Sage pulled out her phone, checking the latest updates. "It's trending everywhere. #DragonCoinMiracle is the top hashtag globally.""Miracle," Xaihuang repeated with a bitter laugh. "Humans always frame destruction in such poetic terms."Lysithea gestured to a holographic display at the centre of the room. It showed what looked like a weather map of the United States, but instead of rain and temperature, it displayed swirling patterns of energy, mostly gold and blue, concentrating around major cities, "That's the current resonance field," Marcus explained, pointing to the swirling patterns. "The gold represents fire affinity, and blue is water. Other elemental signatures appear as their respective colours."Sage stepped closer to the hologram, fascinated despite her anxiety. The largest concentration of energy pulsed over Seattle, a brilliant nexus of gold and blue that spiralled together without mixing, like the fountain's dual streams."That's our desti
"It's happening everywhere," she whispered. "Whatever we're doing, it's spreading.""Not us," Xaihuang said grimly. "Them. Each DragonCoin transaction creates a resonance cascade. Whoever designed this currency is systematically dismantling the concealment protocols."The car shuddered suddenly, its smooth flight becoming turbulent. Marcus's knuckles went white on the controls as warning symbols flashed across the dashboard."Scale-Sync failure," he announced, his voice tight with concentration. "The interference is too strong."Below them, Sage could see other vehicles on the highway beginning to exhibit strange behaviours, cars moving in perfect geometric formations, their headlights pulsing in synchronised patterns. A semi-truck's trailer was glowing with the same pearlescent light she'd seen in the underground pool."They're all dragon-operated," she realised. "The whole transportation network—it's not just human infrastructure, is it?""Integrated systems," Marcus confirmed, figh
Outside, the autumn air hit her face with shocking clarity. Everything seemed sharper somehow—colours more vibrant, sounds more distinct. She could smell rain coming, though the sky was still clear. When she glanced at her hands, she noticed faint golden patterns tracing themselves across her skin before fading again, like temporary tattoos made of light."The awakening is progressing rapidly," Xaihuang observed. "She'll need stabilisation techniques before we travel."Marcus nodded reluctantly. "My car is in the underground garage. We can begin basic instruction there."As they walked, Sage pulled out her phone, scrolling through DragonCoin updates with growing concern. The cryptocurrency's sudden appearance and meteoric rise had spawned dozens of conspiracy theories already—everything from government psyops to alien technology. None mentioned dragons, at least not yet, but the comment sections were filled with reports of strange sightings worldwide."How are we getting to Seattle?" s
"Not just technological ones," Xaihuang added thoughtfully. "There's old magic involved, too. A hybrid approach."Sage's eyes widened. "Hybrid. Like me." She turned to the pool again, watching her reflection shift between human and something else— what if the person who made this coin did it by accident, just as she had with her stories? A human dragon hybrid that didn’t know if they were meddling in things that their dragon side opened the door to that their human side wasn’t meant to know. The thought crystallised with startling clarity, making her pulse quicken. "What if DragonCoin wasn't created by someone trying to expose dragons? What if it was made by someone like me who didn't know what they were?"Marcus's expression shifted from scepticism to alarm. "A dormant bloodline, awakening through technology instead of traditional means?""It would explain the hybrid magical-digital approach," Xaihuang mused, his bronze eyes gleaming. "And the timing. If another Convergence bloodlin
"The Convergence," Xaihuang's voice seemed to come from very far away. "She's accessing the collective memory."Strong hands gripped her shoulders, pulling her back from the coin. The visions faded, leaving her gasping and disoriented. Marcus's face swam into focus, his eyes bright with concern."What did you see?" he asked urgently."Choices," Sage managed. "Three different futures, all of them..." She trailed off, trying to process what she'd experienced. "The dragons in the visions—they weren't hiding. In any of the futures."Xaihuang moved closer, his expression intense. "Because hiding is no longer sustainable, my dear. The digital age has made concealment a losing battle." He gestured toward the pool with his cane. "Every smartphone, every wireless signal, every piece of modern technology creates interference patterns that weaken our glamour magic. DragonCoin is simply the final catalyst."Sage steadied herself against the alcove, her mind still reeling from the visions. "But if
"That wasn't a coincidence," Casey—no, Sage—whispered, watching the water with new eyes. "Did I... did I do that?""Your awakening is accelerating," Marcus said, glancing around the food court with concern. "We should continue this conversation somewhere more private."Xaihuang tapped his cane sharply against the floor. "For once, I agree with Mr. Chen. Though we differ on what should happen next.""What do you mean?" Sage asked."Marcus represents the traditionalists—those who believe we should continue hiding, continue limiting our true nature." Xaihuang's voice dropped to a silky purr. "I represent a different perspective. Why should dragons with your potential be forced to live as fast-food workers? To suppress their true nature for the comfort of humans?""Don't listen to him," Marcus warned. "Xaihuang was exiled from the Council for trafficking in dragon artifacts. He's the one who's been authenticating stolen coins for the black market.""Stolen?" Xaihuang scoffed. "One cannot