Arlon's gaze drifted up toward a distant, The mountain loomed ahead, dark clouds swirling at its peak. Lightning flashed, illuminating the jagged slopes, and the chill in the air sent a shiver through Arlon. It felt like the mountain itself was alive, angry at being disturbed

Arlon glanced at the stormy peak, frowning. "The weather shifted suddenly. It was calm when I got here." Lawrence, still focused on the sweet potatoes, replied evenly, "The mountain doesn't like disturbances. Those Pry attackers probably angered it."

He lifted the pot's lid, checking on the sweet potatoes before handing one to each of the villagers. Then, he offered one to Arlon as well.

"The mountain… You mean the soul?" Arlon asked, accepting the food with a polite nod and taking a bite. The sweet potato's warmth spread through him, momentarily warding off the cold.'Here we go, story time.'

"My father once told me that the mountain has a soul that controls the sky," Lawrence explained, his eyes focused on the flickering flames of the fire. "He said it's better to leave it undisturbed. Let it sleep, and it won't trouble anyone." He took a slow, thoughtful bite of his own sweet potato, his gaze distant, as though remembering something from long ago.

"..."

The silence that followed was peaceful, the crackling fire casting a soft glow on the faces around it. But that calmness was soon broken as Arlon spoke, his voice carrying a note of resolve.

"No," Arlon murmured, his tone low and unyielding. "That can't be helped."

Lawrence looked up, frowning slightly as Arlon rose and started for the cave's entrance, his pace steady and purposeful.

"What are you planning to do?" Lawrence asked, following after him, his curiosity piqued by the sudden shift in Arlon's demeanor.

Arlon didn't slow down, his gaze fixed on the path ahead, leading toward the storm-shrouded mountain.

"Isn't it obvious?" he replied, his tone cool, determined. He stopped in his tracks, turning just enough to glance back at Lawrence over his shoulder. There was a glint of challenge in his eyes.

Lawrence stopped as well, his expression wary. "Are you going there… to get it?" he asked, studying Arlon's face closely.

Arlon's lips curved into a faint, confident smile. "Yup," he answered, nodding toward the mountain. "Are you coming too?"

For a moment, Lawrence seemed to hesitate, as if weighing the risks of the path Arlon was suggesting. But there was something in Arlon's gaze—an undeniable spark of determination—that stirred his own sense of adventure.

Lawrence regarded Arlon carefully, his gaze unwavering as he stepped forward, positioning himself in front of him. After a brief pause, he said, "Alright, I'll help you, but in return, you have to help find those people who were responsible for my family's losses."

Arlon understood immediately—Lawrence sought revenge, and he knew that Arlon could help him achieve it. Arlon nodded, a steely resolve in his voice. "Alright, it's a deal."

They clasped hands in agreement, sealing their alliance. Lawrence then added, "I'm Lawrence Hill," formally introducing himself.

"Arlon Throndsen," he replied simply.

With the brief negotiation complete, the two turned their focus toward the stormy mountain looming ahead. Dark clouds swirl above it, flashing with occasional bursts of lightning, and the distant rumble of thunder filled the air. Arlon assessed the sheer cliff face and wondered how they could possibly reach the cave entrance, which lay high up the mountainside.

Just then, Lawrence approached him, holding a coil of sturdy rope in his hands. "I know where the safest path is," he said, "but we'll need to tie ourselves together with this rope to climb up."

"Oh my god…" Arlon muttered under his breath, feeling a mix of anxiety and disbelief. 'Am I really about to risk my life on this journey?.'

Lawrence quickly looped the rope around Arlon's waist, tying it securely before fastening the other end around himself. With their preparations complete, they began the steep ascent. Arlon focused on Lawrence's every move, carefully following each of his steps to avoid slipping. One wrong move on this treacherous path could send them tumbling down the mountain.

Swoosh—

Arlon's heart pounded as the wind roared around him. Each step felt more treacherous than the last, the sheer drop below pulling at his every movement.

"Hey, Lawrence," he called out, his voice barely audible over the gale. "If you fall, how am I supposed to save you?"

