Dreiki watched as Rixam and Gornax returned to the village, leaving only their footprints behind. Savekio touched his shoulder, guiding him to follow, “It is for the best.”

“When do you think we’ll see them again?”

“Who knows? It could be a month. It could be years. That is the uncertainty of life.”

“I’m sorry,” Luna said.

“Why are you apologizing?” Dreiki asked.

“I’m the one who convinced him to leave, so… sorry about that.”

Dreiki shook his head, “No, you were right to say what you did. I think Rixam needed to hear that. If it were me, I would have wanted to keep him around, but that wasn’t what’s best for him.”

Luna stared at him for a moment, looking away when Dreiki glanced her way. They walked in silence after that. Dreiki looked on ahead, “Grandpa, what are the dragons like?” He asked after a half hour of travel.

“It varies. Some dragons are greedy prideful souls. Others can be rather generous. Some value their seclusion, opting to live their long lives in solitude. Others are rather social, and talkative, especially with creatures outside their own species.”

“So dragons can speak?”

“They can. Language is one of the most important things to a dragon as it is tied to understanding. And understanding is what makes a dragon’s magic so powerful. They spend their long lives in careful meditation of the world and its meaning. If I could think of a trait that most dragons share, it is that they are inquisitive, and endlessly curious about the world. They value the experience of life to a high degree. Whether that experience is incredible joy, regretful tragedy or something in between. Dragons enjoy stories more than anything else.”

“I had always heard dragons were incredibly dangerous creatures.” Luna said.

“That they are. Though, as I said, it varies. They are kings of the Magakos, and the power they wield is unmatched by any other creature. They are a god’s only natural predator. The older they get, the more powerful they become.”

“Do dragons die of old age?”

“That’s a difficult question. To those of us who live relatively short lives, dragons appear to be immortal. It’s incredibly rare to see a dragon die of old age, but it does happen. Dragons typically meet their end by being slain. Either by their own, a god, or some form of champion or divine avatar.”

“While I was with the Tibur I recall overhearing a few things about a god eating dragon named Malikala. Who is she?”

Savekio nodded, “Malikala is the patron protector and overseer of the Tibur clan. God eater dragons are among the most powerful and ancient of all dragons, though I suppose there are exceptions. Only God Eater dragons can grant xiozians the title of Godslayer.”

“And what does it mean to be a Godslayer?”

“Many things, but the most important- at least as far as the dragons are concerned- is that you are a future meal for your patron dragon. Godslayers have a duty to defend the realms from corrupted gods.”

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“The realms? You mean other worlds?”

“Other worlds, perhaps, but that’s far too small. One cannot simply travel from Lithiria to Itaro, even if one could fly or move faster than a god. That is because there is no place to travel to as the two worlds are entirely isolated by the rest of the universe they exist in. You should have come through a Planear Gate when you traveled here from Lithiria.”

Dreiki nodded. It was not something he often thought about, but he recalled being led through a strange gateway by his mother when it was time for her to return to Itaro, “So there are other realms aside from Lithiria and Itaro?”

Savekio nodded, “Indeed there are many which we can visit, and infinitely more which are currently beyond us.”

“I see.” Dreiki said, falling silent. He looked over to Luna, “Were you ever from a different realm? I know there were angels that lived in Lithiria.”

Luna nodded, “My mother was from a different realm than both Lithiria and Itaro. Although, if you asked me to name it, I couldn’t tell you.”

“Why not, did you forget?”

Luna shrugged, “I never knew it to begin with. My mother never gave it a name.”

“It was likely one of the celestial realms. Names are often incomprehensible and unspeakable there. Angels do not often speak verbally to one another, but rather communicate meaning through magical means.”

“When my mom spoke to me as an angel, I couldn’t really translate exactly what was said, but I always understood it anyway.” Luna said, “Sort of like when you know someone’s feelings by looking at them. I could put it to words, but it’s not always a direct translation. It’s just instinctive understanding.”

“I wonder if angels and dragons get along?” Dreiki said.

Savekio laughed, “They often don’t! Although they often regard one another as rivals in knowledge and wisdom. Constantly bickering and clashing through nonverbal communication. A debate between a dragon and an angel is completely silent, but it is a hell of a war to witness.”

Luna’s normally stoic demeanor cracked as stifled a laugh of her own.

“What is it?” Dreiki asked.

“It’s nothing. I just remembered something from when I was really little. My mom and dad would often stare daggers at each other for a long time and I never knew what was going on, but they always made funny faces. I guess they were just arguing and keeping me out of the loop!” she giggled, “I haven’t remembered something like that in a while.”

Dreiki smiled. Thinking of what it would have been like to see his father interacting with his mother. He only ever heard stories of what his father was like from his mother.

Another thought snapped into Dreiki’s mind, “Oh yeah! I’ve been meaning to ask, but…” He pulled his pendant from under his shirt, “This pendant you gave me. What is it exactly?”

Savekio looked back at him, eyebrow raised, “Those are as much a lesson as they are a shield.”

“A shield? So then this is the reason the Oskuutor ignored me during the ceremony?”

Savekio nodded, “Those pendants have a great deal of utility, but their main purpose is to provide you some sort of safety when I’m not around.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about them earlier?”

“As I said, they are a lesson too. You will come to know more about their utility as your training continues. However, at this stage, all you need to understand is that they protect you and mark you as the inheritor of my sword.” He pat the hilt of his sword, “Speaking of which, you may have it back.” he said, tossing the weapon over to him.

Dreiki caught it. Its weight was always so jarringly heavy for its size. He strapped it to his waist. “I suppose it’s funny that you want me to be an ‘ax’, but I’m meant to inherit your sword.”

“Let us hope you inherit something to be displayed more than it is used. In any case, we’ve been walking for long enough. Let’s set up camp.”

“Set up camp? It’s still midday. We can walk further can’t we?”

“It is best to have the full day to travel, along with a good night’s sleep before making the last stretch of our journey.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because the path ahead is wrought with Magakos who are highly active during the night. I cannot guarantee your safety if we do not make it to the foot of Mt.Arukuniir before sundown.