The next day, Tratan and Junak went to the shrine to attend to business. They had to prepare for the upcoming shrine festival.

            Each year, the priests from each of the shrines would come to the shrine of Oro to present offerings to the Gods. Travelers would also come from all over Avaris to present gifts of their own. To help organize everything, it was decided that holing a festival would be best. This way it gave a designated day for people to bring their offerings.

            This year was no different. People started flocking to the area that surrounded the shrine of Oro. Within days the hotels were packed with tourists and the businesses were desperately trying to accommodate the extra customers.

            “Val! Can you get table two's order?” Bellowed the head waitress.

            “Yes, Madame!” The young waitress replied over the crowded restaurant. She hurried over to the table with pen in hand and asked “What can I get you today gentlemen?”

            “Hi Val!” Junak said merrily.

            “Oh, Hi Junak! I almost didn't recognize you guys. It has been so busy this year. I think it is because the shrine is under construction. Usually everyone is waiting in line at the shrine to view the Princess, but because of the construction they can't. When do you think it will reopen?”

            “Well... the construction should be finished by the end of the month” Tratan replied casually.

            “Great! So what can I get you two to eat?”

            They placed their order, ate, and then they returned to the busy shrine. They greeted visitors and checked on the preparations for the festival. They wanted everything to go smoothly, but they feared that it would not. They were afraid that the Princess would ruin the festival and they didn't know how to avoid it.

            The week passed without incident and the festival took place as planned. Visitors traveled from all corners of Avaris to attend the festivities. Among them were four whose appearance was vastly different from the rest. Their appearance would have gone unnoticed if they hadn't gathered together. The other visitors to the shrine couldn't help but notice them and within a short period of time they became the center of attention.

            When Tratan and Junak came across the crowd, they couldn't help but be intrigued. They made their way through the crowd to see what was going on. When they reached the center, they came face to face with the unusual visitors.

            Tratan quickly turned around to address the crowd. “May I have your attention please!” He called out over the crowd. “I'm afraid that you all have to move along, because you are blocking the path. If you are curious as to what is taking place right now, there is a demonstration that is about to take place in the garden behind the main building. There are also many booths along the paths to the outlying buildings that have games and food. If you have any questions regarding the events that are taking place, you can ask at any of the information booths located near each of the buildings. We hope you enjoy the festival!” The crowd then silently and slowly dispersed.

            “Thank you, very much for your help” the lady with blue hair and eyes said politely.

            “Mi!” the man with red hair and eyes called out. “Why are you thanking him?”

            “Because he helped us, Su” she replied in a matter of fact tone. She then turned her attention to Tratan and Junak. “Please forgive him for his manners. My name is Mi and these are my friends. The gentleman with red hair and eyes, as you probably already heard, is Su, the lady with white and hair and eyes is Ko, and the gentleman with green hair and eyes is To.”

            Tratan and Junak couldn't help but be mesmerized by the group. Their appearances were so unique that anyone would be entranced. It took a moment before Tratan regained his train of thought and said “It would probably be best not to stay in one place for too long. I'm afraid that you might attract a crowd again.”

            Suddenly, a voice called out from behind the young men. “Sorry I'm late! I tried to get off sooner, but they wouldn't let me go.”

            Tratan and Junak turned around and were surprised to see Val running towards them.

            “Val?” Junak uttered, surprised to see the young waitress.

            “Junak? Tratan? What are you doing here?”

            “You know these young ones, Val?” Su questioned pressingly.

            Val was shocked into silence at the sight of Tratan and Junak standing with the group of travelers. She didn't know how to react to the situation.

            Junak slowly approached Val and placed his hands on her shoulders “Are you alright?”

            Coming to her senses, she said “Yes, I'm fine. I was just surprised to see you all together.”

            “We ran into a little bit of trouble,” Mi said as she also approached Val. “but these young gentlemen helped us out.”

            “I see... Maybe we should have met somewhere a little less crowded.”

            “Don't worry about it, Val. We're fine” Mi stated reassuringly. “This happens all the time. We've gotten used to it.” Mi smiled at Val, and then she leaned in closer and whispered “We didn't know you had a boyfriend.”

            Val jumped back in shock. She blushed and started stuttering. “What are you talking about?”

            Mi and the rest of the group of travelers started to laugh, but Tratan and Junak were both dumbfounded by the situation.

            Val grabbed Mi by the arm and began dragging her back to the group. “We should get going. There is a lot we need to do” she looked over her shoulder and called back towards the two young men. “I'll see you guys later!”

            Tratan and Junak were both confused. They had no idea what had just happened. When they finally regained their composure, they returned to their festival duties.

            Once Val and the group of travelers were far enough away from the ears of onlookers, Val took a deep breath and let out a sigh of relief. She then turned and faced the group. “What were you all thinking? You know you attract a lot of attention, so why didn't you guys try...”

            “Val! Relax!” Su interrupted her. “Like you said, we know that we attract attention, but... we don't mind it. I know that when we created this arrangement, we said that we wanted to be left alone, but the truth is we were just afraid. We didn't know what humans were like and we were afraid that they would try to harm us. I'm pretty sure that if we were in our true forms, they would try, but... I'll be the first to admit that we never even gave them a chance.”

            “I think it is kind of funny how they all gather around us. Especially when we are all together” Ko giggled.

            Mi approached Val. “Things have changed, Val. We all have changed. Years ago, we wouldn't even have considered changing our form, but now...” she paused and looked around at the others. “Val,... We don't hibernate like we used to. All of us tend to come out of our caves from time to time.”

            Val's eyes widened with surprise. She slowly turned around and said rather somberly “We should get going. Don't forget that we still have to get to the cave without attracting attention.”

            The group's joyful mood was crushed by her words. They stared at her stately back as she started walking away and reluctantly followed. They made their way to a secluded area beneath the shrine of Oro's tomb. Once they were certain that there were no onlookers, the four travelers and Val began to transform.

            The four travelers all collapsed onto their hands and knees as their bodies began to morph. Their hands and feet began to swell and their heads sprouted large horns. Their bodies grew larger and their faces became elongated. Finally and instantaneously, great wings the color of their hair burst forth from their backs. The four travelers were no longer human; they were dragons.

            Val's transformation was not as drastic, although great purple wings did sprout forth from her back. The only other change in her appearance was the color of her hair and eyes. They changed as though they were being dyed and they matched the wings upon her back. If anyone was to look upon her now, there would be no mistaking who she was; Valora.