Lawrence didn't even glance back. "Then don't let me fall."

"..."

As they climbed higher, the wind grew stronger, howling around them with a fierce intensity. The rope tethered between them became a lifeline, keeping Arlon anchored as they struggled against the storm.

They finally neared the other side of the mountain, the dark mouth of a cave visible just up ahead. Lawrence glanced back at Arlon, his expression unreadable. "By the way, how did you know about this place?."

Arlon gritted his teeth.'Can we get to the entrance first before you ask?.

Eventually, after a hard and grueling climb, they reached a narrow, rocky platform near the cave entrance. The wind here was relentless, battering them with almost supernatural force, but thanks to the rope secured around his waist and connected to Lawrence, Arlon was able to stand his ground.

Arlon looked up and saw the cave entrance just ahead, wide and dark, like a hungry mouth swallowing the raging wind from outside.

"I'll stay here to hold the rope while you go inside the cave," Lawrence said, gripping the rope firmly in his hands. "Just give me a signal if something bad happens."

Arlon nodded in agreement, bracing himself before stepping forward. The wind caught him almost immediately, pushing him towards the cave's entrance. He allowed himself to be carried by it, moving steadily until he was swept into the cave.

Inside, the air was thick with a powerful, swirling current. Arlon pressed forward, leaning against the wind that seemed to grow even stronger as he moved further inside. As he looked around, his eyes caught sight of something at the center of the cavern. It was a mass of black wind, spiraling like a dark vortex around a pulsating, dark purple orb.

The orb floated in mid-air, exuding an ominous energy that filled the cave. Its presence seemed to generate the powerful wind that whipped around him and was likely the source of the thunderstorm raging outside.

"Could it be… the Sky Soul?" Arlon wondered, his voice barely audible against the roar of the wind. He inched closer, mesmerized by the swirling darkness. The orb reminded him of a black hole, a void capable of swallowing everything in its path.

As he took another step, his foot landed on a loose rock, which shifted under his weight. The slight movement seemed to disturb the air, and the wind suddenly intensified, reacting violently to his approach. It howled with a ferocity that nearly pushed him back, as though the orb was aware of his presence and was warning him to stay away.

Fsssh—

The cave's wind howled like a living beast, growing fiercer with each step Arlon took. At the cavern's center, a dark orb floated, surrounded by swirling black wind.

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The wind pushed against him, almost as if alive, warning him to stay away. But Arlon pressed on, each step sending loose stones skittering across the floor.

A sudden roar filled the cavern. "WHO DARES TRESPASS ON MY DOMAIN?"

"!!?"

The shock made Arlon lose his footing, and he slipped, tumbling off the rock.

'Oh crap! I'm going to get swallowed by the orb!" he thought in panic.

He braced himself for impact but was caught midair, the black wind surrounding the orb lifting him up, suspending him in an eerie float. "Huh? What's going on??"

As he hung there, bewildered, the voice spoke again, even louder and angrier. "You! The one who trespassed my territory! Who are you, and how did you get here!??" The wind around him whipped more violently with each word, its intensity mirroring the voice's fury.

'This must be the Soul Sky Guardian, Arlon realized. But… Why is it speaking fluent English? Shouldn't it be using a language from this world?'

The Soul Sky Guardian's voice rumbled on, like a storm threatening to break. "How dare you set foot here!? Just look at you—one strong gust would push you off this mountain, and you'd fall to your death! How did a weakling like you manage to get up here? You're not even a gifted awakener!"

Woooosh—

The winds grew fiercer, howling and shifting unpredictably, sending Arlon spinning through the air and his mask fell off unnoticed. Despite the chaos, he managed to steady himself, narrowly avoiding being slammed into the rocky walls. Realizing the Guardian wasn't about to stop its tirade, Arlon felt his frustration boiling over.

This thing is so annoying, he thought, gritting his teeth. Then he finally snapped, shouting, "Can you stop talking and calm down!!!!"

His voice echoed in English, cutting through the noise. A tense silence fell over the cave as the winds stilled, the Guardian seemingly stunned into quiet. Breathing heavily, Arlon dropped safely to the ground, taking a moment to calm his racing heart.

