I lie on my bed my mind spinning with fire, dragons, and the impossible.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"William?" my mom's voice cuts through the haze. "It's your dad and me. We got a call saying you weren't feeling well. Are you okay?"
My heart jumps into my throat.
"Uh… yeah! Everything's fine," I blurt, scrambling upright. "Just—give me a second."
I rush toward the door—and freeze.
The sword.
It lies in the open, its crimson glow faint but unmistakable. If they see it, I'm finished.
I dive for it, dropping to my knees, sliding it under the bed just as footsteps reach the door.
"Okay," I say, voice steady. "You can come in."
The door creaks open. My parents step inside.
Mom scans the room, eyes soft. "What were you doing in here?"
"Homework," I say too quickly, hoping the lie sticks.
Dad squints, lips twitching. "Hiding a girl in here or something?"
I force a laugh. "Not funny, Dad."
He grins anyway.
Mom crosses her arms gently. "So, what happened at school?"
"I think I caught a stomach bug," I say. "But I'm fine now."
She nods, relief washing over her face. "Good. Come downstairs. Dinner's ready."
"We got takeout," Dad adds.
"Oh? Chinese?" I perk up.
"Your favorite," he says.
"Alright," I answer. "I'll be down in a minute."
They leave, and I finally let out the breath I've been holding.
Downstairs, the living room smells of newsprint and takeout. Dad is glued to the couch, the TV casting a harsh glow.
"Three bodies were found at the docks this morning," the reporter says. "That makes the fifth case this year."
Dad shakes his head. "Five already? What's happening in this city?"
Mom sighs. "It's all anyone can talk about at the hospital."
I poke at my food, appetite vanished.
Mom tries to lift the mood. "So, school?"
"It's… okay," I say. "I made a couple friends."
Dad smiles. "That's good. Can't wait to meet them."
"Yeah," I say softly. "Me too."
After dinner, I stand. "I'm going to bed. Long day."
"Goodnight," they say together.
"Goodnight."
Upstairs, showered, brushed, I collapse onto my bed.
Dragon Keepers.
Elements.
Talking swords.
Talking dragons.
A mysterious sensei.
Secrets buried in shadows.
I'm fifteen years old.
"Why me?" I whisper, letting out a tired laugh.
Sleep comes fast, heavy, impossible to resist.
Morning hits like a hammer. Eight o'clock. Uniform on. Backpack ready. Parents gone.
The world outside seems perfectly normal, sun bright, birds singing, but I know better. Something lurks beneath it.
I meet Zack on the way to school.
"Dude," he says, "I heard you were sick yesterday."
"Yeah," I reply. "Hit me out of nowhere."
"Must've been cafeteria food."
"Wouldn't surprise me."
We laugh.
Halfway there, Ava catches up.
"Good morning," she says.
"Morning," we reply.
She doesn't pause. "Did you guys see the news? Three more bodies this week. Something is happening. I swear it. I need the Bugle to let me report on it."
"You watch the news like a hawk," I say.
Zack scoffs. "I doubt you're the one to crack it, Ava."
She shoots him a look sharp enough to draw blood. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, nothing," he says, stumbling over his words.
"Can we not fight before school?" I mutter.
Ava rolls her eyes and strides ahead, straight toward Shin.
"I hate that guy," I murmur.
"Same," Zack says.
School drags. Classes blur into one long monotony.
Finally, the bell rings.
I tell Zack I've got somewhere to go after school.
"Alright," he says. "Get home safe."
"You too."
Downtown smells of coffee and exhaust. The world seems alive, vibrating in a way I can almost feel through my bones.
The sword rests in my backpack. Its presence hums against my skin.
You really think you can carry me everywhere? the dragon whispers.
"Do I have a choice?" I whisper back.
If you want control, yes.
"This thing isn't exactly easy to hide."
Not yet, the dragon says. Mastery comes later.
"Great," I mutter.
I reach the blue coffee shop. The door shuts behind me.
The floor disappears beneath my feet.
"Whoa!" I shout.
I spin, twist, and slam onto the ground with a brutal thud. Pain shoots up my spine.
"Ow! Sensei, really? That landing…"
"Yeah, no kidding," a voice groans.
I look up.
A kid about my age rubs his shoulder. "Uh… hey. I'm Cameron."
