"No one can go back and make a new start, but everyone can start today and make a new end."

Maria Robinson, American writer (child psychology)

"Are you absolutely sure about this, Shinpu-sama?"

"Yes, Yak-Shi Heika, I've already made my decision."

"But, Shinpu-sama, when the other Dragon Warriors left the Castle after my father's death and scattered in the inland of Kouka Kingdom, you were the only one who chose to stay. If you leave now, you leave us unprotected at the mercy of Who will protect the Kingdom that my father built so much effort and struggle? "

"Yak-Shi Heika, my brothers and I were the first to respond to the call of the Four Dragons Gods for the salvation of their brother, King Hiryuu, your father, and we have always been committed to protecting him with our lives . "

"Shinpu-sama ..."

"When he died, our mission was completed. After the incident with Seiryuu, it was necessary to leave the Castle, the enemy wishing the forces of the Warriors Dragons at all costs, and this puts the Kingdom in jeopardy, so my brothers left , without saying goodbye to anyone. "

"But , ..."

"I stayed, I had to stay, for twenty years I protected you all, for twenty years I kept your faith and your hopes alive, my services are no longer necessary, not even my brothers."

"The Kouka Kingdom needs you, Shinpu-sama, I need you, I'm not ready for such a great responsibility."

"Yak-Shi Heika, I know you from the day you were born, I was next to you every moment of your life, I watched you grow up as the time passed, you would not be a king if I did not think you were ready to take up the duties and believe me, there is no more worthy successor to King Hiryuu by his own son, you. "

"Thank you, I will not betray your trust in my face."

"I have absolutely no doubt about it."

The two men walked on the corridors leading to the empty courtyard of the palace when they began this conversation.

Yak-Shi was a serious young man who trusted the advice of the Royal Priest and took care of the security of the kingdom. He had dark eyes and long, straight black hair that was loosely tied behind his back. He wore a long purple robe with golden edges and a gray kimono with a black obi inside. A simple gold diadem with precious stones was embroidering his head. The King's Apparel.

To his right was his interlocutor: a young man at the end of his teenage years with blue eyes and hair more golden than the sun. He wore a simple gray mantle that covered his whole body and brown boots.

When they eventually reached the main gate of the wall, they stopped walking and stared for a few minutes in the awkward silence. The emotions were mixed from both sides. They knew each other for a lifetime. For different reasons everyone suffered from this farewell. However, something must be done last and necessary.

The blonde teen slowly removed a necklace made of alternating, round burgundy and blue oval beads from his neck. And in the center a golden disc with the drawing of a dragon on it.

His most precious treasure. The last memento from his unique family. King Hiryuu entrusted him with this necklace with the promise to be with him forever.

And, with a heavy heart, he handed it over to his son's benefactor.

"Before I left, I took care of a new Royal Priest, please give it to Yak-Shi Heika immediately."

"But, Shinpu-sama, is my father's gift, it has to mean so much for you. Why?"

"Your father was particularly dear to his people as God and man, and his early death is still fresh in the hearts of all of us." Your citizens need a symbol that will keep their memory alive and their divine existence The necklace is the best choice, deliver it immediately to my successor. "

After a few minutes, Yak-Shi reluctantly accepted the necklace.

"Goodbye, Yak-Shi Heika, I'm sure you will give the Kouka Kingdom a future worth your father's expectations."

With these words, the blonde teen left the Castle in the direction of the unknown before looking back for the last time. There was nothing to keep him there anymore. It was time to turn a page. Soon, it was lost in the dense forest of the mountain valley of the Imperial Capital city of Kuuto.

As he watched the adolescent figure disappear into the forest, Yak-Shi poured a lonely tear, knowing that he would never see his trusted mentor again. His best friend.

"Goodbye ... Ouryuu Zeno."

The sun was soaking and Zeno had already moved away from the Kuuto. He decided, therefore, to rest for the night near a river and drink some water before continuing his journey the next day.

As he filled his flask with water, he noticed his reflection. His appearance has not changed at all since he drank the Yellow Dragon's blood.

A frozen figure in time.

However, something else caught his attention. Something completely wrong. Which should not have been there.

He reached his right hand in the mantle and revealed the unique asset he was carrying with him.

The necklace given to him by King Hiryuu.

Zeno clearly remembered that he handed it over to Yak-Shi immediately after his departure from the Castle.

However, as a game of fate, the necklace returned to its possession as magic.

He could not understand.

Was it the wish of King Hiryuu?

Or the necklace itself wanted to remain in the hands of Zeno?

It was not time to think of such things at this time.

He had to go ahead.

It had been only five months since Zeno left the Castle and headed north to the Fog Forest.

Its destination was the Village of the White Dragon, a village hidden under the mountains between the boundaries of the Earth Tribune and the Fire Tribune .

The homeland of Hakuryuu Guen.

The home of his older brother.

