Surprised by Tratan's words, all Valora could do was stand silent.

            After seeing her reaction, Junak tried to offer her some words of comfort. “Even though the people believe you are dead, they still come to the shrine because they... love you. They believe you died for them and they want to honor your sacrifice. The people of Avaris care about you. I... care about you.”

            Tratan gently grabbed Junak's arm and quietly whispered to him. “Junak,...I think that is enough.”

            “No! It is not nearly enough!” He screamed as he tore his arm free from Tratan's grasp. He took a deep breath and confidently strode towards Valora. He looked her in the eyes, grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer to him. Then he leaned in and kissed her. “I love you” he breathed as he released her from his embrace.

            After witnessing Junak's confession, the four dragons and Tratan quietly excused themselves. Valora looked in Junak's eyes and instantly knew he was serious. Her heart began to beat faster and her face blushed. “Junak... I don't think this is the right time to be discussing this.”

            “And when would the right time be? After you go back to sleep?” Junak spitefully asked.

            “I didn't... That's not... Junak...”

            Regaining his composure, Junak looked in her eyes and spoke tenderly “I understand, Valora. I know what you were trying to say, but... I can't help it. I don't want to wait. I have to know how you feel.”

            Valora smiled and approached the nerve wracked young man. She lifted his chin with her hand and sweetly said “I know what you mean, Junak. You can't help but wonder what the person you love feels for you.” She leaned in and kissed him. “Junak, I have been in love with you since the first time you spoke to me while I 'slept'.”

            Junak's eyes widened. It took a few moments for what she had said to hit him. When he realized how she truly felt, he shouted with joy. Then he grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her into the air.

            The four dragons and Tratan could hear Junak's excitement from the distance. “It seems like they worked everything out.” Mizu playfully teased.

            Tratan smiled sadly “Yeah. I'm happy for them.”

            “You don't seem too happy” Sunog interjected.

            Although Sunog's comment startled him, Tratan smiled. “Junak has always loved her. You see, ever since he was young he has been having dreams of her. He always hoped that she would wake up. I, on the other hand, never really cared if she were to wake. Honestly, I was never really bothered by the whole situation, until now.” He fell silent for a moment. “I'm ashamed of my indifference. I wish I had cared more... about my duties... responsibilities... The truth is I don't think I've ever really felt any strong emotions.” He turned around and looked back at the empty space behind him. “Watching how much Junak cared for her... how much he was willing to risk to tell her what he felt... It made me realize how empty I was.” He turned and faced the dragons and smiled tenderly. “I really am happy for them.”

            “Well, we now have a bit of a dilemma” Sunog sighed. The dragons looked at one another and then nodded.

            “Why is that?” Tratan asked.

            Valora and Junak exited the shrine's courtyard hand in hand and froze as their gaze fell upon the dragons before them. Valora nervously pulled her hand away from him and Junak was at a loss for words.

            “Valora,” Mizu spoke softly “We need to have a word with you in private.” The dragons transformed once more and headed for the tomb of Oro.

            “Valora?” Junak grabbed her hand again.

            “It’s alright Junak, I’ll be right back” she smiled reassuringly before transforming and following after the dragons. Once inside the tomb, she asked “What’s going on?”

            “I think it is time you learned the truth” Sunog said.

            “The truth? About what?”

            Mizu approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “You are not bound by the same fate as us, Valora.”

            “What?” Valora was shocked “But my father said…”

            “He was mistaken” Kōri interrupted. “The truth is…you are very different from us.”

            “Why? How am I so different?” she screamed.

            “The fate of dragons” Sunog began explaining “is to live a secluded life. Our fate is directly tied to the lands of Avaris. Should we die, the lands we call home would fall to ruin.”

            “If that is the case, then why hasn’t Oro fallen to ruin? The Great Dragon Oro was killed by my father over a thousand years ago.”

            “That is because you father took the blood of Oro into his own body. In turn, he became Oro’s substitute and was bound to the dragon’s fate.”

            “But I was born of the dragon’s blood” Valora reasoned. “Shouldn’t I also be bound to the dragon’s fate?”

            “That is where you are different” Mizu smiled. “You were born with dragon’s blood. You did not willingly take it into your body like your father did. As such, you do not share the fate of dragons. You are free to live a life amongst the people you hold dear.”

            “What is the use of such a life, if they are bound to die long before I do?”

            Sunog approached Valora and asked “Do you truly care for that young man?” Valora looked up in surprise and then nodded. “Then you can offer him your blood.”

            “My blood?” she scramed. “But if I do that…”

            “Your blood is free of the cursed dragon’s fate. If he drinks your blood, you will be able to spend the rest of your lives together” Sunog smiled.

            Valora collapsed to the floor after they had finished explaining everything. Then she looked up in shock “Then what of my father? If he is bound by the dragon’s fate…” Suddenly, a noise from deep within the tomb was heard. Valora turned to face the empty cavern and her eyes widened in shock.

            “My precious daughter Valora.”