I arrived in Ualrin around midnight.

Sonya and I stood a few hundred meters near the peak of a tall mountain chain, looking down at the forest in front of us.

Yes. Even after traveling over twenty thousand kilometers across Leks, we were still in the Cradle of Life.

I looked to my left and right.

The mountain chain I was on stretched for a few kilometers and jutted out of the forest. Though still covered in trees, they were spaced far enough apart to allow for unobstructed visibility.

I bit my lower lip and looked forward once more.

There, between the trees some five kilometers to the south, under the light of the stars and one moon, was a small settlement.

A town, maybe?

I squinted.

No. A village?

Ten blocks with well-lit streets, what looked like a church, and houses. Dots of light surrounded it, probably Watchers on the walls.

Wasn't Sapul a city? I wondered, recalling Shorvanna's words. Do Lupum build underground? They're bunnies, after all.

A strong wind whistled in my ear.

I sighed and gently pulled the reins, guiding Sonya to the right. I’m not going there right away, anyway.

The Ratnak complied, moving through the snow.

We advanced along the mountain peak for a bit, searching for the cave the Goddess mentioned in the letter.

Twenty minutes later, after descending the mountain slightly, we came across a large opening, around a hundred meters tall and fifty wide. A big boulder blocked the entrance, however.

I nodded to myself, feeling the pull directing me toward it, then dismounted Sonya.

The Ratnak took a few steps back and sat down.

I walked around the rock, looking for a smaller opening but found nothing.

The boulder was snugly wedged in, leaving no gaps in sight.

I approached the rock and used a bit of strength to push it.

It budged a tiny bit, leaving a small opening underneath.

I hummed and, while keeping one hand on the rock to prevent it from closing, snuck my other hand into the opening. Then I squatted and, with both hands, lifted the rock, trying to dislodge it.

I wasn’t sure if it would work, but it was worth a try.

While lifting the boulder, I moved backward to drag it out of the hole. A few seconds later, I lifted it above my head, attempting to carry it on my back.

Another boulder appeared, and I looked up.

The boulder I was lifting was connected to the smaller one. It was two meters thick and as black as the rock it was snugly stuck into.

I looked at the smaller boulder, confused by the fact that it didn’t snap or groan under the strain—like a door of sorts.

Then, an eye the size of a minivan slowly opened. Orange like fire, the eye had a slit pupil that widened and contracted as it focused on me.

"Ah," I muttered in realization, letting go.

It was a Dragon, and I had just lifted the wing it was using to cover its head and block the entrance to the cave.

The wing fell down with a surprisingly quiet rumble.

With a long groan, the creature unfurled itself.

I hummed and appraised it while retrieving my spear and shield.

[Irtorodon, Wild Dragon – Lvl 1472]

The dragon stretched its limbs, unwinding its body and revealing its full size. The scales on its chest reflected the moonlight, dark as the stone it slept next to. Slowly, it opened its jaws, a low, reverberating growl filling the cavern as its eyes glared with annoyance.

It was... a bit small, though. The Rodolian High General Odnik rode into Lumin Kingdom was quite bigger. The teeth were impressively sharp, measuring over three meters each and white as the snow around us.

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Alyssa told me they can talk, I remembered, then gave it a shot. “Hello,” I greeted it.

“Why disturb my slumber?” it asked in Dragon Tongue, its words rumbling like an avalanche in a thunderstorm, irritation obvious in its tone.

My chest vibrated with the sound, and I held back a laugh at how cool the situation was.

Were I a normal person, I would have to treat the thing with respect and whatnot.

Reality, however, painted a different picture.

It was a mortal creature, and I an Eternal.

“You're in the way,” I informed it in fluent Dragon Tongue, resting the butt of my spear on the snow.

It was a measly one hundred and twenty levels higher than me, but many times my size. It had no chance of winning a physical confrontation when my Dragoon Class specialized in killing bigger foes.

The Dragon moved its head close to me, its eyes squinting in assessment. “Pah! A Protector...” Its tone shifted, gaining an adequate amount of respect, but retaining pride. There was a trace of offense in its voice, however. "What is your name, Eternal Protector? What could warrant such a rude awakening? My sleep is sacred, and it has been long… far too long for anyone to intrude without purpose."

The edge of my mouth twitched in amusement. I can see where Alyssa gets her love for sleep. “Natasha Novak, Halve Warrior,” I introduced myself.

The dragon slowly rose to its full height, wings flaring slightly, making the cave it was blocking look small. "You stand before Irtorodon, descendant of the Black Scales, progenitors of the Rokkso Luzo, though my line has no claim of relation nor desire for it,” it introduced itself, then let out a long breath, sending a faint wave of heat that melted the snow as it studied me carefully, the bits of irritation dissipating, replaced by curious expectation.

