Seth and Luna finally returned to the familiar setting of Aunt Lisa's tavern, the warmth of its glow and the hum of chatter a stark contrast to the depths of the Zorvath ruins. They had both seen and learned more than they'd ever anticipated, but neither of them could have expected what awaited them upon their return.
As they stepped inside, Aunt Lisa's concerned gaze met theirs. She hurried over, relief mingling with reproach. "A whole week! Do you have any idea how worried I've been?"
"A week…?" Seth murmured, stunned. Time in the ruins had moved differently than he'd realized.
Aunt Lisa shook her head, softening as she saw the exhaustion in their faces. "Just… promise you'll be careful from now on." She motioned them to sit, her expression showing a mixture of concern and love.
As they settled into a quiet corner, Andrea remained silent, her mind weighed down by Oracle's revelation. She was a dragon—the descendant of Isolde, the most powerful dragon to have ever lived. She had so many questions, so much confusion swirling inside her. Her entire identity felt suddenly unsteady, as if the very ground beneath her had shifted.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the presence of a figure who entered with an almost ethereal grace. A beautiful woman with silver hair and striking blue eyes stepped into the tavern, her gaze fixed intently on them. Andrea and Seth both stared, feeling an undeniable allure in her presence.
"Successor of Juan Miguel," the woman addressed, her voice smooth and calm. "I am Eve, here at Oracle's order to assist you."
Seth nodded, momentarily captivated by her aura, but it was Andrea who held back, the weight of her newfound heritage keeping her silent.
After a moment, Eve glanced at her, sensing her hesitation. "You seem troubled, Andrea," she observed gently, her eyes warm with understanding. She paused, then continued, "You're processing the truth of your heritage. But there's more you should know—dragons are born in human form. To awaken their true selves, their parents guide them in unlocking their dragon blood and powers."
Andrea's face fell, the weight of reality settling in as she whispered, "I don't have any parents to teach me…"
Eve placed a hand on her shoulder, her voice soft but resolute. "Then I will guide you, Andrea. You're not alone."
Andrea looked up, gratitude mingling with sadness, but another thought struck her. She took a shaky breath and looked at Eve. "Why… why didn't Oracle or anyone save the dragon race? Couldn't they have been protected?"
A sudden shimmer filled the room, and a radiant figure appeared beside Eve. Oracle, in a projection form, stood before them, her presence serene yet sorrowful, her voice carrying an ancient weight. "I'm so sorry, Andrea," she said, her gaze softening as it rested on the girl. "But I was in a deep slumber for three thousand years. I never knew of the dragons' fate until now."
"But… then why didn't Eve help?" Andrea asked, her voice breaking slightly.
Oracle's expression grew somber, a trace of regret in her eyes. "Eve wasn't strong enough to protect the dragons, Luna. Even if she could have, she wouldn't have risked interfering. You see, the arrival of the successor—Seth—could have been delayed or, in the worst case, prevented altogether."
Andrea fell silent, the answers filling her heart with a bittersweet understanding. The loss of her heritage was painful, but now, with Oracle's and Eve's guidance, she felt a new purpose—a path that would help her reclaim her legacy and become the dragon Isolde had once been.
End of chapter 6