Three Months Later

Nyx was now one year old, and in this new world, the calendar was unlike anything she’d known before. Created by the constellations, it was called the Celestial Year. With each passing day, Nyx grew stronger, able to stand more steadily and take a few steps on her own, a testament to her resilience and the care she received from those around her.

One sunny afternoon, the light filtered through the leafy canopy above as the Dragon tried to keep Nyx afloat in a small pool of water. She splashed happily, giggling at the gentle waves that Len created as he playfully splashed water on her. To her, it was a game, a joyous playtime.

Once they were done, they fashioned a makeshift covering out of a large leaf, offering Nyx a little shade from the sun. The Dragon released a tired sigh, looking at Len with a hint of disbelief. “Taking care of a child is much more difficult than I thought,” he mused aloud, shaking his head.

“You’re doing fine,” Len reassured him, flicking a bit more water at Nyx, who squealed in delight.

After their splashing session, they lounged at the entrance of the cave, Nyx happily devouring sweet, juicy fruits. Juice ran down her hands and face, creating a sticky mess that made the Dragon sigh heavily. He had just bathed her, only to see her delightfully messy again.

“Well, she’s just being a child,” Len remarked with a soft smile, shaking his head in amusement.

“True,” the Dragon admitted, his voice softening as he watched her. “But she needs to learn how to harness her magic power, Nyx,” he said, adopting a more serious tone.

Nyx didn’t even look up, completely engrossed in her food. The Dragon continued, “Once you learn to harness your magic, I can teach you skills.”

Len chuckled, glancing at the Dragon. “You do know she can’t understand you, right?”

“I know,” the Dragon replied with a sigh. His gaze softened even more as he watched Nyx. “But one day, she will. She’s special, Len. I can feel it.” There was a pause before he added, almost to himself, “I never thought I’d care this much.”

Len smiled knowingly, recognizing the warmth in the Dragon’s tone. “She has that effect on all of us,” he said gently.

“But what about her eyesight?” Len asked, his voice tinged with concern as he looked at Nyx, who was now reaching for a particularly juicy fruit.

“Although I don’t have a skill that can restore her eyesight, I can teach her to sense the magical molecules around her. It’ll help her navigate her surroundings,” the Dragon explained, his voice steady but tinged with sadness.

“Is there a chance she could ever see?” Len asked, hope sparking in his eyes.

“She could, but it would require someone else’s help, and that will never happen,” the Dragon said, bitterness creeping into his tone.

“It doesn’t matter. We’ll make do with what we have,” Len stated firmly, determination in his voice.

After their conversation, they turned their attention back to Nyx, who had just finished her snack. Len went to fetch her some milk, and she eagerly drank it with his assistance. The tranquil atmosphere was soon shattered by a heavy presence that loomed nearby, a presence the Dragon could not shake off. Even Nyx, trying to doze off with a full belly, was disturbed.

A large, three-horned bull, exuding an air of arrogance, appeared at the entrance of the cave. “I’m here for another challenge,” he bellowed, his voice booming.

The Dragon sighed in annoyance, turning to face him. “I don’t have time for you. Leave.”

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The Bull laughed loudly, a mocking tone lacing his words. “What, are you scared you’ll lose?”

The Dragon scoffed, irritation growing. “I could beat you without lifting a finger, but I have more pressing matters. You’re not one of them.”

“Are you just scared I’ll win and take all your treasures?” the Bull shot back, his arrogance palpable.

Meanwhile, Len was doing his best to keep Nyx calm amid the ruckus. “Shhh, it’s okay, Nyx. Don’t be scared,” he whispered soothingly, cradling her in his arms. But his efforts were in vain; the loud noise startled her awake, and she began to cry.

“Look what you’ve done! Now it’ll be difficult to put her back to sleep,” the Dragon snapped, frustration rising in his voice. He wasn’t just angry at the Bull for waking Nyx; there was a deeper, primal anger coursing through him—protectiveness. He had always guarded his treasures fiercely, but this was different.

The Three-Horned Bull laughed, his mockery ringing through the air. “That little thing made you mad? If it’s so hard, just give her to me, and I’ll get rid of her for you.”

Without hesitation, the Dragon soared toward the Bull, roaring, “You will regret disturbing us!”

The Bull snorted defiantly. “Bring it on, Dragon! Let’s see if you can beat me this time!”

