Disclaimer: I do not own or profit from Raya and the Last Dragon (2021).

Raya and the Last Princess of Fang

Prologue (Heart)

Namaari had noticed her right away. How could she not? And not just because she was the only other child in attendance. And not just because the man next to her, presumably her father, was Chief Benja, the one who had summoned them all here to the Land of Heart.

No. This girl caught her attention for other reasons and yet Namaari could not put her finger on why. She was just drawn to her somehow. Even now as Chief Benja addressed them all, Namaari could hear none of his words. Her focus was solely on the girl beside him.

The girl looked to be about the same age as herself. She wore bright turquoise embroidered with golden dragons which accentuated her smooth skin that was maybe a shade darker than her own. Her midnight hair had two braids framing either side of her face while the rest was pulled up with an elaborate golden ring.

Namaari's eyes traveled, intrigued by this girl and she was startled to see warm, brown eyes glancing back at her. An unconscious smile curled her lips for a moment but then she remembered herself and looked down, trying to remain stoic. Namaari could feel the heat creeping up her neck but she chalked it up to the uncomfortable formalwear and not the way those eyes had seemed to stare straight through her. Eventually, the pull of this girl's gaze was too strong, and Namaari found her eyes wandering up again.

As the other Chiefs descended into bitter shouting Namaari continued to do her best to look as poised as her mother next to her, standing straight and holding her hands loosely in front of her but all the while her mind was racing, filled with thoughts of the Heart princess.

For a moment they just stared at one another as the people all around them yelled and argued. Namaari watched as a troubled crease formed on the brow of this girl and all of sudden, she made her way down the steps towards the group. Closer to Namaari.

Namaari's heart began to pound in her chest as the girl approached, her nearness making her features come into even clearer focus. She watched her intently as she stopped at the bottom of the stairs and brought her hands together to form the traditional circle, with a slight bow of her head before her voice rang out clear.

"I have something to say."

They all stopped to listen to this little girl. She had commanded their attention with so few words. But then she broke into a wide smile and opened her arms in welcome.

"Who's hungry?"

Namaari could not help the little snort of laughter that escaped her at how bold this girl was. Hesitantly, she looked up at her mother only for her to unexpectedly encourage her with a light hand on her back.

"Go ahead. It's all right."

Maybe that is when she should've suspected something was amiss, Namaari reflected to herself much later. It was not that her mother was never gentle or encouraging, it was just not something she did in front of most people, and especially potential enemies as she had been brought up to view the other lands.

Namaari approached the girl, head down, but chancing a few glances up at her until she came to stand directly in front of her. She was painfully aware now of the crowd watching their interaction, but it was too late to turn back now.

"I'm Namaari…of Fang," she introduced, finding her voice somehow, despite the heat that was spreading to her ears now, blood pounding there.

"Hi, Namaari. I'm Raya" the girl returned her greeting, a soft, genuine smile on her lips that was quickly replaced by a gasp of surprise and almost disbelief as she looked down at her necklace.

"Is that Sisu?"

Namaari nodded excitedly, her heart fluttering. If she were being honest, she had worn it in the hopes someone would notice it. It was easily her favorite piece of jewelry and it was so rare to find someone who was as interested in dragons as she was much less recognized that it was Sisu.

"Sorry- uhm, yea, I might be a little bit of a dragon nerd," Raya seemed to gush and all of sudden Namaari had no trouble finding words, responding playfully,

"Hey, I'm the one wearing the Sisu fan necklace."

"C'mon," Raya grinned broadly and gestured with her hand for Namaari to follow her. Namaari did not need any more convincing so she was surprised when Raya slid that same hand into hers effortlessly, tugging her up the stone stairs with her as if they had been friends for years and had not just met during so much turmoil.

That radiant heat now seared past her neck and ears into her cheeks, and she was sure it had to be visible for all to see, but she was not sure she cared. In Fang, there was very little in the way of physical affection, that even included among families. And yet, Raya's hand in hers was not unwelcome. Quite the opposite actually.

With her blood rushing in her ears, she could hardly hear Raya asking her if she had eaten but somehow, she was able to reply as they ran past Chief Benja and into the Heart palace.

Namaari could not remember the last time she had smiled this much.

That should have been the second red flag. To be that happy and carefree while all that rage simmered around them.

