Chapter 7: History
Wanhai had spent the entire night telling Lanfei about the history of dragons, and where they came from.
"It is said that dragons are born from nature, that a baby dragon is always found in the eye of a hurricane, just like how earthquakes unearth dragons' children. Every stream that grows into a river becomes a dragon while every wildfire births a dragon from the smoke and ashes. That's why my scales are black, while yours are an iridescent white-blue."
"Is that what it is? I just saw a reflective white."
"That is because you are newborn; your scales are weak and numerous like a fish's. Once they flake and harden, it'll because different—stronger."
"How long will that take?"
"It maybe years, centuries. Dragon's lifespans are much longer than yours and we interpret time differently than you. We mature at a slower rate to balance for our almost infinite lifespans."
"How old are you then?" Lanfei asked, unsure what to expect.
"A little over eight hundred years old. I am not sure, as dragons don't keep count."
Lanfei's hand flew to cover her agape mouth. She was—much to her horror—bounded to an ancient being that could've been over four hundred times her age. Then she thought, much to her amusement, that dragons really must mature slowly. This eight-hundred-year-old might as well have a fourteen-year-old human's mentality.
Wanhei's eyebrows bunched, almost as if sensing Lanfei's thoughts. Hurriedly, Lanfei moved on to a different subject.
"Okay, tell me about the different kinds of dragons."
"Well, the Nine Heavens were named as such because the skies are divided into nine different territories, each housing their own clan of dragons. We, the eastern dragons, currently don the title of the 'Imperial Dragon' because the Dragon God has come from our clan for countless millennia."
Seeing Lanfei's interest peek as she leaned in, Wanhei pulled out his silver mirror. He stretched it into a map of the skies, as the mirror was enchanted and a gift from his belated mother. Its reflective surface would take form of whatever its master wishes, so Wanhei brought forth the territorial lines of the Nine Heavens.
"I had scoured the world for you, and had found you in the human nation named 'Canada'. It would be under the skies of the northern dragons, the 'drỡgơs'."
The mirror formed into dragons that Lanfei recognized from medieval mythology, ones with expansive wings, reptilian skin, two jointed hind legs and an impressive belly. Their thick tails trailed behind them as they flew, and Lanfei was entranced by the mirror's movements. They looked fantastical and beastly, and Lanfei hoped to see them in person some day.
"Wow..." Her hand reached out, and gently touched a wing. The silvery mirror passed through her fingers, and Lanfei couldn't stop her gasp.
Seeing her excited about northern dragons, a flare of envy passed through Wanhei. He let the mirror drop back to its rigid shape as the map and continued courtly.
"There are the 'Mediterranean' dragons, dubbed 'saghir' for their smaller size. They have colorful scales and horns, but no claws; only two fin-like wings. They prefer to live underwater in the mortal realm so they are rarely found in the skies, which is why their territory is rather pathetic.
"It is rumored that they left the heavens in shame because their clan has never gotten the throne since the death of the first river goddess. Those who still have hope for the rise of their clan stay in the skies, in pitiful conditions. That's what earned them their second name: 'tafif'. It means 'slight'."
The mirror speedily changed into an eel-like form with two fins on its side, gliding right to left similarily to sea creatures. It quickly fell flat, back into the map. Lanfei wanted to object and wish the pretty dragon back to life again, but Wanhei's grumpy demeanor told her it was less troublesome to stay quiet.
"The north-eastern dragons, 'pernatogo' meaning 'feathered', are similar to the northern dragons in shape but has a closer relationship to our clan. After all, the northern clan has secluded themselves in the arctic skies and has not communicated with other clans in centuries."
The mirror obediently changed into the aforementioned dragon, with a body similar to a lion, only longer. It had feathered wings on its back and paws for feet, but what was most surprising to Lanfei was their elegant beaks and pretty eyes. Slender feathers framed their eyes and their sharp beaks curved downwards at the tip.
"Then, there are the south-western dragons," Wanhei spat out, a clear disdain on his face. "They do not deserve the title of dragons, but rather of sky serpents. They are vermin and hated throughout the nine heavenly realms, known for being traitors to the throne."
"What do you mean?"
Heaving a frustrated sigh, Wanhei clinched his fists and stood up, facing away from Lanfei.
"It is said that they are the ones who pushed the Mad Emperor into slaughtering the imperial family. They knew he was insane and violent and took advantage so that they may insert themselves into the conflict at the right time and steal the throne. There's a special name for them; 'fídia'."
The mirror's liquidy surface rippled into two snakes, twisted so closely together that it looked like one snake with two heads.
Composing himself, Wanhei turned back around to look at the image of the fídia.
"It's said they like to bind themselves to one another because they generate heat at a slower rate. They cling to one another, and if one is abandoned by its clan, they will freeze to death. Befitting such disgusting creatures."
The two mirror snakes split into four, and Lanfei jumped. She felt goosebumps rise on her skin as she watched the snakes slide against each other, resembling a four-headed snake with crawling, leathery skin. She could feel their sharp slit-eyes watch her.
"That's enough for today, you must be tired."
"But I'm—"
Wanhai's eyes burned into Lanfei's and she flinched.
"That's enough. Do not make the mistake of hearing me repeat myself."
He seemed to sink into the shadows and left nothing but the scent of smoke. Lanfei gulped, staring at her lap, the dress bunched up in her palms.
He may be pretty, but she shouldn't let her guard down. Gods in fairy tales are never kind, and more often than not, cursed death to those who dared to defy them.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
robynn
robynn Hello my precious readers! Sorry I've been absent for so long, I had exams that ended very recently that I was stressing about.
I hope you can forgive my long absence and still support my story! Here's an extra long chapter filled with lore, just for you <3
As always, comment your thoughts! Do you prefer central plot chapters or lore fillers like this? I'd love to know (o^^o)♪
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