The First Daylight

Eryn dipped her finger in the stream, watching the water ripple around it.

It was morning, they had stayed up the entire night exchanging questions and answers. Drachnai and Aragnes had disappeared back inside their souls and ever since, Eryn felt alive, energy pumping through her veins.

Is that what having powers feel like? she wondered. She could feel Aragnes' presence in her mind.

It felt...reassuring, like a kept promise.

Drachnai had claimed that once they had re-entered their souls, their forms would take on a noticeable change. Eryn didn't believe him, but when she cast of gaze over to where her brother was dozing off, she could see what he meant.

Just last night, his black hair only reached his shoulders with a ponytail. Now, it grew all the way to his waist...maybe it was still growing. His muscles seemed more atoned, and he looked as if he'd grown taller.

She felt as though she'd grown taller as well; her skirt seemed a little too short and it only reached halfway down her calves. Her skin was noticeably paler, but her hair stayed the same.

It was long enough anyway, she didn't want her hair dragging on the ground.

Both of them also developed some sort of tattoo. It was like the birthmark every person born with their spirit had that indicated what of animal they hosted.

Eryn eyed the faint black marks that snaked around the back of Elias' neck. Subconsciously, she raised her hand to touch light marks on the left side of her face. The dragon tattoo curled from her ear up above her eyebrows, buzzing against her touch.

'It will disappear after twenty-four hours,' Aragnes voice echoed inside her head. 'You don't have to worry about getting noticed. Though, that would be amazing.'

The dragon tittered.

'But, what you and your twin need to focus on is getting stronger. Learn how to use the powers given to you. Only then, can you rise.'

"Yes..." Eryn whispered.

'Don't worry. We will help you,' the white dragon hummed.

Eryn dipped her head and reached for the books she had brought along. There was no food for them, and strangely, she didn't feel hungry at all.

She flipped open the first book, 'Training Arts'.

'Most of these are very simple,' Aragnes said. 'All you need to do is to focus. Try the first one, it teaches you how to summon your spirit at your will...'

_______________

Many months have passed since Elias and Eryn had escaped from the Bai residence. Every day, they would go deeper and deeper into the woods, living in isolation from other humans.

Day by day, they trained and did what the two dragons had instructed, building onto their powers and strength, watching each other change.

Then, it has come to pass their eighteenth birthday.

The moment Elias woke up, he felt a boost of power running through his veins. It surprised him at how overwhelming it was; for the past months, he thought there was no way he could be stronger than he already was.

Drachnai appeared before him wriggling his eyebrows. "Happy birthday, kiddo. You and your sister are now officially adults. How do you feel about that power boost?"

Elias rolled his shoulders and stretched his muscles. "Strange...but amazing," he said, pumping his fist.

"Hmph. Don't be so short-sighted," Drachnai harrumphed. "We will always become stronger as we practice and experience new things. It is your birthday and you are now an adult, it is not strange to suddenly gain a boost."

Aragnes appeared under the trees as Eryn woke up as well, also feeling surprised at the sudden change. "For the past eight months, we have taught you intensely, and you two have shown great capabilities," said the white dragon. "I think it would be good for you if you head back into the cities."

The twins perked up. They've never really been out to the world. They've only known the little courtyard they've been confined to since birth and now the woods after training for so long.

The dragons' forms solidified, the scales glimmering. "How about a ride?" Drachnai rumbled.

Without a second thought, Eryn and Elias both climbed on to their dragon's backs, clinging on tightly before they shot into the air at full speed.

_______________

Alan Bai forced a smile as he raised his cup for a toast.

He was at the banquet which was held annually with the four other renowned families that held their position at the top of the social chain, exclude the Imperial family.

They were on the top floor of the Grand Teahouse which overlooked the heart of the Pheonix City, all enjoying the party except for him.

The Head of the Bai Family's thoughts were elsewhere.

Today was the twins' birthday. It'd been nine months since he'd found out they've gone missing. And with his few trusted men he had, he could only find that it was his wife, Ailee, that caused them to be on the run.

He could feel his blood boiling on the thought alone. He couldn't do anything against his tyrannical wife.

"Ah, Old Bai, it's great that you've brought your children this time!" the Head of Family Jing exclaimed, running his hand through his small bread. "I've been dying to see how they have grown!"

Alan Bai snapped out of his thoughts and forced a chuckle. "Yes, yes, of course!"

