《The Genesis of Legends》 Things That Happen Before me stretched a desolate landscape, whispering tales of a bygone beauty now reduced to rubble by some unknown calamity¡ªor perhaps the relentless march of time. Hundreds of homes, silent witnesses to the lives and memories of countless families who once breathed life into this place, had succumbed to its unyielding dominion. Nature, in its triumph, had reclaimed the land with its roots, almost entirely erasing any trace of humanity and plunging into oblivion the stories this place once harbored. My mind fills with scenes of thousands of people abandoning the city, while an unfamiliar melancholy slowly takes root in my chest. Children, driven by their innate curiosity about the world and oblivious to the reason behind this exodus, turn to their parents and grandparents for answers. The adults, though burdened with heavy hearts, reply with forced smiles, unwilling to add to the children¡¯s uncertainty. Some of the young are swept up by the nostalgia of the elders, while others, less tied to their roots, let their minds wander among the endless possibilities that a new home might offer. Without a doubt, the elderly were the most affected. The idea of leaving the city where they were born and where they thought they would be buried had never even crossed their minds. Some gave in to the persuasion of their families, while others¡ªtoo stubborn or without friends or loved ones to convince them¡ªchose to stay and fulfill their final wish: to perish alongside the city. I don¡¯t know if the images in my mind are memories of the past or if I¡¯m simply trying to make sense of the forgotten ruins before me. I¡¯m not certain what happened in this place, but I can almost guarantee that whatever it was, it allowed the inhabitants enough time to leave the city safely, as I haven''t found a single human remain. Of course, there¡¯s also the possibility that the city had been abandoned for so long that those remains had already turned to dust. A vast variety of plants now adorns the ancient city, making it nearly impossible to distinguish its streets. Lush fruit trees, covered in blossoms, not only provide crucial insight into the fertility of the soil but also imbue the landscape with an indescribable touch of magic. Several structures, now ruins, stand as silent witnesses to a collective failure against the relentless advance of nature. Completely overgrown with foliage, only the imposing wall that once protected the city from invaders and the majestic castle have managed to withstand the ceaseless assault of time and vegetation. Their survival is a testament to the effort, dedication, and craftsmanship with which they were built by the ancient artisans. Sitting atop the castle¡¯s highest tower, like a princess awaiting rescue, I savor the sweet yet slightly tart flavor of the fruits offered by the nearby trees. I take in the breathtaking view before me as my thoughts wander, drifting into speculation¡ªcourtesy of the beautifully adorned encyclopedia resting in my hands. Perhaps, if I could understand the contents of the book, I might uncover what kind of beings once inhabited this place¡ªor, even better, the reason why I am here. Of course, I am not the only living creature in this place. However, the presence of this peculiar specimen, rather than clearing the doubts in my mind, only raises more questions. A rather large baby lizard, whose existence I am deeply grateful for¡ªsince without him, I would be drowning in complete solitude¡ªrests beside me, seemingly indifferent to everything, enjoying the nonexistent winds that caress this strange landscape. ¡ªWant some fruit, my scaly friend? ¡ªHmphgrrr. ¡ªIt¡¯s just a little bite, don¡¯t pay it any mind. Stop being so picky. "....." His slightly golden eyes stared at me with clear disdain, as if the mere thought of sharing the same fruit was an unforgivable offense. ¡ªFine, I won¡¯t offer you any more of my food. Above my head, the sky slowly sank into the shadows of night, spreading its cloak of darkness over the fading daylight, which inevitably retreated, allowing the twilight to take its place, little by little. ¡ªIt''s a beautiful view, don''t you think? ¡ªGrawr? ¡ªthe little one responded, tilting his head in clear doubt. Makes sense, I thought. This place is all he knows. To him, there¡¯s nothing extraordinary about it¡ªno reason to share the level of awe it inspires in me. *Aaaaah* ¡ªWell, my imaginary friend, it''s time for us to part ways. Though I know you won¡¯t remember this, I''ll see you tomorrow, young Kairon. With the sunset came a familiar feeling of drowsiness, like a whisper reminding me that my time had run out. Fighting the exhaustion would be pointless, so I took the moment to bid farewell to my companion, running my hand over his head. Despite his scales, his texture was surprisingly smooth¡ªpleasant enough to make petting him enjoyable. The drowsiness grew stronger, washing over me like a silent tide, and a low gurgle of farewell from the young one was the last thing I heard before succumbing to Morpheus'' deep embrace. --------------------------------------------------- ? ring ring ring ring ? Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. ¡ªGood morning, am I speaking with Mr. Patelsson? ¡ªYes, this is him.*Aaah* ¡ªOh, I¡¯m sorry to wake you up. ¡ªDon¡¯t worry, if you hadn¡¯t, the alarm would have. ¡ªI see. Nice to meet you, I¡¯m Carmilla. I¡¯m calling to confirm your participation in today¡¯s community initiative. ¡ª10:30, right? ¡ªThat¡¯s right. We¡¯re planning to meet at the park to assign tasks more efficiently. ¡ªAlright, I¡¯ll see you there. ? tud tud tud ? As I hung up the call, still feeling a bit of heaviness in my eyelids, I noticed my phone read 8:50. My mind quickly did the math¡ªI had just over an hour to get to the meeting place. It was that warm time of the year when getting out of bed feels like an odyssey, even when my sweat-sticky skin and the urgent need to empty my bladder insisted otherwise. Laziness clung to my body, sparking a tug-of-war between the pleasure of staying in bed and the responsibilities I had to fulfill. Unfortunately, and much to my dismay, I¡¯m not someone who says no once I¡¯ve said yes. My system isn¡¯t programmed to go back on my word, so in the end, laziness lost the battle. With heavy steps, like a zombie chasing a wounded prey, I dragged myself to the bathroom, clinging to the hope that a cold shower would wash away any lingering exhaustion and grime clinging to me. ? ? ? Fifteen minutes were enough to shake off most of the morning laziness that consumed me every day. But as the saying goes, *where there was fire, ashes remain.* I knew it was still there, lurking in the deepest corners of my mind, waiting for the slightest sign of weakness to drag me back into *just a little more rest* which, honestly, didn¡¯t sound like such a bad idea. I stepped out of the shower with nothing but a towel draped over my shoulders. The cold water had given me the energy and attitude needed to start the day. Of course, breakfast was still pending, so that energy had its limits. ¡ªGentleman, this much beauty should be ilegal ¡ªI told myself as I caught my reflection in the mirror. My bare image exuded an "overwhelming" amount of charm¡ªat least if you asked me. Of course, others, with a "clear" touch of envy, would probably say my looks were average or even below today''s beauty standards. But really, who needs standards when you¡¯ve got "this" natural charisma? Black hair in a comb-over style that I¡¯ve had for as long as I can remember¡ªor at least for as long as I¡¯ve had hair. Eyes of a peculiar golden ochre color, warm-toned skin, high cheekbones, well-defined eyebrows, and full lips that, in my opinion, convey warmth and authenticity. At 21, I stand at 1.77 meters, so I doubt fate will gift me any extra height at this point. Weighing 70 kilos, I seem to be in good health, and my complete lack of facial