your hood up again so I can open the door for you.”

I gave him a quizzical look, tilting my head slightly and placing my hands on my hips.

“I have given you an order and I demand you to follow it.”

“Avara, my eyes are covered. I can't see the door.”

“Then I order you to uncover them!”

A loud, frustrated sound escaped Thalon's lips as he repeatedly stomped his feet on the ground.

“That breaks the rules!”

“We are outside the house, Thalon. There are no rules here.”

Thalon and I broke another rule that day, a secret just between us.

Thalon stood still as a statue, not even a hint of breath escaping him. As the sun bore witness, I gave in to my curiosity and reached out to take his hand, pulling it down slowly. As soon as we touched, Thalon gasped, but I didn't let it distract me from the whispered words I urgently spoke to him. 

“Open your eyes, Thalon Krauss.”

Our eyes meet as Thalon slowly opens his own, and we hold each other's gaze for a beat. 

Thalon's gentle brown eyes sparkled in the sunlight, and his black hair shone like silk. His cheeks were adorned with tiny dots that immediately caught my attention. My eyes flick to the next dot on his cheek as I hover my finger above them, wondering how many there are.

“What is the reason behind the dirt on your face?” I ask him, not realizing that his cheeks had turned a deep shade of red. “Is it not your habit to bathe?”

Thalon's body language changed as he cleared his throat, taking a step back and away from me. It's something I attempt to overlook, but it still manages to affect me. Walking towards the door, he absentmindedly scratched at his cheek and pushed it open. As I watch him push the door, it lets out a loud, ear-piercing creak, indicating that it has remained shut for a long time. 

Thalon turned his head to look at me, his eyes downcast.

“Freckles, Avara. They’re called Freckles.” Thalon paused, his eyes fixed on the ground, before finally lifting them to meet mine. “Your eyes are beautiful, they look like they're made of gold.”

I couldn't think of anything to say in response, so I decided to stay silent.

Thalon opens the door and gestures for me to step inside, taking a step back to give me space. I walk slowly, taking in every detail around me with deliberate steps. The temple was deserted, and the only sign of life was the faint smell of smoke emanating from the ancient, black cauldron in the center.

Empty, and there was no sign of the Dragon God.

I could feel Thalon's presence behind me, but he made no sound as he walked. There's a brief pause before he begins speaking, and his words are so ludicrous that I have to bite my tongue to keep from laughing.

“I'll save you. No way you're dying here, not when I can help it.”

“What are you even capable of? You are no more than a boy.”

Thalon lifted his head, his eyes narrowing into a menacing glare.

“We're nothing but kids, you and me! You'll be surprised how quickly years go by. You blink and you're 21, dressed to look pretty and they're gonna toss you out here to survive on your own. No way you can stay alive, there's no food, bed, or anyone to take care of you.”

“Under the protection of the Dragon God, I shall remain safe.”

“There’s no Dragon God!” Frustrated beyond belief, Thalon let out a piercing scream and threw his hands up in the air. His voice echoed through the massive temple, making it seem even more cavernous and empty. “Look at what's around you, Avara. No one else is here! The Dragon God is just a made-up god for adults to blame when their lives turn horrible.” 

As a stubborn brat, I refused to budge and plopped down at the edge of the cauldron with my arms crossed. “Then I shall provide you with evidence of his existence. Until the sky turns dark, I will stay here.”

“Don't expect him to show up, Avara, he's not real.”

“I have no interest in engaging in another futile conversation with you,” Scoffing, I shift my position on the floor so that I'm no longer facing Thalon, but instead facing the door. “I command you to leave me be. I will await the Dragon God unaided by you.”

Thalon doesn’t leave me, of course. Instead of saying anything, he grumbled and sat down beside me, his eyes fixed on the door. If he left me alone, he knew that the entire village would not hesitate to take revenge upon his return home that day.

“Legend has it that if you call out his name, he will be compelled to stay. Considering it is his duty to remain and protect the residents of Levabonne. I demand that you continue calling out for him until your throat becomes raw. Should your intention be to remain here after having gone against my first order, go and carry out the second one.”

Despite his initial reluctance, Thalon finally follows me and lets out a loud, primal scream. 

“Dragon God! Dragon God! Make yourself appear!”

And so we wait, and we wait, and we wait.

The longer we waited, the more the sky transformed from a bright blue to a dark, mysterious black. I couldn't explain how I managed to sneak out undetected, but I didn't question my good fortune. Rather than staying still for another more hour, I stood up, put my hood on, and walked out the temple doors.

I heard the sound of Thalon's footsteps as he quickly moved behind me.

“Wait! Where are you off to?”

“It is time for us to go.”

“What?” Thalon asked, his footsteps echoing off the walls as he approached me. His gaze is unwavering as he stares directly at my face, as if he's done it countless times before. His face lit up with a smile when he saw the frustrated look on my face, and eventually, he burst out laughing. “No way! Now do you believe me? Ha! See, I told you I was right! If you just… Avara?”

I can't take my eyes off him. My gaze lingers on him until my eyes blur.

“Avara,” Thalon's whisper is barely audible as he wraps his arms around me. “Don’t cry.” 

I was so overwhelmed by my emotions that tears began to flow down my cheeks, a sensation that was entirely new to me. When I'm punished by Mother Orvi, I don't feel sadness. Instead, I feel thankful because I know it's for my own good. 

“I’ll save you. I promise I will.”

Thalon's eyes meet mine, and I can see he knows I don't believe him.

It didn't bother him. 

The house was quiet when Thalon brought me back, and we managed to sneak in without anyone noticing. 

After that, climbing the steps to the Dragon's God temple became a routine for Thalon. During the Spring and Summer, he will meticulously clean the temple and ensure the offertory box is filled with essential items to sustain me for when I am ultimately sacrificed. 

Not a single word of thanks had left my lips, despite all he had done for me. He preferred it that way, knowing that my survival was a promise he intended to keep, even without any words of gratitude from me. 

After everything he did, I wonder how Thalon's face would look when he finds out that the Dragon God was real.