David found himself in a dream once more, but this time, it wasn’t the chaos of war that surrounded him. Instead, he was in a tranquil meadow bathed in soft golden light. The grass beneath him felt cool and soft, and the air was warm, carrying a faint floral scent that was both calming and unfamiliar.

He turned his head and saw her—the Jade Dragon. She lay curled beside him, her massive body radiating a sense of strength and protection. Her scales shimmered like polished emeralds, and her eyes, deep and wise, fixed on him with a gaze that felt impossibly ancient yet infinitely kind.

“My darling,” she said, her voice resonating in the air around them. It wasn’t just a sound; it was a presence, a force that seemed to speak directly to his soul. “You must awaken your true self.”

David blinked, the words sinking into his mind like a stone dropping into still water. “My true self?” he repeated, his voice filled with confusion. “What do you mean? Who... what am I?”

The dragon’s gaze softened, and she lowered her head closer to him, her breath warm against his skin. “You are my child,” she said simply. “Born of my flame, destined to carry my legacy. But the time for your awakening has come sooner than I had hoped.”

David frowned, his heart pounding. “Why now? What’s happening?”

Her expression grew somber, her massive wings shifting slightly as though bracing for an unseen threat. “My enemies know of your existence,” she explained. “They fear your power—the power you have yet to discover. They will stop at nothing to capture or kill you, for they know what you are capable of.”

A chill ran down David’s spine. “Enemies? But I’m just a normal kid! I don’t have any power.”

The Jade Dragon let out a low, rumbling sigh. “Not yet,” she said, her tone both gentle and firm. “You have lived as a human, unaware of the truth. But within you lies the dragon flame—the essence of our kind. It sleeps now, but it must awaken.”

David shook his head, his hands gripping the grass beneath him. “I don’t understand. How can I have this... dragon flame? I’m not a dragon.”

“You are,” she said, her voice unwavering. “Your human form is but a shell, a temporary vessel. Within you burns the fire of our lineage. To survive, you must accept the dragon flame into your heart. Only then will you begin to unlock your true potential.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. David’s mind raced, a thousand questions fighting for space in his thoughts. “But how? How do I do that? And what happens if I don’t?”

The dragon’s eyes narrowed slightly, her tone growing serious. “If you do not, you will remain vulnerable. My enemies will sense your flame, even in its dormant state, and they will find you. You cannot fight them as you are now.”

David stared at her, fear and doubt swirling within him. “What if I’m not ready? What if I can’t handle it?”

The Jade Dragon leaned closer, her breath warm and soothing. “You are stronger than you know, my darling. The flame is already a part of you. Accept it, and it will guide you. Reject it, and you risk everything.”

David’s heart pounded in his chest as her words echoed in his mind. “How do I accept it?” he asked softly.

She smiled, a faint, almost motherly expression crossing her features. “You will know when the time comes. Trust yourself, and trust the flame. You are my child, David. And you are destined for greatness.”

The Jade Dragon’s massive wings beat against the air, carrying David effortlessly through the dreamscape. The wind rushed past him, cool and sharp, as he clung to her broad neck. Below them, jagged mountains stretched into the distance, their peaks shrouded in mist. He marveled at the dragon’s size and grace, her emerald scales glinting like polished gemstones in the faint light.

They approached a towering mountain, its summit crowned with a sprawling temple that seemed to emerge from the rock itself. The temple is a testament to ancient craftsmanship, glowed with rich red and gold hues, and its intricate architecture is unmistakably reminiscent of ancient China. Tall columns and ornate roofs rose majestically, their beauty both awe-inspiring and intimidating.

The Jade Dragon descended gracefully, landing in a large courtyard at the base of the temple. She lowered her head, allowing David to slide down to the ground. Her golden eyes fixed on him, calm but commanding.

“Enter and find your flame, my child,” she said, her voice echoing with power. “This place holds the truth of your lineage and the key to your strength.”

David swallowed hard, his heart pounding as he took in the grandeur of the temple. The red and gold decor was vibrant and alive, with banners depicting dragons in flight swaying gently in the breeze. The air was thick with an almost tangible energy as if the temple itself was watching him.

As David stepped through the arched entrance, his eyes were immediately drawn to the intricate and detailed carvings that adorned the stone walls. Each one told a story. Dragons of all shapes and sizes clashed with human warriors, their battles frozen in time by the masterful artistry. The scenes were both mesmerizing and unsettling, the ferocity of the dragons captured so vividly that it felt as though they might leap from the stone.

“What is this place?” David murmured, running his fingers over one of the carvings. The stone was cool to the touch, but it seemed to hum faintly as if it held a memory of the battles it depicted.

The carvings grew more elaborate as he moved deeper into the temple.

One panel showed a dragon shielding a group of humans from a storm of arrows, its wings outstretched in defiance. Another depicted a human warrior wielding a glowing sword, striking down a dragon with a look of grim determination.

The further he ventured, the heavier the air became, the weight of the temple’s history pressing down on him. It was as though the very walls whispered the stories of those who had come before, their voices urging him onward.

Eventually, David came upon a narrow passage carved deep into the mountain. The air was colder, carrying the faint scent of earth and stone. Flickering torches dimly lit the passage, their flames casting dancing shadows on the walls.

