I woke up to the gentle lights filtering through the entrance of my cave. After stretching my sore muscles I looked down at my small provision pile. I only had a couple of blazeberries and citronburst left.

No way I’m poking another citrus grenade again.

I picked up a blazeberry and stared at it.

But I've had enough of these to last a lifetime.

With a sigh, I set the blazeberry back down, my gaze wandering back to the citronburst.

An idea sparked in my mind. I fetched a broad leaf from a nearby plant, shaping it into a makeshift bowl with a few precise folds and tucks of my claws.

With the leaf bowl ready, I turned my attention back to the citronburst. This time, instead of taking a direct bite, I decided to poke a small hole at the top, hoping to let the juice escape in a more controlled manner.

I gently pierced the citronburst's skin with the tip of my claw and the juice began to spurt out in a thin, steady stream, filling the leaf bowl with its citrusy liquid.

"No more exploding fruits for me," I murmured with a contented smile. "Just a nice, peaceful breakfast."

I drank the juice, gobbled up the pulp from the fruit and set out of my cave. As soon as I left the entrance I immediately stumbled upon something peculiar. A small pile of what looked like berries and shiny rocks was waiting for me on a large leaf on the ground.

What the hell is this?

I looked around my cave, my senses sharpened trying to find any hint of a presence.

“They left them here, you know?”

I jumped up at the sudden voice coming from behind me. I quickly spun around, claws at the ready. I looked up to a branch and came face to face with… a cat? The creature in front of me looked like a large white feline with an ethereal glow surrounding it.

https://i.imgur.com/Op0gcsV.png [https://i.imgur.com/Op0gcsV.png]

"You can relax, I'm not here to fight." The creature said, probably sensing my uneasiness.

"I'm Tom."

I lowered my claws but kept my guard up, eyeing the spectral feline with curiosity and a hint of suspicion.

"Tom?" I echoed. "And what exactly brings a talking cat to my doorstep?"

Tom's glowing eyes held a depth that seemed both ancient and knowing.

"I am not sure what a “cat” is, I am a spirit of this forest, and I have been observing you since you were born." He confessed, his tail flicking with an air of nonchalance. "You've made quite the impression, dragon."

I raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to take his words as a compliment or a threat.

"Observing me? Why?"

Tom leaped gracefully from the branch, landing before me with a soft glow.

"Curiosity. You are what I would call an anomalous existence."

Anomalous is not how I would have liked to be described, but I wondered what this spirit cat knew about me.

“Why would I be “anomalous”. Have you never seen a dragon before?”

For a moment, the cat hesitated. He just kept staring me in the eyes for a long moment, before speaking again.

“While your appearance is clear, your behavior is not. I have encountered others of your species before, yet you are unique in your actions and choices." Tom's voice held a hint of admiration mixed with a perplexed undertone. "Your compassion, your curiosity, and even your struggles are unlike any dragon I've encountered."

I pondered his words, not really knowing what to make of them.

Does he know that this is not my first life?

"So, you're saying I'm different because I don't act like a typical dragon?"

Tom nodded, his ethereal form shimmering slightly as if to emphasize his point. I pointed towards the small pile of berries and shiny rocks next to the entrance of my cave.

“So is this your introduction gift or what?”

He swayed his head in denial.

“You can say that the forest has a way of repaying its debts.”

The cat hopped off the branch and gently walked over to the small treasure.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“As a dragon, you have a tendency to appreciate shiny objects, I guess they noticed too.”

I watched as he picked up a gem, rolling it over in his paws.

“Who’s they?”

Tom looked back up at me and put the shiny rock back in the pile.

“A group of 3 horncrests, an adult male and a mother with her baby, came by your cave at dawn and left them here. The mother had a wounded leg, but she looked to be recovering.”

I let out an involuntary smile as I felt warmth in my heart at the knowledge that the baboons had made it out after I left them the day before.

“Kindness is an emotion rarely seen in your species, most would consider it a weakness.”

I looked back at the cat and scoffed.

“Then I guess I am a weak dragon, sorry to disappoint.”

“I didn’t say I am disappointed.”

Tom's response caught me off guard, a glimmer of respect evident in his gaze.

"Your actions speak of a strength that's rare in this world. That is precisely why I have approached you."

