"It has been thirty-nine years since the great war had taken place between humans and Dragonesians. Many fell, many lived, and many fought till their breath ran out. But above all, humans won. They showed through their courage that taking down powerful beings, like Dragonesians, was not impossible. I still remember staying up the whole night when The Takeover was initiated and everywhere, destruction could only be seen. Fortunately, where my home was, the effects of the battle could not reach. But that did not mean that I could not hear the screams and explosions happening here and there. It was terrifying.

Nevertheless, at the end of the day, it all turned out to be alright. And now, humans and Dragonesians can co-exist in peace and harmony."

As the forty-eight-year-old woman concluded narrating the story to her two, adopted, fifteen-year-old children, she was ready to be bombarded by questions.

"What happened next?"

"Did the Dragonesians try to rise again?"

"How did the Dragonesian King die?"

"I wonder how it was, living under such a dictatorial rule. I am glad we live under a democratic system now though."

"Calm down you two," she couldn't help but laugh at the twins' unending queries.

"Cora, she is here."

Cora Kiorsa, now known as Cora Kiorsa Ortario, smiled at her husband at the most awaited news.

Almost immediately, the sound of the door being opened was heard. Before Cora's husband could even properly greet their eldest daughter, she ran towards her father's embrace.

"I missed you," the girl sighed happily after returning home, almost one year later.

"Missed you too bud. Now let go of me or your mother's going to be cranky and jealous for the entire day."

Chuckling, the seventeen-year-old girl released her father and turned around to give her mother Cora, a warm hug.

"About time, young lady," Cora murmured sarcastically but laughed along anyway, "How's school there?"

"It took me about one month to adjust, but after that, everything was smooth. My roommates are quite welcoming and nice, actually."

"Well, that's a relief then."

"And what are you kids doing here?" She entered the room where her twin siblings sat at and gave them a tight hug each.

"Being two years younger than you doesn't make us kids." Her sister grumbled, whereas, her brother nodded along with crossed arms.

"Lena, Lucian. Your textbooks are still on the dining table. Pick your belongings up, please." At their father's voice from the kitchen, sighing and protesting silently, the blonde girl and her twin brother, a blue eyed boy, headed towards the kitchen.

Cora had been devastated when, at the age of nine, she had found all of them dead. Although she did not ever get to know about Leon's betrayal, it was not easy to get over their memories, the guilt, regret and painful emotions, at such a young age. But time healed the pain, and she studied hard, alongside Dragonesian children, as a peaceful democratic country and new laws and rules were being introduced. In fact, Lumina's present Presidents were a human and a Dragonesian belonging to the Pure Class. As for the Devil and Evil Classes, the ones who wanted to coexist, lived, while others either killed themselves, were killed in the war or were now rotting in prison.

After graduating from a prestigious university and acquiring a stable job, Cora met her husband, who was actually a chef at a well-known restaurant. Eventually, they fell in love, married one another and had their first daughter, Alana Kiorsa Ortario.

Cora was thankful to Alana for a lot of things. She had helped her and Cynthia from misery and lifelong slavery at the inn. She had become the reason to ignite hope and courage within them. And she had always thought of saving others before her own self. How could she not name her first child by the name of the person, who was now known as a legend?

Cora and her husband had decided on having two more children. However, due to complications in her health that had occurred during Alana's birth, the couple decided on adopting twins instead. As if it was a coincidence, the day they went to a nearby orphanage, two kids who were twins, had arrived there. The poor kids, who were only seven months old babies, had lost their biological parents in an accident.

And that is how, the babies whose names were unknown, were named as Lena and Lucian Kiorsa Ortario. The adorable twins just reminded Cora of Lena and Lucian too much. At times, they were bickering and at the same time caring for one another.

"I thought it would be alright, but now I am missing you all the time," Cora dramatically pouted, holding Alana closer in her embrace.

Alana giggled in response. "And who agreed to send me abroad to complete my higher education?"

"I am regretting that," Cora joked, laughing out loud, "But seriously. Your father and I are very proud of you. You are doing great."

Alana snuggled into the warmth of her mother, which she missed for one whole year. Well, the vacation she was receiving was worth it.

The doorbell rang suddenly, alerting Alana. A huge grin spread across her lips, knowing who it was.

"Who is it?" Cora asked as she followed an overjoyed Alana.

But who was she to wait and answer, as the girl had already opened the door to greet her best friend.

"Selene!" A beautiful dark skinned girl, with gorgeous black curls, greeted Alana in the same, joyful manner. The two girls embraced one another in a tight hug immediately.

"One year of not meeting you, and you are already taller than me," Selene laughed, smacking Alana's arm playfully.

"Puberty hits," Alana shrugged.

Cora had already reached the two girls by the time Alana was preparing to call for her mother.

"I will be back soon. I already had my breakfast. Just need to run some errands for Selene's assignment."

"Have fun." Alana grimaced as her mother gave a peck on her cheek before leaving the house with Selene. But Selene could not even step outside the front porch, that her wrist was tugged at. The girl turned around to find a very flustered Lucian, with his reddened cheeks.

