The passage beyond the ancient temple descended farther than any of the Watch had expected.
Atreyu walked at the front, sword drawn.
Mara followed close behind him, her eyes constantly scanning the walls.
The two Valkyries moved silently behind her.
Loki brought up the middle of the group, though he kept looking back toward the enormous dragon that followed them.
The creature was almost impossibly large.
Its scales were dark gray, with streaks of silver running along its neck and wings. Its horns curved backward from its head, and its eyes glowed with a pale golden light.
Yet despite its size, it moved with surprising silence.
Atreyu finally glanced back.
"Are you sure it is coming with us?"
Loki looked over his shoulder.
The dragon's enormous head was only a few yards behind them.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"It invited us."
Atreyu sighed.
"I know that."
"Then why ask?"
"Because I'm still trying to understand why a dragon that has been asleep beneath a mountain for centuries suddenly decided to help us."
The dragon answered from behind them.
"Because the time has come."
Atreyu turned.
"You can hear everything we say?"
The dragon's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Yes."
Loki smiled.
"That must be incredibly inconvenient."
The dragon stared at him.
"Your voice is."
Mara covered a laugh.
Loki looked offended.
"I like him."
Atreyu shook his head.
"Of course you do."
The passage eventually opened into an enormous cavern.
At first, Atreyu couldn't see anything.
Then the dragon stepped forward.
Its scales reflected a faint light coming from the center of the chamber.
There, floating above a circular stone pedestal, was a small flame.
It was not red.
It wasn't orange.
It wasn't even yellow.
It was silver at its core, surrounded by shifting gold and white.
The flame did not flicker like ordinary fire.
It seemed to breathe.
Every time it expanded, the entire cavern became brighter.
Atreyu stared.
Mara whispered:
"What is that?"
The dragon lowered its head.
"The First Flame."
Loki stopped smiling.
"The First Flame?"
"Yes."
"That shouldn't exist."
The dragon looked at him.
"And yet it does."
Loki stepped closer.
"I've heard stories."
"Most stories are wrong."
"Then tell us the truth."
The dragon was silent for a moment.
Then it spoke.
"Before the gods divided the world into realms, before the great kingdoms rose, before the first wars were fought, there was fire."
It gestured toward the flame.
"Not ordinary fire."
"The First Flame."
"The source from which creation and destruction first emerged."
Atreyu frowned.
"You said creation and destruction."
The dragon nodded.
"The flame possesses both."
Loki's expression became serious.
"Duality."
"Exactly."
The dragon moved toward the pedestal.
"It can burn."
"It can destroy."
"It can consume."
"But it can also restore."
"Heal."
"Rebuild."
"Renew."
Mara looked at the flame.
"How?"
"The First Flame does not distinguish between destruction and healing."
"It simply transforms."
The dragon paused.
"That is why those who seek only destruction have always feared it."
Loki immediately understood.
"Surtr."
The dragon nodded.
"Surtr."
The dragon told them the story of the prophecy.
It had been written before the first great war between the ancient powers.
Before Ragnarök.
Before the rise of the human kingdoms.
The prophecy had been passed from guardian to guardian.
Most had forgotten it.
Some had deliberately hidden it.
But the dragon had remembered.
"There will come a time," it said, "when two kingdoms become one."
Atreyu listened.
"Two rulers will join their bloodlines."
Mara looked at Loki.
"And their children?"
"Their children will carry the First Flame."
Loki's eyes widened.
"Both of them?"
"Yes."
"But how?"
The dragon looked at the flame.
"The prophecy does not speak of one vessel."
"It speaks of two."
Atreyu stepped closer.
"What happens when they are born?"
"They inherit the flame."
"Both?"
"Each receives half."
Loki stared.
"Half the flame's power."
"Half its nature."
The dragon's expression became solemn.
"The boy will embody its healing aspect."
"The girl will embody its destructive aspect."
Silence filled the chamber.
Mara looked at Atreyu.
"One healer."
"And one destroyer," Atreyu said.
Loki shook his head.
"That's not the whole prophecy."
The dragon looked at him.
"No."
Loki stepped closer.
"They aren't simply inheriting power."
"No."
"They're embodying the duality itself."
The dragon nodded.
"The boy will carry the power to restore what has been broken."
"The girl will carry the power to destroy what must end."
Atreyu frowned.
"That sounds dangerous."
"It is."