"Haaah... haaah…".

Arlon finally landed safely on the rocky ground, clutching his chest as he steadied his breath and heartbeat. The silence felt unnaturally thick, and his pulse still raced from the close encounter with the Sky Soul's fury.

Then, from nowhere, came a voice laced with curiosity and command.

"Who are you? How can you understand my words? Are you... a lost soul?"

Arlon winced, still fighting for breath. The Sky Soul Guardian's voice, almost like a thundercloud speaking, ignored his struggles, continuing to press its questions with that curious, scrutinizing tone. Despite lacking a true form, Arlon could somehow feel the Guardian's presence, a shadowy dragon gaze boring into him as if he could see through every layer of his soul.

As Arlon managed to regain his composure, he noticed a faint, dark, dragon-like figure in front of him, eyes gleaming red like embers in the dim cave. His mask had slipped without him realizing. The dragon spirit glared at him, eyes narrowed and posture assessing.

It gave him a slow, up-and-down look before speaking again.

"You don't look like someone who could easily learn our language."

The dragon shadow seemed to shift forward, a wave of dark energy rippling out, and Arlon's heartbeat quickened. He could sense that the Guardian's gaze was probing into him, digging for answers he wasn't yet ready to reveal.

Arlon met the intense gaze, attempting to play it cool, but he felt a strange stirring inside his own spirit. There was something about this creature's red stare that unnerved him. The Guardian's eyes flashed, clearly sensing something unusual.

"What... are you?"

Arlon forced himself to keep a steady expression. He couldn't afford to answer that question—not here, not now. His mind raced, settling on something he hoped would satisfy the Guardian's curiosity.

"Why are you here?" The Guardian's voice was sharper this time, its words almost vibrating in the air. Arlon felt a subtle threat within that question. If he didn't respond correctly, he could feel the weight of the creature's intent pressing down on him, its gaze practically aimed at his heart.

With a deep breath, Arlon answered, "I'm here to make a deal with you... and to save you, as well." He kept his voice calm, controlled. Inside, he couldn't shake the feeling that one wrong word might bring the Guardian's wrath crashing down.

Meanwhile, back at the villa, Dimitri Miller moved down the quiet hallway, his mind swirling with thoughts of the Pry members and their recent meeting. There was a certain smugness to them that unsettled him, and it left a bitter taste. He muttered to himself as he passed by each room.

"Soon enough... Young Lord must be cautious before taking further action, but I'll not let him face these snakes alone."

Dimitri's train of thought shifted to Arlon's recent dedication to his studies. It seemed that lately, Arlon had spent more time in the study, his focus unwavering, his complaints almost nonexistent.

Even the tea had gone untouched by criticism—a rare feat in itself, as Arlon usually had some complaints, especially on his difficult days. Perhaps, Dimitri thought, the black tea with its rich nutrients was finally making a difference, helping him focus and think more clearly.

With his young lord's health improving, Dimitri felt a newfound pride. "They underestimate him," he muttered, "but they'll regret it..."

Just then, Dimitri's eyes caught something by the window. A piece of paper lay on the floor, and an inexplicable sense of dread settled in his chest. "What…?" He snatched it up quickly, eyes scanning the note. His expression darkened, heart racing as he realized its implications.

Without a moment's hesitation, he rushed toward the study room, yanking open the door. His eyes darted around the room until he noticed it—the missing book on the table. His heart sank. "The book…"

A new urgency gripped him, and he sprinted to Arlon's chambers, Dimitri strode through the quiet villa, the faint smell of black tea still lingering in the air. Something felt... off.

Throwing the door open without knocking. But the room was silent, and the bed untouched.

Dimitri's stomach twisted. "He's not here... Could it be...?"

———

Back in the stormy mountain cave, the atmosphere shifted. The wind steadied, the chaotic energy dissipating. The Soul Sky Guardian, still as a shadowy figure with piercing red eyes, stared at Arlon in utter disbelief.