The truth was that he did not intend to visit this place. His consciousness did not allow him.

It was too late to make good.

His brothers died. They combined their king in the Heavens.

And that's why he would suffer for a lifetime.

But the reason that led him to the village was completely different.

Although his brothers had died, he still felt the bond they shared through the dragon's blood.

But why ? There were only four Dragon Warriors, of whom he was the only one alive. How is that possible ?

He had to check it out immediately.

Arriving at the village, he was watching from a safe distance the image in front of him.

The village was relatively small, with a few small houses made of stone walls and covered roofs, which were scattered around the area.

The larger house seemed to belong to the village leader.

Or to the current owner of the Dragon's power.

The main source of water came from a small lake adjacent to a huge tree and some of the food pores came from the rice, tea and vegetable crops on the valley terraces.

The residents had the same white hair color in different shades. They also wore similar garments that consisted of a white robe with blue patterns on the edges, covered with a short white mantle.

And then he saw it: in the center of a small group of villagers there was a young boy with white hair and turquoise eyes. His right hand was full of white scales, and he had long naughty nails.

The Dragon's Claws.

The power by which the White Dragon blessed his chosen warrior in order to protect King Hiryuu.

That guy like Guen.

Probably his son.

But as his attention was fully focused on the new Hakuryuu, his presence was felt, for the boy's gaze was now nailed to him.

Zeno ran away, just as the assault on the intruders meant. Unfortunately, two village archers have spotted him and managed to injure him on the shoulder, so he plunged down the slope.

When he was sure he was not following him, he relied on the trunk of a tree and drew the arrow off his shoulder. He hurt, but he did not last for long, as his wound was cured immediately.

The Power of the Yellow Dragon.

Or rather, a part of it.

"I will be waiting. Not matter how many years pass, even if I become old man."

These were Guen's words the last time he saw him twenty years ago.

The last time he saw him alive.

The last time he heard his voice.

This memory brought more tears to Zeno's eyes.

"I am an idiot ... Nobody's here anymore. And yet I repent now ..."

"... because when I had the opportunity, I did not."

After the event in the White Dragon Village, Zeno did not have the courage to visit the Villages of the Blue and the Green Dragon.

His guilt would have tainted him even more and he did not want to risk it.

So he continued his journey to the land of the Earth's Race for another three months, until his way led him to the coastal city of Awa.

The city was a busy harbor for ships and boats that transported goods from the Kouka Kingdom to foreign countries. The traditional style houses were mostly two-storeyed and covered with a tiled roof. At the dock, a small beacon stood near the edge.

On the waterfront merchants from different countries had set up a large open market where they competed with loud voice, praising the quality of their products.

There, almost everything could be found: clothes, jewelry and decorative items, to household goods, toys, weapons and food.

Having run out of supplies after months of endless travel, Zeno approached the nearest food counter.

A middle-aged petty-haired businesswoman received him with a wide smile. From her clothes she understood that it came from the Kingdom of Xing.

"Good morning, how can I help you?"

"Good morning, oba-sama, I would like some rice and fresh vegetables, please. I have been traveling lately and I still have a long way to go. "

"Of course, the best for the first customer of the day."

It did not take a long time for businesswoman to fill two bags of rice and vegetables and deliver it to her customer.

"Here, all together make us 10 Ling."

Zeno paid the corresponding amount and picked up the bags. However, there was an extra bag in his shopping.

"Sorry oba-sama, but I did not buy fruit."

"They are mocked by me." You do not meet polite young travelers every day, and you are in development, and you have to eat properly. "

"Thank you very much, oba-sama."

"Good trip, young man, and if your way brings you back to Awa, just off my bench, whatever goodies you get is free."

"Okay, I'll keep it in mind."

Having secured his food supplies, Zeno decided to take a look at the other benches, if there was something useful that he could buy.

"Ouch !"

With his attention focused on the traders' merchandise, he did not notice the man who was a few meters ahead of him, dropping over him.

"Gomen nasai, sir, are you all right?"

The man stood up, giving Zeno the opportunity to observe his features better.

He was an elderly, relatively tall, with long gray hair and equally long beard, wearing a gray robe with a pointed hat and resting on his rod. His clothing did not correspond to any kingdom known to Zeno. Also, his aura was anything but human.

Just like his own.

Good morning, friends readers!

Set the first chapter of my new story. It took more words than I calculated, but I'm happy with the result. I hope you like it .

Sorry for the delay of the story "Whoever loves, believes in the impossible". I have received a lot of stunts in the last few days. I will make sure to correct, so show a little more understanding, please. You will not regret it.

• Translations •

• Shinpu-sama = honorary term when addressing priests

• Heika = Majesty

• Ouryuu = Yellow Dragon

• Hakuryuu = White Dragon

• Oba-sama = kind lady

• Gomen nasai = I'm so sorry

~ Next time ~