Chapter 40 Summary: The Dream of Elang and the Dragon King's Portrait

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Night falls while Ria’s family reunites, but she slips outside, troubled by a premonition she received after touching Nazayun’s eye. Walking through Elang’s manor, she feels a persistent connection to the sea. General Caisan finds her and escorts her inside, informing her that the prince has returned safely to Yonsar. He warns that the Dragon King will search for her as long as she holds the Scroll of Oblivion. Ria declares she will not return it, earning Caisan’s grudging approval. She then asks about Shani; Caisan explains that the demon survived by becoming the Dragon King’s servant, but warns Ria not to sympathize. Alone in her room, Ria prepares to paint the Dragon King, relying on her memory of his appearance. One week remains before the New Year. She works all night, painting a vision of the Dragon King with a streak of red in his eye. Exhausted, she falls asleep and dreams of Elang for the first time. In the dream, Elang has regained his golden pearl, breaking his curse. He asks her to paint him, forcing a choice between remaining human (to stay with her) or becoming a dragon (to leave). Ria tries to paint him human, but her brush transforms him into a fully formed dragon. The red string on her wrist snaps, and a wave carries Elang away. She wakes feeling as though he has taken her heart.

Key Events

Ria slips away from her family’s reunion, sensing an impending storm tied to the Dragon King.
General Caisan warns her that the Dragon King will hunt for the Scroll of Oblivion.
Ria learns that Shani survived as the Dragon King’s servant and was the traitor in Yonsar.
Ria begins painting the Dragon King from memory, working through the night.
She falls asleep and dreams of Elang, who presents her with a painful choice about his form.
In the dream, her brush paints him into a dragon, breaking the red string that binds them.

Character Development

Ria (Lady Saigas): Ria shows growing resolve and independence. She refuses to return the Scroll of Oblivion despite the danger, commits to the difficult task of painting the Dragon King, and works alone through the night. In the dream, her love for Elang is tested by the impossible choice between his human and dragon forms. She feels the weight of her premonitions and her artistic power.

General Caisan: Caisan reveals a hidden depth, moving from distrustful to offering approval and protection. His warning about Shani and his admission that he misjudged Ria demonstrate his evolving trust in her. He remains loyal to Yonsar but respects Ria’s determination.

Elang: Though present only in a dream, Elang’s anguish is clear. He has his pearl back, yet he is torn between his two natures. He asks Ria to decide his fate, showing vulnerability and his deep attachment to her. The dream implies that his transformation into a full dragon may be inevitable.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Art as Prophecy: Ria’s painting is not mere reproduction; it channels a vision of the future. The streak of red in the Dragon King’s eye and the dream’s outcome suggest her brush may determine reality.
Choice and Sacrifice: Elang’s request forces Ria (and the reader) to confront whether love can survive fundamental transformation. Her dream shows that her choice leads to separation.
The Red String of Fate: The red string that binds Ria and Elang snaps in the dream, symbolizing a potential severing of their bond. This motif echoes the theme of destiny versus free will.
Water and the Sea: Ria’s ongoing sensitivity to the sea and the storm reflect her lingering connection to Elang’s realm. The waves that take Elang in the dream reinforce the ocean as a force of separation and change.
The Dragon King’s Eye: The wound Ria inflicted on Nazayun gives her a premonition, linking violence to prophetic insight.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter sets up the central conflict of the novel’s climax: the painted forgery contest and the looming confrontation with the Dragon King. Ria’s dream foreshadows a painful choice between her love for Elang and his need to reclaim his dragon form. The breaking of the red string hints that their relationship may not survive the novel’s resolution. Additionally, the chapter deepens Ria’s character by showing her willingness to act on her own judgment, even against the advice of allies. The painting sequence aligns her with her grandmother’s prophetic art, establishing the high stakes of the upcoming New Year’s deadline.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Ria refuse to return the Scroll of Oblivion?
Ria believes the scroll is the only leverage she has against the Dragon King. Returning it would leave Yonsar defenseless and undo the progress she has made. Her refusal shows her growing commitment to the cause and her unwillingness to bow to threats.
What does Elang’s request for Ria to “paint him” reveal about his character?
Elang asks Ria to decide whether he remains human or becomes a dragon. This reveals his deep trust in her judgment but also his fear of losing his humanity and their connection. He is caught between two identities and cannot make the choice alone.
How does the dream sequence relate to the chapter’s earlier painting scene?
Both scenes involve Ria using her art to capture or influence the future. In the waking world, she paints the Dragon King with prophetic details; in the dream, her brush transforms Elang into a dragon. The parallel suggests that her paintings have power beyond mere representation, and that her choices as an artist carry real-world consequences.