PROLOGUE

In the gloaming forest by the dragons' lair rest the creatures that guard it by day. The night is silent and the robust trees are steady when all at once the pitter-patter sound of footsteps disturbs the stillness of the night. The wood fairies sprout from the trees and peep out to see what's causing the disturbance. The maiden sweating from her loose, white, nightdress is gasping for air as she frantically runs away. She is carrying something in her arms and it is wrapped around a thick, blue fabric. 

Her gasp for breath and solemn plea is not to be mistaken by the wood fairy she knows. But as the fairy attempts to approach, she is terrified by a huge, monstrous shadow flying around the forest.

The maiden runs into the middle of the woods where the full moon illuminates best. She removes the blue hood on her head, uncovering a quite charming face that glimmers under the moonlight sky. The wind brushes her face and reveals the shining birth mark beside her right eye.

She sits on her knees and carefully places the object she's carrying on the ground. She uncovers it and smiles seeing the figure of a baby from the bluish-red egg shining under the moon's rays. 

She gently touches the shell and feels the heartbeat that screams its connection to her. "My Amira, though you remind me of the man I loathe the most, I still love you." Tears start to flow from her eyes, remembering the miserable and forceful days and nights with the creature she despises the most. "I hope you forgive me, but I only wish for you not to grow into the beast your father is and end the evilness of his kind." 

The maiden closes her eyes and emits gleaming light throughout her body, reflecting lights to the egg as well. The necklace with a sparkling red gem detaches itself from her neck and floats above her. She leans closer and whispers, "Let my spirit wrap this precious gem and hide it inside you until the time comes for you to right the wrong."

She kisses her baby's shell before her tears and mumbles, "Amira, mi caram puero. Protege et custodiat missing piece of magicae."

The wheeling of the dragon nearby and the rumbling waves from a not-so-far distance reach her ears. Feeling the need to be in a hurry, she composes herself and summons a sharp stake on her hand. "Forgive me but I have to do this," she mumbles and raises the pointed stake, putting it in between her palms. 

The moon is bright in the night sky but as she starts uttering an oration, it suddenly turns bloody. 

"Tieru kun tieru de. Sube kun Zubere, asti loste aveda he! (Way of calling the higher gods' protection). I swear to every god who's watching me, I swear in the ears of each of them that hears me... unless my child possesses the purest of the hearts, she's not to transform into the dragon she is to become." As the moon turns completely red, she strikes her heart with the pointed stake that slowly takes the life out of her. Tear drops on her left eye as her turning-cold body falls to the ground. A few heavy breaths and she's gone. 

The egg elevates in the air and merges with the glowing gem. As it completely becomes one, it plops and turns shady.

The ocean rumbles and anger settles at the far end of the valley. The sympathizing clouds cover the moon and pour tears heavily. 

Suddenly, a large, dominating dragon lands on the ground and shifts to its draconian form- human-like yet with sun-kissed scales around his bare body. He kneels to the ground and examines the lifeless being before him. His big, square hand travels through the maiden's beautiful face and afterward notices the seemingly dull and dormant egg. He grabs it and embraces it on his forearms. After which, he leaves.