THE DRAGON'S MESSENGER

I sat on the small chair in my living room, trying to process everything I just heard and encountered,I was so scared.

I don't think I can stay here tonight, I muttered to myself.

I couldn't concentrate on anything,

Who was behind the voice, and what did they mean when they said "I have a destiny to fulfill"?

I buried my face in my palms and tried to calm down but suddenly there was a Knock at the door.

My body shook immediately I Heard the knock, I hesitated before standing up to open the door, who could it be at the late hour?

The townspeople never came to visit me ever since I lost my mom who died an illness, I was all alone so I wondered who it could be, the knock came again, more insistent this time.

I cautiously opened the door and saw a man standing in the darkness,

He was tall, with piercing green eyes and thick black hair that fell to his shoulders.

He wore a long, black coat with a silver clasp in the shape of a dragon. "Richard Krios," He said in a low, smooth voice. "We need to talk."

My instincts immediately screamed warning, and my fear got the best of me.

I slammed the door shut and locked it hastily.

"Go away!" I shouted through the door. "I'm not interested in whatever you have to say!"

I turned back to sit on my chair only to find the strange man in my house standing with folded hands.

"Aren't you curious"?

The man asked me in a smooth yet deep voice.

My fear immediately turned to panic. I grabbed my trusty sword (which was actually just a long wooden spoon) and prepared for battle.

"I'll show you who's curious!" I shouted and rushed towards the strange man in a bid to attack him with my spoon, but instead of attacking the stranger, i tripped over my own feet and tumbled almost falling into a tub of water.

The stranger caught me by the arm, and pulled me up with a smirk on his face. "Perhaps we should start with a cup of tea instead?" the stranger suggested, his eyes were filled with amusement.

I felt soooo embarrassed,I had shown someone just how useless I was yet again

Congratulations Richard, I said in my mind.

We both walked to the table and sat down, the man pulled out a small, leather book. "This is the Journal of the Flying Saber," he said,

"It holds the secrets of your grandfather's true past, and the key to your own destiny. I hope you find what you truly want". He said right before he had another sip of his cup of tea.

My eyes widened as i took the journal, a surge of excitement immediately flowed through me and I asked myself thousands of questions "What secrets lay within the book's pages? And what lay ahead on my journey with this strange man? Who is he?

The man began to chant some strange words,

his voice was low and hypnotic.

I felt my mind begin to focus, the journal's pages began rustling open.

But just as the awakening was about to begin, a loud crash echoed through the streets.

The windows shook, and the door of my house burst open, I heard the cry of the the people and soldiers marching,

I also heard the clashing of steel.

This could only meant one thing!

The city is under attack!

My fear yet again got the better of me, and I lost my concentration. The journal's pages snapped shut, and i stood up hurriedly the wooden spoon was still in my hand.

"We have to get out of here!" I shouted obviously frightened.

The man nodded, "Follow me, Richard!"

But as we dashed out into the chaos of the attack, the stranger suddenly disappeared, leaving me all alone and confused.

I looked around, my heart raced with fear. I was surrounded by enemy soldiers, and my village was in flames.

I tucked the journal into my belt and held my trusty sword up high(spoon)

I managed to dodge all the arrows and dashed towards the river.

I jumped of the bridge and into the River below, i lost my wooden spoon in the process.

I swam with all my might, my lungs burned till I finally reached the riverbank.

Thank Goodness I learnt how to swim, I muttered

I rose up and gasped for air while looking back at my village which was now covered in flames,

I had escaped, but for what cause, my life is insignificant and no one wants me.

Why do I even struggle to stay alive?

With a loud sigh, I stumbled into the woods and heard a familiar voice behind me. "Richard, you may think you have saved your self, but the journey is far from over."

I turned around in shock to see the strange man standing behind me with a smile on his face.

"You again!" I exclaimed.

Its You again! I exclaimed feeling relief wash over me."I thought you left me to die!"

The man chuckled,his eyes was filled with amusement.

"A man's strength is not in his physical power,but in his ability to adapt and improvise.for it is the mind that makes a man and that which makes a true warrior."

"I only wanted to test you Richard,I simply wanted to test your agility and strength,but above all your resolve

My anger flared up immediately. "A test? You call that a test? You left me to die!"

The man shrugged with a carefree expression on his face, "You're alive, aren't you? That's all that matters. Now, let's focus on the task at hand."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "What task? Unlocking this dumb book or what? You're the one who disappeared on me!"

The man chuckled. "Ah, yes. The journal. Well, Richard, it's not just any book. It's a key to unlocking your true potential. And I'm here to guide you on that journey."