It's been a long, hot day. The sun had already set behind the western cliffs from hours but the warm air that still blew across all the valley kept the temperature high. Every time it moved you could hear the swishing of fronds and admire the calming sight of the meadows, which grass bent fragile to the caress of winds.

Nothing else seemed to move. Almost no animals showed. No more birds in the crystal clear sky, no more horses running around, no more humans traveling their dusty paths. Only some dark brown-ish spots could be seen here and there, the sleeping herds. And the fireflies… hundreds and hundreds of beautiful fireflies with their mesmerizing dancing and light games.

Only crickets and cicadas filled the air with their typical songs. They weren't annoying, it just took a few moments before your ears would get used to it, to then keep company to the ones who braved the night. Along with the stars. Billions and billions of white little luminaries trying their best to lighten the dark sky. The beautiful blanket that covered the Earth, an infinite horizon of lights and shapes.

Kenith stood just out of the big cavern he called home, laying on his back with his wings spread on the soft grass that surrounded the entrance and extended all the way to the edge of the cliff that faced the large valley.  He stared at the hypnotizing sky, connecting constellations and... meditating. It wasn't unusual for him to just lay there and just think. Think about anything… his life, his friends, his adventures, his goals, his successes and failures.

He loved these moments. Loved to just relax and feel. Feel the wind upon him, the grass under his wing's membrane, he loved to feel his body, feel his muscles contracting and relaxing in his calculated motions. He loved to listen to the peculiar sounds only the night could offer.

He thought about the night, or rather, this night in particular. It motivated him, filling him with a sense of happiness and hope. This night had a great meaning for him. This was the night he would become an adult, a mature dragon. He hatched a hundred and thirty years ago and now, was the time he waited for long.

He felt full of energy. Alive. And without thinking, he began to speak:

“This is one of those nights that makes you want to take flight ... jump in the air and rise away from everything and everyone. One of those nights when you want to be alone surrounded by the peace and tranquility of the skies around you; and think, ponder. 

One of those nights where the only thing you want to hear are the light breeze of the wind that gently touches your wings. And your song, your rhythm, the beat of your strong heart. One of those special nights, where you do not anymore feel part of this world, and you fly... thoughtless, without remorse, towards what will be your future. 

One of those nights when it feels like the sky is calling you, and you feel good only if you answer... so, without thinking about it, without asking yourself why, slowly you get up from the ground and, looking up high, you finally get away from everything that wanted to restrain you. 

This is one of those nights you really feel alive, one of those you really feel free, one of those you can be yourself and no one can tell you anything. 

This is your night. 

This is MY night. 

THIS will be the night of dragons!"

He quickly got up and began to run towards the edge of the cliff as fast as he could. With all his strength, he jumped, and with a mighty flap of his wings he got high up in the sky and roared out loud for everyone to ear. This, was HIS night.