-Arundo Continent. Midday. 3RD POV-
On the Western tip of Arundo Continent, was an enormous Mountain range forming a 7000 Km long crescent shape around an immense desert. It was known as BackSpine for being one of the oldest places in this world and visitors didn't frequent which made it relatively peaceful for the locals. The strong winds from the Ocean and seasonal Hurricanes were enough for them to deal with. At least, the trees certainly didn't appreciate not being allowed to grow very tall.
The plateau and valleys west of BackSpine mountain range weren't always a boring place. In the past, many civilizations rose and fell, leaving behind Ruins that are mostly buried under dirt and rocks now. Sometimes, re-occupied or repurposed as construction materials by different humanoid Tribes still making use of the fertile lands. They were in constant strife over resources, land, and freedom.
The humans mostly inhabited these vast lands North of the Equator where the Beast density was low compared to other places in the world and they continued hunting to extinction anything that was edible. The Settlements grew under barbaric Rulers and solved their scarcity with conquest and slavery, for the most part. Magic talent was respected and conscripted, but technological advances were mocked outside of the use in war.
The Ecuatorial expanse had quite the diversity with many Tribes of Humans, Demi-Humans and Beasts. The Beast people were Genetically engineered Humanoids possessing few animal features such as tails, claws, and ears while Beastified Folk were anthropomorphic with more beast features from their Immortal progenitors. Although High-ranking Beasts were rare and preferred the forest near the mountains, they sometimes intruded in the lands of people when food was scarce. Beast attacks were more numerous than the north, so Magic talent was revered, even from friendly Beasts, but war tools weren't lacking.
The South was mostly dominated by wild Beasts with the minority being low Ranks and a tiny portion High Rankers. Humans were rare, and the number of Beast people decreased the further south. However, Beastified Folk thrived here as they were accustomed to share the land with beasts or even live in harmony with them. Magic talent was coveted and weapons of war were scarce.
A pair of Blue and Red Low-ranking Dragons fiercely protected their second batch of four eggs this year until they hatched by the first Quarter of Summer. The two 6-meter tall dragons taught their offsprings the dragonian language and basic knowledge before throwing them out the Nest, then proceeded to make another batch.
On a clear wintry day with deep blue skies and a cool breeze, the four scaly beasts parted ways to find their place in the world. The 6-month-old dragons will leave their parent's territory spanning tens of kilometers seeking a suitable environment for their preferred affinities, and prey, but danger lurks everywhere in the world of beasts.
A 2-meter tall brown Dragon with a plain tail, two long and thick horns pointing back glided downhill within a lush forest at the foot of the mountain where his nest was located. *SwooOOSHH!* He was searching for a river and small game to the west as his first priority, but he wouldn't mind the company of another intelligent being. It hasn't been long since he separated from his brothers and sisters, but missed them more than they did him. This young Dragon wasn't a normal beast after all.
"Uu~Urifen... Uu~Urifen learned to fly~like a shooting star~" The young beast hummed the intro song of an old Sci-fi cartoon from Earth with the equivalent in Dragon growls. It was one of the first things he remembered from the Entertainment option the original James chose before birth. Although the Fragment didn't deem the Brain developed enough to bestow all memories, he recalled enough to develop a sense of morality and emotions. But his mind was still young and clumsy.
The brown lizard maneuvered between the tree trunks playfully when he heard a distant sound and lost control for a moment. *TWUONK!!* "Omph!" He slammed into a trunk half a meter thick snout-first before the rest of the body followed with its momentum. *THRURUMP!* "GRAA!" He shook the entire tree within the woods making it drop leaves and broken branches. *BWOMF! Bashrra~!* The scaly beast landed upside down on a cushion of leaves by the roots and folded the wings before rubbing his snout with the forepaws. "Owww... I'm okay! " He groaned for a moment and said particularly to no one.
*Shraahh! Thump! Thump!* The scaly creature got up and perked his ears. *Zuak!* "Hmm..." He concentrated on identifying distant sounds. *Shuaaa... Bam! Baam! Truronk! Baaashh!* The noise of running water coming from the north indicated a river and the falling trees intrigued him. "Another beast seems to be crashing..." He asserted feeling intrigued and his expression changed to caution realizing. "AH! It's a big chase!"
