The golden glow faded slowly behind them, replaced by soft silver mist that kissed their skin. It felt like stepping into a forgotten dream, a realm untouched by time. The waterfall ahead danced with crystalline grace, and glowing butterflies flitted through the air like tiny living stars.
But the group—still caught in awe—suddenly remembered why they were there.
"Okay," Saanvi clapped her hands lightly, breaking the spell of serenity. "As much as I'd like to nap under that tree for the rest of my life, we came here to find something. The Sword of Vrittasura."
"Ugh, mood ruined," Devran groaned playfully, stretching. "But yes, let's get to work before someone else claims it."
Riku scratched his head, smiling awkwardly. "I really thought it might just be a story... but that dragon's roar—we're close. I can feel it."
Vihaan shot Riku a subtle glare. "Yeah, you brought us here chasing legends. Let's hope this one actually leads somewhere."
"Someone's cranky," Riku said with a wink.
Saanvi chuckled. "Ignore him, Riku. He's just upset we didn't pack more snacks."
As they spread out across the strange land—part forest, part ethereal canyon—each member took a different section, calling out if they found anything unusual. But even while searching, their usual teasing began to creep back in.
---
By the glowing pond
Devran crouched near the water, pretending to search, but his eyes were on Tianlan.
"You know," he said casually, tossing a pebble into the pond, "if I find that sword, I'm naming it after you."
Tianlan didn't even glance at him. "That'd be a terrible idea."
"Why?"
"Because you'd end up talking to it more than me."
Devran grinned. "Oh? So you're admitting you'd get jealous of a sword?"
Tianlan paused, turned, and locked eyes with him. "Only if the sword flirts back."
Devran's heart skipped a beat. "You're dangerous when you say things like that."
Tianlan smirked. "Good. You need a little danger in your life."
---
Under the crystal vine arch
Xie Lian, trying to trace ancient carvings along a vine-covered rock wall, kept glancing at Wei Zhan, who was crouched beside a luminous stone flower.
"Did anyone ever tell you your shoulders are distracting?"
Wei Zhan blinked. "What?"
"Your shoulders," Xie Lian said, biting his lip. "Very knightly. Bold. Battle-ready. Like a poetic boulder."
Wei Zhan tilted his head. "Is this... about posture again?"
From nearby, Devran, Tianlan, and Saanvi burst into snickers.
Saanvi gasped, barely able to speak through laughter. "Xie Lian is flirting with you, you oaf!"
Devran clutched his stomach. "A poetic boulder! I can't—"
Riku joined in, nudging Wei Zhan. "Man, you're hopeless. You've got someone throwing romantic metaphors and you think it's about spine alignment."
Wei Zhan turned crimson. "I—wait, was he really?"
Xie Lian groaned and turned away. "Someone bury me. Please."
Tianlan patted Wei Zhan's shoulder. "It's okay. We all love a himbo."
---
At the waterfall
Riku and Saanvi were sifting through moss near the base of the waterfall when a playful splash of water hit Saanvi's face.
She turned sharply. "Did you just—"
Riku grinned, already half-wet. "Couldn't help it. You looked too peaceful. Thought I'd test your combat reflexes."
She narrowed her eyes, then reached down and flicked water back. "You're going to regret that."
"Maybe." He leaned closer. "But it was worth it. You look beautiful when you're annoyed."
Before Saanvi could respond, Vihaan stepped in sharply. "We're not here to flirt. Focus."
The tension crackled for a second. Riku raised his hands innocently.
"Right. Just friendly banter."
Saanvi smiled slightly, but glanced at Vihaan. Was that… jealousy?
Vihaan turned away stiffly and began investigating a crack in the stone wall.
Riku smirked. "Interesting reaction."
Saanvi shook her head, cheeks slightly flushed. "Boys."
---
Scene 2:The Bond Beyond Lifetimes
The glimmer of the waterfall danced in shifting light as the group stood in stunned silence, the glistening waters of the hidden sanctuary behind the door reflecting their faces with awe and uncertainty. They had followed a mysterious light and stumbled upon what seemed like an untouched heaven—lush greenery, sparkling waterfalls, and gentle winds whispering secrets of the past.
Yet the sword, Vrittasura, was nowhere in sight.
Tianlan folded his arms and narrowed his eyes. "This is absurd. We came all this way… and nothing?"
Devran looked around thoughtfully. "That dragon's roar we heard—there must be something more to this place."
Wei Zhan leaned on a stone, letting the fresh breeze calm his frustration. "We're missing something. Places like this don't reveal everything at once."
