It was quite hard to see as the only source of light was the large full moon above. The dazzling trees around them reflected the moonlight, but it wasn't enough to help Meyara and Adriel see things better. All they could see were shadows. A terrifying giant dark shadow.

Undoubtedly, anyone could tell that it was the dragon people were talking about. No other creature had such distinctive sharp horns, cutting through the air like deadly blades. The oval head was connected to a long neck and a huge body. And then there was a pair of wide, dense wings, all bony covered in slightly shimmering scales. Mesmerizing and sending shivers down every unfortunate creature who happens to witness it.

Who would have thought that Meyara and Adriel were one of those people?

“We’re gonna die. I am sure of it, O Lord.” Adriel kept repeating those words like a broken record. Whispering with bated breath, against the cold wind that blows. “I can't believe I will die so soon. With you. Wait, I guess that will be considered a blessing because I won't die lonely.”

“Can you just shut up?” Meyara hissed. The dragon's shadow began to fade, making it difficult to find the dangerous creature. She was sure that the two of them would suffer an attack at any time. They should have been prepared, but Adriel's incessant muttering made things more difficult than they needed to be. “We won't die that easily, you hear me? I won't let that happen!”

Adriel stared in disbelief. “That should be my line. How can you take every cool word for yourself?”

Meyara snorted at that. “I'm glad this conversation can distract you from our impending doom, but sorry, you missed your chance to act like a cool guy! You keep wailing while I try to find a way out!”

"Well, I'm thinking too!"

"Then what did you get?"

“Uh,” Adriel bit her bottom lip nervously, “maybe we can be quiet so the dragon won't notice us and just pass by quietly?”

What a great idea, Meyara wanted to retort with sarcasm but decided against it since she could hear the low growl of the serpent-like creature. Her lips pursed automatically. She used all her remaining strength and will to maintain her composition. Of course it was difficult, because throughout his life in Deterville, she had never once encountered an animal much larger than her body. It felt like she would face death at any moment.

However, deep down, she still believed that the dragon would not be as evil as Glimmerwall's people said. There were always rules in this world, rules that maintained balance. Not going around killing weaker things was one of them. Meyara was sure that a dragon that spent its life alone would never bother wasting energy just to devour a few small humans who couldn't possibly satisfy its appetite.

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She also remembered stories from his father, who used to really admire dragons. Her father always said that dragons were a symbol of good luck for those who deserved them, and dragons had the power to ward off floods, tsunamis and hurricanes. Meyara had never heard anything bad about the creature, so she was convinced that the atrocities said to be committed by dragons were just rumors stemming from paranoid human fears.

However, how shocked she was when a burst of fire aimed at her and Adriel. She didn't have time to react when tongues of flame slightly licked her feet. Adriel screamed her name while wincing because of the incredible heat and the burning sensation.

“Did you see that? The fire burned a bluish color before falling on us!” shouted Adriel who was busy putting out the fire using a combination of spells and potions. He was having a little difficulty because his hands were still tightly tied. "That means it’s really angry, right? There's no way we can escape alive. The dragon will make sure we die without ever actually seeing it!" ”

"No! Blue flames don't mean revenge, but hurt!" Meyara argued. She was trampling the fire under her feet, before trying to turn around. Now her bound hands were in front, ready to receive the next burst of fire. “Something must have happened. There's no reason for the dragon to attack us!”

"It must be angry that we are foreigners who come without permission!"

“Then it can immediately kill us practically and quickly. There's no need for an earthquake, let alone a rain of fire like this!" Meyara shouted as a fireball launched right above her head. Almost burned her hair.

"Is it playing us?"

“More or less. But we won't know for sure if we keep busy dodging its attacks like this.”

"So what should we do?" Adriel groaned when he managed to untie the ties on his hands. But the fire still surrounded him so he couldn't get to Meyara immediately. “My spell has little effect on its fire. Dragons are truly high-level magical creatures that are impossible for us to face!”

Meyara who heard that bit her lip in panic. She looked here and there, hoping to find a clue or loophole for them to save themselves. Unfortunately, she found nothing but dazzling flames that contrasted with the dark and gloomy forest.

Until finally a voice tickled her ear. There was a faint sound between the crackling noise of wood being consumed by the fire and Adriel's whining. Meyara didn't move for a moment. She closed his eyes, focusing all her concentration on her ears.

At first, the noise sounded like a gentle breeze passing through the small cracks in the rock. However, the more she listened to it, the sound turns into a heart-rending moaning song.

“That's it,” Meyara said.

"What?"

Meyara gasped slightly when she found Adriel in front of her. It seemed that while she was closing her eyes, the young man had approached her to release her from the bonds in her hands.

Adriel's face was so close that their noses touched. The young man deliberately blocked Meyara from the remaining fire which was still burning. Meyara, who felt uncomfortable, reflexively hit his head with her own.

"Ouch! What's that for?" complained Adriel, rubbing his head with the hand holding the broken rope.

"I know now. The dragon wasn't a monster at all. It was just a victim," explained Meyara without answering Adriel's question. "We have to hurry. There's no time to avoid the rain of fire. It's better to just face it. The fire won't kill us anyway."

“W-what? Meyara, wait!” Adriel could only follow Meyara who immediately ran in the direction they last saw the dragon's shadow.

***