The group began to eat together, mostly salted fish, along with other fruits and vegetables grown and imported from nearby islands. Naqokan and Uwajin sparred in the evening as entertainment for the people around, who were still excited to see the violent exchange of steel by Iyrmen.

Adam and the others were led to an area to one side, where they could sleep under the stars. They were handed thick blankets of fur, and a jelly type gum which they could chew in the evening.

“Keep your teeth clean and strong,” the Goof explained, revealing their large toothy smile of near perfect teeth.

Adam sighed as he stared at the night sky, seeing the stars in the distance. “Jurot, is Jarot eating well? Is Jirot sleeping well? Is Konarot playing well with the others?”

“I do not know,” Jurot replied.

“I have never seen someone love their children like you,” Mara said from nearby. Lucy was rolled over to the side, trying to keep out of the conversation.

“I want to pinch their cute chubby cheeks,” Adam replied, simply. He sighed, his lips unable to fight the frown. “I want to pick them up and blow raspberries onto their tiny tummies too, hear their little squeals and giggles, and then watch them clap excitedly.” Adam thought about the other children, who also reacted the same way. ‘You punks! You better not grow up too much without me!’

“Is that what you think about?”

“Yes.”

“Is that all you think about?”

“Lanababy would always grip my finger tight when she slept beside me. It was like she was too afraid to let me go. I think about them a lot because our time is limited, and one day…” Adam swallowed. “One day I’ll be gone. I have to work, but… I want to spend as much time as I can with them. They’ll be all grown up one day, saying how annoying I am, and they’ll want to spend less time with me. They’ll want to go to the cinema with their friends, only coming to see me for some money.”

“Time may pass by different here.”

“Yeah.”

“It may be that we return and they’ll be all grown up.”

“Mara, did you know?”

“What?”

“Even Gods have stats.”

“…” ‘What?’

Omen: 7, 9

In the morning, under the sun, the group met with the elders of the area properly. The Drakons, who were no doubt just Half Dragons, wore finer clothing, with precious metals against their collars, and some carried blades at their side. The feline beastpeople wore bits and pieces of armour, and all carried weapons at their side. The Goofs all wore simpler clothing, and some carried daggers, and others carried clubs, but Adam noted they were the ones who worked the most.

“I am Zambria, Father of Drakons,” the beautiful Drakon said. He seemed to be in his forties, but considering how slow they typically aged, he was likely in his sixties or so. His hair was dark, but not quite black, more a dark blue, and was swept back away from the horns at the side of his head. His eyes were silver and blue, and held a great deal of suspicion. He wore a shirt made of scales, and carried a blade at his side. At his collars were three golden studs.

Adam stared at the man’s face, which annoyed him to no end, but also caused his heart to drop. ‘You little punks better not grow up too quick.’

“I am Champion, of the Agi,” the Agi woman said, her feline eyes narrowing suspiciously at the group. She was a beastperson, a humanoid cat. She wore a shirt of scales too, though it moulded to her torso almost like skin tight latex, and carried blades at her side, as well as a spear in hand, which was tipped with bronze. Dangling from her belt was a tassel, tied with five knots, compared to the other knots of the Agi, which were four or fewer.

“I am Shaka Ti, Chaka of all Chakas,” the Goof woman from the day before said. She wore a thick cloak, and wore a number of strips of cloth, which draped over her shoulders, with one, a blue strip, tied around her neck like a choker. She held out a chain made of gold towards Adam. “Since you have helped my people, please take this gift of gold.”

“Oh, we couldn’t possib-,” Adam began to refuse, only for Lucy to punch his side.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Your gifts are most appreciated,” Lucy said, before Mara knelt down onto a knee to the Goof, accepting the chain on behalf of the Demon Lord. She wouldn’t have done so, but Lucy had specifically asked, for the sake of how they had been treated. Other than Adam and the Iyrmen, the Goofs were the only figures who had accepted them seemingly without prejudice.

“Right, of course, any time.” Adam rubbed his side gently. ‘I should have put on my breastplate.’

“We heard mention of a Storm Lord,” Jurot said.

“Yes, a… cousin of ours,” Zambria said. “She takes after some of our ancestors, each of whom fell into madness, Dragon Frenzy. Though they had grown quicker to fall into the madness, this time, it was far quicker than ever before.”

“That sounds terrible.”

“She left not long ago, and has been on a rampage since,” the Father of Drakons admitted, sighing with a great sadness, one only a father could know.

“How long ago are we talking?”

“Not long,” Zambria said, before his eyes met Adam’s. “Around the time you arrived into our land.”

“Could it be because of us?” Adam said, glancing over to Jurot. ‘There’s no way it could be because of us. Am I really that much of a chaos baby that I can even do this?’