Despite the possible danger, the young dragon decided to approach carefully since the destruction was heading towards the river as well. He opened his wings again high up and crouched before kicking the ground. *Whop! Fwo-Whosh! Fwo-Whosh!* The brown Dragon flapped his strong wings causing swirls of leaves and dirt as his body rose from the ground. He flew as fast as possible in a straight line towards the northwest searching for a higher ground that could allow him to escape impending danger.
After a few minutes, the young Dragon spotted signs of the chase heading for a ravine with 10-meter tall steep walls leading up to a near an 8-meter wide river carved in the stone deeply for thousands of years. He made sure the wind direction and position in the air wouldn't give his presence up as per his parent's instructions. "Perfect!" The scaly beast determined and glided down. *Fweee~! Thump! Thu-rum! Thu-rum!* The brown dragon landed in the open field above the cliff and approached the edge carefully. *SHRUASSHHH~! SwooOOoosh~!* The wind blew strongly from the left and the river raged noisily from the right concealing the noise of the group approaching on a road with many curves around trees and rocks made like that on purpose.
"Huh? Hruff! Hruuff!" The Dragon wondered and sniffed the air current blowing his way. Hm? Some small creatures are running from a large Beast... He interpreted the scents and narrowed his eyes with a hardened expression. ...Smells dangerous. It must be a Magical Beast. He asserted feeling increasingly cautious and recalled one of his parent's warnings. Mother said to stay away from Magical Beasts until I become one. Though that will take years. My Soul was the weakest that my parents had ever sensed and my Magic resistance is very low. Magicians daring enough to invade my body could kill me from afar. My life is gonna be at a constant risk...
The young Dragon focused his senses trying to gather more information while the rustling and breaking small trees got louder. Soon, he could hear growls and vocal sounds with patterns indicating a language spoken by 5 humanoids, but he was unable to comprehend any of it.
Hmm... I can't tell if the small creatures are beasts or humans... But they smell like part of a community... Could it be...the Demi-Beasts that Mother mentioned?! They are the good guys then. I should help them. But...how? He analyzed the scents and looked around pondering. There were plenty of Boulders of different sizes and shapes which gave him an idea. I got it! He suddenly recalled a cartoon where a Coyote dropped things on a Bird to kill it and decided to imitate the method. There's probably a lightbulb shining above my head right now...
The scaly beast selected a sizeable rock and rushed towards it. *Krrun Krurukk! Thrurun! Krrcchh!* He dislodged a rounded Boulder 1.5 meters wide and rolled it to the cliff's edge above the narrowest part near the river, then waited.
*Zaa Zaa Zaa!* The five humanoids ran in a line formation on a narrow trail going around curves and holes from the Southwest towards the only bridge across the raging River for miles. The Peak-Rank 4 Water Magician had his magic expanded over the group to protect them from the Magical Beast just a few meters behind chasing fervently.
"Let's jump in the river. We can't lure it to our village..." The green-haired leader growled worriedly.
""Eeehhh!!?""
"We can't! The current will drag us to the depths and the Water Dragon living there will eat us..."
"We're all going to die before reaching the village! Uwaa..." A female uttered with a despairing expression.
"Huff! Huff! I can use the river's water to slow it down... But I don't think it's going to stop chasing us unless her anger is appeased, or hunger..." The blue individual announced while panting from the strenous magic usage.
"No. The fire Cat won't use magic until we do."
"Are you sure? It-it looks pissed..."
"This is all Yadia's fault! She tried to steal her Cub!" A 12-year old barked with tears in his eyes.
"Ueee! I-I just wanted a familiar... And most of her Cubs die anyway!" A 16-year old-looking girl with long orange hair tied like a ponytail growled at the back of the group trying to justify her actions. I just don't want to be alone... She felt misunderstood and often shunned after the death of her parents while visiting her siblings in another village, but her weird antics and bad magic talent didn't help to find company either.
"You had no right!" The leader scolded sternly while clenching his clawed-fist and gritting his teeth.
"Hauu..." The guilty orange-scaled lizard girl lowered her ears and whined.
*Tash Tash Tash!* The five bipedal creatures slowed down around the corner of the Ravine and speed up on the Rocky trail extending 160 meters up to the River.
