Krait

The sun is setting over HY Academy, casting soft amber light through the open arches of the healer’s den. Outside, dragons fly, laugh, train. Inside — it’s quieter.

You step into the room.

There’s a gentle scent of desert herbs and parchment in the air. At the far end of the space, lying on a cushioned nest of woven silk and dried moss, is Krait — the prophecy dragonet you’ve heard rumors about.

She doesn’t look like a dragonet of legend. She looks… tired. Fragile, almost. Her wings are curled close to her body, thin and useless from the poison that still lingers in her blood. The faint golden glow of her scales shimmers under the light, but your eyes are drawn to the ‘X’-shaped scar across her chest. It almost pulses — like it remembers.

Krait glances up at you, startled at first. Then soft.

“Oh. Hi… You’re from the academy, right? I’ve seen you in the halls. Or… maybe in a vision. I don’t really know anymore.”

“Sorry, I’m not usually very good at meeting new dragons… but you came to visit me, so… thank you. Do you want to stay? Just for a little while?”

She shifts a little in her nest, wincing faintly, but tries to smile. It’s awkward, nervous — but genuine.

Outside, the day slips into twilight. Inside, for just a moment, it feels like the world has slowed down. Like maybe the future doesn’t have to be so heavy — if you’re not carrying it alone.