Alana rolled her eyes as it was a known fact what a huge crush her fifteen-year-old brother had on her best friend.

"I'll come out in a moment." Clearly not wanting to hurt Lucian's feelings as the boy had something to say to her, Selene sheepishly told Alana to head on. "Do you have anything to say to me Lucian?"

The boy, who was clearly shorter than Selene (which was adorable), stared up at the girl as he mustered up enough courage to utter out the next words. "Go out with me, please."

Lena, who was hearing on in the conversation from the kitchen, snorted out loud while eating her cereals. Lucian especially did not forget to scowl at his twin sister before turning his attention back on a very awkward looking Selene.

She ruffled Lucian's hair as she said, "You are like my little brother Lucian. But I appreciate your confession."

Being turned down was especially not on his list. He puffed up his chest, which was nothing but cute, before letting out, "I can prove it to you that I am definitely not like your little brother."

Selene laughed off his cute antics before pinching his cheeks. "Yeah, okay kiddo."

And as Selene turned around to leave, Lucian did not forget to say. "You will give me a chance after I turn eighteen, right?"

Selene made a thinking position, humming deeply and purposefully teasing the young boy. She patted his shoulder with a grin. "Will think after you turn eighteen."

As Lucian saw Selene leaving, a dreamy smile took over his lips. He had been asking the older girl out on a date for months. And every time, Selene turned him down because she always saw him as her brother. But Lucian was now determined to change Selene's mindset. He was only waiting to reach the age of eighteen.

"She did not accept you yet. Hence, I won the bet." An annoying voice sing-sang, stretching her palm out in front of Lucian. "Give me the money."

"Well, Selene did not reject me either," Lucian retorted.

"And she will soon. You really think you have a chance to date the most popular girl of our school when there are already several guys before you." Lena sighed out dreamily, "And who are all so charming."

"You'll see how I make Selene fall for me once I reach eighteen. Three years wait would be worthwhile."

Lena couldn't help but snort. "Keep dreaming. Bold of you to assume Selene would be waiting three years for someone like you."

"Hey!" Lucian retorted, being offended, "You know what? It's a waste of time arguing with you."

"Okay, okay, now hand over the money."

Lucian hummed before sneakily smiling and running away. Lena chased after the running boy not long after.

Meanwhile, while Selene and Lucian were having a conversation inside the house, Alana was pacing outside.

Noticing a Cantala plant, which was very rare because their flowers bloomed every thousand years, Alana headed towards the direction. It was strange since the last Cantala flower happened to bloom about thirty-nine years ago. The girl even thought if she should take some sample.

"Ouch!"

Alana groaned, massaging her head. Bumping straight into someone and hitting your forehead, never felt good. But well, she wasn't being aware of her surroundings either.

Alana noticed a boy, not less than her age probably, fixing his half-rimmed black spectacles. The books, which he had been carrying in his arms, scattered everywhere around. He even had a school bag on his back.

Alana felt guilt running through her as for her, the boy could be late for his school. She went over to him and stretched out her hand with a polite grin as he was busy picking up his books and stacking them somehow inside his bag, which was full of books already.

"I am so sorry," Alana apologized, "I wasn't looking."

The boy zipped up his bag and took Alana's hand. In no time, Alana pulled him up and their gazes met.

The boy's crimson red eyes sparkled enchantingly as he stared into Alana's dark eyes.

Realizing she was still holding onto his hand, Alana released him and stepped back. She couldn't help but ask whatsoever, "Are you a Dragonesian, by any chance?"

"Yes," the boy's velvety and mellow voice answered. "I hope that doesn't bother you."

"Don't worry, it doesn't."

"Were you having a closer look at the Cantala?"

"Yes actually. You know about Cantala plants?"

"I am specializing in Herbology at my school, actually," the boy answered, pushing the spectacle up the bridge of his nose. He seemed exceptionally proud.

"I might not be an expert in Herbology like you, but I do know about Cantala plants. A few things, at least. Is it safe to touch their flowers?"

"Not at all! The pollen grains of the flowers, once inhaled, may cost you your life."

Alana laughed, as she unknowingly said, "Why do I feel like I have heard this before?"

The boy shrugged in response, "Not sure about that. Anyway, I should probably go."

"Yeah, yeah, you should."

Bidding Alana goodbye, he jogged the other way but turned around only to ask, "Have we met before?"

"I don't know. I thought so too. It's weird, isn't it?"

The boy smiled subtly, "I guess it is. I do hope to see you around, familiar stranger."

Alana chuckled, "Same here. What is your name, though? I am Alana, by the way. Alana Kiorsa Ortario."

The boy took Alana's outstretched hand and shook it, the smile not leaving his face for one moment.

"Leon. Leon Zarry is my name. It was nice meeting you, Alana Kiorsa Ortario."

The End

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A/N: "Fall of Dragonesia" officially ends! I am so happy and emotional right now 😭😭😭 ༎ຶ⁠‿⁠༎ຶ
Thank you to those who stayed till the end. Sending lots of virtual love and hugs ❤️❤️❤️. I appreciate the time you have spent on reading my little story, voting and commenting on it. Lots of thanks to my silent readers as well <3