"Are you joking right now?" the Guardian questioned, his tone heavy with skepticism. The idea of this frail human claiming he could "save" him seemed laughable.

"Huh? Um... Well, how about a 2-year contract, how about that?" Arlon offered, his voice tinged with a hint of surprise, as if realizing the words as he said them.

The dragon shifted backward, eyeing Arlon with disbelief. Anger flickered in his gaze, this weak human daring to strike a deal—this one he could squash with a single blow. But Arlon's offer lingered, making the Guardian pause in his frustration.

The dragon's voice rumbled like distant thunder. "A weakling like you dares to make demands? What can you offer that I would accept?"

Arlon swallowed hard, meeting the glowing red eyes despite the fear twisting in his gut. "Freedom," he said firmly. "A way out of this mountain—on your terms."

The Guardian's laughter was sharp and cold, like the crack of lightning. "Freedom? From a human?"

"Not from me. From them," Arlon said, gesturing vaguely toward the stormy skies outside. "You know what's coming. They won't stop until they bind you to their will."

The Guardian fell silent, its shadowy form rippling. "And you? You would be different?"

Arlon smirked faintly. "I just want to survive. You need someone, and so do I. A contract isn't submission—it's an alliance."

The Guardian seemed to sense something genuine in Arlon's resolve, but his suspicions held strong.

"Tell me your true intentions before I agree," the Guardian demanded, his voice deep and commanding.

Without a hint of hesitation, Arlon replied, "If that's what it takes to make you agree, all right. I'll tell you." His voice carried confidence, the resolve of someone determined to find a way to survive, no matter the cost.

He knew the stakes—without this pact, he'd return to the villa empty-handed, risking everything for a slim chance at escaping the entangling dangers of his fate. He began to explain, laying out his reasons, his needs, and his motives.

The Guardian listened intently, his piercing gaze unwavering. He hadn't expected this human to truly bear his intentions so fully, but he stayed silent, absorbing every word Arlon spoke.

The cave remained cloaked in darkness, but the first light of dawn hinted at the cave's mouth, casting a dim glow over Arlon and the dragon spirit. The Soul Sky Guardian, now thoroughly shocked, couldn't believe the human standing before him. This mere mortal wanted a contract—not to harness his power, but simply to be by his side, to live a peaceful life despite the risks.

He must be insane, the dragon thought.

"I see," the Guardian finally spoke, his voice low. "So those people you spoke of, they're truly as vile as you say. And they're planning to make a contract with me to fight against the Empire."

"Not only the Empire," Arlon replied, his tone steady.

The dragon sighed, his voice thick with disbelief. "Fine, I'll accept your deal."

Arlon's eyes widened. "Do you believe me now?" he asked, still uncertain if the Soul Sky Guardian thought his words were anything more than foolishness.

The Guardian loomed closer, its crimson eyes narrowing. "You're bold for a mortal," it said, its voice laced with mockery. "Most would grovel for power, but you… You want my freedom?"

Arlon nodded, keeping his voice steady. "It's a fair deal. I help you; you help me. We survive together."

Even if you have that attitude, I can't let you go, Arlon thought. Not when others will come for you.

The Guardian stared at him for what felt like an eternity. Then, with a low growl, it spoke. "Very well, human. But heed this—I will not suffer fools lightly. Break our agreement, and I will destroy you."

A surge of dark energy swirled around Arlon, sealing the pact. He grinned faintly, though his heart still raced. "Deal."

Woooosh—

Suddenly, dark smoke began to spread around the cave. Arlon felt an ominous surge of power—a raw, destructive energy, like the calamity of a storm brewing in the heavens. Is he going to attack me!? Arlon thought, taking a cautious step back. The ground trembled subtly beneath his feet.

The Guardian's form shimmered, its crimson gaze burning brighter. "Your name, human. Speak it, so our pact can begin."

Arlon straightened, meeting the dragon's glare with steady resolve. "Arlon Throndsen."

As the Guardian roared its acceptance, the storm outside seemed to calm for just a moment.

Arlon couldn't help but smirk. "Let's see if this gamble pays off."

The dragon's voice cut through the air. "Give me a name."