The parade proceeded with no difficulties. The sun is about to set and the stalls are starting to light up. Instead of a parade, it became more like a procession. The knights mounted on their respective horses continued to put their guards up.
The citizens lined up beside the streets, solemnly looking at us with candles in their hands.
“Grandpa, is it always this solemn?”
Grandpa looked outside and thought to himself, “Hmmmmm. No, usually people would be applauding and would excitedly light their candles. But because of the-“
“Because of the incident where the dragon stone could no longer provide fertility to every part of the empire and the increasing number of barren lands, the atmosphere became different?” I continued.
Grandpa chuckled behind me, “No one would ever dare cut me off,” He looked down at me with a teasing smile on his face then he looked outside once again.
“But you are right. What the people need now is hope. The kind of hope that could be found through the existence of another dragon.”
“Will the problem about the barren lands be solved if more dragons will be born?” I asked genuinely. I don’t seem to understand how additional dragons would contribute to the fertility of the lands.
“Well, think about it Fliz. How does the existence of a dragon affect our surroundings?” Again, he looked at me with a twinkle in his eyes.
I was asking because I don’t know the answer, but now he’s asking me back. Hmmph. Okay, I’ll think carefully.
“The dragon stone contributes to the fertility of the empire. Dragon stones came from dragons? Do dragons contribute to life?”
“Yes and no. But you did well, especially when this topic was not yet included in your classes with Fae. Dragon stones do come from dragons. They come from their own realm. And dragons don’t just contribute life, they are life.”
“They are… life?”
“Yes, they are life itself. People around the world would think this is only a myth but since we have dragons in our midst, we confirmed that this is true.”
“What is true grandpa?”
“Dragons are the reason why humans and other living organisms exist. The more dragons reside in our world, the more abundant it will become.”
“So, they are like gods?”
“They are gods, little one.”
“So Blue, Niveus, and Alaric are all gods?”
“Yes they are, but they are not all-powerful like the black dragon since they are not from royalty.”
“In the story, the black dragons became red because of our blood.”
“That is true. Black dragons are the royalties of the dragon realm. But they could not fully appear in our world. Except for the black dragon that Emperor Benedict found. It was never really discussed how it was possible that he fully appeared here. But black dragons could not appear in our world in their full glory, or we will be wiped out.”
“So for them to appear in our world, they must be bonded with us and thus they will turn red?”
“Yes, that is the case.”
There are still so many questions lingering inside my mind but I did get most of the answers I want. Dragons are gods, they are life itself. Black dragons are royalties and would turn red if they appear in our world. The more dragons, the more abundant the world will become.
“Hmmm, grandpa are there other people of imperial blood except for us and the dukes? And what if the dukes summon their own dragons?”
“To answer your first question, yes there are other people out there with imperial blood. Since only the direct line of descendants of the throne are strict with whom they marry to preserve our blood. But other branches of our family can marry who they want to.”
“I somehow know where your question is heading, but sad to say the dukes could not summon a dragon nor other people with imperial blood. The dragons will not heed their calls since the covenant between Emperor Benedict and the black dragon only states that those who are direct descendants of the throne could summon one.”
That’s too bad, I thought if all of the people with imperial blood would have their dragons then the problem at hand would be solved right?
“Also, there are consequences if all of the people with imperial blood have a dragon.” Grandpa looked at me with a serious expression, “You know what I’m talking about, right?”
“Yes, there is a huge possibility that people will abuse their power.”
“Good, you are aware.”
The carriage then stopped at the center of the city where a podium is set. No one made a move, no one went out of their carriages.
“Oh, right. They are all waiting for me to step out first. Shall I escort you outside, my dear princess?”
With that, grandpa went out and offered his hand to me outside the carriage, so I grabbed it gracefully and allowed him to assist me outside.
“Thank you, your majesty,” I smiled up at him as he picked me up and carried me towards the podium. I saw others follow and went out of their respective carriages. People surrounded the podium as they bowed reverently. Waiting for us to fill the chairs prepared for the imperial family up at the podium.
The nobles went to their respective chairs but no one sat down yet.
The sun has now completely set and the orbs and torches are now our sources of light. The streets were also filled with lights, and so were the stalls. The citizens continued holding their respective candles. All in all, the surroundings are not dark compared to what I thought they would be.
I looked at the center of the podium, there were familiar writings on the floor and torches encircling the writings. A table was placed in front of the circle with three goblets on it.
Why does this setup look familiar?
Grandpa put me beside him as he gave his speech, but I pay no mind. I’m still wondering where I have seen this kind of setup before.
Grandpa ended his speech and told everyone to be seated so the people applauded while sitting down, then Lord Magician Zyde prepared something inside the goblet.
Lucil, Ashen, Emilia, and William followed behind Zyde while carrying Ashnor, Ashwin, and Nix. Nix was carried by Emilia while William supported her from behind. The twins were carried each by their parents.
Now I remember where I first saw this kind of setup. It was one of my dreams when I was younger. Although, in the dream, the ceremony was held indoors.
Zyde started chanting.
“We present this blood in front of thee,”
“…as a symbol of peace and unity.” I chanted at the same time.
“With this blood, give heed unto our plea, to continue to lead and guide this world, these people.”
“With this blood, we call upon the greatest of all the greats.” This time grandpa looked at me questioningly.
“With this blood, we call upon the realm of the dragons. We humbly ask thee to bestow us a gift.”
“We humbly ask thee to bestow us a gift…” I also ended.
Grandpa’s stare never left me as Zyde pulled out a dagger and slit the boys’ hands as their parents supported them. I can sense them sharing their pain with their parents.
The wind blew hard but the candles and torches never went out.
“How… did you know the chant, Fliz?”
I looked at grandpa to answer but then the wind blew harder and all of us can feel the ground shaking.
And with that, the writings on the floor lit up and I can see them floating up into the air as they reached the sky. The sky then lit up much brighter as if the sun went back up.
We all closed our eyes then we heard a roar.
“All hail the dragons!” We all heard Zyde give his praises as three dragons descended.