Marked by Destiny

I stood outside our cottage, staring at the dark sky above Ashwood Village while the cold wind brushed against my skin. Villagers hurried through the streets carrying baskets and lanterns before nightfall, their voices blending with the sound of rustling trees. Something felt wrong tonight. The air was too quiet. Ever since I was a child, I had heard stories about dragons—ancient creatures made of fire and destruction that once ruled the skies before vanishing centuries ago. Everyone believed they were gone forever. Including me. “Lyra!” my aunt called from inside the cottage. “Come help me before the storm starts!” “I’m coming,” I answered softly. But before I could move, a loud roar thundered across the mountains. The ground shook beneath my feet. My heart nearly stopped. Another roar echoed through the night, louder this time, powerful enough to send fear racing through the village. People screamed as shadows moved across the sky above us. Then I saw it. A dragon. Massive black wings stretched across the moonlight while flames burst from its mouth, setting rooftops on fire instantly. Chaos exploded around me. Villagers ran in terror while guards shouted orders through the streets. “It can’t be real,” I whispered. Dragons were extinct. At least, that was what everyone had always believed. The dragon circled above Ashwood once before diving lower, flames lighting the darkness around it. Fear gripped my chest as I stumbled backward. Suddenly, soldiers stormed into the village square wearing silver armor marked with the royal crest. Their swords reflected the fire burning around us. “The prince is here!” someone shouted. The crowd immediately fell silent. I looked up sharply. The dragon descended from the sky at terrifying speed. Gasps echoed across the square as dark flames surrounded the creature. Then, just before touching the ground— It transformed. The dragon disappeared into black fire, and a man stepped out from the flames. Tall. Powerful. Dressed entirely in black. He slowly lifted his head, revealing glowing golden eyes that didn’t look completely human. Prince Kael Draven. The Dragon Prince. Fear wrapped tightly around my chest as his gaze swept across the crowd. Then his eyes landed on me. Everything else disappeared. The screaming villagers. The fire. The chaos. Gone. His golden eyes locked onto mine with strange intensity, almost as though he recognized me. A chill ran down my spine. I took a shaky step backward, but suddenly a burning pain spread across my wrist. I gasped. A glowing mark appeared on my skin, shining bright gold beneath the moonlight. The villagers stared at me in horror. “The dragon mark…” an old woman whispered fearfully. “That’s impossible.” Kael’s expression darkened instantly. He started walking toward me slowly, his eyes fixed on the glowing symbol on my wrist. “What did you do to me?” I demanded, clutching my arm tightly. His voice was calm, deep, and powerful. “I did nothing.” But the look in his eyes made my stomach twist nervously. The mark pulsed again. Suddenly, strange visions flashed through my mind. A massive castle hidden in clouds. Dragons soaring through storms. Golden fire burning across the sky. And Kael standing beside me wearing a crown of black steel. The vision disappeared instantly. My knees weakened. Before I could fall, strong arms caught me. The moment he touched me, fire crackled through the air around us. Shock spread across the crowd. I looked up at him breathlessly while flames flickered around us like they were alive. His golden eyes widened slightly. “You can feel it too,” he murmured. “Feel what?” I whispered shakily. Before he could answer, a dark voice echoed from the edge of the village. “Well… this changes everything.” Everyone turned sharply. A group of shadow hunters stepped out from the forest wearing black cloaks. Their leader stared directly at me with cold silver eyes. The hunter slowly drew a black blade from his side. “The prophecy is true,” he said coldly. Kael immediately stepped in front of me protectively. Flames danced around him dangerously as the air grew hotter. “You will not touch her.” The hunter smirked darkly. “She belongs to the Shadow King.” My heart pounded painfully inside my chest. Prophecy? Shadow King? What was happening to me? Kael’s golden eyes flashed like dragon fire. “No,” he growled. “She belongs to destiny.” And somewhere deep within the northern mountains, an ancient dragon opened its eyes for the very first time in centuries.