Hildwin

"Elder, we've found a human body washed up on the western coast." Elder Hildwin's brow furrowed at the interruption. Dragon Isle was far from the human world, but occasionally, remnants of human life—broken boards, shattered masts, even sailors' bones—would wash ashore. "Why bring such a matter to me?" Hildwin pondered aloud." Such trivialities were usually handled by the isle's guards. "The body had a letter... addressed to you."

The letter, written in the language of dragons, was accompanied by a blue and white dragon scale. The scale belonged to Curtis, a young dragon who had been Hildwin's most promising protege. Hildwin had high hopes for him, even considering grooming him as his successor. Curtis hadn't disappointed, earning recognition from the elders for his exceptional performance. He had been granted access to some of the Draconis faction's most closely guarded secrets. A thousand years ago, with the aid of the goddess Dura, the dragons had left the mortal lands for Dragon Isle. Before their departure, the goddess had left them with a prophecy: "At the seventh convergence of the astral realms, when the stars fade, the Black Star will approach. As humans roam the earth, dragons roam the heavens, and stars shine above, they shall unite in the face of evil." Though less than a century remained until the prophecy's fulfillment, the dragons' understanding of mortals remained rooted in the distant past. They needed to venture into the mortal world to assess whether today's mortals were worthy of their trust and to monitor the movements of the Hypogeans, watching for signs of the Black Star's descent. Only the most exceptional and loyal dragons could undertake such a task, and Curtis was undoubtedly the best candidate, despite having recently been married. He had volunteered eagerly for the mission, disguising himself and his wife as a human couple to immerse themselves in human life.

Every decade, they returned to Dragon Isle to report their observations to the Council of Elders. Privately, Curtis would regale Hildwin with amusing anecdotes from their time outside of Dragon Isle. Despite their initial bumbling in human society, their cover as wealthy bumpkins had kept their true identities hidden. Curtis was amazed by the determination of mortals; he had met a sailor who, despite his frail body, sailed across treacherous seas with ease.

For decades, they returned together, until the last time, when Curtis returned alone. He joyfully announced that his wife was pregnant. They hoped their child would grow up in human society. Before leaving, Curtis gazed into the distance and posed a question to Hildwin. "Do you think dragons can coexist with mortals?" "You've already proven they can," Hildwin replied. "I mean, the entire Draconis faction... I believe that day will come."

Curtis vanished, never to return to Dragon Isle. Rumors began to spread that Curtis had been swayed by mortals and betrayed the Draconis faction. Some elders demanded he be charged with treason and his reports re-evaluated. On that day, Hildwin's anger erupted, flames licking the roof, only subsiding when the accusing elder withdrew his proposal.

Once he had calmed himself, Hildwin opened the letter brought by the human. "Elder Hildwin, this is my final report to you. I can no longer return as promised..." The letter detailed Curtis' experiences during his disappearance. Giving birth was perilous for dragons of status such as Highborn Dragons, yet fate had not favored them. On the day their child was born, Curtis lost his wife. Dragon eggs couldn't survive long journeys. Curtis had planned to return to Dragon Isle after the egg hatched, but fate had other plans. A group of Rogondins, filled with hatred for Highborn Dragons, raided the town. Knowing his chances of survival were slim, Curtis hastily wrote a letter, plucked a scale as a token, and sent his servant with the infant dragon, disguised in human form, to escape alongside the refugees. Then, he went to find his sailor companion, assuming his dragon form to fend off the enemy.

Hildwin buried the sailor with honors and ordered the dragons hidden among mortals to investigate the infant dragon's whereabouts.

Shortly after, the Black Star fell, the prophecy was fulfilled, and Hypogeans ravaged the earth. Ranhorn City was besieged, catching the Royal Guards unaware. Just as the Hypogeans were about to breach the city, a dragon's roar echoed across the battlefield. A blue and white dragon burst forth, repelling the invading Hypogean army before disappearing into the city. Inside the city, Hildwin pushed open a door and looked at the newly awakened dragon. Descendant of the Draconis, it's time to return!

"You've earned the respect of the dragons. Take pride in that."