“Very well,” he said. “You may call me Qīnglóng.”
“Qīnglóng, newborn of the Southern Ocean,” Ana said, “I give you a duty to guard the oceans. When mariners set sail, they will see the brightness of your scales in the water and will seek to discover places beyond. As this important symbol, I gift you with the power of water and the permeability of such. As you bring storms, you also bring life. Your domain is found in all points south of the center. I endow you with the buoyancy of the clouds.”
Qīnglóng didn’t seem to care much about his new powers. He just blew irritably at the turquoise and purple feathers that sprung from his back and flicked his tail in annoyance. Ana told him he could leave, but he just rolled over, wriggled his body in the snow, and proceeded to fall asleep with his short legs sticking up in the air. When he began to snore, Ana grunted and zapped him with enough electricity to make him shove off.
“Who will be next?” Ana asked huffily as she shoved wisps of her hair away from her face.
“Pick me! Pick me!” the golden dragon squealed. “I’d say you should save the best for last but why waste your time when the best is right here?”
Ana smiled. “Dragon of gold—”
“Wait. Wait,” the dragon begged. “You should know that I’m not terribly full of concern for others. Some might call me selfish. As such, I think it best that you gift me with something you know I’ll excel at, such as eating or finding the best spots to sun myself in. Oh! What about being beautiful? I am the most stunning of dragons. I sound like I’m boasting but you were already thinking it, so it’s not really boasting then, is it? It’s just stating the obvious.”
“I will keep your suggestions in mind,” Ana said. “What will you call yourself?”
“Now that’s a fascinating question, isn’t it? There are so many words you could use to describe a dragon like me. Unslayable comes to mind. But that might incentivize knights, don’t you think? Then again, a name like Deathbringer might keep away the rabble. I know I don’t want any silly names like Brightscales or Clawbiter, though I’ll be the first to admit I’ll probably nibble when I feel stressed.” He spun in the air, continuing his monologue. “And definitely not something with an “of” in the title, like Protector of, Champion of, or Bringer of. No. There’s too much expectation attached to a name like that.”
Ana sighed and I mentally suggested his name. “How about Jīnsèlóng,” Ana said.
The dragon grimaced. “Jīnsèlóng? I don’t think so. That name is much too generic for a being as complex as I am.”
“Perhaps you are right,” Ana said. “Why don’t we use it for now as a pet nickname? That way you can have plenty of time to think on it and get back to me with your chosen name later.”
“I suppose that would be fine,” he said. “Just so long as everyone here knows, I’m still undecided on the matter.”
“Very good. Then, Jīnsèlóng, newborn of the Atlantic Ocean, I give you a duty to guard the treasures of the Earth, both those hidden deep within the mountains as well as those created by humans. When mankind sees your likeness in art or carvings, they will be inspired by your beauty and they will imagine and create. With this duty in mind, I gift you with the power of discernment and command of the elements so that you might seek out that which is most precious and protect it. Your domain is found in all points north of the center. I endow you with the continuity of the waves.”
The dragon shivered as his scales hardened and became as varied in coloration as the precious metals of the earth. “I appreciate your gift, don’t get me wrong,” the dragon said to Ana, “but there are a few questions I have regarding my duty.”
“I trust you implicitly,” Ana said. “If anyone can protect the wealth and beauty of this world, it will be you.” Leaning closer, she whispered in the dragon’s ear. “It is best not to go on about your duty too much,” she said. “Your brothers might become more jealous of you than they already are.”
The gold dragon peered over at the white dragon and narrowed his eyes shrewdly. Then, he turned back to Ana. “That is very wise,” he said in a loud whisper. “We will speak more of this at a later time.”
Ana winked at him and he moved off, coiling his body in a circle and glaring at his brothers as if they were going to try to steal his power away from him. I stifled a laugh. She’d handled him with a deft hand. She already had a lot of experience dealing with soldiers of every kind. Dragons weren’t that much different, all things considered.
“Dragon of white,” Ana said, “You are next.”
When he approached, he blew an icy fog over us. “Sorry about that,” he said. “I’m still getting used to life outside of the water.”
Under my breath, I mumbled, “Wouldn’t count on that lasting long.”
“What will you name yourself?” Ana asked him.
He hesitated a moment, looking into the eyes of the goddess as she looked in his. I got the sense that they were communicating mentally though I heard nothing. “I believe I shall take the name Yínbáilóng,” the dragon answered.
“That is a very fitting choice,” Ana said, then straightened her shoulders as if coming to a decision. “Yínbáilóng, newborn of the Arctic Ocean, you will be the leader of your brothers. As such, I give you a duty to watch over them as well as all the inhabitants of the Earth. Your domain stretches the farthest, touching all the worlds that circle the sun. When men turn their faces to seek out the yellow warmth of its rays, they will sense your protection and be reminded of what it means to be noble and wise. Because of this, I gift you with the powers of judgment and the ability to balance all things. Your domain is the center. This means the center of not only this world but the center of all things. I endow you with the stillness of the snow.”
As power left her once again, the white dragon’s body shone. Icicles grew over his horns and the fur on his back grew thick and white. I was now fully supporting her weight. “Sohan,” she whispered and opened her mouth as if to say more but then her eyes rolled back.
“Ana?” I caught her as she went limp. “Ana!”
“She is simply exhausted, Father,” Yínbáilóng said. “But if you will guide us, we can help. Place your hand on her chest, and the five of us can draw upon the might of the celestial bodies we are now tied to. Come, brothers.”
They all moved closer, their large heads bobbing next to one another. The white dragon told me he would act as a conduit, channeling the power of the others. Using our bond, I poured my energy into Ana through my palm. It began and the five dragons filled with light that burst up and out over the mountain, casting a rainbow hue that lit up the sky. The colorful beam wrapped around Yínbáilóng.
A shaft of light hit me and I staggered briefly but kept tight hold of Ana. Glancing up, I saw that it was coming from Yínbáilóng’s eye. Heat filled my frame and as I opened my mind to the dragons, I saw each of them through new eyes. The time piece of the amulet showed me what they would do and how they would influence mankind over the eons. Apparently, they saw the same thing I did.
Who are you, Father, that you can show us such wonders? they asked in my mind.
As I siphoned the energy of the cosmos from the offering the dragons made, pushing it into Ana, I answered. I am the one who wanders. The one who knows all but prefers to experience the world as one unaware. Someday, your mother and I will leave the mysteries of this world to the five of you, but for now, be content. Learn and grow and use your great influence to be of benefit to others.
Yes, Father, the five dragons said.
Ana blinked her eyes slowly and I swept her up in my arms, cradling her close. “Thank you, my great sons,” Ana said as she touched her hand to the red dragon.