THE LOST MAGIC KINGDOM

Kael's hand still tingled where the map had once been. The faint glow of its runes had faded, but a strange warmth lingered beneath his skin, as though something had been awakened. He glanced at Erya, whose eyes were narrowed, suspicious.

Before either of them could speak, the figure in the mist stepped closer. He was cloaked in dark robes, his face shadowed by a hood. But it wasn't the figure's appearance that caught Kael's attention. It was the sudden, sharp light emanating from his hand—the symbol glowing faintly.

The figure froze, his gaze locking onto the glow. His lips parted in shock.

"No way…" he whispered under his breath.

Kael's pulse quickened. "What?" he asked, his voice tight with confusion.

Erya stepped closer to Kael, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. She eyed the stranger warily, then turned to Kael. "What's going on?"

The figure's eyes stayed fixed on Kael's hand as he took a step back, clearly unnerved. He spoke slowly, as if trying to understand what he was seeing. "I didn't think it would choose him…"

"Who are you?" Erya demanded, her voice stern, as she moved to stand beside Kael. "And what do you mean by 'it'?"

The stranger straightened, his expression becoming serious as he looked them both over. "I'm Calen," he said, his voice steady now. "And that mark on your hand, Kael—it's no ordinary symbol. It's the mark of the Last Dragon."

Kael blinked, stunned. "The Last Dragon?"

Calen nodded, his gaze never leaving Kael's hand. "Yes. The map you hold, the one that led you here—it's not just a guide. It's an ancient artifact, created to choose the heir of the Dragon's power. And it has chosen you."

Erya stepped forward, her brow furrowing in disbelief. "A dragon? That's just a legend. Dragons don't exist."

Calen's eyes darkened, his voice low. "Oh, they existed, all right. But they were sealed away long ago, after the fall of Eryndor. The magic of the dragons was too dangerous, too unpredictable. That's why it was hidden—why it was locked away. But now, the magic has found a way to return."

Kael felt a wave of unease wash over him, but it was overshadowed by an overwhelming surge of excitement. "You mean… I have the power of a dragon?"

Calen's expression turned grave. "Yes, but it's not a gift to be taken lightly. You're not just wielding power. You are the vessel for it. The power of transformation, of strength, of fire. But with it, comes a great responsibility."

Kael's heart raced. "I can transform? Into a dragon?"

Calen nodded, though there was a warning in his eyes. "You can. The symbol you bear marks you as the one who can channel the dragon's essence. You'll be able to shift—grow into a mighty dragon, as large as mountains. Or shrink down to the atomic level, where you are virtually invisible, yet still just as powerful. The choice is yours. The power is yours to command."

Kael's breath caught in his chest. "A dragon… That's incredible."

"It is," Calen agreed, though his voice was tinged with caution. "But the power of a dragon is not something to be controlled easily. You will need to master it. It feeds on your emotions—anger, fear, desire. If you lose control, the power will overwhelm you."

Kael's excitement faltered slightly, but his resolve hardened. "I can control it. I have to."

Erya watched them both, her sword still loosely in her grip. "And what do you want, Calen? Why are you here?"

Calen's gaze shifted from Kael to Erya, and for a moment, his expression softened. "I'm not here to help you. I'm here because I must. The power you've unlocked, Kael, will attract those who would use it for their own ends. You'll need to be prepared. There are forces at play that you don't understand. And I can teach you how to fight them, how to control the power inside you before it consumes you."

Kael looked at him, his determination growing. "I don't care what it takes. I'll learn. I'll do whatever it takes to control this."

Calen gave him a small, almost imperceptible nod. "We'll see. But first, we need to get to safety. The journey ahead is long, and you'll need to rest and prepare."

With that, Calen turned and led them through the mist, toward a small cottage hidden at the edge of the forest. The warm glow of the hearth inside was a welcome relief from the cold night air. As they entered, Calen motioned toward a table covered with maps, books, and scrolls.

"Sit," he said firmly. "We need to plan. And you," he turned to Kael, "need to learn. If you're to survive what's coming, you must understand what you've unleashed."

Kael nodded and sat at the table, his heart still racing. He could feel the weight of destiny upon him. The power of a dragon. A gift—yes—but also a curse. His mind was swirling with questions, with doubts. But one thing was clear.

He had no choice but to move forward. To embrace this power and learn how to control it.

The fire crackled in the hearth as the night deepened, and Kael, Erya, and Calen began to prepare for the journey ahead.