Elara watched in fascination as Flamebeard carefully moved the Wisp Cattle, his ancient eyes scrutinizing the carcass with a practiced gaze. With a deft movement of his claws, he separated the choice cut from the rest of the meat, holding it up for her to see. She was surprised at his precision, despite his size.
"The key to a perfect roast," Flamebeard began, his deep voice rumbling through the lair, "is in the temperature and timing."
She walked forward, her eyes wide with curiosity as she listened intently to the dragon's words. She watched as he used his fiery breath to ignite a small pile of kindling he had asked Elara to get, the flames licking at the wood and casting a warm glow across the lair.
"You must be careful not to increase the heat too quickly or for too long," Flamebeard continued, placing the meat on a spit she had created with his instructions above the fire. "Too much heat will char the outside while leaving the inside raw, which has its own flavor, but not what I am going for today."
She nodded, committing the dragon's words to memory. She had never been much of a cook herself, but she found herself captivated by the art and science behind Flamebeard's technique. As the meat began to sizzle and pop, he turned the spit with a practiced claw, ensuring that each side was evenly roasted. The aroma of cooking meat filled the lair, making her mouth water despite her lack of hunger.
"And finally," he said, removing the meat from the dragon fire, "you must let it rest and let it cook with its residual heat. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful roast."
She marveled at the perfectly browned exterior of the meat, the juices glistening in the firelight. She knew that she would never be able to recreate Flamebeard's technique, but she was content to simply observe and learn. When he offered her a piece of the roasted Wisp Cattle, Elara politely declined with a wave of her hand. She was more than happy to let the ancient dragon enjoy the fruits of their combined labor.
As he ate piece by piece, she settled back against the wall of the lair, a sense of contentment washing over her. She watched as Flamebeard devoured the Wisp Cattle in a matter of seconds, his massive jaws making quick work of the small creature. Despite the meager size of the meal, the ancient dragon seemed content, a satisfied rumble emanating from his chest.
With a gentle nudge of his snout that is larger than Elara’s whole body, Flamebeard encouraged Elara. "Come, little one," he said, his voice a deep, reassuring growl. "Let us work on your Dagger Handling. Tonight, we aim for level 20."
She nodded, determination gleaming in her eyes. She approached the spot on Flamebeard she had spent countless hours practicing on, her movements now fluid and precise. As she began to slice and strike, Flamebeard's voice filled the lair once more.
"When you reach the heart of the forest," he began, his words measured and thoughtful, "you will find yourself surrounded by a sea of white flowers with golden centers. The Warden was particularly fond of them. Daisies, he called them."
Her brow furrowed as she continued her onslaught, her mind conjuring images of the flowers she knew from her own world. "Are they the same as the daisies I'm familiar with?" she asked herself out loud, her voice slightly strained from the exertion.
Flamebeard chuckled, a sound like distant thunder. "Perhaps, little one. But these daisies hold a special significance to the Warden. They are the reason the Warden placed the statue of his beloved there amidst the blooms."
She paused her training, turning to face the ancient dragon. "Who was this beloved?" she asked, her head tilted slightly. "And have you been there before, Flamebeard?"
The dragon's eyes seemed to drift for a moment, as if lost in a distant memory. "I assume it was some human woman the Warden encountered during his travels," he replied, his tone somewhat dismissive. "As for me, I have not ventured there. Nor do I have any desire to do so."
She nodded, sensing that the topic was not one he wished to dwell on. She resumed her training, the sound of her dagger striking scales echoing through the lair as she worked tirelessly towards her goal. Her curiosity was piqued by his mention of the daisies and their significance to the Warden.
"What makes these daisies so special to the Warden?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine interest. "You said he was fond of them, but why?" His gaze seemed to drift, as if he were searching his memories for the answer. "I am not entirely certain," he admitted, his deep voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty. "But I do know that the Warden and I first met in a field of daisies, near his hometown." Her eyes widened, surprised by this revelation.