The brown Dragon watching from above opened his eyes wide and dropped his jaw stunned. Lizard People! He recognized the iconic Demi-Humans from Series immediately and focused his vision like an eagle perceiving every minute detail in slow motion.
The Lizard people were the Anthropomorphic type with their entire bodies covered in smooth scales of different sizes depending on the area and colors forming unique patterns on each one of them. They had a Humanoid Scaly face with a short muzzle, elongated ears, and little horns at each corner of the forehead by the hair. Their tails connecting to the spine were long and slender while the hands and feet were rough with thick claws and pads. They wore simple rags coverings the same sensitive parts as humans, but these Beastified Folk laid eggs, and breastfeed their young as well.
The Dragon noticed each one of them had a dominant color aside from markings, except for the blue lizard running behind the leader. He was completely Blue! Just like his dragon mother, so he must be an awakened Water Magician. *Swiss Swiss!* The beastie wagged his plain tail excitedly. He had hoped to find a friendly Dragon around to learn Magic, but their numbers were few in these parts, and his parents would only accept visits after maturing. But now, not only this his naive sense of morality urged him to help the Lizard people like a Hero from the cartoons he remembered, but it was possible to gain benefits from a partnership with them.
A second later, a 3.5-Meter tall Feline with scales on the forehead, shoulders and behind the joints reached a Bus-sized Boulder forming a corner between the forest and the Ravine. *Thu-Rum! Thu-rum! WHROOSHH!* The red-coated Beast sprinted into the gorge but was unable to turn completely and slammed onto the cliff wall where the Dragon observed. *TWHUAM!* The crash slowed her down more than the trees and the nimble bipedal creatures increased their distance to 14 meters, but now, she had a straight line to dash freely. *Shrak! Shrak!* The giant red Cat carved the soil with its prominent claws and dashed while sending her magic in front of the Lizards.
A Red Cat?! It's a Fire Magical Beast... The young dragon retorted and realized a flaw in his plan. He wasn't confident in hitting a moving target accurately by dropping a boulder just as it happened in the cartoon. Most likely, he would miss and alert the creature of his presence which was tantamount to suicide.
"GRUAU! Grau...grau..." The Rank 5 Beast growled loudly in frustration causing an echo in the ravine and emitted bloodlust before commanding elementals.
*FwooOOSH!* A 3-meter thick and 6-meter tall blaze firewall ignited near the end of the ravine and blocked the path completely.
""AHH!!"" The Lizards screamed in front of the raging flames and slowed down but the leader still dived into the flames. *Whoosh!* The others hesitated for a moment and followed one by one.
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That is one dangerous kitty... The brown lizard shivered, realizing their gap in strength.
The Beastified Folk were desperate at this point. The Magical beast started using magic and they were almost out in the open. Only a diversion would slow down the Fire Cat and what best than the target of its hatred?
"Take responsibility, Yadia!" One of the adults declared and kicked the petite girl's abdomen. *Pwuam!*
"Omph!" She sounded as her body bent and was sent flying towards the red-coated beast.
Seeing that, the feline was surprised for a moment and instinctively opened her mouth while slamming her paws. *Krrchh... WHUAP!* She accurately snatched the scaly creature in her large maw and tried to chew before chasing after the rest.
"AHHH!" Yadia bellowed curling to avoid the teeth and sank her claws into the Beast's tongue by the throat.
"GWUAWR!" The feline yowled in irritation and slowed down to finish off the reluctant prey. *Wuagh! Wruagh! Glup!* The furry Beast munched the small humanoid and gulped down trying to swallow her.
"Ahhhh!" Yadia's muffled screams of horror came out of the maw causing her more and more injuries. Her tail had been crunched near the tip and a calf had a long gaping wound.
*Krch!* The Fire Cat stopped and prepared Magic to roast the scaly person in her mouth alive.
The brown dragon stared at the position of the Boulder and the Beast below, then opened his eyes wide. AH! He realized the opportunity to land his attack just presented itself and roughly calculated the angle aligning with the red Beast. It's now or never! He determined with urgency and dashed in a hurry as his tail brushed pebbles off the edge.
