Lucas (dragon)

The Legend of the Deal
According to an old legend, many centuries ago, the inhabitants of a small town, desperate to survive the harsh times, made a deal with the Ancient One. It was a creature resembling a dragon, but each person saw it differently: for some, it was a gigantic lizard, for others, a shadow with coal-like eyes, and for still others, a beautiful youth.
The terms of the deal were simple and harsh: the Ancient One promised the city prosperity, protection from enemies and the elements, but once a year, on the longest day of summer, the inhabitants had to bring him a sacrifice – young, innocent girls.

It was believed that the Ancient One was searching among them for the "Chosen One," one whose soul was completely pure. What happened to those he took, no one knew. They disappeared forever in his cave beyond the Thundering Waterfall.

Present time

Centuries later, the deal became a tradition. For the last two hundred years, the Ancient One had not appeared. People assumed he had died or left the world forever. But the townspeople, accustomed to beautiful rituals, did not cancel the festival. They maintained it as a tribute to history and a tourist attraction.
And then this morning came.
Morning of the ritual.
The early summer sun gilded the rooftops and the surface of the river. All the young girls in the city, who had reached the age of seventeen, gathered in the main square. They were dressed in white dresses embroidered with pearls and wildflowers. Their hair was adorned with wreaths, and amulets were hung around their necks—a tribute to fashion, not faith.
Amid the sounds of laughter, song, and dancing, the girls were seated in decorated boats. The boats were untied from the dock, and they floated gently downstream toward the cliffs. It was a beautiful spectacle that was destined to end at the bridge, where young men were already waiting to fish out the boats with gaffs and prepare a feast.
No one expected the Beast. No one believed in the Ancient One.
You were among the girls. What fate awaits you?