Elara watched as Flamebeard soared through the sky. After a few minutes in the air, the dragon circled back, his wings beating against the air as he descended towards the platform. Her eyes widen as she watched the behemoth of a dragon land, his massive size barely fitting on the platform. He folded his wings as he landed. She took a step towards him cautiously. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, Flamebeard interrupted her.
"Elara," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "Head for the pond. I'll meet you there."
With that, he spread his wings once more and took off, leaving her standing alone. She watched as he disappeared into the distance, her mind still reeling from the events of the past few hours.
For a moment, she stood there, unsure of what to do. But then, with a sign, she turned and made her way back inside the fortress. She walked through the great halls, her footsteps echoing off the stone walls as she made her way towards the lair where she had spent countless hours resting and training with Flamebeard. As she made her way through the dimly lit lair, her eyes fell upon the two bottles of shampoo she had found earlier. Without hesitation, she grabbed them and placed them in her satchel.
She continued on her path, eventually reaching the pond where Flamebeard was already lying down. Without looking at her, the dragon spoke. “You should clean yourself up. Embracing freedom while drenched in blood would ruin the moment.”
She nodded, she hesitated for a moment before asking, not aware of the etiquette when it comes to dragons and nudity, "Is it alright if I strip and go into the pond?"
His response was dismissive. "I do not care if clothes cover your flesh or not. It makes no difference to me."
Relief washed over her as she quickly shed her blood-soaked clothing and stepped into the cool water. She began by washing the blood from her body, scrubbing her skin with her hand until it was clean. Then she turned her attention to her hair, taking her time to ensure it was thoroughly cleansed. As she washed, she noticed Flamebeard dunking the underside of his snout into the water, seemingly attempting to wash his tuft of hair. She watched him for a moment, having already removed most, if not all, of the blood from her own body and hair.
"Would you like me to help untangle your matted beard?" She offered, sensing the dragon's struggle.
Flamebeard, a bit embarrassed, agreed to her assistance. She swam over to him and assessed the task at hand. With gentle movements, she began using her arms and hands to untangle the knots and remove the matted hair from Flamebeard's beard. As she worked to untangle Flamebeard's matted beard, she found herself getting entangled in the lengthy strands. The more she untangled, the longer the hair seemed to grow. It was a challenging task, but she persisted, gently brushing out the knots and removing the matted hair using her arms and hands.
After several minutes of diligent work, she swam back to where her clothes lay on the shore. She grabbed her belt and opened one of the satchels, retrieving the two bottles of shampoo she had found earlier. With the potions in hand, she returned to his side.
"Would it be alright if I used these on you?" She asked, holding up the shampoo bottles.
Flamebeard lightly nodded his massive head, his eyes glinting with appreciation. "Please do," he rumbled.
She uncapped the bottles and poured a generous amount of shampoo into her hands. She began working the lather into his beard, taking care to massage the foam deep into the tangles. The dragon closed his eyes, enjoying the attention and the soothing sensation of her fingers running through his hair.
As she worked, she used most of the shampoo from the two potions, determined to give his beard a thorough cleansing. Once she was satisfied with her work on the dragon, she turned her attention to her own hair. She massaged the remaining shampoo from the potion into her scalp, relishing the feeling of the last bit of grime and blood washing away.
For the first time in a long while, she felt truly relaxed. The simple act of washing her hair and helping Flamebeard with his grooming brought a sense of normalcy and comfort to her otherwise chaotic existence. It lifted her mood, giving her a momentary respite from the weight of her responsibilities and the challenges that lay ahead. However, even as she enjoyed this brief respite, she couldn't entirely push aside the thoughts that had been plaguing her mind. The questions about her appearance here, the mysteries surrounding the fortress, and the uncertain future still lingered, waiting to be addressed once this moment of peace had passed.
As she finished washing her hair, Flamebeard turned his gaze towards her. "Elara," he began, his voice deep and thoughtful. "Do you have a home in Enyo? Or perhaps a place there that you are particularly fond of?"
She furrowed her brow, trying to recall if she had ever heard of Enyo before. Based on the context of his question, she deduced it must be a place, maybe a landmass, or a country. She shook her head. "No, I don't," answering truthfully.
He nodded, pleased with her response. "Good," he said, leaving her wondering why he had asked.