"I agree," said Vihaan calmly. "We must not rush. But the sword… it should be here."
Xie Lian looked at the skies, then back at the tranquil lake. "Let's take a moment. Maybe the answers will come."
But the tension built with every passing moment. The group settled near the lake's edge, the bright sun glistening over its surface, and began debating their next steps.
"We can't just stand here doing nothing," Tianlan said, frustrated. "If there's something hidden, we have to find it."
Wei Zhan rolled his eyes. "And how do you propose we do that, genius? Dive headfirst into the lake?"
"Well, maybe!" Tianlan snapped.
Riku, lounging nearby with a leaf in his mouth, snickered. "Now that's a lovely idea."
Xie Lian chuckled. "Honestly, we've done worse."
Vihaan rubbed his temple, feeling the beginning of a headache. "Can we not fight every ten steps?"
"I'm not fighting," Tianlan huffed. "I'm expressing logical frustration."
"Oh, is that what that was?" Wei Zhan said dryly.
Riku grinned and without warning, nudged Tianlan squarely in the back.
Splash!
Tianlan yelped and went tumbling into the lake with a loud, indignant cry. Water shot upward like a small geyser.
"Tianlan!" Xie Lian gasped, covering his mouth.
Devran burst into laughter. "Serves you right!"
Wei Zhan laughed too. "Riku, you menace."
Tianlan surfaced, spluttering, "I swear by the heavens, I'll freeze your tails off!"
Everyone started laughing harder. Riku backed up with hands raised. "It was out of love, I swear!"
But suddenly the laughter died.
A low hum rumbled through the ground.
The lake began to ripple. The winds silenced. Birds vanished into the air.
Tianlan, still in the water, froze. A glow was rising beneath him.
Devran stepped forward. "Something's coming."
A beam of golden light shot up from the center of the lake. The water bubbled violently as if boiling from divine energy. All eyes widened.
From within the radiance, a shape emerged.
Wings of gold. Eyes like molten sun. Scales shimmering in divine light.
A golden dragon, massive and magnificent, rose slowly, encircling the beam of light. From the center of its chest floated an ethereal sword, its blade blazing with celestial energy.
"Vrittasura," Vihaan whispered in reverence.
No one spoke. Awe held them.
Xie Lian fell to his knees, his heart pounding. "It's… beautiful."
The dragon's gaze fell upon the group. It did not attack. It simply hovered protectively, wrapping its colossal body around the sword, its eyes gentle and proud.
Devran stepped forward. "That dragon… it's not just a guardian."
All eyes turned to Riku.
Riku sighed. "Yeah, yeah, I know that look. You all want answers."
He scratched his head. "This is… deeper than I thought. That dragon—he doesn't belong to just any guardian. He was the sworn companion of the God of War."
Wei Zhan blinked. "The God of War?"
Vihaan nodded slowly. "The one who served as right hand to the Celestial Prince."
Riku sat down, serious for once. "They weren't just comrades. There are old stories… so old most believe them to be myths. About the Celestial Prince and the God of War… and the love they shared."
Devran held his breath.
"They stood at the frontlines of every battle together," Riku continued. "They weren't just fighting side-by-side. They fought for each other. Protected each other. Cared so deeply, their souls were bound."
"And what happened to them?" Tianlan asked, voice barely a whisper.
Riku looked at the lake. "No one knows for sure. They vanished. Some say they were betrayed. Others say they sacrificed themselves to save the realms. But when they disappeared… the dragon—this golden beast—stayed behind."
Xie Lian swallowed. "To guard the sword?"
Riku nodded. "Not just any sword. That blade belonged to the Celestial Prince. The dragon belonged to the God of War. Even in death, even in disappearance… the dragon chose to protect what was dearest to its master—the Prince's sword."
The silence that followed was soul-deep.
Devran closed his eyes. "Even in separation, their bond endured."
Vihaan stepped forward, voice heavy with reverence. "The sword didn't vanish. It didn't get stolen. It was never lost. It was protected by love."
Xie Lian murmured, "They must have loved each other… so deeply. To have their legacy guarded like this."
Wei Zhan sniffled and quickly turned away. "Damn dust in the air."
Tianlan crossed his arms, shivering slightly in his wet clothes. "Guess I owe Riku for pushing me."
Riku grinned. "I knew your annoying voice would awaken something useful."
.....
As the soft ripples of the lake settled from the earlier emergence of the golden dragon, silence lingered in the air—thick and heavy with awe.
Suddenly, the dragon raised its head high and let out a mighty roar.
