The soft chirping of birds awakened Inladaa from the stillness.
She slowly opened her eyes to the morning light streaming through the mist that blanketed the mountaintop.
The scent of damp earth lingered in the air — the scent of a new beginning.
The sacred stone altar that had shattered the night before
was now covered with fresh soil where wildflowers had begun to bloom.
Dewdrops clung delicately to white petals,
as if the curse that once imprisoned her had transformed into nature's blessing.
Inladaa looked toward the horizon.
The first light of dawn struck her eyes with a sting,
yet her heart felt warm — as if embraced by that very light.
> "Thank you… for everything that has passed."
She whispered softly to the wind.
Suddenly, the sound of great wings cutting through the air echoed behind her.
The same dragon appeared — its body now translucent, glowing like a spirit of light.
There was no flame, no chain — only a serene smile in its eyes.
> "This world… still needs you."
The voice resonated in her heart once more.
"But I… shall watch over you from the skies."
Inladaa raised her hand toward where the dragon hovered.
Though her fingers met only air, warmth spread through her chest.
> "I… will never forget," she murmured.
The dragon's golden glow began to dissolve into the morning breeze,
leaving behind tiny silver scales that drifted gently to the ground.
She picked one up, holding it close —
a gift from the past, proof that everything had truly ended.
From the valley below, temple bells rang to welcome the new day.
Inladaa turned away from the old altar and began her descent down the mountain.
There was no more fear in her heart — only a quiet promise to herself:
to live freely, in a world unbound by curses.
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> 🌤️ "This dawn marks the first day of a truly free life."