Mara asked:
"Does that mean the girl will become evil?"
The dragon immediately shook its head.
"No."
"Destruction is not evil."
It looked toward the flame.
"Fire destroys a forest."
"But the ashes nourish the soil."
"Fire destroys a plague."
"Fire can purify."
"Fire can end a life."
"And fire can give warmth to one who would otherwise die."
"The flame does not possess morality."
"It possesses balance."
Loki nodded slowly.
"That's what Surtr doesn't understand."
The dragon's eyes hardened.
"Surtr understands destruction."
"He has never understood balance."
Atreyu stared at the First Flame.
"Why would Surtr fear two children?"
The dragon looked at him.
"Because the First Flame is the one force he could never control."
Loki's expression changed.
"During Ragnarök."
"Yes."
"The fire."
"The fire you saw during Ragnarök was not the First Flame."
Loki stared.
"What?"
"Surtr believed it was."
The dragon continued.
"He sought the First Flame because he believed it would make him unstoppable."
"But the guardians sealed it."
"Where?"
The dragon looked around.
"Here."
Loki's eyes widened.
"This entire temple."
"Was built to contain the flame."
"Not protect it?"
"Both."
The dragon's voice became heavier.
"Surtr eventually discovered its location."
Atreyu looked toward the flame.
"And tried to take it."
"Yes."
"He failed."
"Not entirely."
The dragon pointed toward the walls.
"Surtr's influence reached this place."
"His followers came."
"They attempted to break the seals."
"When they failed, Surtr ordered the chamber sealed permanently."
Loki looked around.
"So the reason he has been so desperate to find this place..."
"Was because he believed the First Flame was still here."
Mara frowned.
"But if it was here, why didn't he simply come and take it?"
The dragon smiled faintly.
"Because I was here."
Loki laughed.
"That would do it."
The dragon approached the pedestal.
The First Flame reacted.
It rose higher.
The chamber filled with light.
The dragon lowered its head.
"I have guarded this flame since before your kingdoms existed."
Atreyu looked at the creature.
"Why leave it now?"
The dragon turned toward him.
"Because the prophecy has begun."
Loki understood.
"Lexander and Io."
"Yes."
"They are the two rulers."
"Their kingdoms are becoming one."
"And the children?"
"Already carry the mark."
Loki's face became serious.
"The glow."
"Yes."
"The strange magic around Io."
"Yes."
"That's the flame?"
"The beginning of it."
The dragon spread its wings.
Atreyu stepped back.
"What are you doing?"
"Taking the flame."
Loki's eyes widened.
"You can do that?"
"I can."
The dragon placed one claw around the pedestal.
The chamber shook.
The First Flame rose from its resting place.
For a moment, it resisted.
Then it flew toward the dragon.
It entered the center of the creature's chest.
The dragon roared.
A wave of silver-gold energy exploded through the chamber.
Every member of the Watch was thrown backward.
Atreyu struck the ground.
Mara rolled across the stone floor.
Loki crashed into a wall.
When the light faded, the dragon was standing again.
The flame was gone.
But the dragon's chest now glowed with the same silver-gold light.
Loki slowly stood.
"You just put the First Flame inside yourself."
The dragon nodded.
"Temporarily."
"Why?"
"Because it must be brought to Concordia."
Atreyu stared.
"You're coming with us?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
The dragon looked toward the passage.
"Because the children must inherit the flame."
"And until they are born, I will protect it."
The journey home took nearly a week.
The Watch had expected to travel slowly.
Instead, they discovered that having a dragon traveling with them made nearly everything easier.
No bandits approached.
No monsters attacked.
Even the weather seemed to change around the creature.
The dragon introduced itself as Aurethar.
Atreyu asked what the name meant.
"Keeper of the Dawn."
Loki nodded approvingly.
"Very dramatic."
Aurethar looked at him.
"You are one to speak."
Loki smiled.
"I like you more every day."
Mara shook her head.
"You're both impossible."
Meanwhile, in Concordia, Lexander received the Watch's message.
He read it twice.
Then went directly to Io.
She was sitting in the garden.
Lisbeth was beside her.
Thor was standing nearby.
Lysandra was reading a book.
Lexander approached.
"We have news."
Io immediately looked up.
"Good or bad?"
"Complicated."
Thor frowned.
"That's never good."
Lexander handed Io the message.
She read it.
Her expression changed.
"The First Flame."