hair doesn¡¯t affect my look in the slightest. That last part was something I came to terms with after multiple failed attempts to grow a respectable beard. The best I ever managed was looking like a kiwi, which led me to abandon my fruitless efforts and embrace my hairless fate with dignity. It is what it is. At least it matches my skin¡ªor so I tell myself to avoid facing the harsh truth: you can¡¯t fight nature. Damn genetics. I have to admit, I¡¯m not one to keep up with fashion or particularly care about what I wear, at least not for casual outings like this. So I grabbed the first thing I found in my closet, and in an instant, I was ready. A bathroom, a kitchen, a small living room, and a bedroom¡ªthat¡¯s all the space in my small but cozy apartment. A few steps are enough to move from one area to another. A small space, yes, but perfect for someone like me, who prefers to move as little as possible on days off. I opened the fridge urgently, driven by the growl of my stomach, and eagerly devoured a lonely apple. I washed it down with the fizzy liquid of an energy drink¡ªa breakfast worthy of someone who has put off grocery shopping for far too long. I need to buy groceries, I thought, staring at the almost desolate emptiness of the fridge, which looked just as hungry as I was. I¡¯m no nutritionist, but I¡¯m pretty sure an apple and an energy drink don¡¯t make a proper breakfast. In fact, that¡¯s not even a breakfast. However, it was enough to settle my stomach¡ªat least until I found something decent later. It was already 9:15 when I left home. I had plenty of time, so I could take things easy. I hate rushing; it¡¯s too stressful, and there¡¯s always a greater chance of something going wrong. I took one last look inside the apartment to make sure I wasn¡¯t forgetting anything and then shut the door, leaving behind the comfort of apartment 402. The memory of the last time the building¡¯s elevator worked had long since faded from my mind. Despite that, my steps instinctively led me to it, carrying a baseless hope of avoiding the more than 60 steps to the exit. That hope quickly crumbled with the words of my neighbor from 401, who was leaving at the same time as me: ¡ªOut of service. Still not fixed. It was expected, but I had to try, right? You never know¡ªmaybe one day the elevator will miraculously come back to life. In any case, there was no choice but to rely on my still-loyal legs and follow my sturdy neighbor down the stairs. ¡ªGood morning, Mr. Ando. ¡ªMorning, kid. Off to work? ¡ªNo, it¡¯s my day off. ¡ªA day off and still so full of energy? It¡¯s good to be young. ¡ªHahaha, to be honest, I would¡¯ve loved to stay home all day, but I already committed to a few things. By the way, how¡¯s Mrs. Margaret¡¯s health? Margaret, Mr. Ando¡¯s wife, had a heart attack a few days ago. I¡¯m quite close to the couple, so I visited her the day after the incident. From what I saw, she seemed to be recovering well, but several days have passed, and she still hasn''t been discharged, maybe due to her age or some medical complication I''m unaware of ¡ªafter all, I''m not a doctor. ¡ªMuch better. The doctors say she needs to rest and avoid any shocks. You know how these things go. I¡¯m heading to the hospital right now¡ªhopefully, they¡¯ll finally discharge her. The poor woman is desperate to get out of that bed. ¡ªSend her my regards and tell her I hope to see her around here soon. We miss her... and her lemon cakes. ¡ªIt¡¯s the family¡¯s secret recipe, that¡¯s why they¡¯re so good ¡ªthe man said with a smug smile. And he had every right to be proud¡ªat every gathering, those lemon cakes were always the highlight. The tiresome and tedious descent from the fourth floor was made far more bearable thanks to Mr. Ando and his endless repertoire of curious stories¡ªthe kind that make you lose track of time without even realizing it. Our conversation came to an end as we reached the building¡¯s entrance, where we went our separate ways. I put on my headphones, letting the algorithm decide what I should listen to as I got ready for my run. I stretched my body calmly, just as I¡¯d read one should do to avoid injuries. Maybe it was overkill, considering I was only going for a jog, but I didn¡¯t care. If a few minutes of stretching could lower the risk of a hypothetical injury, I¡¯d gladly do it. Sixteen minutes of jogging were enough to get my joints moving without arriving at the gym exhausted¡ªafter all, the goal is to train, not to drag myself to the entrance. I signed up at the gym with one purpose: to stay in shape. My goal isn¡¯t to have sculpted muscles or a superstar physique; I just want my body to be as healthy as possible and capable of reacting in case of a hypothetical attack. That¡¯s also why I practice Krav Maga. I must confess that Krav Maga wasn¡¯t my first choice¡ªit was capoeira. I found it fascinating, with its fluid movements and its blend of dance and combat. But, as I quickly discovered, dancing is not one of my strong suits. Still, I tried with enthusiasm. However, during the learning process, there were a few¡­ incidents that cut my progress short in this amazing mating dance. In short, I have not a single ounce of rhythm in me. Things That Happen (2) Thirty minutes of exercise later, with my body covered in sweat, I called it a day on my daily routine. Normally, the session would last a bit longer, but time was pressing¡ªand so was my stomach. I hadn''t eaten a single thing since that lonely apple. After a casual shower, as I left the gym, my mind wandered through the possible options the nearby restaurant might offer. That was when, just as I was crossing the door, a man appeared¡ªone whose very image seemed to defy reality itself. My first thought: unreal. A chiseled face adorned with a stern gaze, always fixed straight ahead. A broad back and arms as thick as tree trunks, reminiscent of a silverback. His arrogant stride completed the picture. It was hard for the first impression not to be: "this guy is a bastard". Intimidating, no doubt¡ªor at least that¡¯s what he was going for. However, his thin legs completely betrayed that image, creating a dissonance that was almost comical. I¡¯ve always wondered how those fragile-looking legs manage to support such a massive upper body. Every time I see him, any desire I might have had to build huge muscles vanishes instantly. If I get an itch, I want to be able to scratch my back¡ªsomething he, clearly, cannot do. ¡ªNoah "the Inverted Mountain" Sullivan. ¡ªFuck off ¡ªHow¡¯s life treating you, man? ¡ªDespite Noah¡¯s terrible first impression, once you talked to him, you realized he was actually easy to get along with. He was one of the few people I could genuinely consider a friend. ¡ªWay better than you, check this out ¡ªhe replied, flexing his muscles as usual. Unfortunately for him, messing with him was way too fun¡­ and easy. ¡ªYeah, yeah, I see it ¡ªI said, letting my gaze slowly slide down to his legs. ¡ªI¡¯m not even gonna bother with your jealous remarks ¡ªhe shot back, clearly irritated as he caught my mocking stare. I mean, if you don¡¯t want to be teased for something so obvious, at least make an effort to not look like a tree with weak roots. ¡ªHeading out already? ¡ªYeah, I¡¯ve got some social obligations in a bit ¡ªI replied, glancing up at the wall clock, which already read 10:10 ¡ªBy the way, I heard Anthony is waiting for you. Anthony, though not as muscular as Noah, was still a pretty built guy, and from what I had heard, the two had arranged one of those strength competitions. ¡ªHe¡¯s just an idiot biting off more than he can chew. These kinds of competitions were common at the gym. They served both as a way to settle small disputes before they escalated and to keep the atmosphere lively. In fact, they happened so often that we had even set up a betting pool to make some money off a friend¡¯s loss. ¡ªOf course, man, do your best. Wish I could stay and watch the show, but I¡¯m in a