Raya's trickle of laughter was something Namaari decided she would never tire of hearing. She had purposely told a story about her mother that she hoped would elicit just that response so she could hear that infectious sound again. They had kind of fallen into a game of asking each other either/or questions and while Raya had been asking most of the questions, Namaari did not mind. She was enjoying listening to the sound of the Heart princesses voice.

So, Raya had asked her the most embarrassing thing her mother had ever said to her and Namaari had told her about the time her mother had caught her curled up sleeping with the royal serlots, telling her if she did not watch out and start spending time with people her age then she would up alone and, "become a cat lady."

"Seriously?!" Raya managed in between laughs, "your mom actually said that? Awkward."

Namaari could not help the grin that split her face at Raya's reaction. They barely knew each other but already she was so comfortable with the Heart princess.

"Okay, next question: hand to hand or swords?" Raya asked wielding the dango stick with a flourish before holding it out to her. Namaari took the offered food and replied without hesitation.

"Blades all day, " Namaari waved the stick around as she said this, mimicking a sword before also holding it for Raya to take the other rounded treat.

"Right?!" The other girl gladly took the food and popped it whole into her mouth, licking her fingers afterwards. Namaari watched Raya rapt attention, mesmerized by every little gesture and every word that left her lips. She realized it was her turn so she thought about a safe question.

"Okay. Dressy or casual?" she asked, popping the other dango into her mouth while she waited for Raya's response, but she didn't have to wait long.

"Only a monster would choose to wear this outfit on the regular," Raya answered emphatically, pulling at her collar dramatically.

Laughter bubbled up in Namaari at that, while she agreed that the fabric looked a bit constricting, she thought Raya looked beautiful in her outfit.

Whoa… okay. She knew that almost instantly she had become quite comfortable with the other girl…but to think she was beautiful? That was normal, right? It was true anyway.

"Uh, rice or stew?" Raya asked, gesturing to the food between them.

At the mention of rice Namaari's smile slipped off her face, looking down and noticing the food for the first time.

"I didn't think that'd stump you," Raya teased lightly, apparently sensing Namaari's change in mood.

"Ah, this is actually one of the first times I've had rice in a while," Namaari admitted, glancing down at it. Even as a princess she didn't have access to all the things the people of Heart gad in abundance and rice was one of those things. Such a simple staple of most meals, but not In Fang, not for a long time.

She could feel Raya's gaze watching her intently. She wasn't sure what had caused her to open up this much to a relative stranger, but she didn't regret it. She had just met Raya but could tell instantly that she was someone she could trust.

"Really?" Raya seemed to have a hard time with the idea. How could she understand? Namaari had never left Fang and just by being in Heart for a few hours she could see how differently they lived. The prosperity. The prosperity. The vast space. All so different from the small, cramped little island Namaari called home, where there was barely room for the people much less the crops to feed them. Their canal kept them safe from the Druun but not from the impending famine.

"Fang may look nice on the outside, but we have some pretty big holes on the inside," Namaari replied, lost in those thoughts. The path of this conversation had darkened and she wasn't sure if Raya wanted to hear all of this.

"Oh," Raya's face had fallen and Namaari could not have that. She did not want Raya to pity her. She wanted that bright smile and carefree glow to return to the other girl's eyes.

"Sorry, didn't mean to bring it down," Namaari apologized, shaking the lingering fog away. She could see the turmoil in Raya's eyes with this brand-new information. She could see that Raya's worldview had just been challenged a bit. Namaari doubted Raya had ever left Heart either and had no idea how the other lands lived. But she could also see that Raya was someone who cared, who wanted to understand.

"So!" Namaari redirected with a shrug as she put the bowl of rice down, trying to bring back the carefree atmosphere they had previously had, "we both have single parents who are terrible at telling jokes, we are both warrior women who despise uncomfortable formalwear," she continued to list off before Raya interjected brightly,

"And we're both Sisu super fans."

The mention of her favorite topic reminded Namaari of the scroll tucked away in the pocket of her pants.

"Yeah," Namaari slid her hair behind her ear, self-consciously. It was a habit that her mother hated, so she rarely did it these days but sometimes she forgot.

"You know… Fang legend says that she's still out there."

"Sisu? You're kidding… right?" Raya breathed, hanging on Namaari's every word now.