“Well met,” I replied with a slight nod. “The cave you've taken over leads to a dungeon I need to clear,” I told it, then discreetly glanced down, checking if I was dealing with a boy, a girl, or an aristi.

The evidence told me male.

Irtorodon’s eyes flickered with a renewed fire, his nostrils flaring slightly. He tilted his head, considering my words. There was a moment of silence, probably one of conflict with his pride. "In the way, you say?” His rumbling voice came out once more, tinged with both amusement and offense. “The arrogance of Halves truly knows no bounds. I have slumbered here for a decade, and now you expect me to simply move because you have need of this cave?"

I nodded.

He spread his wings wider, causing a few rocks to tumble from the cavern walls. "Tell me, Halve. Why should I care for your dungeon? What value does it hold that would warrant my displacement?" He leaned in, his fiery orange eyes locking onto mine, his voice dropping to a dangerous, almost teasing growl. "Or do you intend to try and move me yourself?"

Well, he's not saying 'no', I observed. Just a grumpy boy. "How old are you, baby? I'm told you Dragons grow to be tremendously large, but... you're admittedly small."

Irtorodon’s eyes flared with sudden indignation, his wings snapping open fully in response, causing a gust of wind to rush around me. His chest puffed out as he straightened to his full height, the scales along his neck shimmering like molten metal as he gave a low growl. "Small?" His voice rumbled, disbelief and slight shock mixed in. “You dare mock the stature of a Dragon?” His claws scraped against the stone beneath him as he shifted, clearly irked by the comment. "I may not yet rival the ancients in size, Halve, but do not mistake youth for weakness. I am no mere hatchling!"

“Of course,” I agreed with a deep nod, smiling behind my helmet. “Of course...”

He huffed, a puff of smoke billowing from his nostrils. “Dragons do grow… and in time, I will darken these skies. Perhaps, if your ten thousand years endure, you will witness that yourself."

He's a little cute, I chuckled in my mind. "Then it would be smart to obey and move out of the way. I have given you courtesy enough by talking this long," I warned him.

The dragon’s wings flexed, then folded neatly by his sides, his form still towering, but his tone shifted to something more measured, almost begrudgingly respectful, "You speak with the confidence of one who knows their place in this world... and expects others to know theirs." His massive head lowered slightly, eyes gleaming with reluctant admiration. "A courtesy, indeed. I would not have entertained such words from a lesser being."

I rolled my eyes. Boy, you're as much of a mortal as a frog.

"Very well, Halve. You’ve shown respect in waking me and allowed me to speak. I shall not deny your request." He began to step aside, his claws scraping against the stone as he made space for me to pass. "But remember this, Eternal Protector… you and I may meet again. Perhaps then it will be on more equal terms."

I hummed. “Good boy,” I praised him, then looked back at Sonya.

The Ratnak was wide-eyed, her blue eyes going from me to the Dragon.

"Tell you what," I started, resting my hands on my hips. "If you keep my mount company while I'm in the dungeon I might agree to a fight with you, and perhaps spread your name..."

Irtorodon’s eyes flicked toward the Ratnak, his nostrils flaring as he regarded the creature with a mix of curiosity and mild disdain. The dragon’s head tilted slightly, and a low, rumbling chuckle escaped his throat. "You amuse me, Halve." His voice was softer now, though still rumbling due to his size. "A fight, you say? Dragons do not shy away from challenges… especially when it comes from an Eternal such as yourself."

Good. Sonya taken care of is covered, I thought with relief.

He studied me for a moment longer, then glanced again at the Ratnak. There was a flicker of acknowledgment in his gaze—both as a creature that bore some resemblance to his kind and as something under my care. "Very well. I shall keep this creature company, as you have requested." His wings folded more tightly against his sides, and he lowered himself slightly as if settling into a more relaxed stance. "But know this, Halve… when you return from that dungeon, I will expect a duel worthy of my kind. And perhaps, if you tell my story, it shall be one of epics."

I chuckled and gave him a nod, then walked over to Sonya. “Hey, girl.”

The Ratnak's eyes didn't leave the Dragon, but her head pointed towards me. She let out a growl I hadn't hear before. It carried caution and apprehension.

“It's okay,” I assured her, caressing her head. “You can't come with me into the dungeon, so Irtorodon here is going to look after you while I'm gone. Is that alright?”

She grumbled, a little dispirited, but nodded nonetheless.

I smiled and gave her head a big hug. “I'll be back, Sonya. I promise,” I told her and circled her, then removed the saddle. “You can find ores around here, right? Eat as much as you want.”

She huffed and sat down, still staring at the Dragon.

I tilted my head. “No good bye kiss for me?” I pouted.

The Ratnak opened its maw and ran her tongue over my helmet while growling.

“There we go!” I laughed and gave her a last hug, then walked away into the cave.