hurry. Have fun! Noah stood there, trying to read between the lines as I walked away. ¡ªYou bet against me, didn¡¯t you? ¡ªHis voice was full of indignation, as if he couldn¡¯t believe I would think he¡¯d lose. ¡ªI always bet on the safe side ¡ªI replied without turning around. Unfortunately for him, bets didn¡¯t care about friendships. And yeah, I had bet on his loss¡ªpretty confident it was the right choice. Of course, it was better if he didn¡¯t know that. ¡ªSon of a bitch, you''re gonna lose your money! With those words echoing behind me, I left the gym and headed for the nearest caf¨¦. There were still 20 minutes left until the meeting. Fortunately, the park where it would take place was just across the street. Twenty minutes were more than enough to enjoy a decent breakfast. Besides, considering my fridge always seemed empty, stopping by here had pretty much become a habit. A few steps later, I was already inside that cozy place that made me feel at home. I sat at my usual table and ordered something light yet filling enough to hold me over until lunch. A Spanish omelet, toast with jam and cheese, and a delicious soursop juice were the chosen ones to complement the lonely apple that, at this point, was already digested. To be honest, I was quite satisfied with my ability to manage time. I ate at a leisurely pace, savoring every bite, and even allowed myself a few minutes to rest. When I left the caf¨¦, there were still two minutes left before the meeting¡ªjust enough time to cross the street and arrive on time. A group of people stood in front of a couple of flashy red vans. Even though I couldn''t make out any familiar faces, it was unlikely I was mistaken, so I headed toward them. My eyesight isn¡¯t the best, but the park isn¡¯t very big, and those vans were the only spot where a group had gathered. Still, I walked slowly, trying to avoid the embarrassment of approaching the wrong people. A few more steps, and finally, I spotted a familiar figure. It was questionable how I hadn¡¯t noticed her before, considering how striking her hair was. Apparently, she had recognized me from afar, as she waved her hand and approached me with quick steps and a bright smile. Carolina. To be honest, she¡¯s a beautiful woman, even to my eyes, which are hardly prone to exaggeration. Her natural strawberry blonde hair cascades in soft waves, with golden and reddish highlights that seem to glow under the sunlight, framing her face perfectly. Her eyes, a deep, hypnotic emerald green, reflected a captivating warmth, enhanced by long, dark lashes that made her gaze even more intense. Her ivory-toned skin accentuated her high, well-defined cheekbones, adding an air of classic elegance. A faint touch of natural blush highlighted her youth and vitality, while her full lips¡ªa soft shade of pink that perfectly matched the subtle lipstick she wore¡ªcurved effortlessly into a dazzling smile that seemed to brighten everything around her. Standing at 1.70 meters tall, her slender yet curvy figure blended grace and femininity. Her fluid, confident movements exuded an elegant sensuality and natural sophistication, seamlessly mixed with the lightness and energy characteristic of her 23 years. Carolina didn¡¯t just possess a unique physical allure; she also had an innate charisma that made her a source of admiration and desire wherever she went. She was my coworker and, on this occasion, the reason I was here instead of enjoying my well-deserved day off at home. ¡ªHonestly, I thought you wouldn¡¯t come ¡ªshe said with a playful smile, fully aware that I would have preferred to stay home. ¡ªGood morning, miss. How are you? I¡¯m doing well, thanks for asking. And I must say, I wasn¡¯t expecting to wake up to a call just to confirm my presence. Though, hey, it did make me feel important ¡ªI replied, my tone carrying a slight hint of annoyance¡ªa protest against my hectic morning. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Her smile widened at my response. We stepped closer, closing the already short distance between us, and shared a hug that had become customary whenever we met. ¡ªSorry, we need extra hands ¡ªshe murmured near my ear, in that tone she always used to charm me. Several seconds passed before we pulled away. She turned toward the group while taking my hand. ¡ªCome on, Adony is about to finish his speech. With nothing else to do, I let out a sigh of resignation, preparing my mind for the day ahead. ¡ªI just hope there are at least some snacks. Silence was enough of an answer. I couldn¡¯t help but think that having breakfast before coming had been a very good idea. The speech was almost over, but I think I caught the main idea: providing direct assistance to homeless people and their pets by offering them vaccines and food. Additionally, we would try to rescue animals and take them to a veterinary center where they could find a home. Nothing out of the ordinary so far, so it seemed strange to me that they needed so many extra hands. However, my doubts quickly faded. Instead of waiting for people to approach the van for help, we would be the ones carrying the supplies directly to them. In short, we¡¯d be walking through several streets, hauling supplies, delivering them, then returning to the van to repeat the cycle. It was an impractical strategy. The justification they gave us for this excessive waste of energy was that, besides handing out aid kits, we would also be providing ¡°human warmth.¡± I admit I¡¯m not the most charitable person, but this, without a doubt, seemed like utter nonsense. The organizer¡¯s explanation was long, filled with arguments that were supposed to justify the decision, but judging by the expressions of some people nearby, it was clear I wasn¡¯t the only one who thought it was absurd. After the speech, we split into small groups. My partner, with his sociable personality, made up for my obvious lack of enthusiasm. To be honest, I wasn¡¯t the only one eager to finish quickly, and perhaps that¡¯s why the supplies ran out in record time¡ªjust like our energy. It¡¯s not that I disliked helping others or street animals; in fact, there was something satisfying in knowing that, even if little or nothing changed in the grand scheme of things, at least some people and their pets would go to sleep with a full stomach that night. I also hoped the rescued animals would find a good home. However, that didn¡¯t erase the exhaustion accumulated after walking for four hours under the relentless heat. When everything was finally over, the only thing I wanted was to go home, take a shower, and let my poor bones rest. Sure, I could have adopted one of those little animals, but the scar of having buried my first pet when it was just a puppy still lingers in my heart. It was an event that irrevocably shaped my childhood, and even now, the fear of experiencing such a loss again keeps me from having another pet. ¡ªHow do you feel? It was fun, wasn¡¯t it? There was no need to be a mind reader to know who had interrupted my thoughts. After all, I only knew one person in this group. ¡ªI can¡¯t agree with that statement. I think you and I have very different definitions of the word ¡®fun.