"Want to see something?" Namaari said conspiratorially as she pulled out the dragon scroll that she had stolen from the Fang archives, eliciting a scandalized gasp from the girl next to her.

"Are you supposed to have that?" Raya whispered anxiously, but Namaari could also see the other princess's excitement.

"No," Namaari scoffed as if it was obvious, opening the scroll and spreading it flat on the floor in front of them as she scooted closer to the other girl.

"According to this, after the mighty Sisu blasted away all the Druun she fell into the water and floated down stream. Legend says she is now sleeping at the river's end."

They both had unconsciously leaned forward, and Namaari had not realized how close thy were to each other until their shoulders brushed. With just that brief touch, it felt like a bolt of lightning had shot through Namaari's body, causing her heart to race and her breath to catch in her throat.

While all this was happening, Raya's little TukTuk had walked across the map and looked up at them, curious about why this old piece of paper had monopolized these two girls' attentions.

"But which river? There's like hundreds," Raya wondered, gesturing at the map.

"I don't know, but if we could find it, could you imagine? A dragon back in the world. Things could be so much better," Namaari said earnestly. She had waited so long to find someone who was as passionate about Sisu as she was and sharing this with Raya felt so right. She was sure she'd get an earful from her mother later about fraternizing with the enemy or whatever but it would be worth it.

"Yea, maybe we really could be Kumandra again."

Namaari followed Raya's line of sight to her father. The man seemed to be having trouble engaging the people from the various lands to speak with one another, but he was trying. It felt as though Kumandra was not an impossible dream.

Namaari was not sure what inspired her to do it. Maybe it was the fact Raya was the only other dragon nerd she had ever met. Maybe it was her hopeful expression as they talked about Kumandra. Maybe… maybe she was developing feelings for her. Whatever it was Namaari reached behind her neck and unclasped her necklace, holding it out with two hands.

"Here," Namaari offered gently, as Raya held out her own two hands to take the necklace hesitantly. Those wide, expressive eyes raised to hers as she breathed in disbelief,

"Whoa! Really?"

Seeing that Raya was still holding the necklace, unsure if she could accept it, Namaari was compelled to gently wrap her fingers around Raya's, closing them around the dragon pendant. The feel of Raya's skin making her heart pound once more.

Raya held it closer to her face, a strange expression there. Namaari forced herself to look away, trying to steady her erratically beating heart.

"Hey," Raya said softly to get her attention, "come with me, Dep la."

Namaari's breath hitched at the intimate nickname but she tried to hide it even as the heat returned to her face.

"I want to show you something."

For the second time that afternoon, Raya took Namaari's hand, this time to lead her out of the palace and into the forest. As they ran side by side, Namaari decided she could get used to this. If this is what Kumandra would be like then she was sold.

And this is the part Namaari had played over and over in her mind for six years. She was sure Raya did too. But she was certain that her version was much different. She just prayed she was given the opportunity to explain what really happened to Raya one day.

Raya led her to the temple where the dragon gem was housed, both princess's removing their shoes as they entered the sacred place.

The moment her bare feet touched the cold, damp stone floor of the temple, Namaari could feel the weight of Raya bringing her here. The level of trust it took for the Heart princess to share this with her was not something Namaari took lightly.

"The spirit of Sisu… I can feel it," Namaari breathed in awe, instantly making the traditional bow of respect.

"It's the last bit of dragon magic in the whole world," Raya explained, smiling fondly at the precious gem as she led Namaari closer. The hazy blue glow from the gem illuminated the dank space and lit up Raya's face.

Namaari had the sudden urge to reach out and take the other girl's hand this time but before she finished processing that thought the clattering of weapons and the pounding of dozens of footsteps rang out in the cavernous space.

What was happening? Namaari's head whipped back in surprise as Raya's did the same but they had no other time to react before they were completely surrounded by Fang soldiers in their tell-tale white and gold.

The sound of her mother's steady voice cut through the confusion.

"The dragon gem is Fang's now."

Chest heaving, heart pounding, Namaari threw a glance over at Raya who looked exactly how she felt except there was something else rising above her confusion.

Hurt.

Oh no. No. No. NO!

"Raya, I swear- I didn't-," Namaari called out to her desperately. But it was too late. Everything descended into chaos after that. The last time she saw Raya's face it was contorted with betrayal. An image Namaari would never forget.