The air itself trembled.
The trees rustled furiously, animals from deep within the forest fled, and the very land under their feet seemed to quake with the force of its cry.
Devran stepped back instinctively, his hand gripping the hilt of his blade.
"What's it doing? Is it… warning us?"
Wei Zhan's eyes sharpened. "That wasn't a warning. That was a test… or maybe a declaration."
The dragon's gaze swept over the group. Its ancient, golden eyes seemed to pierce through the soul of each person, examining them—not just physically, but their intent, their heart, their worth.
First, its eyes locked onto Devran, who stood steady.
Next, it hovered briefly on Wei Zhan, who met its gaze with defiance.
Then on Riku, who blinked rapidly and muttered, "Ah... I've never had a dragon judge me before. This is new."
The dragon gave a soft, almost curious snort.
Then—its golden eyes turned toward Tianlan.
A wave of heat pulsed through the clearing as the dragon shifted, its massive form lowering its head until its snout was mere inches from Tianlan's face.
"W-What?" Tianlan's breath caught in his throat.
The others watched with bated breath.
The dragon's eyes narrowed, not in threat, but in sorrow.
There was something ancient and heavy in its gaze… as if it recognized something in Tianlan. Something buried deep within his soul.
"Tianlan," Devran stepped forward cautiously. "Don't move. It's sensing something."
But Tianlan didn't move.
His own eyes widened. The dragon's warmth was not just in its breath—it reached deeper.
Suddenly, an image flashed in his mind.
A battlefield. The scent of blood. The sound of a sword clashing. A prince… a man standing in front of him, shielding him with all his might. Long black hair soaked with rain and blood. A voice whispered:
> "Even if the heavens fall… I'll protect you. Even if we are forgotten… I'll never leave your side."
Tianlan's lips parted in shock. Tears welled in his eyes, unbidden.
Without thinking, he reached out… and gently touched the dragon's head.
Everyone gasped.
Riku let out a "What are you doing?!" but froze mid-sentence.
The dragon leaned into the touch.
A soft glow spread from Tianlan's fingers, and the dragon's body trembled.
Then, in a flash of brilliant golden light—its massive form dissolved.
"What—what's happening?!" Wei Zhan shielded his eyes.
The golden light condensed, swirling like threads of divine energy until it formed a small, glowing object that floated in the air.
It shimmered like moonlight against water.
And then… it slid onto Tianlan's wrist.
A jade bangle—elegant, ethereal, and pulsing faintly with warmth—rested against his skin.
Silence.
Everyone was frozen.
Xie Lian blinked. "Did the… dragon just become… jewelry?"
Riku's mouth dropped open. "I… I didn't see that coming."
Devran walked up cautiously, eyes wide. "Tianlan… are you okay?"
Tianlan stared at the bangle, his lips barely moving. "It… it just… chose me?"
Vihaan, who had been quietly observing everything, finally stepped forward.
"I think," he said slowly, "it trusted you. That dragon wasn't just any beast. It was the divine guardian of the God of War. The same dragon that protected the prince's sword… for millions of years. It wouldn't lower itself for anyone—unless it saw something… familiar. Something it once loved."
Wei Zhan crossed his arms, trying to hide his shaken expression. "But why become a powerless bangle? Seems… pretty useless."
Vihaan gave a rare soft smile. "Not useless. It used all its energy… guarding that sword. It exhausted everything it had, holding back the decay of time. Now, it's resting. Regenerating. But it chose Tianlan. That means it sees him… as its new master."
"New master?" Tianlan repeated, as if the words didn't register.
"Yes," Riku added, stepping up beside him with a rare serious tone. "A divine creature forms bonds that go beyond time. If it's chosen you… it means your fate is tied to the sword. To the prince. Maybe even to the god of war."
Tianlan looked at the jade bangle again. It pulsed—just once—as if acknowledging the words.
"But… I don't have any power like that," Tianlan said quietly. "I'm not some celestial prince. I'm just…"
"Wrong," Vihaan interrupted gently. "Power isn't just about what you can do. It's about who you are. That bangle responded to you. And the dragon chose you without hesitation."
Wei Zhan's lips twitched. "So you're telling me Tianlan now has a magical… dragon… bracelet."
Riku smirked. "I mean, fashion-wise, it suits him."
"Shut up," Tianlan muttered, flustered.
Devran chuckled softly. "He's right though. It looks… right. Like it belongs on you."
"Still," Xie Lian said with a thoughtful frown, "if the dragon became the bangle… then what happened to the sword?"
They all turned.
To be continued.....