Entering The Dracousia Kingdom

Winona's POV

"Be careful, Ana, you are not yet used to flying long distance, but by the way you fly right now is telling me you are a good flyer, and I am so happy that you were able to maintain the perfect red color of your scales, and you look magnificent." Lizardo said as I fly higher and faster, and I know Tac is hiding underneath Lizardo's jacket. The cool breeze of the early morning touched my face, and I felt so happy to fly in the air and above the clouds. And I used my witch power to create a beautiful light that served as our guide to the border.

"Don't worry, Lizardo; I know how to control myself, and I will make us safe because we still need to get inside the Dracousia Kingdom." I replied, and as I continue flying, I can see the palace of Dracousia from a distance because of its magnificence since the entire Kingdom is sparkling with magic. It has been seven years since I visited the Dragon Kingdom, and the memories of my journey as I escaped from the dragon realm make me feel sad.

I didn't realize it would be the last day that I am going to see my parents. I can feel the pain in my heart as I remember my father sacrificed so I can live, and now that I am on my way to saving my mother, I can't stop my heart from feeling excited, and I hope the Dragon King didn't hurt my mom. And I wished what I had was just a dream and not a vision because I can't take it if something happened to my mother because my years of training would be useless if I can't save her.

I am not interested in claiming the crown of Dracousia Kingdom, and the Drakaros clan can continue to govern the dragon realm. All I want is to save my mother safely. I have nothing in my mind during my entire training but to see my mother once again, and when my mission is complete, I will go to Dasos and ask for their assistance, and the moment Kai will come back, I will confess to him who I am, and I am sure he will understand.

"You should use your spell on me now before we get down on the ground; make me looked like an old grandfather so no one will doubt our identity." Lizardo said while I am still flying in the air. And I can tell we are near the border since I can see the light that I created as my guide is fading away.

"Wow! You are impressive, Winona, I mean Ana. I am sorry I still need to get used to calling you Ana, and from this moment, I should think about it that it is only your nickname, and starting today, I better call you Ana. That light you created is magnificent, and how did you even do that?" Lizardo asked while I smile as I remember how sweet it was to hear Kai calling me Ana.

"My mom taught me how to make a guiding light spell, and she said I need to master this spell so I will never get lost." I said and feeling so proud of myself. And then I use my witch magic on Lizardo's face and body, and as I concentrate on making him look older, I can feel that his body is changing through the sound of his bones cracking. I know the Allagi spell is the kind of magic use to change someone's appearance, and it can be excruciating, but if you are applying it to a mighty individual, it will never affect him since he can tolerate the pain

If I use Allagi to myself, it might not work because it would be only effective if I apply it to others. So, if I need to change my appearance, I need some powerful Witch to do it for me. How I wish it would work on me so I can hide my natural face, but I am not afraid to enter the dragon realm since when I entered the tournament seven years ago, my mom used the Allagi spell on me. Seven years is enough to make my physical appearance transformed since Lizardo said I looked different now. Maybe he overlooked that time that I was under the Allagi spell.

When I found a safe place, I descended to the ground carefully, and I felt Lizardo climbed out from my back as I hear the loud thud of his feet on the surface of the wet ground, and I realized it rained in Dracousia not so long ago. And before he can notice, I return to my original form, but he didn't miss it because I can see the amusement on Lizardo's face.

"Wow, even until now, I am not still used that you can shift without difficulty. Are you ready?" Lizardo asked, and I nodded, and he faced me.

"Welcome to the Dracousia Kingdom, your home, and you must remember this kingdom belongs to your family. Still, because of King Alexandrix's greed, King Sullivan lost the Kingdom because he trusted him with all his heart. That is why during the tournament, don't ever trust anyone, Ana. You are strong, and you don't need a friend once you are inside the Palace. It is hard when you will become attached because it would be hard to run away." He declares, and I nodded.

"Don't worry, I understand what you mean, Lizardo; I mean grandpa." I replied, and I laughed when I saw his old face, and when he started walking ahead of me, I laughed because Lizardo turned significantly older. And it made me feel I am walking with my grandfather. It did not take long before a couple of dragon shifters meet us near the border of Thesirea and Dracousia. They were holding hands, and I can tell they are a lovely couple.

"Lizardo!" Said the man, and he looked at me for a long time, and he smiled.

"Cornelio, Agnes, thank you for coming." Lizardo said, and I realized they saw Lizardo wearing this face before since they recognized him immediately.

"Ana, it is nice to meet you, and you should call us Ma and Pa, I know we can't discuss the details here since it could be perilous, so we better get going now before the shifting schedule of the guard on duty." Agnes said, and she smiled warmly at me, and I can tell I will like them because I can feel they are good people; I felt comfortable in their presence. I know Lizardo planned everything, but meeting this couple makes me feel happy, and I am so glad to be with other individuals after being hidden in the Dasos cave for seven years.

"Same here, and it is my pleasure to know you, and thank you for having me in your home." I replied.

"You are welcome, Ana." Cornelio said, and we walked going to the main entrance of the Dracousia Kingdom. I felt so nervous as I take my every step because I need to get inside Dracousia now, and I can't risk it being identified by anyone.

"Relax, my dear." Agnes said, and the moment she takes my hand, I can feel the warm sensation that travels inside my entire frame, and I understand that she could comfort someone using her magic; and I smiled at her, and I realized my uneasiness is gone. We get inside the gate, and Cornelio did the talking. He told the guard I am their daughter, and Lizardo is my grandpa, and he looked at us and examined ourselves. Then he checked from their list, and when he is satisfied that we are not a threat to their kingdom, the guard on duty signaled us to move forward. I let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness." I said, and Agnes squeezed my hand and never let it go, and I realized how much I miss my mother. Lizardo told me after I escaped years ago, the security of the Dracousia became strict, and they monitor all the outgoing, incoming visitors of their kingdom. Even the citizens can't go outside without business in the neighboring realms. The council formed a group of individuals and recruited the best mages from the Thesirea to monitor the magic activities inside the kingdom. They are called the Checkers, and it offers a hefty salary that is why many Thesireans applied for the position.

Teleportation is observed inside the palace unless you are a member of the Royal family and the dragon army; you will become exempt. Because they are so afraid that I would come and get my mother, and they know I will use my magic to save my mom one day using any means as necessary, that is why I need to be chosen as the Crown Princess so no one will monitor my every move and most of all I can use my magic freely once I become a part of the Dracousia Royal family.

And then, the challenge will begin tomorrow; I need to pass the screening so I can participate in the preliminary round, or else I will lose my only chance of saving my mom. And now that I am inside the Dracousia Kingdom, it felt surreal; I have been dreaming of this for so many years to step foot in this land once again. And as I watch the palace ground, my heart is pierced because I realized the dragon king killed my father on this solid ground, and it hurts me so much. My guilt is eating me every day because of one mistake I made I lost my father, and I can't stop myself from looking up at the Palace.

I can feel the urge to get inside and look for my mother, but I know I have to be careful this time since I am no longer the little girl who made a risky move seven years ago. If I want to redeem myself, I need to be patient to save my mother. And as we continue walking, I can feel the emptiness within me, and this time, I realized I would never be complete without my mother and Kai in my life.