Lexander nodded.
"The Watch found it."
"Where?"
"In the mountains."
"And they brought it?"
"Not yet."
"But they're coming."
"Yes."
Io placed the letter down.
"What does this mean?"
Lexander looked at her.
"I don't know."
Thor folded her arms.
"I have a theory."
Everyone looked at her.
Thor pointed at Io's stomach.
"The babies."
Io smiled.
"Very insightful."
Thor nodded.
"Thank you."
Lisbeth looked at the letter.
"Is it dangerous?"
Lexander answered honestly.
"We don't know."
Io looked toward the city.
"Then we'll find out."
Three days later, the Watch returned.
The first person to see them was a guard on the western wall.
He stared into the distance.
Then dropped his spear.
"What's that?"
Another guard looked.
"What?"
The first guard pointed.
"That."
Aurethar emerged from the mountains.
His wings spread wide.
His enormous body cast a shadow across the road.
The guards sounded the alarm.
Within minutes, Concordia was in chaos.
Thor ran toward the gate.
Lexander followed.
Io was ordered to remain inside.
She ignored the order.
Lisbeth followed her.
"You shouldn't be walking this quickly."
"I'm walking normally."
"You're walking quickly."
"I'm excited."
"So am I."
Thor appeared.
"No."
Io stopped.
"What?"
"You're not going outside until we know the dragon is friendly."
"I know the dragon is friendly."
"You've never met it."
"The Watch has."
"That's not enough."
Io sighed.
"Thor."
Thor looked at her stomach.
"Two babies."
"Yes."
"Ancient prophecy."
"Yes."
"First Flame."
"Yes."
"Surtr wants them."
"Yes."
Thor pointed toward the door.
"Exactly."
Io smiled.
"You have a point."
"Thank you."
Aurethar entered Concordia through the western gate.
Every soldier in the city stood frozen.
People crowded the streets.
Children pointed.
Merchants stared.
Construction workers abandoned their tools.
A dragon had entered their city.
A very large dragon.
Lexander approached cautiously.
Loki walked beside him.
Atreyu and Mara followed.
Aurethar lowered his head.
"I am Aurethar."
Lexander stepped forward.
"I am Lexander."
"I know."
Lexander raised an eyebrow.
"Of course you do."
Aurethar looked toward Io.
She had stepped out onto the palace balcony.
His eyes softened.
"The mother."
Io smiled.
"Hello."
Aurethar bowed his head.
"The children."
Io instinctively placed her hand over her stomach.
A faint silver-gold glow appeared.
Aurethar's chest began glowing in response.
The First Flame.
Everyone saw it.
The crowd fell silent.
Then the two unborn children moved.
Io gasped.
The glow around her intensified.
Aurethar lowered his head.
He spoke a few magic words and slowly began to shrink into a human form.
"It is beginning."
That night, Aurethar explained everything to Lexander, Io, Thor, Lisbeth, Atreyu, Mara, Loki, and Lysandra.
Lysandra was absolutely fascinated.
"So the twins each get half?"
"Yes."
"Can they use both?"
Aurethar shook his head.
"Not naturally."
"Why?"
"Because the flame has divided itself according to their nature."
Lysandra thought about that.
"What happens if they try?"
Aurethar looked at her.
"We do not know."
Lysandra nodded.
"That's probably important."
Loki smiled.
"You're learning."
Aurethar continued.
"The boy will possess the power of restoration."
"He may heal wounds."
"Repair broken things."
"Restore what has been lost."
"The girl will possess the power of destruction."
"She may burn through barriers."
"Destroy corrupted magic."
"End things that cannot otherwise be ended."
Io looked concerned.
"And if they're afraid?"
Aurethar's expression became serious.
"Then the flame will respond to their emotions."
Lexander frowned.
"That sounds dangerous."
"It is."
"But it is also why they must be raised with care."
Io looked toward Lexander.
"We'll do that."
Aurethar nodded.
"I believe you will."
Far away, Surtr learned what had happened.
A servant entered his chamber.
"My lord."
Surtr looked up.
"What?"
"The dragon has left the mountain."
Surtr froze.
"What dragon?"
"The guardian."
Silence.
"The guardian has left?"
"Yes."
"With what?"
The servant hesitated.
"The First Flame."
The room exploded.
A wall of fire erupted behind Surtr.
Fenrir stepped backward.