*Krrchh! Tak! Tak!* The small rocks bounced on the cliff walls and landed noisily below, alerting the feline as the dragon walked away. *Swish!* The female magical beast perked her ears and stopped her actions before looking up at the loose Boulder up on the cliff. She narrowed her eyes suspecting an intruder and sent a probe, quickly detecting the young beast. The fire magician gathered Magic in front of the unsuspecting Dragon and produced a flammable gas.
*Krrchh!* The young Dragon stopped 3 meters away from the cliff edge and turned around before dashing towards the Boulder. *Thu-rum! Thu-rum! BAM!* He slammed onto the large rock with his forepaws and sent it flying over the edge making an arch while descending. *Whooosh!* The Dragon turned around and sprinted away fearing retaliation. *Thu-rum! Thu-rum!*
However, the scaly beast had indeed miscalculated the force and the boulder flew over the feline who commanded her elementals to ignite the gas in front of him. *BWUOM!* "GRAA--!* The brown beast cried out from the explosion impacting his chest and stopping his momentum. *Krrcchh...* He skid on the rocky ground for a meter back to the cliff's edge as the fire magician prepared another attack.
Meanwhile, the Lizard girl struggling in the large jaws pulled a knife from her waist and brought it to her chest. Grrr... I'll take you down with me! Yadia snapped and stabbed the gritty tongue. *Chiak! Chiak! Chiak!* "Die! Die! Die!"
"GYAAAA--!!" The armored cat yowled in agony and shook her head while stomping around while the boulder reached the opposite wall of the Ravine. *TRONK! Thuruk!* The hunk of rock smashed onto the steep rocky side and bounced back to the middle where the Red Cat writhed in pain. *KA-WHAMM!* The massive rock impacted the feline on the neck making her whole body tremble and drove its head to the ground. ""GWEP--! Kyah!"" The two females shrieked from the shock and injuries with their consciousness shook for a moment. *TWHONK! TRRrrrkonk!* The boulder rolled away as the Beast staggered losing strength with a gaping wound gushing blood wetting its fur and eyes blinking while losing their focus. *THOOMM!* The feline toppled unconscious and continued bleeding from its injuries while breathing slowly.
Oww... What was that? The brown Dragon wondered and walked back to the cliff edge carefully before peeking down. The red-coated beast lied unmoving with the legs to one side and the head pointing at the river while gushing blood streamed dyed the rocks. Yaaay! It worked... He rejoiced with a smug on his snout and jumped down. *Fwuap! Fweeee~!* the Dragon opened the wings partially and glided down. *Srrrrr--!* The scaly wing tips scratched the on the rock before finally landing. *THUMP!* Oww... My wings... He complained about more throbbing pains and folded his wings, then approached the Feline's neck.
The Lizard recovered her bearings and remained still to confirm the situation. Ugh... Wa-what happened? Did an Elder defeat it? Am I being rescued? Yadia assumed with high hopes and struggled to get out of the sticky jaws.
The Dragon poked at the feline a few times with a claw to confirm the kill. What tough fur! But... Haha, I just defeated a Magical Beast! Oh, yeah. Go me~ Go me~ The scaly beast celebrated with a victory dance shaking his rump and taking rhythmical steps when large Beast twitched. *Shruu!* Meeerp! It's not dying from all that??! As expected of magical beasts... I should leave before it wakes up. He reviewed and stepped back towards the river when a muffled sound came from the Feline's mouth.
"Heeeeelp!"
Oops... I forgot about the little one. The brown Dragon affirmed and approached the large maw. He held down the lower jaw with his right forepaw while using the left to force the mouth open. *Shluak!*
*Slick! Shlick!* "Gnnn..." The Lizard girl strained to leave the fleshy cave adorned with dangerous fangs and came out covered in slobber and blood. "PUAHH! HAa... Haahh..." She took deep breaths of fresh air feeling immensely relieved and turned around to thank her rescuer. But all she saw were the underside of another Beast. "...!! EEP!" The anthropomorphic creature opened her eyes wide in shock and shrieked before crawling away preparing to run away.
*Swooo--!* The dragon moved his tail to the left and stopped it in front of the girl's average bosom, blocking her escape.
