Chapter 3: The Temple of Aagna
The moon was high above the hills of Bhavanipur, casting a pale glow over the forests that bordered the town's outskirts. Crickets chirped softly. A chill wind stirred the leaves, and the world seemed unusually quiet—almost as if it were holding its breath.
Ajay stood at the edge of the road, staring into the woods. In his hand, he held the letter. He had read it a hundred times, memorized every word, every curve of his father's handwriting. It led him here—to the edge of the forest where, according to local legend, no birds ever flew, and no humans dared to enter.
The Temple of Aagna, his father had written. Find it.
He took a deep breath and stepped into the shadows.
Into the Forest
The trees grew denser with every step. Their roots twisted like sleeping serpents across the path. There was no sound—no animals, no rustling, no wind. Just silence.
Ajay walked for nearly half an hour, the letter clutched in his hand, his heartbeat steady but alert.
Suddenly, the air shifted.
The forest grew darker—unnaturally dark.
A low hum buzzed in his ears, like a frequency he couldn't block out. The symbol on his chest began to burn softly beneath his shirt, pulsing like it had a heartbeat of its own.
He stopped.
Before him stood a gate of stone, ancient and weather-worn. Vines hung from its frame. Symbols were carved across its surface—dragons, eyes, wings, and stars.
In the center of the gate was a circle. Ajay's mark began to glow brighter. As he stepped forward, the circle responded, glowing red with fire. The ground trembled.
The gate opened.
The Temple Awakens
Ajay stepped inside a vast underground corridor lit by fire that burned without fuel. The flames floated mid-air, lining the walls. The stone beneath his feet was warm and marked with glowing runes.
Massive dragon statues lined the hallway—some looked like they were sleeping, others like they were guarding something.
He walked cautiously.
Soon, the hallway opened into a circular chamber.
At the center stood a pedestal, and atop it, a book so ancient that its pages shimmered with energy. The cover read in old Draconian script:
The Book of Origins
Ajay reached for it—but the moment his fingers brushed the cover, the chamber reacted.
A loud roar echoed around him.
The dragon statues… moved.
The Guardian Wakes
From the shadows, a massive dragon shape formed—made of flame and shadow. It was not entirely real, yet not entirely spirit. Its eyes burned like twin suns.
Ajay froze.
"You are not worthy," it growled. "You do not yet understand what you are."
Ajay tried to speak, but his voice faltered. The dragon took a step forward, the ground cracking under its ethereal weight.
"Your blood is chaos. Vampire and dragon cannot coexist. One must rule. One must die."
"No," Ajay said quietly, then louder, "I didn't choose this! But I won't be your enemy."
The dragon growled again. "Prove it."
Without warning, it lunged.
Ajay dodged just in time, moving with a speed that surprised even him. His instincts kicked in—vampire reflexes, dragon strength. His eyes flashed red. The symbol on his chest blazed like fire.
He raised his hand and shouted, "I don't want to fight!"
But the dragon roared, breathing a torrent of fire.
Ajay closed his eyes. His chest burned—and then—
Wings.
From his back, enormous black wings with crimson tips unfurled. He lifted off the ground, instinctively dodging the flame. His hands glowed with energy—half fire, half shadow.
He reached out toward the dragon—not with fists, but with his mind.
"I am not your enemy. I am the one you've waited for."
The fire stopped.
The dragon paused, its eyes narrowing.
Then, slowly, it bowed.
"Then rise, Prince of Flame and Shadow."
The Book of Origins
Ajay floated down to the pedestal and opened the book.
Pages turned on their own, revealing:
Maps of dragon temples lost across the continents.
Diagrams of blood rituals used by vampire elders.
A prophecy detailing the Child of Fire and Fang, destined to either:
Unite the dragon and vampire races.
Or be consumed by their war and unleash a darkness that would end all worlds.
Ajay learned that his awakening was only the beginning.
There were six trials—three dragon, three vampire. Only after passing all six would he gain full control over his powers… and the ability to either save or destroy both worlds.
But time was running out.
The book warned:
"When the blood moon rises… the war shall begin."
Ajay didn't know when that would be.
But the last page had a message written in his mother's hand:
"I believe in you, my son. Let no one else decide who you are."
Outside the Temple
Ajay stepped back into the night.
But he was not alone.
Standing at the edge of the woods was a man in a long, dark cloak. Pale skin. Eyes like silver. No heartbeat.
A vampire.
He bowed deeply. "Prince Ajay. At last, we meet."
Ajay clenched his fists. "Who are you?"
"My name is Kael. I served your father. And I bring… a warning."
Ajay stayed silent.
Kael continued, "The Crimson Order knows you're alive. They are coming. They will stop at nothing to see you dead."
Ajay stepped forward, his wings vanishing into smoke.
"Let them come."
End of Chapter 3
In Chapter 4: Ajay returns home only to discover he's being hunted already. Diya's life is in danger. A vampire assassin arrives—forcing Ajay into his first real battle. Will he be able to protect his sister, or will his enemies get to her first?