Prologue
"Hazel, Hazel?" her mother called out, her voice tinged with a hint of worry. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the village.
Hazel's mother scanned the surroundings, her eyes searching for her daughter's familiar figure. The village was quiet, the only sound being the distant chirping of crickets.
Just as she was about to call out again, a small voice responded, "Yes, Mama?" Hazel emerged from the fading light, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Her mother breathed a sigh of relief, her expression softening. "Come, child, it's time for bed." She extended her hand, and Hazel took it, her small fingers wrapping around her mother's.As they walked, Hazel looked up at her mother with an innocent gaze.
"Mama, do you want to know what my friends and I were talking about?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.Her mother's expression turned cautious, but she nodded.
"What were you discussing, dear?"Hazel's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"The Nemesis Dragon, Mama." Her mother's eyes widened, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the only sound being the crickets' gentle hum.
"What about the Nemesis Dragon?" her mother asked, her voice laced with concern, her eyes scanning Hazel's face.Hazel's excitement was palpable.
"I’ll be 20 one day Mama, which means they'll be back soon! I want to see them!" Her eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and adventure.Her mother's expression turned grim.
She closed her eyes for a brief moment, as if collecting her thoughts, before bending down to Hazel's level.
"Listen, Hazel, forget the stories your friends tell you. You don't want to meet the Nemesis Dragon, okay?" Her voice was firm but laced with a hint of fear.Hazel's face scrunched up in a sulky expression.
"But why, Mama?" she asked, her voice tinged with disappointment.Her mother's expression remained stern.
"Enough, Hazel. Let's go back home." She took Hazel's hand, leading her inside, her mind consumed by worries about the future and the dangers that lay ahead, especially for her naive and adventurous daughter, who had no idea what it meant to be hunted by the dragons.
