A Name Beneath the Old Mill

Rhea lands upon a broad crown of ancient trees, her gold-and-red wings stirring leaves below. Beyond the branches, the first sky-light hovers above an ancient pool shimmering with dragon energy.

Several luminous paths descend through the forest and converge around the pool, whose surface reflects a distant stone circle and the silhouette of a much older dragon, a massive adult dragon whose broad, winged silhouette rises beyond the pool waiting beyond it.

Mizuki kneels among the roots and presents their trinkets in a sparkling fan. Little Ember’s bell answers the hovering beacon, sending silver ripples across the pool.

At the pool’s far edge, the luminous routes narrow into a root-woven passage sized for Little Ember alone. The ancient dragon lifts its head, and the water brightens in welcome.

Little Ember steps onto the root-woven passage, moonstone clasp shining against her blue-gray scales. The pool’s luminous paths brighten beneath her small claws.

She spreads her wings and takes off across the ancient pool, silver ripples opening beneath her. Rui, Mizuki, Tsukasa, and Rhea remain at the shore, watching.

Little Ember glides toward the distant stone circle, her bell chiming over the water. The older dragon lowers its immense head, and the pool answers with a deep, gentle note.

At the pool’s center, Little Ember’s orange glow meets the ancient dragon’s pale radiance. Neither flame nor threat follows, only widening rings of light beneath her hovering wings.

Little Ember crosses the remaining distance, wings beating steadily above the luminous pool. At the far shore, the stone circle opens beneath her shadow.

She lands lightly among the ancient stones, claws touching moss without disturbing the glowing water. Her moonstone clasp shines like a captured star.

The ancient dragon lowers its immense head until one pale eye rests level with Little Ember. Across the pool, Rui, Mizuki, Tsukasa, and Rhea watch in silence.

The older dragon’s breath moves across the stones like warm dawn. Pale radiance gathers around Little Ember, tracing the outline of her wings and clasp.

Pale light gathers beneath Little Ember’s claws, forming three small flames around the stone circle. Across the pool, Rui, Mizuki, Tsukasa, and Rhea remain watchful and still.

The first flame curls toward the western beacon, the second toward the forest path, and the third reflects the distant mill road. The pool’s surface remains calm.

Little Ember draws a deep breath beneath the ancient dragon’s pale gaze. Her orange glow gathers inward, steady and bright, while the three ritual flames bend toward her.

She exhales a concentrated stream of wildfire into the center pyre. The flame catches at once, burning clear amber without scorching stone or spilling beyond its ring.

The pool answers with widening rings of gold. Across the water, Rui remains watchful beside Mizuki, Tsukasa, and Rhea as the center fire rises.

The three flames unite around Little Ember, forming a luminous crown above the stone circle. Her moonstone clasp gleams, and the ancient rite settles into peaceful completion.

The united ritual flames settle around Little Ember without touching her scales. The ancient dragon lowers its immense head, pale eye intent upon the young flame.

The center pyre flares sharply, and its amber heat drains the moonstone clasp’s radiance until the ornament turns dull and warm against her scales.

The name takes shape in the air above the stones, written in slow-burning gold. The pool carries its reflection outward in widening rings.

The golden name settles above the stone circle. Across the pool, every watcher remains still as Towering Blaze turns her bright gaze toward the ancient dragon.

Towering Blaze spreads her wings and rises above the luminous water. She flies back in a careful arc, moonstone clasp warm against her scales, while gold ripples follow her shadow.

Towering Blaze lands at the near shore between Rui and Mizuki, folding her wings as the pool’s radiance softens. Tsukasa and Rhea watch from above, visibly relieved.