Chapter 280: Tangled Bonds


    ?


    Alister cut him off with a slight wave of his wed hand, a look of exasperation in his golden eyes.


    "I already told you..."


    "I can use the abilities of my dragons... So stop making a big deal about it."


    Anzo blinked, his brow furrowing in confusion. "You... did? When?"


    Alister sighed deeply, the kind of sigh that came with the realization that exnations would never be simple. He turned to face Anzo fully. "Yes, I mentioned it earlier. Guess you were too busy doubting everything I said to actually listen."


    Anzo opened his mouth to argue but stopped short. The memory of Alister''s earlier words about his connection to his dragons surfaced faintly in his mind, though at the time, it had seemed too oundish to believe. "I mean... I thought you were exaggerating or speaking metaphorically!"


    "Well," Alister said, his voice tinged with a faint smirk, "you''re going to have to get used to this. I''ll be doing a lot more... impossible things in the future."


    Anzo''s shoulders slumped slightly, still reeling from the reality unfolding before him. "A lot more, huh?" he said, rubbing the back of his neck.


    "At this rate, I''m not sure what''s going to be more terrifying... the monsters we''ll go up against in the future, or the fact that you might keep outdoing them."


    Anzo suddenly let out a short, humorlessugh. "Terrifying or not, I''m not gonna get left behind, you''ll see."


    "For now," he said, bringing his right hand forward for a handshake. "Put one here, rival. You were really amazing. I look forward to surpassing youpletely and letting you eat my dust."


    Alister smirked faintly, extending his wed hand toward Anzo. "I''ll love to see you try," he said, his tone both challenging and amused.


    But just as their hands were about to meet, a blur of motion crashed into Alister, sending him stumbling slightly.


    "You''re so dazzling, my lord!" Mar''Garet eximed, wrapping herself tightly around him, her arms snugly embracing his waist. Her silver hair shimmered in the fading light as she gazed up at him with unrestrained excitement.


    Alister froze for a moment, ncing down at her with a touch of annoyance and shock. Rising to his full height, he gently pried her arms away but found her grip surprisingly strong.


    "Mar''Garet," he spoke, his golden eyes narrowing slightly, "what are you doing?"


    Mar''Garet rested her cheek against his side, her voice dreamy as she responded, "I wanted to feel your warmth... to bask in your greatness." She squeezed tighter, her actions drawing an exasperated sigh from Alister.


    "Also, my lord, I killed lots and lots of monsters."


    "Are you proud? Won''t you praise me?"


    Before he could reply, the sky above darkened briefly, and Alzuring descended, his massive wings creating gusts of wind as hended nearby. The Sky Dragon''s piercing eyes immediately locked onto the scene, and he wore a look of disapproval on his face.


    "Mar''Garet!" Alzuring yelled, his deep voice echoing through the clearing. "Conduct yourself properly! Give our lord the space and respect he deserves!"


    Mar''Garet shot him an intense gaze, and she could see the intensity in his eyes. They locked gazes for a few moments before she suddenly pouted and reluctantly released Alister, listening to the older dragon''s words. She stepped back while still keeping an excited gaze fixed on him.


    Her attitude suddenly took a total 180 as sheposed herself, a neutral expression appearing on her face as she folded her arms, turning to face Alzuring.


    "I was simply showing my devotion," she said in a slightly annoyed tone.


    Alzuring''s tailshed once against a stone pir close by, creating a sharp crack before it


    shattered as he walked over to her. Gazing down at her face, he spoke firmly.


    "Devotion does not mean clinging like a hatchling! Behave with dignity!"


    "Respect our lord''s personal space."


    Alister exhaled slowly, his golden eyes moving between the two dragons.


    "Calm yourselves," he said firmly.


    Mar''Garet and Alzuring immediately fell to their knees, their heads bowing in submission.


    "We beg for your forgiveness, my lord," they both said.


    Alister looked down at them, his gaze softening slightly. "You''re forgiven," he replied.


    Both dragons raised their heads, eyes filled with gratitude. "We understand."


    A brief silence hung in the air before Alzuring cleared his throat, his deep voice carrying a touch of pride. "I also carried out my task to the best of my ability, my lord," he said, ncing toward Alister as if expecting something.


    Mar''Garet, however, couldn''t hide the skepticism in her eyes. She shot Alzuring a sharp, almost disappointed look, as if to say he was being a hypocrite for seeking their lord''s praise when that was the exact same thing she was doing earlier.


    Alzuring noticed the nce but said nothing. He knew respect had boundaries, and he knew how Mar''Garet acted was in no way how to treat their overlord, so he wasn''t the least bit affected by her gaze. His pride was not easily shaken.


    Alister reached out and lightly tapped Alzuring on the shoulder. "You did well," he said, offering a small smile.


    "I''m grateful for your efforts."


    Alzuring''s expression softened, and he ced his right hand over his chest in a show of respect. "It is my pleasure to serve, my lord," he said with pride, the faintest of smiles curling at the corners of his mouth.


    Alister then said to both of them, "You may rise. Do not sully your bodies with the poisons of the grounds below."


    "Understood," they both said, rising to their feet. Alister then sighed, ncing to his side. His eyesnded on Anzo, who was trying and failing to suppress a grin.


    "Something funny?" Alister asked.


    Anzo shrugged, holding back augh. "Nothing, just... you''re really popr with your


    dragons, huh?"


    "And what''s up with your manner of speech? You role-ying or something?"


    Alister gave him a nk look, deciding to say nothing.


    As Alister observed, Cinder, Terra, and Draven approached In the distance.


    Behind them, Alister noticed the rest of his team members, their figures emerging from then/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    mist of battle.


    Before they could get too close, Alister raised a hand as he called out. "Don''t get too close. The ground here is covered with corrosive poison."