Prologue.

Kayda, the Mother Dragon smiles as she watches Lilliana and Drake sleeping soundly, finally enjoying a brief moment of peace after such struggles. For a time, she was worried for them but now she stands proudly, watching as the world around them continues to come alive with magic once more.

             However, she can sense a building darkness, hidden from her sight and an unease begins to spread within her. She wonders what this will mean for the young leaders as they learn how to manage their people while also learning to control their ability.

             As this feeling builds within her Kayda decides to break her silence and she reaches out to Lilliana through her dreams.

             “Congratulations daughter of dragons, may you be happy your life long and rule with a fair and just hand. Beware, for you have enemies waiting to strike and take advantage of your weaknesses. Be strong and follow your convictions. I will be watching, always.”

             “Kayda?”

             She turns to the sound of her name and sees Aethon the Great Fire Horse walking towards her, his flaming mane and tail flowing behind him.

             “What are you doing? I thought we weren’t to interfere with the humans before the time limit was up?”

             “Aethon, since when do you address me so informally? Or indeed question my decisions.”

             Her glare has him slowing his steps to approach her cautiously. He stands beside her and looks down upon the humans living their lives, blissfully unaware of the deeper truths of the world.

             “My apologies great Mother, but is it not true that we made that agreement after we chose to step away and leave them to make their own choices and mistakes?”

             She scowls and he cowers for just a moment before regaining his composure once more.

             “You are right of course that we agreed not to interfere with their decisions. But what I did just now was simply congratulate my young successor on making the right choices so far.”

             “But still, you have now revealed your presence to her. Do you not think that this will affect how she makes her decisions going forward? And also, that warning you gave her, it borders on revealing the future which is in breach of the agreement.”

             “All I did was advise her to be aware of potential threats. I told her nothing of the future. Can you honestly stand there and tell me that I have broken my vow to remain neutral?”

             He hangs his head in supplication in response to her rising anger.

             “No great Mother, I apologise that my words may have suggested such a thing.”

             “Hmpf.”

             She huffs and turns away to watch her charges once more, but then another thought occurs to her.

             “Tell me Aethon, do you truly believe that boy deserves the gift that lays dormant within him?”

             She points with her claw and draws Aethon’s gaze to the young man below who is struggling with this pain and anger. Concern mars the gods features as he takes note that she is not pleased with the boy for his actions up to this point.

             “Please great Mother, I know he has not acted as calmly or justly as a good leader should, so far. But I do trust that he will surprise you when he can access his true self. He is simply lost and needing to find his way, but I believe he can do it.”

             “Is that so? Well, we best hope you are right, because now that Lilliana has unlocked her Dragon, she has triggered the awakening of all her people and the rest of Zodia is quickly following. The time will soon come when your champion will be tested and if he fails then it could mean the disruption of the balance forever.”

             “I understand. He won’t fail, I’m sure of it.”

             She nods and looks away, ending the conversation as she thinks about what has been before and what will be coming now.

             900 years ago, they gave the people the means to access the power within. They also left them with the guidance they needed to keep that power strong within them.

             ‘Respice in oculis tuis, optatum unum. Si videbis in eadem anima, anhelanti, amorem te supplex, te, inveni vestri soulmate habebo, qui complet te. Si non, tunc ambulare in aeternum.’

             The translation is.

             ‘Look into the eyes of your desired one. If you will see the same soul yearning for the love you yourself crave, you have found your soulmate who completes you. If not, then walk away forever.’

             Better known as the Soulmate Principle, meaning that soon, as the magic grows stronger around them, the people who already live by this principle will access their ability to shift. Whereas others who live according to greed and avarice will never access it and remain human.

             Such is the price of living without love.

             But they will require guidance and only the Royal bloodlines that carry the power and strength of the Gods to be able to lead their people successfully. As such the Heirs must exhibit the correct behaviors and decision-making skills befitting a leader.

             “What if he is not the right choice Aethon? What makes you so sure, after seeing how he treated my little Lilliana, that he is the right person to lead his people?”

             Aethon looks down once more and sadness fills his features for a moment before he looks to Kayda once more.            

             “I know him better than he knows himself. He can do it.”

             “Let’s hope you are right.”

             A third, deep voice enters the conversation causing both Kayda and Aethon to turn, upon which they see the owner of that voice.

             Tiberius, the God of Tigers stalks along into their space, his golden fur glistening with his movements. His gaze is fixed on the dots below that show the twins that are growing stronger day by day. All of these young Royals across the breadth of Zodia, carry the hopes of the Gods on their tiny shoulders and they are not even aware of it.

             It is not only the Tigers that are showing promise, at the time that Lilliana and Drake finally succumbed to their desire for one another, there was a mass spike in the magical forces in Zodia. This wave was witnessed by the Gods as all across the world a butterfly effect took place, enabling the rebirth of the connection to the old magic for so many others.

             Jacob is one of many of his generation that will now be in line to drive forward the new world order. The Tigers, Wolves, Rabbits and Boars, will all be watched closely over the next few years to see if they can follow the Dragons footsteps.

             For now, all eyes are trained on the Horse’s for they are the first to be affected by the Dragon’s. Lance has much to prove to himself and his people. His journey will not be easy, by far, but if he can manage to find the true path within himself, he may just manage to save both his people and his own soul.

             Fenris, God of Wolves, stealthily approaches them and sits beside Aethon, his black fur shining with a blue hue as his gaze is drawn to his own people.

             He watches his young heir below, as gradually more and more lights begin to appear, surrounding the young Alpha wolf. It is clear that the spirit of the pack lives once more, and a deep sense of pride rises within him as casually Fenris says to Aethon.

             “If you are wrong, then the wolves will not hesitate to retaliate, to rectify the situation.”

             Aethon bristles and his flames glow hotter in his anger.

             “I am not wrong.”

                With his final declaration made, silence surrounds the four Gods as they watch and wait to see what will happen.