She halted breathing heavily and glanced left at the dragon. "W-w-wa-what? What? Are you Tamed? Where's your Master?" She questioned and looked around trying to find out what happened.
"Gyoh?" The young Beast uttered quizzically and tilted his head. "No afraid!" He growled in dragonian language and gazed at the anthropomorphic creature intently. She's...she's more beautiful than in animes... He compared admiringly and lowered the jaws he was holding slowly. *Klaup!* The feline's mouth closed and the Dragon turned left slowly before lying down.
""..."" The Beast and the girl stare at each other with inspecting gazes as tens of seconds pass.
Without seeing anyone from her Tribe around, and no signs of communication, the Lizard girl became increasingly nervous and backpedaled towards the northern cliff wall dropping her knife. *Klang!* Wha--what kind of situation is this??! This Dragon isn't tamed?? Why is it not attacking, then? Is that rock his doing? Why would a wild beast risk his life for me? What does it want? Did it confused me with its kind? I am scaly too... Yadia wondered anxiously as a myriad of questions popped up in her head, but not many obvious answers.
The brown dragon lost his patience and brought his head forward.
"N-nooo!" Yadia shrilled rooted in place against the rocky wall while her heart thunders nervously.
The frozen Lizard closed her eyes at the approaching maw and turned her face away. *Shlap!* The brown Dragon gave a quick lick to the scaly face and pulled back.
...I'm not dead? The orange-scaled lizard girl opened the left eye and peeked. Did I just get licked? "Huuuu~" She asserted and exhaled a deep sigh of relief deflating her chest. Please be the last time my life flashes before my eyes today... I hope he's just curious about me.
The young beast lost his patience again fur being ignored and moved closer. "Gyurorow..." The little dragon grumbled in her face and gave another quick lick. *Shlap!* The lizard girl shivered from the gritty tail scraping the sensitive scales of her face and calmed down before getting annoyed for the slobber.
"...Alright, alright, alright... I get it! You aren't going to kill me..." Yadia snapped and pushed the dragon away. Oh... I'm touching and he's not biting. That's a good sign. She assumed and rubbed the beast snout with her pads. *Ssrrrsh~!* "W-who's a good Draggie? Yes, you are~"
"Wruuu~" The dragon closed his eyes indulging in the caressing and sounded gutturally while wagging his tail *Swooo~! Swooo~!*
"Pu-! It's like you are begging to be my Familiar!l Hehehe!"
"Bwuening wrraude Gwurilla?" He growled imitating her speech.
"Oh, wew... You, want to be my familiar? You are so smart! Lucky~"
What is she so happy about now?
"Don't move... Staaaay... Stay." Yadia instructed making hand movements and crouched under him slowly. She grabbed the left foreleg for support and leaned under his belly. *Clack!* The lizard girl picked up her short knife and looked up at the genital slit and scaly balls protruding from the Dragon's rear. Oh... He's male... A female would've been better, but his intelligence intrigues me... She asserted and glanced back at the dragon head watching her every action calmly.
The anthropomorphic creature backtracked from under the dragon and limped to the cliff wall with vines growing. She grabbed a few sturdy vines and pulled. *Shrraa... Pa! Pah!* The Lizard managed to dislodge a few and cut the rest before tying them into a rope 3-meters long. *Fwuosh!* She made a lazo and put it around dragon's neck, then coiled it around the muzzle, preventing him from opening his mouth.
Huh?! Wha--what kind of situation is this??! The dragon wondered and was about to yank his snout when his ears twitched.
"Gwruuu..." The unconscious feline groaned and moved slightly.
"Eh?! The fire cat isn't dead? Time to go... Come on!" Yadia declared and yanked the vine towards the river.
So... I'm a pet? The scaly beast realized following behind obediently. Well, it's a start...
The orange-scaled lizard girl and the brown dragon crossed the bridge in a hurry, then followed a narrow trail through a thick forest where birds sang and a few rays of sunshine touch the ground.
"Hm~ Hum~ Huumm~" Yadia hummed happily while rocking her scrunched tail from side to side slightly. But she soon couldn't endure her injuries anymore and started limping which slowed them down. "Ow ow owww..."
The dragon noticing the lizard girl's worsening condition and brought his head to her rear before sniffing. "Hunff! Hunff!"
