Fia and Viliant abided by their new travel and sleep schedule, keeping watch for each other whenever they needed to rest. Currently, Viliant was sleeping soundly, curled into himself like a porcupine of massive spikes.

Alone and bored, Fia resisted the urge to hum a song to herself. It was more important to keep her ears clear to listen for any sign of danger. Her attention perked up as a break in the ambience came through the trees.

A snuffle and grunt sounded from the other side. The ring of metal resonated like a gong, making Fia's heart lurch. A connection was instantly made in her mind. Humans have metal. Either the dragon hunters or some random civilians were in the vicinity—both a threat to Fia and Viliant's safety.

Her tail coiled, and her muscles tightened, ready to spring to action. I should wake up Viliant! she thought at once, but when her eyes flitted to her peacefully snoozing friend, she thought better of it. I should confirm it's actually a threat, first.

Fia got up to investigate and edged nearer to the trees. The giggle of a child should have put her at ease, but all she focused on was the laughter of a human. Since her curiosity got the best of her, Fia peered around the thick tree trunk.

A little boy ran with a massive stick and thrusted it towards a stout creature that lunged at him. The animal had furry legs and brown tufts coming out wherever metal did not encase the most vulnerable parts of its body. When the boy hit the bear cub with a stick, the sound of its armor rang into the trees. The bear let out a cute yowl and reared onto its hind legs, flailing the oversized paws to swipe at the stick.

At the sight, Fia's eyes widened. Her wings perked up, and the tip of her tail began to twitch from sheer excitement. The human child and the bear cub looked like they were having fun. How long has it been since I got to play? Fia never had the chance to play with Viliant, nor would he entertain her even if she begged. They simply did not have the time or energy to spare on frivolous things during their waking hours.

Oh…. It dawned on her that the last time she had fun was with Arenis on the day of her capture.

The grim memory threatened to snuff out Fia's light-hearted nature, but that was all the more reason why she needed to have some fun right now. She needed a release after the severe stress of last night. However, when Fia took a step closer, the tug in her right shoulder kept that leg from touching the ground.

A sharp gasp rushed down her throat. Her injury hindered everything—even play. I can't play with them—shouldn't anyway, she thought. Then, reality struck her. Fia realized what she had been about to do. Whew. Even though it's just a child, I still shouldn't draw attention to myself. Viliant would be really mad.

Though the human was just a child, all humans posed an undeniable threat. The grown-ups would not be too far behind. Fia could see a tiny reflection of herself in the shiny metal of the bear cub. Her slitted pupils constricted at their width, exacerbating her look of fear. The dragoness should be grateful that her injury prevented her from running out there mindlessly.

Fia sighed as she turned away. The slight noise and waft of smoke from her nostrils caught the attention of the two children of different species.

The human child froze in place while the bear cub started to approach her unabashedly.

"H-Hi," Fia said to it, her voice shaky and panicked.

The snout twitched as the bear sniffed her. The rest of its iron-clad face was impossible to read for emotions. The big, brown eyes seemed friendly enough, however.

"Sorry, I can't play with you," Fia said, even though neither human nor bear could understand her. They should be able to perceive the mournful tone in her voice as she turned to go. "I have to go!" Fia hastened away, but not before the bear rushed to wrestle her.

A whine slipped from the dragon's throat as she met the cub with a gentle claw, trying to keep it in place. However, the cub was heavy and strong for its size, sending Fia careening to the side. Though she landed on her good shoulder, a jolt of pain flooded in her right shoulder. The bear tried to clamber on top of her and open its mouth in a playful bite. One of its paws pressed on her limb the wrong way, and Fia yelped from pain.

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Get off me! she cried, but only dragons could receive telepathic communications with each other.

Fia was stuck beneath the bear, tears beading to her eyes as she squirmed to escape. Since she could not compete in the wrestling match properly, she was stuck in a painful position. How do I get it to stop? Fia did not want to make new enemies. She had originally hoped to make friends, but her situation demanded the opposite of her. It looked like she might have no other choice but to hurt the cub to get it off.

Right then, the human kid came to her rescue. He raced over and smacked the bear in the side with his stick. The impact startled the bear enough to stumble off her.

Fia jumped at the opportunity to right herself and shy away. Hiding behind one tree, she watched as the human boy turned to look at her.

His eyes met hers. Blinks fell between both their eyes for a few seconds before the human boy tried to say something. The language was the one that Viliant knew—not Fia, but his tone of voice sounded amicable. Her heart nearly skipped a beat. The healer was the only a human who had ever spoken kindly to her and Viliant, but even he had betrayed them.

The human child turned away and ran to play with the bear again, waving the stick in a wide arc in her general direction. It was an invitation to play. As much as it warmed Fia's heart, she could not play with her injury. At least I'm still good at making friends! If only I could make friends with the soldiers instead of having to fight them….

Another human's voice—adult and feminine—started calling from deeper into the trees. The same syllables repeated several times, most likely the boy's name. "Citrio! Citrio?"

One mother was already searching for her child. Then, the danger dawned on Fia. What about the bear's mama? As soon as the mother bear came looking for her cub, they would all be in danger. Fia gasped and darted back through the trees.

"Viliant!" She nudged her nose beneath the wing draped over his head, poking him in the cheek. "Wake up!"

Viliant groaned, opened his eyes, and looked at her through the holes in his wings.

Now that he was alert enough to establish a telepathic link, Fia started begging, Get up! Get up!

What is it? The older dragon mirrored her panic and jumped to his feet. Is there danger?

Yes! Already, Fia understood that the smartest decision for them was to leave. However, she did not want to turn a blind eye to innocent people in need. So, she announced to Viliant, I made friends, and they're in danger!

What? What'd you do this time? Viliant's expression changed from protective to aggressive in the span of a second. The black dragon was willing to defend his one and only friend, but newcomers meant nothing to him.

Please? I found a human kid playing with a bear cub. When the mama bear comes—

We need to leave. Viliant looked both ways. Once he picked out Fia's tracks leading towards her new friends, he turned and walked the exact opposite way.

Fia started to follow him with no intention to abandon them so callously.

Trotting on three legs to catch up to Viliant, she insisted, When the mama bear comes, they'll be in danger!

And when the adult humans come, then we'll be in danger.

Viliant! she whined. If Viliant always did things his way, then they never would have become friends in the first place. This was something that she had to encourage him to do—and she would not budge on her stance. So, Fia stopped walking and upturned her nose to the air. I won't go!

Viliant kept going, but his steps slowed as he realized Fia no longer followed him. Turning back uncertainly to look at her, he asked, What do you mean?

I'm not moving another step that way. We need to go this way! Fia started heading back towards the human child and bear cub.

Fia…! he said exasperated, but their telepathic link was cut-off as Fia walked out of range.

Her heart rate elevated in her chest. Every step became ladened with more weight. The young dragoness lifted her chin higher as she limped onward. Fia still had it in her to follow her heart and do what she believed was right. Her mind was empty of Viliant's presence, leaving her to wonder to herself, He's gonna follow me, right?

If there was one thing that she knew about Viliant, he had insisted on his promise. He would never leave her behind, even if she made the choice to protect the humans from the bear.