The Dragon's Soul. Unveiling the Truth

Chapter 4

Physical activity always filled me with oxygen, but today I had definitely pushed myself too hard. By the time I got home, I could barely feel my legs. My whole body was drained. Even after a refreshing contrast shower, I didn’t feel the usual relief. It wasn’t just my muscles that were overworked — my mind kept boiling with one thought:

The dragon.

“When the time comes, you will help me!”

Had that really happened? Or was it just a fever dream from my childhood? My imaginary dragon had resurfaced in such a strange way. Regardless, I wasn’t someone who broke promises — especially ones made at the edge of death. Acceptance meant readiness for anything. And, honestly, I was already grateful for the borrowed time I’d been given.

The next morning, for the first time in ten years, I woke up with no strength at all. I slept until noon, doing nothing, rushing nowhere.

This strange stillness was broken by Lina’s call.

“Hi! I hope you’re ready. Eric already left. He just needs to drop off a package at his grandpa’s and then he’ll come straight to you. You’ve got thirty minutes!” she rattled off.

Before I could reply, she hung up.

I forced myself to get ready. Only now did it hit me: at midnight, I would turn twenty-one.

Perfect. Another turning point, another experience.

By the time the three of us arrived at the Imagine Dragon club, it was already dark. Inside, the lighting was dim, sliced through by beams of moving spotlights. Blue and violet hues washed over everything. It felt like I had stepped straight into the glowing sphere where my imaginary dragon once lived.

The music was loud, hypnotic, pulling me into the rhythm. Around ten, a grand show started to celebrate the opening. A light display shifted into a breathtaking aerial performance by two acrobats under the dome of the club.

“They say this duo performs without safety gear,” Eric remarked, slipping an arm around Lina’s waist.

“If we were up there, I’d catch you,” he whispered to her. “I want you to fall into my arms the way she does — without fear. I want you to know you can trust me completely. Lina… will you marry me?”

Well. That was unexpected. I thought we were celebrating my birthday, but apparently we were here for a proposal.

“Yes! Of course, yes! I’ve dreamed of this since the moment we met, Eric!” Lina glowed, brighter than the spotlights. “I want to be your wife, your partner, risking everything, flying into your arms on the wings of love!”

We completely forgot about the acrobats overhead. Eric offered champagne, and we headed to the bar to celebrate their engagement.

I had never tasted alcohol before, so the first glass of sparkling wine hit me instantly. I suddenly wanted to dance. My mood soared, and for the next two hours I surrendered fully to the music.

At midnight, Lina ordered more champagne. This time to celebrate my birthday.

After a while, the dizziness hit.

“I’m going to the restroom,” I told Lina, who was busy dancing with her newly minted fiancé.

“Okay, don’t disappear! The best part is still coming, Ari!” she called after me, glowing with happiness.

In the restroom, I looked at my reflection. A young woman stared back. Pretty, flushed from dancing, and more alive than ever. I splashed cold water on my face to freshen up, when a ringing began in my ears. It grew louder… louder… until suddenly it vanished entirely, replaced by a faint whisper.

“Help me.”

“Who’s there?” I spun around, but the restroom, crowded just moments ago, was now empty.

“Help me, Ari. The time has come.”

A chill ran through me. My breath grew shallow.

“Ari, you promised.”

The voice cut through me like a blade I remembered too well.

“This isn’t funny! Stop it!” Panic took over.

Then before my eyes a blue-violet sphere appeared, shimmering with shifting shades of light. Inside it was Aria, the dragon from my childhood vision, the one who had given me ten extra years of life.

“The time has come, Ari. I helped you. Now you’ll help me, as you promised. Every debt must be paid.”

“What do you want?” I gasped, my lungs tightening.

“You forgot?” Aria’s voice sounded almost hurt.

“I’m dying, aren’t I? My time is up?”

A heavy numbness flooded my body, weighing down my limbs like lead.

“If you fulfill your promise, if you repay the debt, you won’t die. I give you my word. Do you agree, Ari? Will you help me?”

A tiny, beautiful dragon gazed at me from within the sphere.

“I agree. I don’t want to die. I’m not ready!” I sobbed.

“Trust me. And remember: you are me — and I am you.”

With these words, the sphere unfolded, flooding the small restroom with blinding light. The brilliance swallowed everything. Reality dissolved, and so did I. I no longer felt my body, my consciousness melted into the brightness and faded into nothing.