A cold wind swept over the vast plains beyond the elementary school, rustling the leaves in the trees as the dragon paced along the edge of the yard. Her wings fluttered with each step, though they were still in the early stages of growth. The vastness of her potential weighed on her shoulders, and the days seemed to slip by faster with each passing moment. It wasn't long now before the blood moon would rise, a night that held significance beyond the reach of her current understanding.

For most, a blood moon was a time when werewolves unlocked their full potential, a night of transformation, power, and danger. For her, it was much the same. It was the night she would finally become a true dragon, a fully fleshed being, no longer tethered to the constraints of her human form. The night she would finally take on her role as the dragon queen. Her wings would unfurl in their entirety, her magic would solidify, and the weight of her responsibilities would become real.

But as much as she had longed for this moment, she couldn't shake the gnawing sense of unease. She was already the Luna of her class, the one who commanded respect and led her friends with ease. But being a queen wasn't something she could grasp so simply. It wasn't just a title—it was a mantle, a burden, one she was unsure if she was ready to bear. A queen didn't just guide her people—she had to rule over them, make decisions that affected entire lives, and lead a kingdom with authority and wisdom.

Could she do that? Would she be strong enough to withstand the pressures of such a life? And even more haunting, could she abandon everything she knew to take on a role that required so much distance?

The thought of leaving her friends, the people who had stood by her through thick and thin, weighed heavily on her heart. They were her family, her support system, and the thought of never seeing them again made her chest tighten in a way she had never experienced before. Her friendships were precious, and the idea of losing them felt like a betrayal of everything she had worked for, everything she held dear.

As the blood moon drew closer, so did her destiny. But with it came the painful realization that the life she had known, the people she had cared for, might soon be lost in the wake of her transformation. And though she had been born to be a queen, a part of her wondered if she could ever truly leave her friends behind.

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"If the skies were able to dream, they would dream of dragons."
― Ilona Andrews, Fate's Edge
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-3rd person pov-

"Hey, Y/N, wanna hang out after school today?" Beli's voice was light and teasing as they made their way down the hall, the last class of the day waiting just ahead. Her question caused Y/N to falter in her steps for a moment, an unexpected heaviness weighing on her chest. She quickened her pace to catch up with her friends, her feet dragging as she wrestled with the storm of thoughts in her mind.

"Umm... I don't think I can..." Y/N stammered, her voice quieter than usual. She could feel the concerned eyes of her friends on her, their attention now solely focused on her.

"Is something wrong?" Donut's voice broke through, sharp with worry as she tilted her head.

Y/N quickly shook her head, forcing a smile. "No, I'm fine. Just... a little busy. I'll catch up with you later, okay?" she mumbled, feeling the familiar weight of guilt settle in her stomach. Without waiting for a response, she hastily walked ahead, eager to escape their prying gazes.

Music class was the one place where she could escape her worries, a solace where she could lose herself in the rhythm of the notes and the melodies that filled the room. Her friends gathered around her, and for a moment, it felt like everything was okay again.

Then, the door creaked open, and Y/N's attention was drawn to the figure standing in the doorway. It was Luke. He hesitated before walking toward her desk, a soft smile on his face as he saw her laughing with her friends. His eyes lingered on her, studying her face as though waiting for some kind of signal. Maybe she hadn't noticed him yet, or maybe she was intentionally ignoring him. Either way, his question would soon be answered.

Y/N turned her head, her gaze meeting his, and just like that, a smile spread across her lips, soft and genuine. The moment their eyes connected, her blood-pink lips curved upward in a smile.

"Oh hey, Luke. What's up?" she asked, her voice warm, but the smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

Luke seemed to stumble for a moment, his expression dazed before he snapped out of it. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I—uhh... do you want to hang out after school?" he stuttered, his voice unsure, as if he had rehearsed this moment a thousand times in his mind but was now unsure of what to do with it.

Y/N's heart dropped a little, the tightness in her chest growing once more. She looked down at her desk, her fingers tracing the edge of her notebook absentmindedly, and for a moment, she wished she didn't have to say what she was about to say. "I'm sorry, Luke, but I can't," she muttered softly, her voice tinged with regret.

Luke's smile faltered, and he nodded slowly, his expression falling. "It's okay. Well... talk to you later," he said, his words barely above a whisper. He turned away, walking back to his seat, his steps heavy as though the weight of her refusal had taken its toll on him.

Y/N watched him go, her chest aching in a way she hadn't expected. She wanted to reach out, to explain, but the words wouldn't come. And so, she let the silence settle over her, burying the turmoil in her heart as best as she could, trying to focus on the music, the only thing that still brought her peace.

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"The hunger of dragons is slow to wake but hard to sate."
― Ursula K. Le Guin, A Wizard of Earthsea
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The warm breeze greeted you as you stepped into your garden, the scent of blooming flowers enveloping you like a soothing blanket. Your heart pounded in your chest, the letter still gripped tightly in your hand. The invitation was tempting, to say the least. A chance to meet idols, perform in Korea, and expand your reach. But the letter's words lingered in your mind, and you couldn't shake the feeling that this offer came with something more, something hidden.

You wandered further into the garden, letting the vibrant colors of the flowers distract you from the swirling thoughts in your mind. The sun was starting to set, casting a golden glow over the petals and leaves around you. The peaceful tranquility of the garden should have calmed you, but instead, it only amplified the weight of your decision.

You sat on one of the stone benches, gazing out at the winding paths and the soft rustling of the trees. Your fingers traced the edges of the letter, and you thought about the danger of your powers. Going to Korea meant potentially losing control of your dragon form, something you weren't sure you could manage, especially with so much at stake. Could you hide it from everyone? Could you hide it from them?

Sighing, you leaned back against the bench, the cool air now carrying a hint of the night's chill. What if this opportunity was your chance to truly prove yourself? What if it was the step you needed to truly embrace your destiny as a dragon queen?

But then again, what if the pressure overwhelmed you? What if the transformation came too soon, in front of people who had no idea what you were capable of? The consequences of your power could be irreversible.

You closed your eyes, the moon beginning to rise above the horizon. It was all so overwhelming, and yet... you couldn't help but feel a pull toward Korea, toward the chance to finally step out of the shadows and make your mark on the world. But what would that mean for you, for your friends, for the life you knew?

The decision weighed heavily on you, and as the soft light of the moon bathed the garden, you knew it was time to face the truth: your journey was just beginning, and whether you were ready or not, your destiny would soon call.

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A/n: short, I know, but I've got an idea for another story, so I'll start on that, but I'll get back on this:)

-Saph