The dragon continued, "I have one more piece of advice for you, Elara. You can choose to ignore it if you want, but I believe it is important." He paused, ensuring he had her full attention. "Do not join any factions, groups, or institutions. They may offer you access to resources and promises of power and safety, but it will come at the expense of your freedom."
Elara listened intently as he elaborated. "The moment you align yourself with a faction, no matter how small or large, your actions and the actions of others in that faction will always reflect back. You'll have to consider every move you make and how it might affect the group. To always act in ways to benefit their greater good. But if you stand on your own, you'll only have to answer to yourself."
She thought over Flamebeard's words carefully. The concept of belonging to a group, with a promise of resources and security, certainly had its appeal. Yet, the idea of surrendering her independence and being accountable for the actions of others made her hesitate. After all, she hadn't even encountered any of these groups or factions before. Still, she supposed she would inevitably encounter them once she left the confines of the sky fortress. His advice echoed in her mind as she climbed out of the pond, water dripping from her hair and skin. She reached for her clothes, mulling over the implications of his words.
She washed her clothes in the pond, scrubbing away the blood and grime that had accumulated over the past few days. As she worked, she glanced over at Flamebeard, who was now resting on the shore, his eyes closed and his breathing steady, basking in the sun. She couldn't help but wonder what the dragon's plans were now that he was free. Would he go his own way, seeking out new adventures and experiences? Or would he stay with her, continuing to guide her as he had done thus far?
The thought of parting ways with Flamebeard made her heart ache. He had become more than just a companion to her; he was a friend, someone who seemed to understand and supported her. She finished washing her clothes and laid them out on the shore to dry. Then she approached him, her steps tentative and unsure.
"Flamebeard," she said softly, not wanting to disturb his rest. "What will you do now that you are free?"
The dragon opened one eye, regarding her, stared devoid of any fluctuation. "I have a few places to visit," he rumbled. "My imprisonment was unexpected, meaning that I have some unfinished business that I did not get time to finish."
Elara nodded, trying to hide her disappointment. She had hoped that he would want to stay with her, but she knew it was selfish to expect him to put his own desires aside for her sake.
"And what about you, Elara?" he asked. "What are your plans?"
She hesitated, unsure of how to express her feelings. "I... I don't know," she admitted. "I don't have anywhere to go, really. No home, no family, no friends except for you."
He lifted his head, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "Elara," he said gently. "Since I have shared my name with you, you will have a friend in me, no matter where our paths may lead us."
She felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes, touched by his words. "I don't want to be separated from you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're the only one I know. I am afraid of being alone again."
He sighed. "Elara," he began, his voice gentle but firm, "where I go, there is no place for you." Her heart sank at his words, but she remained silent, listening intently as the dragon continued.
"I have a place in mind where I can drop you off," he said. "You must find your way in the world, Elara. You have a good head on your shoulders. Use it."
She nodded, a wave of sadness washing over her at the rejection. She had hoped that their bond would be strong enough for him to let her stay by his side, but she understood that he had his own path to follow. As they sat in silence, her mind wandered to the Warden and the statue. A sudden realization struck her, and she turned to Flamebeard with a carefully neutral expression.
"Flamebeard," she said, her voice soft, "before we leave, would you take a look at the statue of the Warden's beloved?" The dragon huffed, his response a curt "no." But she persisted, her words tumbling out in a rush.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
"I think the Warden may have left something that would be a bit unexpected to you," she explained. "Please, I want you to take a look before we go."
Flamebeard studied her quietly for a moment, his eyes searching her face. Finally, he nodded, promising to examine the statue before their departure. She felt a wave of relief wash over her, grateful for the dragon's acquiescence.
As they prepared to leave, another question weighed on her mind. She held up the obsidian cuff, its black surface gleaming in the light. "What should I do with this?" she asked. "Should I return it?"
Flamebeard shook his head. "Keep it as a memento," he said. "It will also allow you to find the sky fortress again, should you wish too."
The dragon's next words caught her off guard. "I have no intention of returning," he stated. "The sky fortress is yours if you want it to be."
She was overwhelmed by the unexpected offer, her mind reeling with the possibilities and responsibilities that came with such a gift. She looked down at the cuff in her hand, a tangible symbol of the bond she shared with Flamebeard and the Warden's legacy. With a mix of gratitude and trepidation, she slipped the cuff onto her wrist again, accepting the weight.
She checked her clothes, finding them mostly dry and in inadequate condition. She turned to Flamebeard, who was still resting on the shore.
