“Every year for the last hundred centuries we have gathered around this gate to celebrate the most sacred moment in a dragon's life” - spoke Prince Jostrias.

The sky was bright clear, and the sun shone over Sanctaria. Bartant never ceased to be amazed by how white and astonishing the city glowed under the sun's light. It truly seemed as if it was crafted by Angels, thus receiving the name of the Holy Capital was really most the appropriate way to address it.

“My family has been hosting this moment for as long as time spans, and it fills me with great joy and pride to continue this tradition. Young dragons are tested beyond their limits and those who prevail are true finest of this race.” - continued Prince Jostrias with his speech.

The price was dressed in a beautiful white and golden ceremony gown. It worthy true of admiration, so perfectly knitted. He was carrying his ceremonial sword and he was sitting on the royal chair. The level of craftsmanship of both was up to the same level as the gown. Prince Jostrias truly seemed like God’s emissary on this earth.

Suddenly, the prince stood up and carved his sword into the floor. He opened one long papyrus and began to announce:

Rise, Verstri, son of house Yfreia. Given you strength and conviction through the trials you have been assigned to the Army of the second flame. Please travel to Jurune without delay where you will meet Commander Leatie.

Rise Kyazi, son of family Hyuste. You have proven your intelligence and leadership skills, you will stay here at Sacntaria since the great Lord Alchemist has requested you to be his personal assistant.

Rise Bartant, son of Cesc, your strength and battle skills have proven you to be a skillful warrior. You will be assigned to the desertic post of Dearet, where you will fight day and night countless enemies to hone your spirit like a knife. You will be assigned to the Fourth Flame army.

The prince kept on announcing other assignments.

Completing the trial meant that dragons had reached maturity, and consequently they had to go through another process in their life, which required them to endure a specific assignment based on the skills they have shown during the trials. Assignments usually lasted five to ten human years where dragons develop their skills even further under the supervision of a mentor. Dragons usually have one role assigned and it is very uncommon to see a dragon who is proficient in more than one, e.g. magician and fighter.

The next day was full of expectation for Bartant. He woke up late, so he had to rush to make preparations for his travel to Dearet. It was a very distant region, under very harsh conditions, little water, an extensive desert, extremely high temperature and very little but aggressive lifeforms. Duration was about twenty days of journey riding a Hrutli, which was the official transport provided by the Empire for him.

Making his preparations did not take much time as he didn’t have much to take with him, different than what he had brought to the trials, but at least he wouldn’t forget his sword this time. He was ready to depart, so he went downstairs to meet his mother. He stood in front of her, dropped his bag, and hugged her firmly.

“Mother, the time has co…” - started talking Bartant however he was suddenly interrupted by his mother with a gently shush.

“Now is not the time to say farewell, but rather see you soon, my child” - said his mother in a very beautiful voice - “Travel safe and make us proud”

She took a necklace from her neck and put it on his son's neck.

“This memento will keep us close, whenever you need your mother, just think of me” - she said.

Bartant smiled, picked his bag from the floor, cleared the small tears from his cheek, and went outside. A stranger, covered in a dark blue tunic, was waiting for him across the street, right in front of his house. Bartant felt drawn by the powerful aura this stranger had. It was very powerful but full of peace. When he came close to him, he noticed he was different, he did not resemble any creature Bartant had met before. He was strangely flipping a coin without his hands.

“Who are you? What do you want?” - he said across the street, but the stranger disappeared suddenly.

“As darkness grows, light decays. Climbing the tree is but one, and the owl only hates” - said the stranger.

“Great, more non-sense riddles.” - complained Bartant out loud.

He climbed his Hrutli and slowly wandered from his house to the city’s main gate. The travel to Dearet promised to be long and tiring, however, Bartant was very adventurous and loved new places and he enjoyed natural landscapes. His travel would take him far to the east crossing the endless plains of Furos, the valley of Gaertir and the desert of Xaer, where he saw many amazing images and surpassed some hardships. After his twenty day journey, he was exhausted, he was beginning to wonder if the path he took was the correct one. He raised his chin up to see further to the horizon, and something stood up, and he knew exactly what it was Daeret’s Watchtower. He was close to the empire’s post, so he decided to use his last bit of energy in getting there as fast as he could, and as he was drawing closer to the wooden palisade, a dragon knight with a gigantic blade was standing honorably.

“Regards, I am Bar….” - began Bartant to introduce himself only to be interrupted.

“Bartant Cesc, I know exactly who you are, prove to me that you are as skilled as your father and you are worth to be at this deadly post” - said the knight - “I am your mentor, and I owe it to your father to make you a decent knight. Now draw your sword, weakling”.

Bartant came down from the Hrutli, draw his sword without delay, and the battle began. Swords clashed endlessly, even sparks were generated from the constant clash, but Bartant was tired, it was hard to keep fighting. He couldn’t even keep his eyes open, and eventually, he fell to the ground asleep.

Flashy images passed through his mind, he knew he was dreaming, but the dream was very pleasant. He was seeing mountains, forests, dungeons, battles, he saw a beautiful female, a dance, he felt a warm cozy feeling, happiness, and then something he could not foresee, he was a holding a baby in his arms, who was constantly laughing. Was that his future? Was he meant to be a father? And then the sun disappeared, and red and orange clouds covered the sky, the ground froze and the horizon burned in a white fire. He couldn’t see anything, but white and golden flames in the distance. Was that … one of the Sacred Flame?