¡¯ ¡ªYou¡¯ll get used to it over time ¡ªCarolina replied with that ever-present smile, one that didn¡¯t seem to fade even though she was just as exhausted as the rest of us. Once again, it was a statement I couldn¡¯t agree with. I mean, this probably wouldn¡¯t be the last time I participated in an activity like this, but I had no intention of making it a routine either. Unaware of my thoughts, Carolina sat beside me under the shade of one of the few trees in the park. She gently rested her head on my shoulder, and her body heat seeped through the fabric of my shirt, raising my temperature. When she spoke, her voice took on a soft, almost melancholic tone, as if the topic was particularly delicate. ¡ªDid you talk to your mother? A sudden change of subject, but I nodded, recalling the conversation I¡¯d had with that woman. ¡ªYes, I talked to her. ¡ªAnd what happened? ¡ªNothing in particular ¡ªI replied, trying to summarize that long conversation ¡ªI don¡¯t hold any resentment toward her. I suppose, at the time, she had her reasons for doing what she did, and that¡¯s fine. But I think it¡¯s a little too late for her to try to take on the role of a mother. I already buried my mother. My words hung in the air as I remembered the woman who had raised me. Even though she wasn¡¯t my biological mother, she gave me all the love I needed to grow up happy. As for my father¡­ well, I have no idea who he is; I never met him either. At first, I actually thought she was the mother of one of my parents. The age gap between us was 62 years, which fueled my suspicions. Besides, kids can be cruel, and I remember my childhood friends constantly asking me about my parents. That curiosity only fed my doubts, but despite my young age, something inside me told me not to ask¡ªso I didn¡¯t. When I was fifteen, my mother, on her own initiative, decided to confess that we had no blood ties. It was a shocking revelation, as well as a hard blow to my emotions. One day, when she opened her door, she found me there¡ªeither asleep or unconscious, malnourished, sick, wrapped in a blanket. She had no idea who my real parents were either. At first, she tried to find them, but after turning up nothing, she gave up and decided to take me in as her son. Learning that she wasn¡¯t my biological mother or that I had been abandoned wasn¡¯t all that surprising, but I did suffer an emotional slump upon realizing we shared no blood connection. At the time, I was a naive teenager, and knowing that the only person I cherished¡ªmy only family¡ªwasn¡¯t actually related to me shattered me. I spent several days drowning in that sense of loss. However, eventually, I realized it didn¡¯t matter. It was an obvious conclusion, but back then, it took me time to accept it. Instead of weakening, our mother-son bond grew even stronger. From that moment on, I started to deeply appreciate that woman who, without any obligation, had given me so much love. Two years after that confession, she passed away, and I was left completely alone. I never knew if she had children, siblings, or any other relatives. The few times I asked about it, she always dodged the question, so I stopped insisting¡ªI didn¡¯t want to make her uncomfortable with what might have been a sensitive topic. In any case, when the time came for her funeral, no one showed up. Only a couple of neighbors attended, more out of obligation than anything else. I was the only one truly there for her. My emotions were in chaos; I didn¡¯t know how to react or what to do. My entire world revolved around her, and I had never even considered the possibility that she might die. That was the only time I ever missed the woman I never knew¡ªmy biological mother. My mom had left me enough money to live comfortably for a couple of years without doing anything, so finances weren¡¯t a concern. But at that moment, what I really needed was emotional support. I wanted to belong somewhere again. I didn¡¯t want to be alone. In the end, I managed to pull myself out of that spiral of uncertainty and sorrow thanks to my mother¡¯s teachings. She had given me the tools to face life. Even so, I wish I had had someone to share the weight of loneliness with. But life is strange, and two weeks ago, Vera appeared along with her daughter, Mila. She introduced herself as my mother, as if a simple apology and an empty desire to "make up for lost time" could erase my entire past. ¡ªAre you okay? I don¡¯t know what expression I had at that moment, but Carolina must have read something in my face because, after a brief silence, she pulled me into a warm hug. ¡ªYeah, I¡¯m fine ¡ªI replied after taking a moment to breathe and organize my thoughts ¡ªI just don¡¯t understand why she¡¯s reaching out now when her lack of interest is so obvious. Does she not care about what I feel? Maybe my perception is clouded by my emotions, but that¡¯s the impression this woman gives me¡ªlike she¡¯s doing something she doesn¡¯t really want to do. ¡ªAnd what does your sister think? Young Mila¡­ I think she might be the real reason Vera decided to reach out to me. She was the most enthusiastic one in that awkward restaurant. ¡ªI think her desire for us to be a family is genuine, but I find it hard to just accept it. She called me yesterday and said she¡¯s organizing a dinner at her house tomorrow so we can talk more calmly. I had already thought about it, and I came to a conclusion¡ªthis is what makes me uncomfortable: they seem to be telling me, "now we¡¯re here, let¡¯s be a happy family." It¡¯s as if they¡¯re denying my past, as if they¡¯re erasing the woman who raised me. And that¡­ that makes me angry. ¡ªI think you should go. I don¡¯t want to seem like I¡¯m trying to meddle in your life or make decisions for you, but maybe you could give them a chance. At least your sister¡ªshe¡¯s not responsible for the choices Vera made in the past. Especially if she¡¯s trying so hard, don¡¯t you think? I had said I didn¡¯t care, but it was impossible not to feel affected whenever the subject came up. The truth is, I don¡¯t feel any empathy or affection for these women¡ªonly irritation. In fact, they could disappear, and I wouldn¡¯t feel a thing. ¡ªI guess so ¡ªI finally replied, though my tone was more resigned than convincing. Carolina watched me with evident concern, so I decided to change the subject before she got caught up in something I was trying to downplay. ¡ªBut tell me, how do you do this so often and still have so much energy? She¡¯s someone who quickly picks up on people¡¯s moods, and this time was no exception. Her affectionate, melancholic expression shifted into something playful and mischievous before she responded with her usual teasing tone: ¡ªHuhuhu, you get used to it over time. I already told you. The... Dream? It was almost 5 PM when I returned home. The group had organized a meal as a thank-you to everyone who had helped, but I still had one last commitment to fulfill. I apologized to them and headed back home¡ªI wanted to wash off the dirt, and despite all the effort I had put in and the fact that I had only eaten breakfast, I still didn¡¯t feel hungry. After a refreshing shower and changing into something slightly more formal than what I had worn that morning, I was ready to head out. I grabbed my helmet, my keys, and once again stepped out of the safety of my home. Still annoyed by the previous disappointment, I ignored the elevator and went straight for the stairs. All my material possessions boiled down to this apartment, which I bought after realizing my mother¡¯s house felt too big for just me, and a Triumph Scrambler I had acquired a few years ago. She was my adventure companion, the one responsible for carrying me through the bustling streets of the city. ??? After twenty minutes stuck in traffic¡ªthanks to my brilliant decision to take one of the busiest streets in the city¡ªI finally arrived at Mr. Charles¡¯ office, the psychologist I had been seeing for the past few days. ¡ªGood afternoon. ¡ªGood afternoon, Mr. Patelsson. The doctor is already waiting for you. You can go in whenever you¡¯re ready. As I stepped into the small office, a young woman dressed elegantly greeted me with her usual receptionist¡¯s smile. It seemed to be a family business since she was Mr. Charles¡¯ granddaughter and was also following in his footsteps in psychology. I wondered¡ªwhen her grandfather retired, would she inherit his clients? ¡ªWould you like something to drink? ¡ªWith this weather, I¡¯d appreciate something ice-cold, please. I walked down the now-familiar hallway, letting my mind unwind a little¡ªa necessary preparation for the mental massage I was about to receive. *Knock, knock* ¡ªCome in ¡ªa rough, weary voice responded, urging me inside. ¡ªMr. Charles, as energetic as ever ¡ªI greeted him as I opened the door. An elderly man with a kind face and a thick beard welcomed me with a knowing smile. ¡ªAnd you, as punctual as always, Mr. Patelsson ¡ªthe old man replied, glancing at the clock. I had to admit, I had only been on time for my first session. After that, I was always a few minutes late¡ªnot something I was particularly proud of, but not something that embarrassed me either. It wasn¡¯t exactly a habit of mine. ¡ªWith what you¡¯re charging me, Mr. Charles, it¡¯d be foolish to show up late. ¡ªHahaha, just the fair price, just the fair price ¡ªthe old man laughed, his smile making it clear he wasn¡¯t the least bit ashamed of his high rates ¡ªTake a seat. Did they offer you something to drink? ¡ªYes. If I had to describe Mr. Charles in one sentence, I¡¯d say he was the kind of grandfather you¡¯d love to spend your weekends with. We continued chatting idly, exchanging jokes, until, a little while later, my drink arrived¡ªa delicious lemonade with ice cubes. Only once the young woman had left and he was sure no one would disturb us did he adopt his professional demeanor. ¡ªWell, tell me, how have you been feeling? ¡ªHonestly? Fine. I admit that the sudden appearance of my so-called mother threw me off a little, but I don¡¯t feel like the impact has been too significant. ¡ªHave you been doing the exercises I recommended? ¡ªYes, and I do feel mentally refreshed, but there hasn¡¯t been any change regarding the issue at hand. ¡ªAre you still having the same dream? ¡ªYes, with a few small variations, but overall, it¡¯s the same. About three months ago, I started dreaming of the same ruined city¡ªa vast, lifeless place, save for nature reclaiming its space¡­ The first time, I dismissed it as a random event. It was fun, even relaxing. The beautiful landscape, the peaceful atmosphere, the sensation of being in full control of my body¡ªit all felt so real that I let myself wander like an explorer. It was like having a second life, as if I had stepped into a parallel world. Sure, everything was just rubble and overgrown vegetation, but that didn¡¯t stop my mind from reconstructing images of the city in its prime. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. I remember waking up with vivid memories of that place, convinced it would never happen again. I mean, what were the chances of experiencing the same dream twice? Contrary to my expectations, it did happen again, and I was thrilled¡ªlike a child unwrapping Christmas presents. I was sure it wouldn¡¯t repeat, and yet, there I was, once again walking through the ruins of my dreams. That second night wasn¡¯t enough to explore everything, but I was satisfied¡ªI had been lucky enough to experience the same lucid dream twice. But it didn¡¯t stop there. There was a third time, a fourth, and so on. It was strange, but it didn¡¯t interfere with my daily life. Despite the dream¡¯s emptiness, I never woke up feeling mentally drained. In fact, quite the opposite¡ªmy mind and body felt lighter than ever. Since the dream kept repeating, it allowed me to explore the place more thoroughly at my own pace. However, every time I tried to leave the city, the view that greeted me wasn¡¯t the open fields visible through the gate in the walls but rather the ceiling of my apartment. It was like those dreams where you wake up upon dying, falling into an abyss, or walking through a door. So, in a way, it didn¡¯t seem that strange. Since leaving the place was out of the question, I decided to dedicate my dreams to exploring the city in more detail. After all, the fields outside were probably just covered in grass¡ªor at least, that¡¯s what I told myself to suppress my curiosity. I¡¯m no "dreamologist", but you don¡¯t need to be an expert to know that having the same lucid dream night after night isn¡¯t normal. On top of that, every time I "woke up" inside the dream, it was always in the same spot, like a respawn point in a video game. Anything I had moved in the previous dream, even a single leaf, would return to its original position. I took pride in the fact that my brain could process such an elaborate amount of detail, crafting a dream so vivid. And while I knew it wasn¡¯t normal, I didn¡¯t really care. It felt like my backyard, my personal zen garden where I could relax, forget about the real world, and even let my inner child run free, exploring the ruins. The dream world is an uncharted place, so I was excited to learn more about this dream and its mysteries. After all, how many people could say they had experienced something like this? My thoughts on the matter weren¡¯t exactly mature, but in my defense, it was just a dream. Nothing I did there could actually affect me. And as the nights passed, my decision to conduct a more detailed search yielded intriguing results. The first signs of intelligent beings appeared in the form of fossilized tools. At first glance, I thought they were just fossilized branches. However, upon closer inspection, I noticed traces of craftsmanship, evidence that they had been constructed rather than naturally formed. Of course, it could have just been my mind grasping for some kind of mystery. And since I couldn¡¯t determine their true nature, I eventually dismissed them¡ªpatience has never been one of my virtues. Doubts arose when I examined the rubble of a building that could have once been a library or a medical center. Beneath the foliage, buried among the roots of the trees, I found a perfectly preserved book. Its beautifully embossed cover had prevented any dirt from seeping inside, keeping its pages in pristine condition. It was as if the passage of time that had consumed the city had completely ignored it. Unfortunately, the text inside was written in a language I didn¡¯t recognize. I memorized a few lines, but no matter how much I searched for those symbols or letters online, I found no clues. In the end, I understood that I wouldn¡¯t get any answers. I mean, if it was a language created by my dreams, there was no way to decipher what the paragraphs in that book said. Another thing I noticed was that, despite the lush vegetation and its abundant fruit, there wasn¡¯t a single animal or insect in sight. A water channel ran through the city, stretching from the wall to the center. However, despite the fact that the water didn¡¯t flow, it was so crystal clear that I could see the sapphire-blue stones resting at the bottom. Just another detail I had no explanation for¡ªso I simply tossed all these oddities into the same bag, under the argument that ''this is just a dream''. "Is my imagination so lacking that I can''t even conjure up a single miserable mosquito?" I knew that if I truly wanted to find something, I would have to search the one building that, despite losing the luster of its former glory, still stood tall. After what felt like nights¡ªor days¡ªof exhaustive searching, and perhaps with more luck than actual skill, I finally found the elusive clue I had been looking for: a hidden door deep within the castle, so well concealed among the rubble and vines that I had nearly overlooked it. At first glance, the passage seemed to descend into the earth. The place might as well have had a massive sign reading "Secrets hidden here!" in bold red letters. If the city¡¯s former inhabitants had wanted to preserve something they couldn¡¯t take with them, they would have stored it in the safest possible place. And there was no place safer than the vault, where royalty zealously guarded their treasures. With a smile on my face and my expectations sky-high, I plunged into the darkness of the passage. I was ready for an adventure, just like in those movies where traps are triggered as you near the treasure. I was already preparing to run the moment a giant boulder appeared; however, none of that happened. It was disappointing. If this were a game, I would have already left a terrible review highlighting the lack of imagination from its creators. So far, the only real thrill I had in the passage was when a small rock fell on my head. I guess that was my own critique for the lack of creativity in my own brain. But the inside of the cave was an entirely different experience. The roots of the trees had created holes in the ceiling, allowing some rays of light to penetrate, illuminating the vault. These beams of light allowed me to clearly see the considerable amount of wealth piled up, forming a small mountain. ¡®Damn!