"When do we leave?" she asked.
The dragon opened his eyes, his gaze meeting hers. "We'll depart at midnight," he rumbled. "I prefer to fly under the cover of darkness. We should reach the place where I intend to drop you off just as the sun is rising, giving you the opportunity to make the most of the daylight hours."
She nodded, seeing the wisdom in his plan. She realized that she hadn't had the chance to sleep since the previous evening, having spent that time stalking the Griffin. Exhaustion suddenly washed over her, and she felt her eyelids growing heavy.
Without a second thought, she made her way over to Flamebeard and leaned against his warm, scaly body. The dragon didn't protest, allowing her to use him as a makeshift heater. As she settled in, she couldn't help but wonder if this might be the last time she would have the chance to rest against him.
She closed her eyes, letting the steady rise and fall of his breathing lull her into a deep, peaceful slumber. The dragon watched over her, his presence a comforting guardian as she drifted off into a much-needed rest.
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Elara awoke, blinking her eyes open as the sun's last rays painted the sky in hues of orange and pink. She found herself still pressed against Flamebeard's warm, scaly body, having slept for hours in the same position. Stretching her limbs, she took a moment to enjoy the lingering comfort of the dragon's presence before getting up.
As she gazed at the darkening sky, a question that had been on her mind for some time resurfaced. Turning to him, who remained sun bathing with the last rays with his eyes closed, "I noticed in my status that I can have two classes. How does one gain a second class?"
Without opening his eyes, he answered, his deep voice rumbling through the air. "The second class can be anything that your first class can be. It would be wise to choose a class that complements your first, as they both level up, but the first class will always be of a higher level. Alternatively, you could select a class that matches a specific profession if you don't intend to be a fighter. Once your first class reaches level 200, you can gain a second class."
She nodded, absorbing the information. Another question formed in her mind, and she voiced it. "Is it possible to exchange or remove one's class and try to get another instead?"
At this, he cracked open one eye, meeting her gaze directly. "No, as far as I know, it's impossible to forget or remove once class, whether it's the first or second. If that were possible, people would just try to avoid their fate."
She nodded once more, her thoughts drifting to her skill class roulette and its potential to allow her to change classes. However, she kept this information to herself, choosing not to share it with him for the time being.
Her curiosity was piqued by his mention of people avoiding one's fate, but she set that thought aside for the moment. Instead, she focused on another question that had been on her mind. "Can I gain more class-specific skills?" she asked, eager to learn more about the system that governed her abilities.
He nodded, his eyes closed again as he basked in the last rays of the sun. "Yes, you can," he confirmed. "There are two ways to unlock class-specific skills. The first is by experimenting with your current class abilities. As you use them in different ways and in various situations, you may discover new skills that complement your existing ones."
She listened intently, her mind already racing with ideas on how she could push the boundaries of her Voidstalker abilities. She wondered what new skills she might uncover through trial and error.
The dragon continued, "The second way is to wait until you reach certain milestone levels. Level 100 is one such milestone, where you'll likely gain access to a new set of class-specific skills. These skills are often more powerful and specialized than the ones you start with, reflecting your growth and mastery of your class."
She nodded, absorbing the information. She glanced down at her status screen, noting that she was still far from reaching level 100. However, the prospect of gaining new, more powerful skills at that milestone made her look forward to it. As the last rays of the sun disappeared beyond the horizon, Flamebeard stirred from his resting place. He rose to his feet and, with a powerful beat of his wings, he took to the sky.
Before leaving, he turned to her, his voice carrying over the wind. "Get ready and head to the hall with the standing staircase," he instructed. "I'll meet you there."
She watched as the dragon's form flew in the direction of the statue, her mind racing with thoughts of what he might think about it. She took a moment to consider if there was anything she needed to bring with her, but quickly realized that she had very little in her possession. Her only belongings were the bottle containing her last fasting pill and the Solstice Shard.
She made her way to the hall, her footsteps echoing in the empty space. She settled herself at the bottom of the staircase, her back pressed against the cool stone as she waited for Flamebeard's return. It wasn't long before she heard the sound of his approach, the beating of his wings growing louder with each passing second. She looked up just in time to see him land on the platform, his massive form filling the entrance.
Her eyes widened as she took in his imposing size, marveling at the sheer power and majesty of the dragon. She always seems to forget his size when he is not laying down. She wondered what he had thought of the statue, but something in his demeanor made her hesitate to ask. He seemed lost in thought, his expression unreadable as he walked past her.