"Kyah--!" Yadia shrieked and turned around to admonish the beast. "D-don't sniff a girl's butt without permission!"
"Gwruu..." He whined looking at her wounds and pushed his head between her legs.
"Ah--! W-what are you doing?!"
"Gwurilla?" He growled and insisted on getting her on his head.
"Ah... You want me to ride you? Is that it?"
The dragon crouched and stood still without saying anything.
"...Are you sure you aren't tamed already? ...Well, thanks for the lift." Yadia appreciated and climbed on his neck while holding the vine tying his muzzle. "Uuunnng... Now... Onwards, my Beast! Let's show off on my village~" She directed and brought her tail to her lap to ease the throbbing pain.
The dragon rolled his eyes at the odd mannerism and carried her the rest of the way.
"So... What should I call you? I'm Yadia. Me Yadia. Get it?" The lizard girl repeated until the young beast caught on and nodded.
The brown dragon thought for a moment and growled through his restricted muzzle. "Gwruurilfen." He decided to name himself the equivalent of the protagonist's name in dragon growls without knowing link this name had to his dragonian counterpart.
"Hulifen?"
The dragon shook his head denying until she got it right.
"Urifen... It's not bad, but I wanted to name you..."
By the middle of the afternoon, the two passed a verdant curtain of tall trees and entered a field with tree stumps extending a hundred meters up to a settlement near a cliff on the North. As they walked the distance on one of the roads, muffled sounds of dull axes hewing away at the trees could be heard in the distance, and the strong aroma of freshly cut wood drifted in the wind.
Past the open gate at the logged wall, the village was revealed in all of its glory and bustling with activity. There were different types of dwellings from shabby huts to full log-houses indicating a hierarchy around the main road leading up to the cliff with various caves and a 2-floor stone house owned by the Chief. A stone aqueduct carried water from one of the caves in the cliff towards a large fountain in the middle of the village with drainage going into the houses.
The lizard girl puffed her chest and cheeks proudly as various lizard people of different colors walked by sparing them a glance while Beasts of different sizes sniffed in their direction. They soon reached the chief house and called out while other people gathered around them.
*Kreee~!* The wooden door opened and a golden lizardman wearing brown clothes with patterns came out. Yadia explained what happened briefly and showered her munched tail.
"And you just happen to stumble on a Dragon inside the Fire Cat?" The village chief questioned with skepticism.
"NO! He rescued me... How many times do I have to say it?"
"Uh-uh..."
"Maybe she stole it from her rescuer?"
"That's so like her..."
"Wrong! He's just brilliant!"
"Uh-huh... Lorin, go investigate the scene."
"Okay."
"In the meantime, Yadia, don't leave the village, and bring the Beast to a stable."
"Yes!" Yadia affirmed and smiled while cratching the dragon with her claws. "Fufufu~ I finally have a life-long companion. Oww..."
"I feel sorry for the Beast."
"Me too."
"Poor Dragon."
"Who knows what she'll do to him?"
"H-hey! I'm right here!"
The lizard girl dismounted the Dragon and pulled him away. The crowd dispersed, except the Chief and two guards.
"It's a Dragon, Chief... Shouldn't we keep it?" One of the guards asked from the side.
"Don't bother. That's probably the least talented beast I have ever seen."
"That bad? Is it retarded?"
"No, his eyes did indeed look intelligent. But his Spirit volume is as small as one of our children."
"What?!! How can that be? Depending on the size, Beasts should have many times more Spirit volume than us!"
"...I don't know. The Spirit potency isn't bad, but his magic capacity is pathetically low."
"It is the Weakest Magical Beast I have ever seen."
"Well, maybe now that girl will stop causing so much trouble?"
"We can only hope."
Unbeknown to them, Urifen was merely a Soul Shard unlike his counterpart in Zhuryoh City who had the Main Soul with fake memories. However, the high-density Spiritual strands were like a potent seed sprouting ever-strongly as his human awareness increased. Dragon vessels also promoted Soul growth, so it was a matter of time and effort before his talent reached normal Beast-levels.
None of them could've imagined at the time that this feeble Dragon would become their protector and develop their village into a booming city. But not without struggle and despair.