Where exactly are we headed?

  Lunaria broke the silence, her tone cool and authoritative, the kind that demanded an answer before the question had fully settled in the air.

  The guild hall, obviously.

  Tria replied with an easy grin, hands laced behind her head as she walked. There's a mission waiting, and it has our name written all over it.

  She cast a sideways glance at the others before continuing. Word is, an unknown monster's been prowling near one of the outlying villages. Livestock gone, houses damaged, people too scared to sleep.

  And the reward? Her smirk widened. Let's just say we'd be foolish to pass it up.

  Seraphine nodded quickly, the last trace of pink on her cheeks fading as her confidence returned. It shouldn't pose much trouble, she said, her voice bright with conviction. We're the strongest party this town has seen in years!

  She puffed out her chest for half a heartbeat, pride shining through—then immediately faltered. With a small, embarrassed cough, she turned away and partially hid behind her cloak, pretending to adjust its clasp.

  Lunaria glanced back at her, a faint, knowing smile tugging at her lips.

  Confidence is good, she said calmly. Just make sure it doesn't turn into carelessness.

  Tria laughed softly.

  Relax. With the three of us together, whatever's haunting that village won't know what hit it.

  And with that, they continued toward the guild hall, unaware that the mission awaiting them would be anything but ordinary.

  Inside the Dragonmarked Guild.

  The guild staff assembled the novice adventurers and commenced a formal orientation, opening with a brief history of the guild.

  The staff member began to speak...

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Dragonmarked was not born from ambition, but from necessity.

  Decades ago, when the Kingdom of Valcrest stood on the brink of ruin, five elite adventurers answered a call no one else dared accept. A true dragon—ancient, cunning, and marked by sorcery—had claimed the surrounding mountains, choking trade routes and burning entire hamlets into ash. Against all expectation, the party returned victorious. Each bore a seared sigil left by dragonfire upon their armor and flesh alike—a mark that became legend.

  From that victory, Dragonmarked was founded.

  The guild established itself as both shield and sword of Valcrest. To the townsfolk, Dragonmarked was order amid chaos: monsters were culled, roads made safe, and crises answered swiftly and without question. The guildhall stood at the heart of Ravenport, its banners bearing the dragon sigil as a promise—threats will be answered.

  To its members, Dragonmarked was more than a contract guild. It was a proving ground. Recruits were vetted not only for strength, but for discipline and resolve. Quests were ranked with ruthless precision, and parties were formed to balance skill and survival rather than ego. Recklessness was punished; competence was rewarded.

  Payment was fair—never extravagant, yet always dependable. Rewards were divided according to contribution, with a portion set aside for guild upkeep and for the families of fallen members—an unbreakable rule laid down by the founders themselves. Rare artifacts were collected and studied, then either returned for the town's defense, donated to the royal treasury, or, in rare cases, entrusted to those deemed worthy.

  Dragonmarked is where legends were forged—and where new ones continue to rise.

  The new adventurers listened in rapt silence, visibly awed by the guild's long and storied history. As the staff member's words echoed through the hall, eyes began to gleam with wonder, and quiet murmurs of excitement rippled through the crowd. For many, this was the moment their childhood dreams finally felt within reach.

  A young swordsman clenched his fist, barely containing his grin.

  Did you hear that? he whispered to the archer beside him. Dragon-slaying, rare artifacts... this is where heroes are made.

  The archer nodded eagerly, her fingers tightening around her bowstring. If we work hard enough, our names might end up in history. She glanced toward the towering plaques etched with the names of legends.

  Nearby, a novice mage adjusted his robe, his eyes shining with determination. I don't care how dangerous it gets, he said under his breath. I'll master incredible magic and rise through the ranks. I won't leave this place as a nobody—my name will echo around the world."

  Soft laughter followed, not mocking but hopeful. Another recruit spoke up, their voice trembling with excitement. Imagine it—standing victorious after a quest, the whole town cheering. I'd give anything to earn that kind of respect.

  The staff member allowed the murmurs to linger for a heartbeat before raising a hand for silence. The excitement did not fade—if anything, it deepened. In that moment, within the stone walls of the guild hall, dreams took root. Each adventurer stood a little straighter, hearts burning with ambition, ready to chase greatness and carve their own legend into the future.