Jormungandr immediately shielded herself.
Surtr roared.
"No!"
The mountain shook.
"I sealed that flame!"
He struck the ground.
The stone cracked.
"I spent centuries ensuring it could never be reached!"
Fenrir stared at him.
"It has been moved."
"I know!"
Surtr's flames intensified.
"Where?"
The servant swallowed.
"Concordia."
Surtr went completely still.
"Concordia."
Jormungandr smiled faintly.
"So the prophecy is moving forward."
Surtr turned toward her.
"Do not smile."
She stopped.
"The dragon will guard the children."
Fenrir frowned.
"And the city."
Surtr stared into the darkness.
"Then Concordia must fall."
The next morning, Aurethar made his decision.
He stood before the council.
Lexander, Io, Alden, Lisbeth, Thor, Mara, Atreyu, Loki, and representatives from both kingdoms were present.
"I have guarded the First Flame for centuries."
He looked around the room.
"Now I will guard something more important."
Lexander raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"The people."
Aurethar turned toward the windows.
"Concordia."
"The city you are building."
"The kingdom you are creating."
"The home where the children will be born."
He lowered his enormous head.
"I will become its guardian."
The chamber fell silent.
Lexander smiled.
"I think Concordia has just acquired the largest guard in the world."
Thor nodded.
"Good."
Aurethar looked at her.
"You approve?"
Thor shrugged.
"Anyone who can scare Surtr is welcome."
Loki laughed.
"That may be the best qualification we've had yet."
Aurethar's mouth opened slightly.
For a moment, Lexander thought the dragon might actually be smiling.
"I will guard Concordia."
"And I will protect the First Flame until the children are born."
Io stood.
She approached him.
Aurethar lowered his head.
She placed one hand on his shoulder.
The First Flame responded.
Silver-gold light traveled from his chest to her hand.
Io gasped.
Two heartbeats echoed through the chamber.
Not actual sounds.
Something deeper.
Aurethar closed his eyes.
"The prophecy recognizes you."
Io looked at Lexander.
Then at Aurethar.
"And our children?"
"Their time approaches."
Construction continued.
The final towers were completed.
The great gates were installed.
The academy opened more classrooms.
The palace gardens expanded.
The central plaza received its final statues.
Concordia was almost finished.
But now, standing atop the western wall, was a dragon.
Aurethar watched over the city.
His wings occasionally stretched across the skyline.
Children gathered below just to look at him.
Merchants began selling small carved dragon figures.
Someone started calling him "the big guard."
Aurethar did not seem to mind.
Lysandra visited him one afternoon.
"Are you really going to stay here?"
"Yes."
"Forever?"
"Until my duty is complete."
"When the twins are born?"
"Yes."
Lysandra thought.
"What happens afterward?"
Aurethar looked toward the palace.
"That depends upon the children."
She smiled.
"I think you'll like them."
"I already do."
That evening, Lexander found Io on the balcony.
She was watching the city.
Aurethar sat on the western wall.
The setting sun reflected from his scales.
Io smiled.
"Concordia has a dragon."
Lexander laughed.
"Apparently."
"Do you think he'll stay?"
"He said he would."
Io placed a hand over her stomach.
"They like him."
"How do you know?"
"They've been moving every time he comes near."
Lexander placed his hand beside hers.
A kick answered.
Then another.
He smiled.
"Our children already have a dragon."
Io leaned against him.
"And a goddess."
"And a kingdom."
"And a school."
"And a very overprotective guard."
From across the balcony, Thor called:
"I heard that."
Lexander laughed.
Io shook her head.
"She really does have incredible hearing."
Thor appeared in the doorway.
"I heard that too."
Lisbeth followed her.
"Leave them alone."
Thor looked offended.
"I'm guarding."
"From what?"
"Everything."
Lisbeth sighed.
"Of course."
The four of them laughed.
For the first time in weeks, the palace felt peaceful.
But deep beneath the mountains, Surtr was preparing for war.
He had lost the First Flame.
He had lost the advantage of surprise.
And now a dragon older than most human civilizations stood guard over Concordia.
The prophecy was no longer hidden.
The twins were growing.
One would heal.
One would destroy.
Together, they would embody the First Flame.
And Surtr finally understood why the ancient guardians had protected it for so long.
The flame did not belong to him.
It never had.
It belonged to the future.
And the future was coming to Concordia.
Two children at a time.
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