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Ju-Long stretched and basked in the sun. He watched below him as humans lived their lives. He had offered his wisdom to them several times, and each time they had taken it and grown in spirit. He valued his humans.

It wasn’t like it was on the old world they’d come from. There they had ignored the great creatures like him, deriding them, some even saying they were myths. It wasn’t until a terrible world war had devastated the population and driven them to leave their world that they had once again turned to the old ways and welcomed Ju-Long and his kind back into their midst again.

Ju-Long decided to go down and walk among them. He hadn’t done that in a while. He glided down near the edge of their little settlement and transformed into a human. He walked in and was greeted warmly as a visitor.

“Welcome,” a woman said. “You must be from one of the other cities. My name is Meiwen. What’s yours?”

“I am Ju-Long.” He smiled at her. “Can you show me around the city, Meiwen? I was here once, a while ago, but it seems to have changed a bit since then.”

“Oh yes, they are always making improvements,” Meiwen said, smiling back. “I’d be glad to show you around.” She leaned into her house. “Father, we have a visitor to the city. I’m going to guide him around.”

“All right, Meiwen. I’ll see you at dinner time,” her father called back.

“This way,” Meiwen said. Ju-Long had heard the sickness in the man’s voice and sent a little of his power to the man, easing his way and starting the healing process. He would soon be well again, to thank the woman for her kindness.

Ju-Long followed Meiwen, marveling at how far they’d come. The people of this city did not embrace technology as much as their forbears had, but they did have some. Their innovations came in architecture and sculpture and art. The people were wary but friendly enough as Meiwen showed him around, a sign that they were expecting trouble from a neighboring city perhaps. Ju-Long made note of that. It seemed one of his brothers might be getting a little territorial. He would have to pay more attention to that.

“Meiwen, who is this?” a man in a military uniform asked suspiciously as they reached the central market square.

“This is Ju-Long, a visitor I’m showing around the city,” Meiwen said cautiously, eyeing the man warily.

The man’s eyes widened. “Honored Ju-Long, welcome to our city. I can show you around now, far better than this unworthy woman,” he said.

“She is doing just fine,” Ju-Long said, seeing this man recognized his name. “I find her company pleasing.”

“O-of course, Honored Ju-Long,” the man said, bowing deeply. He hurried off.

By the end of the tour of the city, people were whispering about him and some of the leaders had come forward. Meiwen stood with him as they spoke. “Honored Ju-Long, it has been many years since you walked among us,” one of them said.

“It has,” Ju-Long said. “I realized it was time to see how far you had progressed and I am pleased to see the results.”

“Honored Ju-Long, it has come to our attention that Au-Long has made his city strong with weapons and is looking to expand his borders,” another said.

Ju-Long sighed. He should have known. His fiery brother would never be satisfied with just one city. Ju-Long waved his hand and images appeared on parchment in the air. “I do not like weapons,” he said. “But I know my brother well. He will come here in the end and I will have to face him. You will face his people. Here are the weapons he is likely to use, how to make them, and how to use them. I do not want to see this city follow in his path however. These are only for defense.”

“Of course, Honored Ju-Long,” the leader said. “We prefer peace ourselves. But we will make these so we are ready for when he does come.”

Ju-Long nodded. He turned to Meiwen, who was staring at him wide-eyed. “Thank you, Meiwen. For your aid today, I bestow on you one boon. You may ask it of me at any time,” Ju-Long said. “This boon may be asked at any time by you or your descendants.” He shifted forms and glided out of the city, feeling a weight on his heart. Weapons had no place on their peaceful world. Au-Long was going to start the cycle all over again and there was nothing any of them could do about it.