"It was there, amidst the white and gold blooms, that we had our first battle," he continued, his voice growing distant as he recalled the memory. "The Warden was a formidable opponent, even then. His usage of his magic was unlike anything I had ever encountered before."
She leaned forward, hanging on every word. She tried to imagine the scene: the ancient dragon and the powerful mage, locked in combat amidst a sea of delicate flowers.
"And it was there, after our battle had ended in a stalemate, that we exchanged our names," Flamebeard said, his eyes focusing on her once more. "It was the start of our relationship, the beginning of a bond that would last for centuries."
She nodded, understanding the significance of the moment. She knew that Flamebeard held his name close, and the fact that Flamebeard and the Warden had chosen to share theirs with each other spoke volumes about the trust and respect they had for one another.
"I can see why the daisies would hold a special meaning for him," she said softly, her gaze dropping to the floor as she considered the weight of his words. "They represent the beginning of your friendship, the start of something that would shape both of your lives. I can only imagine what impact your presence had on his life."
Flamebeard hummed in agreement, his massive head bobbing slightly. "Indeed, little one. The Warden and I may have had our differences, but there was always a mutual respect and later trust between us. And it all began in that field of daisies."
Her mind wandered to the field of daisies he had mentioned, wondering if it still existed. The thought of visiting the place where Flamebeard and the Warden had first met filled her with a sense of curiosity and reverence. She imagined herself standing amidst the white and gold blooms, feeling the weight of the history that had transpired there.
"Do you think the field still exists?" she asked, her voice soft and contemplative. "If it does, I would love to see it someday. Maybe even with you, if you were up for it."
Flamebeard's eyes widened slightly, surprised by her suggestion. He seemed to consider it for a moment before responding. "Perhaps, little one. But for now, let us focus on your training."
She nodded, turning her attention back to her dagger practice. She continued late into the night, her movements becoming more fluid and precise with each strike. Then, at last, the system gave her the notification she had been working towards:
Skill Level Up!
Your Dagger Handling skill has increased to lvl 20.
A new notification followed.
Evolution Options:
Swift Strikes
Prerequisites: Successfully land 1000 strikes.
Dragon's Precision
Prerequisites: Strike a dragon 500 times, demonstrating unparalleled precision and determination.
Elara stared at the Dragon's Precision evolution, her eyes wide with disbelief. Flamebeard noticed her reaction and asked, "What is wrong, little one? There should be an evolution called Swift Strikes."
"There's also another evolution," she replied, her voice filled with confusion. "It's called Dragon's Precision."
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
His eyes squint. "Tell me more about it."
She explained the prerequisites for the Dragon's Precision evolution, and Flamebeard's eyes widened in surprise. "That is not something I expected either," he admitted. "This skill sounds to be primed for fighting and killing dragons. To successfully beat a dragon, one needs precision to strike at the few weak points we have. Many attacks are useless against us because of our natural defenses, making it important to always strike the weak points, as to not waste an attack."
The ancient dragon took a moment to think, a rumbling chuckle escaping his throat. "To strike at a dragon 500 times does seem laughable. That someone survived that long."
He turned his gaze to her, his eyes filled with seriousness. "Take the Dragon's Precision skill, little one. Its prerequisite is far more challenging than the other. When unsure which skill evolution to take based on the name alone, always choose the one with the most challenging prerequisite. It is more often than not the more powerful one."
She nodded, her eyes locked on the system notification as she selected the Dragon's Precision skill evolution. The system chimed, acknowledging her choice, and a new notification appeared:
Congratulations!
Skill Evolution: Dagger Handling [Level: 20] -> Dragon's Precision [Level: 1]
Congratulations!
General Skill Acquired: Dragon's Precision [Level: 1]
Dragon's Precision is an advanced evolution of any weapon handling skill, honed through relentless practice and exceptional precision. This skill allows the user to strike with unparalleled accuracy, targeting specific weak points with deadly efficiency.
The user gains enhanced precision and control over their strikes. Each strike is imbued with a focused intensity, increasing the likelihood of critical hits and maximizing damage potential.
