Aesar and Ryfon were quickly making their way west of the Forest where the mountain ranges were located and where the dragons resided.
They had not rested since the incident in the village happened.
The sky started to slowly light up as the sun slowly dawned.
Arriving at the mountain ranges, they decided to take a break. Taking on a dragon in a worn out state was unwise.
(Mountain range/Tone of the story)
http%3a%2f%2forig06.deviantart.net%2fe872%2ff%2f2012...52p29x.jpg [http://orig06.deviantart.net/e872/f/2012/159/4/2/landscape_by_joakimolofsson-d52p29x.jpg]
*Image is not mine. Full credits to the artist who allowed this image to be used freely.
They made their way towards a base of a small cliff charitably hiding them. Ryfon was the first to rest, not worrying about monster attacks.
Aesar soon followed him and rested. Aesar sensing ability was so well honed he could subconsciously detect things even when asleep. Even still, they both knew it would be dangerous to sleep without a look out especially in a dragon infested area. However, it was their judgement. Dragons were disinterested in a lot of things and would often slumber for many years. They had not encountered any monsters for several hours. Their current location was advantageously located from prying eyes. They were also excellently concealing their presence. This was topped off by Aesar extraordinary sensing abilities, and Ryfon’s magic that would subconsciously sense some of his surroundings. From the all the variables, they both judged that it would be fine for the both of them to sleep.
After getting a few hours of rest, the two continued to travel over the mountain ranges, scouring for dragons. The mountain ranges did not have any trees. The land was dark in color and the edges of the mountains were sharp and dangerous.
It would not be hard to find the entrances of cave where dragons would usually reside in. The caves were large and unnatural looking, not mention that there were a plethora of dragons that live within the mountain ranges. All those factors would increase their chance at finding one rather quickly.
They would leap from edges to edges and would lunge efficiently over the rough surface of the mountains to travel faster.
After wandering the mountain ranges for half a day, they came across an unnatural looking cave. The entrance was gigantic and menacing. It looked as if it would swallow you inside its dark depths. The entrance could fit 30 people side by side while extending their hands outwards to the side.
They entered the large cave where light was slowly disappearing. But before they entered, Ryfon used a spell to allow him to see in the pitch black cave. Aesar on the other hand had no need for spells, for he had the natural ability to see in the dark.
Luckily for them the cave was not a complex. There were smaller caves that branched out from the enormous main tunnel. It was quite obvious to follow the largest tunnel.
The cave was silent; no creatures were spotted as they hurriedly ran.
After a while, they started to sense an enormous amount of magical power ahead of them. When they sensed the large amount of mana their vigilance and sharpness stayed the same; at its peak.
Shortly after, they entered a large dome inside the cave. The dome was half the size of their village. In the middle of the dome was a large lizard like creature.
At our appearance, the creature opened its eyes and stood tall on its four muscular legs.
Piercing emerald eyes that glowed sat gracefully within the creature's scaled, angular skull, which gave the creature a terrifying appearance.
Two small, horns sat atop its head, just above its long, sharp ears. Its nose was somewhat slim and had two narrow, curved nostrils. Several rows of large teeth could be seen as it opened its mouth giving it a slight hint at the terror inside.
Its neck, twice the length of its head runs down from its head and into a large body. The top was covered in armor like scale and a row of small spikes ran down its spine.
Its bottom was covered in massive scales and was colored much lighter than the rest of its body. Two muscular limbs carry its body and allow the creature to stand sturdy and tall. Each limb had 6 digits, each of which end in thick, black claws
Graceful wings grew starting from just below its shoulders and end at the lower end of its back. The wings are almost demonic, the skin of the wings seems to glow as if made from fire itself and armor-like scales grow on top of the wing's primary bones.
Its elegant tail ends in a spear-like growth and was covered in the same armor-like scale as its body.
“Hmm, what brings me, Stiria, visitors?” the dragon spoke in a loud booming, yet feminine voice.
At the dragon’s words, Ryfon replied, “If it’s alright with you, Stiria, I’d like to ask for some information.” Though it did not show, Ryfon was a bit nervous. The power the dragon emitted was immense which put him on edge.
“HAHAHA!” Stiria laughed at the top of her breath, causing the ground to tremble. And she continued to laugh.
Aesar and Ryfon looked at each other with puzzled looks. They thought that perhaps, asking a dragon JUST for information was comical and probably unheard of. To bother a dragon for mere questions was after all, uncanny.
