"The Song Only You Will Hear"

By Heiyan, dragon of the dark seas of the Yanwei clan*

The moon was high, full and calm — a perfect mirror over the surface of the sea. I chose this night on purpose. Luna always says the full moon gives her energy, as if the tides within her danced with its light. And I… I wanted to see her shine.

The sanctuary where we met was hidden, secret — tucked between stone pillars wrapped in glowing coral. You could only reach it by diving deep into currents that obeyed only my will. I built this place with care for her — a floor of soft, dry white sand, cushions made of sea-silk algae, and jellyfish lights floating like lanterns. A suspended garden under the ocean, sealed in an enchanted pocket of air.

Luna was lying across the cushions, her fluffy tail curled around her legs, silver hair cascading down her shoulders, eyes closed, absorbing the soft song of the surrounding waters. She looked so peaceful here… so different from the world above. Here, there was no fear. No duties. Only us.

I walked to her in my human form, slow steps, my heart heavier than I expected. Strange… to be called a beast in so many tales, feared even by the sea gods themselves, and yet have trembling hands while holding something so small… for someone so precious.

“Luna,” I called gently.

She opened her eyes slowly, and when she smiled at me, the rest of the world faded. It was just her. Always her.

“You came,” she said, sitting up.

“Of course I did. And I brought something… special.” I sat beside her and held out a small bundle wrapped in dark blue cloth embroidered with pearl-thread. “It’s a memory. A part of me. And of the sea, too.”

She unwrapped it carefully, as if she could already feel the magic pulsing within. When she saw the shell, her eyes lit up. It was delicate, the size of her palm, shimmering with pearlescent hues that changed with the light. On its surface, carved into the shell, were ancient runes — the language of the sea dragons — etched with love and remembrance.

“It’s a Singing Shell,” I explained. “When I was young, before I became legend… I used to fall asleep listening to the tides. But there was one song… one that only sea dragons know. It was lost over time. Everyone forgot it.”

My eyes locked onto hers, steady and sure “Everyone… except me. And now, you.”