And so, they began a fierce battle, their powerful forms colliding with a resounding crash. During this chaos, Len continued to soothe Nyx, whispering softly, “It’s okay, Nyx. They’ll stop soon.”

The Dragon and the Three-Horned Bull fought hard, their roars echoing through the forest. “You’re too stubborn for your own good, Bull,” the Dragon growled, slashing at him with his claws.

“And you’re too arrogant, Dragon,” the Bull retorted, attempting to gore the Dragon with his impressive horns.

The clash was intense, almost ethereal, as these two great beings created by the gods collided with claws and teeth bared. The smaller creatures in the vicinity took cover, but they weren’t frightened; this wasn’t the first time such a spectacle had occurred.

“Don’t worry, Nyx. They do this all the time. The Dragon always wins,” Len reassured her.

With a final, powerful swipe, the Dragon sent the Three-Horned Bull crashing to the ground. “Give up, Bull! You’ll never win!” he declared triumphantly.

It was an unstable battle, but the Dragon emerged victorious once more. The Bull groaned in defeat. “I will defeat you one day, Dragon.”

The Dragon scoffed, “Keep dreaming, Bull.”

This wasn’t the first time the Three-Horned Bull had challenged the Dragon for his treasures. It had happened about a year ago, just before Nyx entered the forest. “You should have learned your lesson by now,” the Dragon said, standing tall over his fallen opponent. But, as always, the Bull had lost.

After the battle, the Dragon returned triumphantly to the cave entrance, where he and Len had been before the interruption. Nyx was still crying, and the Dragon leaned down to comfort her, softly nuzzling her with his snout. “There, there, little one,” he murmured gently.

Recognizing the familiar presence, she started to calm down, her laughter bubbling forth as she thought he was coming to play with her. The Dragon smiled softly. “That’s better. No more tears.”

The Three-Horned Bull, now tattered and breathing heavily, observed the exchange. Why was the Dragon so attached to this tiny creature? He was a constellation, albeit a fallen one, and a god in his own right. It puzzled him to see the Dragon behaving in such a way.

Curious and intrigued, he watched closely as the Dragon and Len comforted Nyx, the bond between them stirring something within him.

One Year Later

Nyx was now two years old. Over the past year, the Three-Horned Bull continued to come around, always causing mayhem.

“Dragon, I’m here for more of your treasures!” the Bull would bellow as he sneaked into the Dragon’s cave.

The Dragon, spotting him, would growl, “You never learn, do you, Bull?”

And inevitably, the Dragon would catch him and beat him once more. “You’re too predictable,” he’d say, tossing the Bull out of his cave yet again. True to his nature, the Bull’s insatiable greed drove him to seek more and more treasures.

The Three-Horned Bull, God of Greed, had fallen due to his relentless desire for more, constantly stealing from the other gods. “You can’t just take whatever you want,” one of the gods had warned him. But he hadn’t listened.

His behavior had grown tiresome for the other gods, especially since these treasures were prized possessions they had created. It escalated when he took something vital to the realm. “You’ve gone too far this time,” the gods declared, leading to his banishment and subsequent fall into the dark forest.

Over time, his desire only intensified. “I must have more,” he muttered to himself, his greed consuming him. During this period, he learned about the Dragon raising a blind human child named Nyx.

One day, he watched from a distance as Nyx interacted with the Dragon. “Why does he care for a human child?” he wondered aloud, a mixture of curiosity and envy bubbling inside him.

Len, the spirit creature, gently guided Nyx as she stumbled around. “Come this way, Nyx,” he would say softly, his voice a calming presence.

The Dragon, watching them with a proud smile, said , “She’s getting better each day.”

The Bull, hidden in the shadows, felt a mix of emotions. Why did the Dragon show such affection toward this blind human child?

“Len, take care of her while I handle our unwanted guest,” the Dragon would say, preparing to confront the Bull.

The Three-Horned Bull, seeing this, would smirk. “So, the great Dragon has a soft spot,” he mused, growing more intrigued. “Perhaps I should take a closer look.”

But each time he plotted, his plans were thwarted. “You’re not getting near her, Bull,” the Dragon would growl, standing protectively between Nyx and the Bull.

As time passed, the Bull’s curiosity morphed into something darker—an obsession. “There’s something special about that child,” he would mutter. “I must figure out what it is.”