The two waited till the dragon got bored from laughing. They had to wait long.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
After Stiria finished laughing for what seemed like hours, she said, “That’s funny.”
“It would seem so,” Ryfon commented.
Soon after, Stiria positioned herself menacingly and glared at the two. Her glowing emerald eyes pierced the darkness.
“For giving me such an entertaining time in over a thousand years, I will let you leave this place alive. Now leave, before I change my mind!” Stiria growled. To enter her home and ask something trivial of her was insulting, and it caused her fume in anger.
Aesar and Ryfon became impatient and started to emit some killing intent. They put up with a dragon laughing while they were in a hurry trying to find a way to get back their loved ones; it was frustrating.
From the display of Aesar and Ryfon, Stiria got an amused look. Before her were two individual that showed no fear of her. She mainly kept her eyes on Ryfon presuming that he was the most dangerous. She did not care much for the person next to him for she indicated that he was weak judging for his lack of mana signature. Although, it did peak her interest when she noticed that his mana was strange, but the pitiful amount left her uninterested overall. Even if that person was extremely skilled, he, in no way would he be able to harm her, was what she thought.
She could tell that the two of them were extremely skilled, and judging from her pervious senses, it was indeed so for the person she was staring at, Ryfon. She could tell that he was indeed very dangerous.
However, since she had not met anyone in a long time, she did not engage the two and instead supressed her anger and acknowledge their presence in respect for Ryfon’s strength and their attendance. She was lonely and bored.
At the sight of Stiria relaxing, Aesar and Ryfon also loosened up.
“What are your names?” asked Stiria.
“My name is Ryfon Daesatra and to my left is my nephew, Aesar Loraven. Though we are not blood related, certain circumstances led us to our relationship,” replied Ryfon.
“You, Aesar, I have no knowledge of your race. What are you?” Stiria furthered questioned.
This was news to both Aesar and Ryfon. For a dragon to not even know what he was certainly puzzled them.
“I also do not know what I am. My dear mother found me in this forest 34 years ago, so I do not know my origins,” replied Aesar. He then said, “You have been asking us questions, I believe it is our turn.”
“You seem quite in hurry. Please, let me enjoy your company some more.”
“I find it strange for a dragon to involve itself with others,” said Aesar.
“I do not find it strange to desire for company after a long time of isolation. Although I say that, I am only speaking on behalf of myself. There are indeed many other dragons that would have torn you to shreds without a moment of hesitation.
So, what is it that you ask? I’m guessing it has something to do with that strange anomaly.”
“For you to say that it is a strange anomaly, you must not know much about what had happened as well, do you? Anyhow, what can you tell us about the mysterious anomaly? Anything at all,” said Ryfon.
Seemingly insulted by Ryfon’s comment, she said, “Indeed, I do not know much about it. This forest is just as a mystery to us just as it is you. Though, we dragons are probably more knowledgeable than you.
I do know some things about this forest; however, I do not know anything about that strange anomaly that occurred.”
The two had an expressionless face, seeming that they expected such an answer.
“Lastly, do you know any way to go to different realms?”
At the question of Ryfon, Stiria had an interested look.
“I do. However, I hate to admit, but I do not have the ability to do such a thing. And I doubt you’ll have better luck with the other dragons here. To my knowledge I would assume that there are 10 dragons in Helios that are capable of such a feat. Though, I doubt they would comply with your request. Traversing through different realms does not really interest us dragons. It would only bring conflict with dragons from different realms. We are quite territorial when it comes to our own realm. Perhaps you’ll have better luck in the Cyri Empire or the Demon Continent.”
“Thank you, Stiria,” with Ryfon’s thanks, Aesar and him took their leave, not evening glancing behind them.
This angered Stiria, but she kept it to herself. ‘What an interesting era,’ she thought to herself.
To any other dragons, they would have certainly attacked the two of them from their show of ‘disrespect’. However, Stiria was not as bigoted as the rest. She considered their danger.
***
The sun had already set once Aesar and Ryfon exited the cave.
After they concluded some things, they headed to Casaluna, a neighboring village.
With that, they continued, leaving the mountain ranges, and travelled through the forest in great speed without rest.
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You guys are probably wondering Aesar's and Ryfon's power rating compared to the world. All I will say is that it is safe to assume that they are in no way weaklings.
Map of the forest + aftermath
http%3a%2f%2fi.imgur.com%2fgIHburZ.jpg%3f1 [http://i.imgur.com/gIHburZ.jpg?1]