¡¯ For a moment, I thought I had hit the jackpot. In that brief instant, my mind already imagined what I would do with the riches, but I quickly shook off those thoughts when I realized I was still in the dream. And, even though no one was watching, I felt pretty stupid. In my defense, everything felt so real that it would be easy to confuse reality with a dream. In fact, I admit there have been moments when I¡¯ve questioned that myself. Is this really just a dream? The... Dream? (2) Standing at the entrance of the chamber, I took a moment to shake off my initial stupor and let my eyes wander across the vault, taking in the general layout. Aside from the gold and precious stones, the only other thing that stood out was a somewhat larger pile of dark red, almost purplish rocks. Honestly, I felt disappointed. I had hoped to find some remnants of culture, a glimpse of history that could tell me more about this place. It¡¯s moments like these that remind me that all of this is happening inside my mind. I shook my head, trying to dispel my disillusionment, and stepped into the room, deliberately ignoring the pile that gleamed under the beams of light with a hint of irritation. I only halted my frustration¡ªand my steps¡ªwhen I finally stood before my true objective, with the faint but persistent feeling that I had stumbled upon something significant. While it certainly wasn¡¯t as flashy as mundane riches, these steroid-infused cherries had to be valuable; after all, they were stored inside the vault. Maybe it was just my own speculation, but I strongly believed it to be true. I mean, there was no way someone would store a bunch of rocks *just because*, right? As my bad habit of overthinking tried to take over, my eyes caught sight of a rock that stood out from the rest. At the very top, partially buried, was a stone that stuck out like a sore thumb. Its shape and color were different, and the way it was concealed gave the impression that someone had hastily tried to hide it. I¡¯m no exceptional detective, but that rock¡ªjust like the passageway¡ªmight as well have had a giant neon sign screaming "MYSTERY". Despite my growing thirst for answers, I took a moment to acknowledge that climbing that small hill didn¡¯t seem all that safe. Sure, none of this was real, but getting buried under a pile of rocks¡ªeven in a dream¡ªwasn¡¯t exactly on my to-do list. I was also worried about damaging or breaking the object of my curiosity, so collapsing the mound was out of the question. A crane would¡¯ve been really useful right about now. That would¡¯ve made my life much easier. Unfortunately, my dream seemed to be running on a preset template that I had no power to modify. It wasn¡¯t for lack of trying¡ªI had attempted to introduce modern objects into the dream before, but every attempt had ended in failure. That¡¯s why, after careful consideration, and despite the risks, climbing seemed like the most viable option. I mean, worst case scenario? I wake up. What I feared didn¡¯t happen. There were plenty of moments during the climb when I felt like I would lose my footing at any second, but, much like a turtle stubbornly pushing forward, I eventually reached the top. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like I had just run a marathon¡­ or had sex. The silence in the chamber made every single heartbeat echo inside my chest. **thud thud thud** The rhythmic sound of loose rocks tumbling to the ground reverberated through the cave, gradually easing my racing heart. Slowly, I began clearing away what strongly resembled a nest, revealing more and more of the oval-shaped rock beneath. Contrary to my initial assumption, it wasn¡¯t a rock. Small, broad daggers of jet-black color, stacked like a cascading formation, acted as scales that reflected the light, indicating that it was some sort of metal. Additionally, it was much larger than it had seemed from the ground¡ªabout 40 cm tall by 30 cm wide. Its shape resembled that of an egg, though if it was indeed an egg, I highly doubted it was natural. I didn¡¯t even want to imagine the pain any creature would endure laying something like that, so I could only assume it was artificial. It was hard not to admire the craftsmanship that must have gone into its creation, as its outer shell looked like solid steel armor. Whether handcrafted or natural, it didn¡¯t matter¡ªthe object was simply magnificent. ''Shit!'' I was so absorbed in this new discovery that I completely forgot how dangerous its surface seemed. And in a moment of either innocence or stupidity, I attempted to touch it. It was just a brief touch, but it was enough to almost slice my hand in half. I felt no pain, but watching my blood flow like a tiny fountain sent me into a panic. By reflex, I tried to pull my hand away, but something stopped me. No part of my body would obey me, and no matter how much I tried, I couldn¡¯t move an inch. Blood seeped from the wound, spilling onto the object and staining it red. For a moment, panic took over¡ªI could see the blood leaving the wound, as if some force were sucking it straight out of my body. This damned dream felt so real that, for a second, I truly believed I was going to die. Despite not feeling any pain, seeing the blood flow and hearing my heart pounding wildly was enough to make me forget this was all happening in my head. *Crack!* The sound of something breaking echoed through the silent chamber, like a lifeline pulling me out of my downward spiral. Instinctively, I turned toward the source of the sound and saw the "egg" trembling, swaying like a building caught in an earthquake. Its scales began to fall away one by one, like a row of toppling dominoes, producing a tinkling sound reminiscent of a string of tiny bells rustled by the wind. The unexpected spectacle seized my full attention, and my mind suddenly decided that bleeding out was no longer a priority. Beneath the hardened scales, a pale, ivory-colored shell appeared, riddled with cracks. The creature inside the egg gave one final push¡ªa decisive blow that shattered the fragile casing. The event was so sudden that it caught me off guard. I instinctively stepped back, unsteady, nearly losing my balance as loose rocks slid dangerously beneath my feet. ???? That day, I discovered four things. First, I have cat-like reflexes, and thanks to them, I avoided what could have been a fatal fall. Second, it doesn¡¯t matter what kind of injury I sustain in the dream¡ªit will heal as if by magic. Third, the egg belonged to some kind of reptilian creature. That was the day I met the one I would later name "Kairon". And fourth, dying doesn¡¯t hurt¡­ at least, not in the dream. I figured that out only after I recklessly tried to pet the lizard. I must admit, my approach was anything but subtle¡ªmore like a deranged stranger rushing toward you in a dark, deserted alley. So, I suppose the newly hatched creature had every reason to tear me apart with its claws and teeth. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. It certainly wasn¡¯t painful, but it wasn¡¯t a pleasant experience either. Fortunately¡ªor strangely¡ªthe egg, like everything else, reset to its original state every time I woke up. That allowed me to test different approaches to getting closer to it. It became a process of trial and error until I figured out how to do it without the lizard reacting so aggressively. They say the hardest answers to find are sometimes the most obvious. I learned that firsthand, as it took multiple deaths before I realized all I needed to do was be subtle. My excitement over finding another living being had blinded me to that simple fact. This was also the point where I started questioning my sanity. I don¡¯t know whether it was the repeated deaths or the fact that, until then, everything around me had been lifeless objects, but Kairon¡¯s presence changed that. I don¡¯t know how the dream world works, but I do know my own mind. What was happening to me in my sleep wasn¡¯t normal, and it was time to face it. Seeking professional help was the most reasonable thing to do. Since I didn¡¯t know any oneirologists, I opted for the next best thing: a psychologist. Deep down, I firmly believed it was the right decision. I was convinced that, after so many years since my mother¡¯s death, it was finally affecting me, and that this dream was a fantasy created by my subconscious to escape the loneliness I felt every day. I was reluctant to share this kind of fantasy with a stranger¡ªI mean, a medieval city with a solitary mystical lizard as its only inhabitant isn¡¯t exactly the most mature thing¡ªbut my mental health was more important than my embarrassment. I was terrified of starting to confuse the dream with reality and, in the future, running naked through the streets while screaming that the world was about to end in a lizard invasion. I have nothing against people who predict the end of the world in dramatic and colorful ways, but it¡¯s not like I ever told my mother as a child, ¡°Mom, when I grow up, I want to be a doomsday prophet.¡± It was only after searching for someone with enough experience to have heard stories as absurd as mine that I found Mr. Charles. I thought therapy might put an end to my ridiculous fantasies, but it didn¡¯t. Everything remained the same, and in the meantime, I allowed myself to delve deeper into them¡ªto the point where I started wondering if maybe my ancestors were trying to teach me about my roots or perhaps even giving me clues about where they had hidden their treasures. It would be an insult to their efforts from beyond the grave if I didn¡¯t at least try to find out. During this time, I discovered that my sense of taste followed me into the dream. Despite the abundance of fruit in that place, it had never occurred to me to eat it, so realizing this was a huge surprise¡ªone that only raised more questions. I couldn¡¯t feel pain or smell, but touch and taste were present¡­ it was strange. Amazed by this new discovery, I decided to try the five types of fruit I had found, hoping to experience some unknown, exotic flavor. That curiosity led me to yet another revelation¡ªone that was far less pleasant. Only two of the five fruit species were edible, and I had to suffer to gain that knowledge. It was unfortunate, but such is the price we explorers and scientists must pay to uncover the unknown. Learning through experience¡ªeven when the price is suffering¡ªis simply part of the journey. Of the remaining three, two¡ªthough just as delicious as the edible ones¡ªturned out to be poisonous. I reached this conclusion after waking up immediately after consuming them; essentially, I had died in the dream. The last one was the most diabolical¡ªit was a powerful paralytic. I lay there, completely unable to move a single muscle, until the day in the dream ended and I was finally able to wake up. It was torture. The oxygen in my lungs ran dangerously low, and I could hear how my heart had slowed to a near-hibernation state, beating only just enough to keep me alive. And so, through experiments and small discoveries, more days have passed in this dream than I ever imagined. I can still tell reality from the dream¡ªor at least, I think I can¡ªbut I¡¯ve reached a point where I no longer know if everything is just a dream. There are moments, wrapped in such peace, when I wonder: ''Perhaps being trapped in this endless cycle that leads nowhere is my true reality. Maybe, to escape my own harsh truth, I invented that world where Mae exists''. That¡¯s exactly what I think about the ruins whenever I wake up. ¡ªDon¡¯t forget to do the exercises. Most importantly, when you feel your mind blending with that alter ego, take a break and reclaim Mae¡¯s will. Both Mr. Charles and I knew these sessions did little to actually solve the issue at hand. However, being able to talk to someone about all the absurd things that lived in my mind¡ªwithout being seen as an adult refusing to grow up, or worse, being labeled insane and thrown into an asylum¡ªwas a relief. ¡ªI¡¯ll follow everything to the letter. Thanks for your time, Mr. Charles. See you next week. Every time I walked out of that office, I felt renewed, as if a massive weight had been lifted off my shoulders. It was a much-needed dose of reality to keep myself from getting lost in that limbo of thoughts. I was driving at a slow pace when the delicious aroma of freshly made food hit my nose. It was just past 6:30, and the only thing I had eaten that day was breakfast. I needed something quick and satisfying for dinner. My mind quickly shuffled through the various options the fast-food market had to offer, and the answer was clear: kebabs or burritos. Either one would be perfect to quell my hunger. ?? I arrived home exhausted and starving. I rushed up the stairs and headed straight to the shower to wash the fatigue away. Of course, not without first waiting a short while for my body temperature to drop¡ªa habit I had picked up from my mother, though I never truly understood its purpose. An entertaining show on TV was the perfect complement to dinner. I picked up my phone, which I had ignored since the morning, to check what had been happening in my small social circle. There wasn¡¯t much: some work-related things, dull conversations asking about my day, and a few bits of gossip. That was all the device had to offer. I wanted to ignore it and go straight to bed, but it was a hard-to-resist source of entertainment¡ªespecially the gossip. So, in the end, I replied to all the pending messages. It¡¯s no secret that phones are an absurd yet effective way to waste time. By the time I set mine aside, more than three hours had passed. It was time to give my bones a break¡ªthose martyrs that had endured twelve continuous hours of service. Before surrendering to Hypnos¡¯ sweet embrace, I forced myself out of bed to do a quick check of my home, making sure all doors and windows were properly locked. One can never be too cautious. I don¡¯t want to go to sleep and never wake up just because some intruder decided it was a good idea to grant me eternal rest¡­ or, even worse, wake up to find my apartment completely empty. The thought alone sends chills down my spine. The moment right before sleep is the strangest part of my day. My body and mind long to disconnect, to stop thinking and rest until the next morning. Yet, I know that when I open my eyes, it won¡¯t be here¡ªI¡¯ll wake up in the dream. That simple thought¡ªwill I truly wake up, or will it just be another layer of the dream?