With a deep breath, he stepped into the passage, the sound of his footsteps echoing softly in the confined space. The carvings continued here, their themes growing darker and more chaotic. Dragons and humans fought side by side against shadowy figures, their forms twisted and indistinct. The battles depicted here seemed more desperate as if the stakes were far greater.

The cavern was vast, its atmosphere heavy with the weight of ancient power. Statues of great dragons lined the perimeter, each one carved with such exquisite detail that David almost expected them to move. Their eyes seemed to watch him, their expressions regal and stern, as though they were silently judging his every step.

In the center of the cavern stood a large dais, circular and glowing faintly in the flickering light of seven flames. Each flame was distinct in color: green, red, black, white, purple, gold, and silver. They burned steadily, casting vibrant hues across the cavern walls. David’s breath caught in his throat as he stepped closer, the sheer energy radiating from the flames sending a shiver through his body.

The air shifted, and a deep, booming voice echoed through the cavern, powerful and commanding. "Young dragon, choose your flame. Your soul will guide you to the proper one."

David’s breath caught in his throat, his heart pounding as he stared at the flames. Each one seemed to call to him in a different way, their colors vivid and alive. The green flame pulsed with a steady rhythm, calm and grounding. The red burned fiercely, wild and unyielding. The black seemed to consume light itself, mysterious and intense. The white flickered softly, pure and serene. Purple swirled with an almost playful energy, while gold and silver shone with brilliance, exuding strength and clarity.

He hesitated, unsure of what to do. “How am I supposed to know?” he whispered, his voice trembling.

The booming voice answered, calm yet firm. “Your soul will know, young dragon. Do not think with your mind—feel with your heart.”

David closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he tried to push past his fear and confusion. He focused on the warmth of the medallion against his chest, its steady pulse grounding him. Slowly, he allowed himself to relax, letting his instincts take over.

David froze, his heart pounding as he stared at the dais. Each flame seemed alive, its movements hypnotic and deliberate. He could feel them calling to him, each in its own way, but it wasn’t until he let himself relax—letting go of fear and doubt—that the answer became clear.

The purple flame swirled with an energy that was almost playful, its movements fluid and unpredictable. It seemed to beckon him, its light pulsing in time with his own heartbeat. David felt a pull so strong it was almost magnetic, his feet carrying him forward without conscious thought.

His hand trembled as he reached out toward the flame. The moment his fingers touched its edge, a surge of energy coursed through him, filling him with warmth and light. The flame flared brightly, surrounding him in a violet glow that seemed to penetrate his very soul. He felt a rush of emotions—joy, curiosity, courage—all blending together in perfect harmony.

The connection was immediate and undeniable. The purple flame’s energy wasn’t just around him—it was part of him, weaving itself into his being like a thread into fabric. For a brief moment, he felt weightless, suspended in the embrace of the flame’s power.

When the light finally dimmed, David stood there, breathless and changed. The cavern seemed quieter now, the other flames burning as they had before, but the purple flame remained a part of him, its energy humming softly within his chest.

The booming voice returned, filled with approval. "You have chosen, young dragon. The path before you will be one of transformation and discovery. Nurture your flame, and it will reveal your true potential."

David's surroundings seemed to blur as he stepped back from the dais, the powerful energy of the purple flame still coursing through him. His body felt different—lighter, stronger, and somehow alien. He tried to steady himself, but the ground beneath his feet didn’t feel the same. When he glanced down, he froze.

The room around him seemed smaller, the once-lofty cavern now appearing far less imposing. He realized with a jolt that he was walking on four feet, each one ending in gleaming claws. His skin was no longer skin; instead, it was covered in iridescent purple scales that shimmered in the light of the flames.

A rush of awareness swept over him. His body stretched longer and more powerful, his neck arching gracefully as he moved. Wings—strong, leathery, and vast—unfurled instinctively from his sides. He gave them an experimental flap, feeling the air shift around him with a strength he couldn’t have imagined before.

He turned his head, catching a glimpse of himself in the reflective surface of a nearby wall. A dragon stared back at him, regal and magnificent. His heart raced as the realization sank in—this wasn’t just some fleeting vision. This was him.

The light in the cavern intensified as sunlight began to filter down from a now-opened ceiling. The pull to rise, to soar, was undeniable. With a deep breath, David crouched low and leapt, his powerful legs propelling him into the air. His wings beat against the currents, and in moments, he was soaring upward, the cavern falling away beneath him.

As he emerged into the open sky, the sun's brilliance bathed his scales in radiant light, highlighting every iridescent hue. The freedom of flight filled him with exhilaration, and the wind rushed past him like an embrace.

Hovering in the sky before him was the Jade Dragon, her massive form glowing with an almost divine presence. Her eyes softened as she gazed at him, pride and joy radiating from her.

"Child, you are beautiful," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "Your power will transform your human body to suit your new dragon form. This is only the beginning."

She giggled softly, a sound both light and powerful. David tried to respond, but a wave of dizziness swept over him. His vision began to darken, the sky and his mother’s form fading into blackness as the energy within him reached its peak. He felt himself falling—not physically, but into a deep, dreamless void where the transformation continued to unfold.