The mountain exploded.
A wave of fire rose into the night sky.
People across Chingy City looked upward.
The ground shook violently.
Windows shattered.
Horses screamed.
Children cried.
Queen Lisa stood on the palace balcony.
"What is that?"
Captain James pointed toward the mountains.
"Your Majesty!"
A huge shadow appeared behind the clouds.
Then came the roar.
It was so powerful that the palace walls trembled.
King Austin emerged from the palace.
His eyes widened.
"No…"
A gigantic dragon flew above the mountains.
It was larger than any dragon the kingdom had ever seen.
Its scales were darker than night.
Its eyes burned like two suns.
And its wings covered the moon.
The people screamed.
The dragon opened its mouth.
A massive ball of fire formed inside.
Austin shouted:
"Everyone into the palace!"
The fire came down.
BOOM!
The outer walls of Chingy City exploded.
Austin transformed.
His body began glowing.
His bones changed.
His wings appeared.
Within seconds, he became a powerful dragon.
The people stared in amazement.
Their king rose into the sky.
The First Dragon looked at him.
Then it spoke.
Not with its mouth.
The voice entered Austin's mind.
"You carry the blood of my descendants."
Austin flew closer.
"I will not let you destroy my kingdom."
The dragon laughed.
"You misunderstand."
"What?"
"I am not here to destroy your kingdom."
Austin became confused.
"Then why have you returned?"
The dragon looked beyond him.
Toward the palace.
Toward the people.
Then it said:
"I have returned because someone has already stolen the future."
Austin's eyes widened.
"What does that mean?"
Before the dragon could answer, a bright light appeared above the city.
A golden crown floated in the air.
The people fell silent.
Austin stared at it.
The First Dragon whispered:
"The Crown of the Future has chosen its next ruler."
The golden crown slowly descended.
Austin expected it to come toward him.
Instead, it flew past him.
It crossed the palace.
It crossed the city.
And finally stopped above a young boy standing among the people.
The boy looked confused.
"Me?"
The crown lowered itself onto his head.
The moment it touched him, the entire city became silent.
A powerful wave of energy spread across the kingdom.
Austin returned to human form and landed beside the boy.
"What is your name?"
The boy looked up.
"Leo."
Austin stared at him.
He knew the name.
Leo was his son.
His only child.
Queen Lisa ran toward them.
"Leo!"
She embraced him.
But the crown suddenly spoke.
"THE NEXT AGE HAS BEGUN."
Austin looked toward the sky.
The First Dragon was disappearing into the clouds.
"Wait!"
The dragon stopped.
Austin shouted:
"What is happening?"
The dragon answered:
"Your time is ending."
Austin's heart tightened.
"What do you mean?"
"A king's greatest victory is not living forever."
The dragon looked toward Leo.
"It is preparing the next generation to protect what he built."
Then the dragon disappeared.
Austin stood silently.
He looked at his son.
Leo touched the crown.
"Father, I'm scared."
Austin knelt before him.
"You should be."
Leo looked surprised.
"But why?"
"Because power is dangerous."
Austin placed his hand on his son's shoulder.
"But you don't have to face it alone."
Queen Lisa smiled through tears.
"We will teach you."
Captain Jack lowered his sword.
"And we will protect you."
Suddenly, a horn sounded.
Austin turned.
A messenger came running.
"Your Majesty!"
"What now?"
The messenger was shaking.
"We have received a message from Jublite City."
Austin opened it.
His face immediately changed.
"What does it say?"
He handed the letter to Lisa.
She read it.
Her eyes widened.
"Crag-Empress…"
Austin looked at her.
"What about him?"
"He is alive."