Across from him sat Master Jing and his two teenage daughters: San Jing and Lan Jing. Both girls paid no heed to the banquet and instead chatted and giggled with each other.

Next to Master Jing sat Madam Liu, who kept a warm smile on her face throughout. Her husband and children sat about behind her. The eldest child, Celeste, watched over her bickering younger brothers in boredom.

The three boys were Channing, Chen, and Changming. They were all quite lively.

To the left of Alan Bai sat the Xia family with Master Xia at the head. His son, Wayne, quietly sipped on his tea while his sister joyfully consumed her plate of goods.

Finally, to Alan Bai's right sat the mysterious Madam Wen, her eyes dark and expression blank. Her only child, her daughter Ying, sat beside her mother, equally quiet.

"Say," said Madam Liu, twisting the Jade ring on her finger. "How old are you?" she asked, looking at Edison.

Edison fidgeted under her stare. "I'm fourteen, Madam.

The older lady barked a laugh, the golden hairpins in her hair shaking. "Dear, you look a little too scrawny for your age, that can't be! You are the youngest heir out of the five families, tell your father to feed you more!"

"Y- yes..."

Edison shrunk under the looks of mockery passed onto him from San Jing, Celeste, and Wayne; all the eldest children in their families.

Only Ying Wen paid him no heed as if she didn't need to bother with his existence.

Most of them knew he wasn't the firstborn of his family anyway.

The only thing that kept him going with his act was his mother, who was shooting dagger from her eyes from behind him.

Master Xia raised his cup at Madam Liu, grinning. "How has my dear, Celeste, been?" he asked.

Everyone knew he was aiming for Celeste to become his future daughter-in-law.

Madam Liu gushed. "Oh, she had just had her breakthrough a few weeks earlier," she said, indicating that her daughter had recently turned eighteen.

Eryn is eighteen today, Alan Bai thought suddenly.

He rubbed his hands together, trying his hardest to sit still. He didn't feel comfortable here, especially with the other Masters and Madams sitting around.

He didn't want to give them the chance to pester Edison with questions of his spirit animal, putting pressure on the Bai family, especially him.

He felt saved when the chatter began to rise, multiple conversations erupting between individuals.

Minutes passed, and Alan Bai was just starting to feel more relaxed, as did the other participants when suddenly, a deep, thundering roar ripped through the sky.

Alan Bai stood up from his seat in surprise, as did the others.

Another roar shot through their ears harshly, and they all ran to the balcony, all except Ying.

Such a roar...what could it be?

"My goodness..." Master Jing marveled, taking the words from the others' mouths.

They all gaped at the sky in awe.

It was not completely visible, but there was no mistake. Up above the clouds flew not one, but two magnificent beasts, large enough to block out the sunlight.

Dragons.

The children were completely astonished at the sight, and even jealousy flickered in their eyes.

Another deafening roar sounded before the dragons disappeared into the distance, away from sight.

The party shared looks and murmurs.

They were really dragons, the first dragons spotted for at least a century.

But that was not the only shocking factor. The thing that was shocking were the size and the solid form of the beasts.

Who could be so capable to have such fully formed dragons, mature ones at best?

"We must find them," exclaimed Master Jing, breaking the silence. He pounded his fist on the balcony railings.

"This is big news. There are two talented humans out there with dragon spirits! We cannot let this go!"

Master Xia cast him a challenging look. "If we find them, I will let them know, they have my full support!"

Madam Liu shook her head. "Dragons have a great future...they will not only stop in our Pheonix City. They will fight for the highest. They may join a sect or faction or even travel to the Imperial city!"

Alan Bai turned to Madam Wen.

"Madam Wen," he said. "What are your thoughts?"

The others all turned to her, the renowned Wise Lady, but she only raised an amused eyebrow before turning to face her daughter, who remained inside, alone at the tables.

Ying released a short breath, smiling a rare but unpleasant smile. She cast one mocking look at Ailee Bai, the woman she hated since the first time they've met years ago.

Ying's eyes shone red, the corners blazing with little flames. They were the eyes of her spirit animal...

The Pheonix.

She reached up and tucked a strand of her dark hair behind her ear and smirked.

"May shame and regret come upon those who flaunt their true colors fearlessly..."

She drilled her enchanted eyes into Ailee's.

"...Beware."