“It a great coincidence,” Jurot said, before meeting Adam’s eyes, which said he believed it was probably because of the Half Elf.

‘How can you do this to me?’

‘You cannot blame me.’

‘Seriously.’ Adam pouted slightly. “How bad is this Dragon Frenzy?”

“It is terrible, more terrible than any calamity that the world can throw at us.”

“If it’s such a terrible calamity, why don’t you deal with it?”

“She is still one of us.” Zambria frowned, almost sighing again. “She is closer to our ancestors than we, and we expected the Dragon Frenzy. Typically, she would die after a a few years of madness, due to how close she is to being a True Drakon. However, in the process, she will claim many lives. She left after making a small mess here, but no one was wounded too gravely, so it appeared she understood that she was being taken by her madness. It hurts our heart too deeply to allow her to suffer like this, and we cannot send many warriors to deal with her, for the losses would be too great, and no Drakon would wish to harm her.”

“Hmmm.” Adam could see the way Zambria was looking at him, and the unspoken words behind his gaze. “Putting people out of their misery is a speciality of some of us.” Adam cleared his throat, feeling Vonda’s gaze at the back of his head. “In fact, I worship the God of Death, and so-,” Adam stopped.

A tension hung in the air, as many of the Agi reached for their blades. Adam’s own party tensed up too, ready to draw their own weapons.

Adam slowly raised his hand. “Probably a different God of Death than you’re thinking. Plus, I still don’t really like killing. Still, it seems like we need each other’s help. We’ll deal with your sick family, and you help us find our friends.”

“It is a fair dealing,” Zambria said, bowing his head gently. “You will deal with our sick cousin, and we will assist you in finding your companions.”

Adam nodded, unsure of why he was repeating the words back at him. “Yeah. Where is this sick cousin of yours?”

“We are uncertain of where she may be at this moment, but she will head to the Holy Island, where all those who suffer from the illness have fallen.”

“Alright, I guess we’ll make our way to your Holy Island then.”

“I will escort you,” Zambria said. “She and I grew up together, and I would like to watch over her last moments, as I should, being the Father of Drakons.”

“Alright. Fair enough. When should we get to leaving?”

“We should prepare today, and leave upon the morrow. Lord Biggu will assist us in this task, as he was also close with her.”

“What’s her name anyway?”

“She has gone by many names, but she is nameless, for she will refuse any name given to her,” Zambria replied, awkwardly, as though there was something deeper behind his words. Adam watched as the memories flashed across Zambria’s eyes, a bead of sweat dropping down the side of his face.

“If we’re going to be fighting near the sea, I probably shouldn’t be using my heavy armour,” Adam said, before looking to his friends. “Also, if she’s really that strong, we shouldn’t take everybody.”

“We’ll go with you,” Lucy said, rubbing her finger along her ring. “I haven’t had any fun in this land yet.”

“So it should be me, Jurot, Kitool, Lucy, and Mara?” Adam asked, noting the looks on the young Iyrmen’s faces. Even Laygak was staring forlorn towards Adam. “It’s too dangerous to take you with us.”

“Would you deny us a great fight?”

“You know the rules, and-,” Adam almost sang, before reaching up to his chin, stopping himself quickly. “Look, I’m never-,” Adam continued, before he looked to Jurot, who could see how hard his brother was trying not to be cringe.

“Stay here, and wait for our return,” Jurot said. If it had been any other situation, he would have fought for the young Iyrmen, but since Adam was doing his best not to be cringe, he should reward it.

“It is not right!” Naqokan claimed, but she stepped back.

“With the matter of your armour, we have scale armour which also assists in swimming,” Zambria said.

“Oh?” Adam replied. “Nice! I’ll take that then. Then that means you three will be in charge in looking after my armour. If they threaten to take it away from you, let them have it, it’s not worth your lives. Just remember who took it from you, and I’ll… deal with it.” Adam winked.

Vonda blinked. Adam had, almost, managed to get away with being diplomatic for once.

Zambria also blinked. “We will not steal your armour.”

“I’m just saying, you can try, but don’t forget…” Adam paused, realising he had put his foot in his mouth. “Just, don’t trouble my Cousins too much, or Sir Vonda, or any of my companions.”

“We have not, and we will not.”

“Alright, cool.”

“Why can’t I come along?” Jaygak asked, frowning.

“Obviously because you’re the lead-,” Adam said, furrowing his brows. “It feels wrong to say that Jaygak should be left in charge of them…”

Jurot narrowed his eyes slightly, and wondered if he should joke too. “I trust Jaygak to do well.”

Jaygak huffed quietly, and left the matter there. ‘What a fiend!’

Zambria stared at the Half Elf and wondered how he became the party leader.