"Do you know what's happening?" I ask.
He shrugs. "Not really. Sensei said he'd explain."
Two more figures crash down from the slide.
"Ow!"
"That hurt!"
Before anyone can say more, a shadow detaches itself from the walls. Sensei Shu steps forward, tall and imposing, eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.
"Good," he says, his voice calm but sharp. "You're all here."
We glance at one another. Four strangers. Four paths converging. Four unknown futures.
"Now," he continues, "it's time for introductions."
I swallow. My chest tightens. The air feels electric. Everything I knew is gone. Everything I thought was normal is gone.
And I know, deep down, this is only the beginning.
Everything is about to change
All right, first things first," Sensei Shu says, his voice low and measured, carrying authority that makes the air seem heavier. "Introductions. Cameron, start."
Cameron steps forward, spinning his staff with ease. Sparks of static crackle along its length.
"I'm Cameron. Lightning. Fourteen. Redwood High." He shrugs. "That's it."
Sensei Shu nods. "Lightning. Fast, reactive. Instinct over thought. You'll carry this team in moments that demand speed and split-second decisions."
Cameron smirks, bouncing on his heels. "Got it. Fast guy."
Next, Maya steps forward, calm and precise. There's a subtle shimmer of movement in the air around her, almost like water rippling.
"I'm Maya. Water. Sixteen. Redwood High. Nice to meet you."
Sensei Shu studies her. "Water. Adaptive, calm, unyielding. You'll stabilize the team when chaos strikes. Your patience is as valuable as any weapon."
Maya's expression doesn't change, but her eyes glint. "I work better under pressure," she says softly.
Then Jordan steps up. Her posture is firm, grounded, her gaze sharp. She lifts her chin slightly.
"I'm Jordan. Earth. Fifteen. Redwood High."
"Earth. Reliable. Steadfast. The foundation of the team. In a fight, you endure and anchor the others."
Finally, it's my turn. Sword strapped across my back, heat prickling up my arm.
"I'm William. Fire. Fifteen. Redwood High."
Sensei Shu's gaze locks onto me. "Fire. Aggressive, powerful, dangerous if uncontrolled. Today begins the process of mastering that power."
I swallow. "Understood."
Shu lifts his hand, and an image forms in the air: a monstrous figure shrouded in darkness, eyes glowing red. Lord Drakna.
"This is your enemy," he says. "He was banished centuries ago but is returning, collecting souls to remake himself. Only Dragon Keepers can stop him."
Maya exhales. "We're actually fighting him?"
"Yes," Shu says. "And none of you are a team yet. That will change."
He leads us to the Room of Legacy. Four weapons hum with elemental energy: a staff, daggers, kunai, and a sword glowing red.
"Cameron, the staff." Sparks run along its length as he grips it. "I can… feel it," he mutters.
"Maya, daggers." She lifts them and moves fluidly, a faint mist curling around her.
"Jordan, kunai." She crouches slightly, touching the weapons. The floor hums beneath her.
"William," Shu gestures to the sword. Heat radiates from it, crawling up my arm. The blade almost vibrates in my hand.
"First trial: sparring," Shu announces. "William vs. Jordan. Cameron vs. Maya. Focus, no holding back."
Sparring: Fire vs. Earth
Jordan moves first. Her kunai slices through the air with precision. I swing my sword, sparks flying as steel collides with steel. The impact reverberates in the room.
I try to use fire to break her rhythm, but she adjusts instantly, deflecting the flames and forcing me off balance. I lunge, overhand strike, then kick—but she anticipates every move. With a quick pivot, she sweeps my legs. I hit the mat hard.
Her kunai hovers near my chest. She smirks. "Better focus next time."
I groan, catching my breath. "Yeah… you're good."
Sparring: Lightning vs. Water
Cameron strikes at Maya, staff spinning with crackling energy. His movements are lightning-fast, nearly impossible to follow.
Maya flows like water, slipping between his attacks with smooth, fluid motion. Every time he swings, she redirects, countering him effortlessly. Finally, she catches him off-guard and taps him lightly, knocking him onto his back.
"Girls win, boys lose," she says calmly, offering her hand.
Cameron groans, taking it. "Yeah, yeah… I'll get you next time."