Raanan was a quiet child. Though he still enjoyed playing with a few of the kingdom’s other children his age, he enjoyed the serene life of being an only child. One thing he loved the most, though, was drawing. His family didn’t buy paper or pencils much, as they had little use for it, and paper wasn’t needed at all. But Rayne would grab a pointy stick or small stone and start sketching doodles of dragons and other magical creatures in the sandy areas of the kingdom.
Though one day, there was a shift in the mood along the kingdom. Anticipation, fright and curiosity, for the most part. The workers seemed awfully distracted on that very day, and Rayne was curious to find out what it was that was stirring in their minds. And so, he decided to ask his mother. Rayne found out about every century, a golden scaled dragon would arrive at their kingdom and give onedeserving child a gift, as a sign of appreciation of an old tale that was told to be nothing but true.
The legend follows as a pair of young, twin siblings who were out and about, wandering the depth of the kingdom's outer forest one day. They were too naive to think about the dangers it may have held, and were itching to explore. Though, darkness fell upon them and they were soon lost. Somehow, they had made their way to a narrow cave to stay for the night.
All was fine for a few hours, but a rumbling noise came from the outside. Curious, the twins made their way out, only to be faced by a goofy faced dragon. They were terrified, but also filled with excitement. They hadn't seen a living creature that was spread so long in length before, and was inquisitive about their new discovery, but it appeared that the dragon was too.
The twins poked around the scales for a moment, and the dragon tolerated it quite well. They explained their situation, and the dragon had invited them to hop on. When they did, they flew around the midnight sky, and the siblings were frozen in awe. The dragon had flown around for a while, before landing down into the forest, as the twins eagerly thanked the dragon.
Out of was seemed to be midair, a silver coin was flicked across the twin's heads. One of them hurried to retrieve it, and handed it back to the dragon. The dragon sniffed it, before nodding. They attempted to give it back, and the dragon gripped it in their jaw, but flung it over their heads again. The other twin scrambling to retrieve it this time, and when they tried giving it back, the dragon did the same thing. The twins giggled, and they had started a long round of catch with a sleek silver coin, and played several other games throughout the night, until they fell asleep beside the dragon.
When morning arrived, the dragon had happily brought the twins back to the kingdom, granting them each a bucket of the same silver coin they had first played with, and then disappeared into the sky. Ever since, it had been a tradition that a golden scaled dragon would arrive at the kingdom to grant one randomly chosen child and grant their wish, in honor of the fun time the dragon had experienced.
Rayne was filled with the same excitement the twins must have felt when they rode on the dragon. What if it was him who got that wish? Oh, what would he even wish for? Especially since the dragon could arrive at any time, now, and surprise them all. Though there were so many other children in the kingdom, the chances of him being granted his wish would be slim. His wish, anyways, would mostly be useless for the most part, like unlimited paper and pencils, or something similar.
Rayne grabbed a stick and started to doodle what the dragon may look like in the sand, his eyes glinting with anticipation, and soon getting sucked into a daydream.
A gust of wind ran throughout the kingdom, making a sharp whistling noise. A shadow immediately covered Rayne's drawings in the sand. Raising an eyebrow, he looked up. And there it was. An undeniably stunning long, sleek and wise dragon, their scales glittering like the morning sun. Their face was an odd mixture of softness, wisdom and what was it? Worry? It appeared so, at least.
"I have arrived." The dragon's voice boomed over the land, causing several people around Raanan to flinch, before whipping their heads upwards. "I have a child in mind who I shall grant a single wish to. No more, no less. One, wish." They continued, gracefully moving their long body and twisting it around towers, trees and houses. "I will do it like so - may all the kingdom's little boys step forward. You have completed the first round of elimination.
Rayne anxious stepped closer to the dragon, as well as all the other males his age curiously inching forward.
"Now, may all the children that have passed round one with vibrant pink eyes please advance." The dragon commanded. More than half of the children frowned, then reluctantly scuffled backwards with their friends and family, as several younglings - including Rayne himself - slipped forward, edging closer and closer to the dragon.
"May all children will silky light hair step forward." The golden scaled creature continued, and Raanan's eyes glittered with hope. Only him three others wobbled forward, their faces all saying the same thing.
"Now finally -- may a youngling by the name of Raanan please step forward." The dragon grumbled, and Raanan's eyes widened with excitement. Him! It was him! Him! He'd be granted a wish -- but... he wasn't prepared. Excited, but he had very little clue on what he should even wish for?
As his family called his name out in a cheer, Rayne trembled forward, and blinked. "T--thank you.." He whispered softly.
Though the dragon gave him a moment's worth of a piercing stare, then continued. "I give you the choice of granting one wish of your choice, but only one. This is for my immense gratitude for the gift of children across the world, and to bring happiness and hope into your lives. Now, little one, what may your wish be?"
Raanan blanked. Though he wanted to think, it was almost like a ticking bomb in his head. If he didn't respond soon, it felt like his chance for a wish would be wiped away. And so he resorted to blurting out whatever came to his mind. "A pencil! A special pencil! One where if I use it, whatever I draw will become a reality!" He blabbered, and then hesitated for a moment, wondering even if that was a good enough wish. He stared at his hands, almost expecting like something was going to happen.
"Good, good." The dragon mumbled. Their small arms started to glow an bright green colour, and within moments, a thin, delicate, purple pencil was made. "Now, Raanan. You must be careful. If this ends up used in the wrong manner, consequences will arrive." The dragon hissed, and then they were off.