This skill is particularly effective against formidable opponents, such as dragons, where pinpoint accuracy can make all the difference between victory and defeat. Mastering Dragon's Precision requires discipline, dedication, and the ability to strike with unwavering focus amidst the chaos of battle.
She read the skill explanation, her eyes widening with each word. What caught her attention the most was the mention of the skill's effectiveness against formidable opponents, particularly dragons. The thought of mastering a skill specifically designed to combat dragons sent a shiver down her spine. She glanced at Flamebeard. She was not comfortable with such a skill, even if Flamebeard said to take the skill.
Flamebeard, noticing her mood, suggested that they call it a day and rest. She agreed, her mind still reeling from the unexpected skill evolution.
----------------------------------------
The next day, she and Boogie ventured into the forest once more, determined to explore further than they had before. As they walked, she shared with Boogie the information Flamebeard had given her about the flowers they should keep an eye out for.
"Flamebeard mentioned the Warden was fond of daisies," she explained, her voice filled with curiosity. "He said that when we reach the heart of the forest, we'll find a sea of white flowers with golden centers." Boogie's fiery form flickered with understanding. Together, they pressed on, their eyes scanning the forest floor for any sign of the distinctive blooms.
They trekked deeper into the forest than ever before, their steps cautious. The trees seemed to thin out gradually, allowing more sunlight to filter through the canopy. It was Boogie who first spotted the distinctive white and gold bloom, its petals standing out amidst the sea of green.
"Boogie, well done!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. She knelt down beside the delicate flower, her fingers gently brushing against its soft petals. "It's a daisy, just like Flamebeard described."
Boogie flickered with enthusiasm, his fiery form dancing around the flower. She could feel the elemental's excitement feeding off her own, amplifying the sense of discovery and wonder.
As they continued their journey, she noticed more and more daisies dotting the forest floor. The trees became sparser, allowing the flowers to thrive in the increased sunlight. Soon, they found themselves in a large clearing, surrounded by a sea of white and gold.
Her eyes widened in awe as she took in the sight before her. The daisies seemed to stretch out as far as one can see, their petals swaying gently in the breeze. It was a scene of breathtaking beauty, and she found herself momentarily lost in the tranquility of it all.
"This must be the place Flamebeard mentioned," she said, her voice filled with reverence. "The heart of the forest, where the Warden's statue of his beloved is supposed to be."
Boogie bobbed in agreement, his fiery form casting a warm glow over the flowers. She took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent of the daisies. She felt a sense of anticipation building within her, knowing that they were getting closer to their destination.
As they pressed on, the trees became even fewer and farther between. The daisies now dominated the landscape, their delicate petals creating a carpet of white and gold as far as the eye could see. They moved through the field with a sense of purpose, her steps leaving gentle imprints on the soft earth. As they ventured deeper into the sea of daisies, a large tree came into view. Its massive trunk and sprawling branches stood out amidst the delicate flowers, drawing her attention. As they drew closer, she noticed something large and white peeking out from behind the tree, partially obscured by its form.
Her heart raced with anticipation, her mind already deducing that this must be the statue Flamebeard had mentioned. She quickened her pace, her feet carrying her swiftly through the field of daisies. Boogie followed close behind, his fiery form flickering with curiosity.
As they reached the other side of the tree, she came to an abrupt halt. Her eyes widened in shock as she took in the sight before her. Instead of a human figure, as she had expected, the statue depicted a dragon. Its white marble form was intricately carved, capturing every detail of the majestic creature.
She stepped closer, her gaze roaming over the statue's features. The longer she looked, the more familiar it became. The dragon's posture, the curve of its horns, and the intricate scales all seemed to evoke a sense of recognition within her. But it was the long, flowing tuft of hair beneath the dragon's maw that made Elara's breath catch in her throat.
There was no mistaking it. The statue was a depiction of Flamebeard himself.