I shifted slightly, feeling a mix of pride and curiosity at his words.

"So, what do you want from me, Tom? Surely you didn't just come here to shower me with compliments."

The spectral cat's form seemed to flicker with a more serious light as he moved closer to me.

"You're correct. I'm here because I need your help, and I believe you may be able to offer it."

I narrowed my eyes, intrigued yet cautious.

"Help with what?"

Tom paused, his gaze meeting mine with an intensity that felt almost tangible.

"I am, as you see me, a spirit bound to this forest. Yet my existence is being limited.” He paused, almost as if mulling over his words. “A creature, far more powerful and fierce than anything you've encountered so far, has trapped the essence of my being, my core, and is absorbing its energy as we speak."

I thought about Tom’s words.

“So a forest spirit can be trapped so easily?"

Tom glanced down with a hint of sadness.

“Not easily. Seraphytes are not native to this forest. When I encountered one gravely wounded nearby my core, my curiosity got the better of me and I was lured and deceived by the creature as I attempted to heal its wounds.” He paused before looking back at me.

“It was a mistake of a young spirit and I won’t make it again.”

I considered his words, weighing the danger against the call to action that stirred within me.

"And you think I can defeat this creature, free your core, and save the forest?"

The spirit tilted his head, seemingly amused at my words.

“No. It’s nothing so grandiose. If all of my energy were to be consumed, I would cease to exist, but the forest would continue to live on. It just won’t be with me watching over it.”

Tom's gaze hardened, a flicker of urgency passing through his luminous eyes.

"Few possess the combination of strength, intelligence, and the heart that you've shown. I cannot force you to help me, however, I am not asking you to do this for nothing."

The mention of a reward piqued my interest, so I perked up and motioned the cat to continue.

“I will offer you my knowledge. I have lived in this forest for many years and you are a newborn. I believe my guidance could prove most beneficial to you.”

I carefully considered his words. What he offered was indeed valuable, but was it worth risking my life for it? This seraphyte did sound like a tough nut to crack.

“Before I make a decision, tell me more about this creature.”

Tom nodded.

“My core is being held hostage by an elder seraphyte. As I said before, this creature is not native to this forest, so I can only tell you what I discovered through my abilities and observation.”

He paused for a moment as if recollecting his thoughts.

“It is a large serpent, about twice your size. It has hard scales and sharp teeth, however its most dangerous attribute is the ability to spit corrosive acid. Despite not possessing limbs, it is incredibly fast.”

The more he spoke, the less inclined I was to agree to help him.

“It is through its acid that my core was damaged and I was subdued. This form that you see in front of you is merely an avatar that I use to communicate. If I were to be killed, I would not have enough energy left in my core to create a new one.”

I listened to his words very carefully and sat down to ponder. Suddenly, a new idea dawned on me.

“Why did you approach me now? Just a few good deeds in the forest and I am ready to take on a creature that could defeat a spirit so easily?”

The cat looked away for a moment, seemingly considering his next words carefully.

“I am afraid I am pressed for time, dragon. It has been a few years since the seraphyte has taken control of my core and my energy is beginning to run out.”

So that’s the reason he approached me, he’s out of time. This makes it easy for me to negotiate a better deal.

"Let's say I agree to help you," I began, choosing my words carefully.

"You are offering to teach me about the forest and its secrets, however, from what I understand, you have only ever lived inside this forest, am I correct?"

Tom looked at me and nodded.

“That is correct, however - “

“Not enough.”

I cut him off. I was not about to risk my life over some information that I may have the chance to acquire anyways.

“What you are offering me is not enough for me to risk my life.”

The cat looked at me with a defeated look.

“I see…”

“However,” I continued.

“Should you meet my additional request, then you will have my help.”

Tom shimmered as I prepared to elaborate, a grin spreading through my snout.

“Tell me something, Tom. How big is your core?”

The cat looked confused but answered nonetheless.

“It is slightly bigger than the gems you acquired from defeating the gemtails.”

I nodded satisfied and continued.

“And tell me, is it shiny?”

Again, Tom looked confused but nodded as I kept smiling with a mischievous grin.

“So it appears we could have a deal. If I agree to help you, in addition to sharing your knowledge about the forest, you will transport your core into my lair.”