Under the silver glow of the full moon, the mystical beasts gathered in the heart of their territory, a vast expanse of ancient forest nestled between towering mountains. The air was thick with anticipation as dragons of all shapes and sizes assembled, their scales shimmering in the moonlight like scattered gemstones.

It was a night ablaze with celebration, a symphony of passion and longing. The annual Mating Rite, a cherished tradition among dragons, unfolding each spring as the season’s warmth infused the air with promise. The bonfires illuminated the expansive open field that stretched on for miles, their flames dancing in harmony with the beating hearts of those who circled around them.

Amidst the shimmering firelight, bodies swayed and intertwined, moving to a rhythm as ancient as time itself. Each step, each glance, spoke of a yearning for connection, for the chance to find a partner with whom to share the journey of life.

This was it. This was his chance to finally reach out and announce his intentions, to show his devotion and love for the one who had stolen his heart so long ago.

Elias spun his eyes around, peering through the flames and the bodies that intertwined and swayed with each other; singing their vocal songs and melodies. The passion and craving was enough to swallow a dragon whole this night; it was easy to get swept away into the warmth of those bodies. He refused. He wouldn’t be swayed.

Twisting and pushing through the crowds and bodies, his eyes remained attentive to find that familiar face and his nose continued trying to sift through the thick scents in search of a certain one. It was difficult, due to how many dragons had come to the Rite this year, but as he finally broke through the line into an open space, that was when he saw them. Beauty incarnate. Their body was illuminated by the glowing bon fire as they moved in such a mesmerizing manner that all the other bodies around seemed to fade away.

This was his chance, and he wasn’t going to mess it up.