She stood frozen, her mind reeling with the implications of this discovery. Flamebeard had told her that the statue was supposed to be of the Warden's beloved. But why would the Warden's beloved be a dragon, and not just any dragon, but Flamebeard himself? A sense of unease settled over her as she grappled with the questions swirling in her mind. What did this mean for the relationship between Flamebeard and the Warden? Was there more to their connection than Flamebeard had let on? But why did he say the Warden's beloved was some human woman?
She felt troubled, her thoughts racing as she tried to make sense of this unexpected revelation. She glanced at Boogie, who flickered with concern, sensing her distress. She knew that she wanted answers, but she wasn't sure how to approach Flamebeard about this sensitive topic. For now, all she could do was stand in front of the statue, her mind filled with questions and her heart heavy with the weight of this newfound knowledge. She reached down to pat Boogie on the head, finding solace in the elemental's presence.
Her heart is heavy with the weight of her discovery. The intricate depiction of Flamebeard in white marble raised more questions than answers, leaving her mind reeling with uncertainty.
Did the Warden love Flamebeard? Or was the term "beloved" meant to convey a deep, platonic bond between the two? She couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over her. Flamebeard had mentioned that he believed the Warden's beloved to be a human woman, which would make sense if it were a romantic connection. But now, faced with this statue, she found herself at a loss.
The idea that the Warden harbored feelings for Flamebeard troubled her deeply. Did Flamebeard know about the Warden's true feelings? And more importantly, did Flamebeard reciprocate those feelings? The thought of the ancient dragon and the powerful mage sharing a bond that went beyond friendship made her heart ache with a profound sense of sadness. Now, with the Warden gone, she couldn't help but wonder if this statue was a final confession, a testament to the Warden's unspoken love. The thought of the Warden pouring his heart and soul into this creation, knowing that he would never have the chance to express his true feelings to Flamebeard, filled her with a deep sense of melancholy.
She reached out, her fingers gently tracing the intricate scales of the dragon's form. The cold marble seemed to hold the weight of a thousand unspoken words, a love that would forever remain unrequited. Her heart ached for both the Warden and Flamebeard, wondering how different things might have been if they had been given the chance to explore their feelings for one another.
With a heavy sigh, she stepped back from the statue, her eyes lingering on Flamebeard's likeness one last time. She knew that she needed to focus on the task at hand, to find the bracelet that would grant her access and control over the fortress. But the weight of her newfound knowledge settled heavily upon her shoulders, a burden she would carry with her.
She searched for the bracelet, her eyes scanning the statue and the surrounding area. She looked high and low, but found nothing. Frustrated, she turned her gaze upward, peering into the branches of the tree. Suddenly, something caught her eye, a glint of light reflecting off an object hidden among the leaves. Her heart raced with excitement as she spotted a black, glistening object nestled in the tree. She silently thanked her high wisdom for guiding her to this discovery. Without hesitation, she used her Voidwalk ability to teleport herself onto a nearby branch, bringing her closer to the mysterious item.
Now that she was in a better position, she could see it clearly. It was a black obsidian cuff. It must be the bracelet she had been searching for. She reached out to retrieve it, but to her dismay, parts of the tree had grown around the cuff, making it difficult to extract. Determined not to let this obstacle stand in her way, Elara drew her dagger and began carefully cut away at the wood surrounding the cuff. She worked diligently, her focus unwavering, as she tried to free the precious item.
Suddenly, Boogie's fiery form flickered rapidly from below, as if trying to alert her to something. Before she could react, the sunlight vanished, plunging her into shadow. She quickly released her grip on the cuff and used voidwalk to teleport herself back to Boogie's side.
As she turned to face the source of the disturbance, she heard the sound of breaking branches. To her horror, she saw a Griffin, its powerful wings spread wide as it had made a dive towards her previous position. The creature's sharp beak narrowly missed her as she dodged with her voidwalk.
Elara's heart sank as she watched the Griffin swallow the splintered piece of wood that held the cuff. Despair washed over her, realizing that the very item she had been so close to obtaining was now lost, consumed by this formidable creature.
Griffin [Level:???]