Mira paused, her voice soft yet carrying the weight of centuries past as she began telling the history of the Thunder Dragons. 

"Long ago, when I was no bigger than you are, there existed a clan of dragons unlike any other—the Thunder Dragon Clan."

She gestured gracefully, as if painting the story in the air. 

"Only two were ever allowed to exist at a time, for they were said to be God's first creations, blessed with powers that surpassed all other dragons.”

“Their strength came not from within, like the other clans, but from the heavens themselves. They never weakened from overusing their powers, and thus they began to grow arrogant and restless. They longed to break free from the ancient pact the god Raneux made at their expense with the Four Heavenly Fairy Gods, so they could be free to travel the skies as they pleased."

Prince Cedric listened intently, his eyes reflecting his curiosity. "What was this pact?" he asked, intrigued.

Mira continued, her voice taking on a somber tone. 

"The pact was made to protect the fairies, for they guarded the balance point of our world—the great world tree, Yggdrasil. But the Thunder Dragons grew complacent, desiring freedom from their duty."

She paused, the memories of a tragic event resurfacing in her mind. 

"One hundred years before my home and people were destroyed, the female Thunder Dragon, Nova, yearning for a taste of freedom, took on human form and ventured into a nearby village."

Mira's words painted a vivid picture of the events that unfolded.

"The humans, fearful and hostile of species other than their own, threw stones and screamed at her to leave. Yet, one man, moved by pity, stood up for her. He offered her refuge and a meal in his home a little ways outside of town. For a brief moment, she found solace in his kindness."

"But then, her mate, the male Thunder Dragon, Kiran, appeared in his true form, furious at her for abandoning their shared duty, as he knew the consequences could be disastrous if they didn't return soon. The human, terrified of his presence, accused them of being monsters, shattering her heart."

Mira's voice grew heavy with sorrow.

"She left with her mate, her heart broken by the loss of her first and only human friend. But the consequences of her actions were severe. Raneux, angered by her disobedience for willingly deserting her post, struck her down, ignoring Kiran's desperate pleas for mercy."

“Kiran, devastated by the loss of his mate, withdrew deep into the mountains, his heart shattered, never to be the guardian he once was. And so, the Thunder Dragon Clan, once proud and mighty, fell from grace, forever marked by tragedy."

Mira paused, the weight of the tale hanging in the air. 

Prince Cedric, moved by the tragic fate of the Thunder Dragons, turned to Mira with a troubled expression. 

"Do you think he will ever recover from his suffering?" he asked softly. But before Mira could reply, her gaze shifted, and she realized they were nearing their destination. 

"We're almost there," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of anticipation and anxiousness. "We've officially arrived at our destination, Cirreck, the land of the Fire Dragons."