Dragonkeeper

In the lush landscapes of ancient Han Imperial China, a captivating tale unfolds, driven by the bond between a young enslaved girl named Ping and the majestic Long Danzi, a legendary dragon gifted with magical powers. Set against the backdrop of a kingdom where dragons had been banished, leaving only remnants of their existence, the narrative follows Ping's extraordinary journey as she discovers her true potential as a Dragonkeeper. Born an orphan, Ping's early life is shrouded in mystery and hardship. Her days are spent toiling as an enslaved girl within the palace walls, struggling to survive amidst the realm's stark social hierarchies. Her world is yet to be acquainted with her remarkable fate, hidden beneath the intricate tapestry of her mundane existence. However, the events of one fateful night spark a series of events that would mold Ping into the legendary hero of China's ancient past. In the darkness of the night, with the kingdom shrouded in an air of secrecy, Ping stumbles upon a mysterious, glowing egg. Belonging to one of the last remnants of the mystical Long dragon lineage, this ancient egg holds the fate of China's forgotten companions - the dragons. Recognizing the immense value of the egg, the palace guards, tied to the imperial interests of preserving the kingdom's heritage, discover Ping's secret. News of her possessing a dragon egg sends panic through the kingdom, awakening a decades-long animosity and paranoia towards the mythical creatures, cast out from society in favor of appeasing ruthless imperial ambitions. Cornered and helpless, Ping is compelled to make a desperate choice, and in the heat of the moment, agrees to return the ancient Long dragon egg to its ancestral home in the vast expanse of China's oceans. Uninterested and resistant to this decision at first, Ping must brave an unfamiliar and treacherous journey through uncharted territories within China's vast topography. Every measure to push her away is thwarted by her inescapable link to the ancient blue-blooded beast - Long Danzi, also a last surviving representative of her long-lost lineage. Unbeknownst to Ping, this exodus marked the beginning of an unparalleled adventure that transcends societal hierarchies and imperial intentions. As she commits to returning the ancient egg, the child within Ping steps forward, revealing a fledgeling bond that transcended mere human understanding and cultivated an unique affinity with Long Danzi. At the heart of their relationship lies a silent pledge to protect and preserve the now dwindling dragon population, an urgent act of conservation that will either save all dragons from a possible annihilation, or be irreparably altered forever by events yet to unfold. The life-changing journey now unfolds, revealing the depth of Ping's connection to the ancient Long dragon, as they persevere past countless ordeals and challenges, both physically and emotionally harrowing. United, the duo cross perils ranging from treacherous climates to menacing animals as well as fierce treacherous bands whose relentless pursuit reflects the emperor's grand expectation to fulfill and validate the imperial dream of sustaining the legitimacy of long bygone sovereigns. The true allure of their quest is made apparent in each daunting moment - save just a few fragile eggs together with a handful of mature dragons such as a particular ancient beast reminiscent of Ping's blood-line in Long Danzi. Ultimately, Ping and Long Danzi arrive at the doorstep of a calamity foretold by many ancient prophecies - which claimed that the inevitable downfall and disappearance of the remaining dragons are irreversibly inevitable, lest miracle and extraordinary involvement by fate are to prevent the perpetual closing of a chapter on a chapter in China's ethereal realms. This fragile realm teeters atop the precipice of its final act, cast eerily against the dawn of a new age. The future waits, full of both opportunities and challenges. To save the dwindling dragon population and guarantee a secure future, Ping's inseparable bond with Long Danzi forges new bonds - with like-minded allies willing to understand the true importance of coexisting with ancient magnificence in the grand storybook of history that has come to represent Han Dynasty in ancient China's legendary past.