He maneuvered his body to turn, facing the exit he had just come through. For a moment, his gaze met her, and she felt a shiver run down her spine at the intensity of his stare.
"Climb the stairs and get on my back," he said, his voice low and steady. "There's a spot between my wings where you can stand."
Elara watched as he crouched down beside the staircase, lowering his body to make it easier for her to climb on. With a deep breath, she climbed to the top of the stairs. Once there, using the rough texture of his hide, she pulled herself up. It was a struggle, but eventually, she settled herself crouching between his wings, her hands trying to find a grip with his scales.
"We'll do some test flying first," he said, his voice rumbling through his body. "The goal is for you to unlock the Dragonrider Mastery Skill."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "There's a skill dedicated to riding a dragon?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder.
He nodded. "There was once a group of people whose entire skill set revolved around fighting alongside a dragon or against them," he explained. "Why such skills even exist in the first place, I do not know."
As Flamebeard stood up, she felt a sudden rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. The dragon made his way towards the exit, his powerful strides causing the ground to tremble and for her to feel his muscle move beneath her feet.
"If you fall," he said, his voice cutting through the air, "you can either try to teleport back onto me, or I will catch you. But be warned, the catching may not be gentle."
She nodded, before realizing that he couldn't see her from his position. "Understood," she called out, her voice trembling slightly.
They made their way to the platform, and as they stepped out into the open air, Elara's breath caught in her throat. From her perch atop Flamebeard, she could see farther and more than she ever had before. The dark expanse of the sky stretched out before them, an endless void dotted with twinkling stars. Her heart raced as Flamebeard stretched his wings, the membrane between his bones catching the wind. With a powerful beat, he began his ascent, and she felt her stomach drop as they lifted off the ground.
She tried her best to keep her balance, drawing on her experience with riding horses. However, she quickly realized that riding a dragon was an entirely different experience. The wind whipped through her hair as they soared through the sky, and she could feel the raw power of Flamebeard's muscles beneath her.
They flew in circles around the fortress, and for the first time, Elara saw the entirety of the sky fortress. It was a breathtaking sight, a mountain suspended in the sky with nothing but empty air beneath it.
Suddenly, a notification appeared in her vision.
Congratulations!
General Skill Acquired: Dragonrider Mastery [Level: 1]
She let out a sigh of relief upon acquiring the skill. Amidst the rushing wind, she called out to Flamebeard, eager to share. It seemed that he had heard her, as he changed course and made his descent. Her heart raced as the speed increased, the wind rushing past her ears.
As they soared through the night sky, her mind wandered to the events of the past 15 days. It seemed like a lifetime ago when she had first woken up in that strange, circular room with no idea of how she had gotten there. Since then, she had faced many challenges and made an unexpected ally. She thought of the skills she had acquired, the battles she had fought, and the mysteries she had uncovered. The sky fortress had been a world unto itself, filled with secrets and dangers at every turn. Many are still unsolved, but she can always return at a later date, once she has a form of aerial transport, that is. But now, as they flew away from the floating mountain, she found herself looking forward to what lay ahead.
With her immediate concern of escaping the sky fortress nearly resolved, her mind turned to the questions that still lingered. How had she ended up here in the first place? Were there others like her, brought to this strange world for unknown reasons? Or was she truly alone, the sole foreign inhabitant of this realm? As they flew, her excitement grew at the prospect of exploring this new world. She imagined meeting new people and discovering different cultures, each with their own unique customs and traditions. She wondered what kind of foods she might taste, what new styles of clothing she might encounter.
The possibilities seemed endless, and she found herself eager to embrace them all. She knew that there would be challenges ahead, obstacles to overcome and mysteries to unravel. But for now, as she crouched on Flamebeard's back and watched the world rush by below them, she allowed herself to feel a sense of hope and anticipation for what the future might hold.
Flamebeard's voice rumbled through the air, breaking her from her thoughts. "We're approaching the drop-off point," he said, his tone steady and measured. "Prepare yourself."
She nodded, her grip tightening on the dragon's scales as she braced herself for whatever lay ahead. She knew that this was just the beginning of her journey, but she was ready to face whatever challenges came her way. Even without Flamebeard by her side and only the skills she had acquired, she felt confident that she could handle it.
As they began their descent, Elara took a deep breath, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: her adventure was just beginning.