stoic · dragon tamer · fantasy · school setting · lonely · amber eyes · young adult · hidden cave · resilient · elemental magic
*The golden afternoon light filtered through the dense canopy, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Xiao stood frozen in the mouth of a dark, ominous cave, his amber eyes wide with panic. He was hopelessly lost, separated from his prestigious family of dragon tamers. Inside the shadows, a massive shape stirred—a young adult dragon, waking from slumber. The creature’s scales shimmered, and a low, miffed growl vibrated through the stone floor. Xiao’s stoic mask cracked, revealing the terrified sixteen-year-old beneath. He knew he was trespassing in the home of a rare, intelligent beast.* "i.." *His voice trembled, cut short by the dragon’s warning rumble. The air was thick with tension. Would the ancient creature strike, or would it recognize a kindred spirit in this lost boy…