The Dragon Realm.
A land hidden beyond storms, mountains, and ancient magic.
A place no human had entered for centuries.
Here—
The sky was crimson.
Rivers glowed like molten silver.
Mountains rose above the clouds.
Dragons slept upon peaks older than kingdoms themselves.
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At the center stood the Dragon Throne.
Not built by hands.
But carved from the skeleton of the First Dragon.
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An enormous dragon slowly opened his eyes.
Golden irises.
Black scales marked by countless scars.
Every breath shook the palace.
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King Aurelios.
The Dragon King.
Grandfather of Elsa.
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The messenger dragon remained kneeling.
His wings trembled.
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"Repeat your report."
The Dragon King's voice echoed like thunder.
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"...Your Majesty..."
"The princess's daughter lives."
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Silence.
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No one dared breathe.
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"For sixteen years..."
The Dragon King whispered.
"...I believed my daughter died without leaving anything behind."
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His claws slowly gripped the throne.
Stone cracked beneath them.
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"What of the child?"
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The messenger lowered his head.
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"Half human."
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Several dragons growled.
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"Impossible."
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"A disgrace."
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"A cursed bloodline."
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The Dragon King silenced the hall with a single glance.
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"...Continue."
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"She protected a human village."
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Confused murmurs spread across the court.
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"She defeated a beast horde."
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More murmurs.
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"She refused to kill humans."
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This time—
The hall erupted.
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"A disgrace!"
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"The human blood has corrupted her!"
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"She has forgotten what she is!"
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"She should never have been born!"
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One enormous crimson dragon stepped forward.
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General Varkor.
Commander of the Dragon Legions.
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"Your Majesty."
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"We should kill the hybrid before the humans use her against us."
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Many dragons nodded.
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"The prophecy warned us."
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"The mixed blood will bring ruin."
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"The humans will manipulate her."
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"The child is dangerous."
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The Dragon King remained silent.
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Then—
He asked one question.
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"...Did she attack humans?"
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"No."
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"Did she burn villages?"
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"No."
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"Did she seek revenge?"
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"No."
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The Dragon King slowly stood.
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His enormous body towered over every dragon present.
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"So..."
His ancient eyes swept across the hall.
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"The only crime she has committed..."
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A long silence.
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"...is surviving."
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No one answered.
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Because no one could.
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General Varkor stepped forward again.
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"Your Majesty."
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"She carries human blood."
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The Dragon King's expression darkened.
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"And whose fault is that?"
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Silence.
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The King's voice became heavier.
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"Who hunted my daughter?"
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No answer.
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"Who forced her to flee?"
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Still none.
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"Who refused to hear her explanation?"
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Every dragon lowered their head.
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The Dragon King closed his eyes.
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"I warned this council sixteen years ago."
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"You judged her..."
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"...before listening."
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The memory returned.
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His daughter standing before the Dragon Council.
Tears in her eyes.
Begging.
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*"Father..."*
*"I love him."*
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The council demanded execution.
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He...
Did nothing.
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Not because he agreed.
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Because he believed tradition would protect the kingdom.
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Instead...
It destroyed his family.
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His claws trembled.
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"...I failed her."
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The entire Dragon Court became silent.
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The King of Dragons...
Had admitted his own failure.
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After several moments—
He looked toward General Varkor.
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"Prepare an escort."
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The General smiled.
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"To eliminate the hybrid?"
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The King's eyes flashed.
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"So that no dragon..."
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"...lays a claw on my granddaughter."
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Silence.
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Absolute silence.
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Many dragons stared in disbelief.
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"Anyone..."
The King's voice shook the palace.
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"...who harms her..."
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"...will answer to me."
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The order echoed through every chamber.
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Not everyone accepted it.
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General Varkor lowered his head obediently.
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"...As you command."
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But inside...
His eyes narrowed.
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*"A half-blood cannot inherit dragon blood."*
*"If the King has grown weak..."*
*"Then someone must protect our future."*
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Far away—
Unknown to everyone—
A hooded figure listened from the palace shadows.
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Silver eyes.
Gentle smile.
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"...So she's alive."
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Unlike the others...
The figure smiled with genuine relief.
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"...Little princess."
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The figure quietly disappeared into the darkness.
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Meanwhile—
Back in the eastern village...
Night had fallen.
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Elsa sat alone beside Edward's old backpack.
The flower crown rested beside her.
She carefully opened the worn leather bag.
Inside...
Everything remained exactly as Edward had left it.
His old wooden spoon.
A patched blanket.
A broken compass that never pointed north.
And a folded piece of paper.
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She frowned.
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"...Father?"
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She had never seen this before.
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The paper was addressed in Edward's untidy handwriting.
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**"For Elsa... when you're finally smiling again."**
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Her fingers froze.
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The letter had been in the bag all along.
Waiting.
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Waiting for the day Edward believed she would smile again.
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A single tear rolled down her cheek.
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Slowly...
She unfolded the letter.