¡ªsends my mind spiraling into a loop of confusing thoughts. I¡¯ve tried multiple times to bring objects from reality into the dream. If my mind is the one programming everything that happens there, what¡¯s stopping me from taking whatever I want with me? Failure. That was the result. I tied red strings to objects, but the outcome was always the same¡ªthey never appeared in the dream. I also tried changing the ruined city for another setting, stimulating my imagination with movies and shows, like the one I was watching at that moment. But it was another failure. Not even a single miserable stone changed place. Though, in truth, I don¡¯t really mind the ruined city. In fact, I¡¯ve grown fond of that quiet place. I don¡¯t know when these dreams will stop or if they ever will, but they¡¯ve become part of my life. Three months of dreaming the same thing¡ªit¡¯s hard not to get used to it. If there¡¯s one thing that bothers me, it¡¯s the lack of control. All of this happened out of nowhere, and I can¡¯t do anything to change it. It¡¯s a frustrating feeling. My thoughts¡­ Mae¡¯s thoughts¡­ faded away as drowsiness took hold of my mind, until they were replaced by the thoughts of the alter ego, who walked through the ruined city with a smile. Kairon The transition from reality to the dream is not as simple as merely closing and opening one¡¯s eyes. When young Mae succumbed to sleep, he was transported to a place both familiar and unknown. Beneath his feet, a valley shrouded in darkness stretched endlessly toward the horizon, while above him, the starry sky was replaced by a canvas of enormous gray waves. Blind, unaware, and stripped of his will, he wandered aimlessly, driven only by the desire not to be trapped there forever and by his trust in the waves in the sky, which swayed in rhythm with his slow steps, guiding him forward. As he advanced, the grays of the sky transformed into vibrant colors. But just when the landscape seemed to come to life, everything faded into a dull flash, and Mae¡¯s consciousness awakened¡ªsurrounded by ruins, untamed vegetation, and the towering wall that obstructed my view. A place that, over time, I had learned to love. The scenery before me, along with the fresh scent of nature filling my lungs, seemed to welcome me. A smile formed on my face as a serene calm and a flicker of gratitude overtook my mind, dispelling the lingering melancholy clinging to Mae¡¯s sleeping body on an orthopedic mattress. My thoughts drifted to the past, to those days when I returned home after playing with my friends, knowing that my mother would be waiting with a warm smile and a steaming plate of food. As those memories swirled in my head, my feet moved on their own, guiding me toward the castle. It was time to free my scaly friend from his oval prison. Since the day I found him, the first thing I do upon arriving is help Kairon hatch. That way, I get to spend more time with him¡ªand, in doing so, ensure I am not alone. The last living being of a species deemed extinct¡­ That¡¯s how I felt when my mother died. It was as if my pack had abandoned me in a world full of predators. I completely lost the ability to form new family bonds¡ªuntil Kairon appeared. I tried many times to be part of something. I longed for it deeply, but all my attempts ended in failure. However, every time I see Kairon break through his shell, his small eyes brimming with fierceness, curiosity, and innocence, that emotion I thought was lost returns to me. Something about his presence dissolves the solitude that had taken root inside me. It¡¯s as if, at last, the chance to heal and believe in family bonds again was waiting for me. That is precisely why I am in no rush to escape this lucid dream. Even if it isn¡¯t real, something about this place gives me hope¡ªthat maybe, just maybe, I can be normal like everyone else¡­ and I¡¯m holding onto that. My eyes settled on four towers, each at least twenty meters tall, standing guard over the central structure with an air reminiscent of the Vaux-le-Vicomte palace. Atop the dome of the main building rose a fifth tower¡ªthe tallest of them all. Inside, though time and nature had erased much of its ornamentation, traces of its former grandeur still remained. I entered the place, ignoring any distractions, and headed straight for the vault, where my roommate awaited me. I climbed the small hill with the ease that comes from experience and, after clearing the nest, placed my hand on the egg¡¯s scales. They sliced through my skin and flesh as if they were butter. Blood welled up immediately, and with a quick motion, I flicked my arm to spread the liquid across the shell. After waking him so many times, I had come to the conclusion that while my blood was the catalyst for his hatching, it did not require an excessive amount like it had the first time. In fact, just a few well-distributed drops across the shell were enough to do the job. At first, I believed that by waking the young lizard with my blood, a bond would form between us¡ªsomething that would influence his emotions and prevent him from seeing me as a threat. That belief was the reason I died multiple times attempting to approach him recklessly. Now I understand that there is no "dream contract" preventing him from attacking me. My blood is nothing more than a simple alarm clock. In fact, it¡¯s worse than that¡ªI¡¯m basically throwing cold water on him to wake him up. He might take it as a joke or he might wake up with the urge to kill whoever dared to interrupt his rest so abruptly. It all depends on his mood. Once the awakening process begins, a mysterious force paralyzes me, rendering me unable to move a single muscle. All I can do is wait until my ears catch the tinkling sound of scales shedding from the shell. That sound is my signal¡ªit means I can move again¡­ and that it¡¯s time to step back if I don¡¯t want to end up as minced meat. ¡ªGrah? Even while hidden behind the gold and gemstones, I could feel the newborn¡¯s gaze settle upon me. I had discovered that the best way to avoid a sudden attack was to provoke his curiosity. If I remained hidden, he would assume I was a predator lying in wait. But if I revealed myself, I would pique his interest. So I slowly stepped out of my hiding spot, ensuring he could see me fully. Keeping my arms relaxed at my sides, I raised my face until our eyes met. The newly hatched creature possessed a presence difficult to describe. Just by being there, motionless, his deep navy-blue eyes, rimmed with amber irises, pierced through me with an intensity that made the stillness of the ruins feel even heavier. The faint echo of his tiny claws scraping against the rocks reverberated through the cave, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. His gaze, full of curiosity, gleamed with a mischievous glint and a wild spark. Predator and prey¡ªour roles had been defined the moment he hatched. The lizard stood tall and proud, his turquoise scales flecked with golden specks that seemed to capture and reflect every sliver of light, as if tiny fragments of the sun had been embedded in his skin. The crests and horns adorning his head were not yet sharp or intimidating; rather, they gave him an air of childlike royalty, like a natural crown still in the process of forming. His wings, small in proportion to his body, unfurled instinctively, revealing a translucent amber membrane that quivered slightly with each movement. Despite the tension of the moment, I knew he wouldn¡¯t strike first. He was simply waiting for me to make a mistake, for one careless movement that would let him pounce on me like a famished lion. Slowly, I began to back away from the cave without breaking eye contact. It was the only method I had discovered that made his curiosity outweigh his desire to bite me. ¡ªKrrr. My movements didn¡¯t go unnoticed, and in an instant, the tension spiked. But I still had my ace in the hole. Before he had time to react, I swiftly pulled out a fruit I had picked on my way to the castle and tossed it into the air, redirecting his attention toward it. ¡ªEat up, my friend, it¡¯s your favorite poisonous fruit. He had just hatched, and I knew he was starving. To his eyes, I was nothing more than an annoying, walking breakfast¡ªand I couldn¡¯t blame him. Just like him, I also turn into a beast when my stomach is empty. The purpose of the fruit, besides distracting him, was to stoke his hunger. As the young lizard sniffed at the fruit, I picked up my pace, managing to escape the vault unharmed. Even though I could no longer see him, I didn¡¯t stop backing away. I had to get out of the castle before Kairon left the vault; I needed him to fill his belly with the fruit and forget about me¡ªat least for a while. Once he stuffed himself with those poisonous fruits¡ªwhich, oddly enough, didn¡¯t affect him the way they would me¡ªhis curiosity would take over, pushing me off his list of potential prey and setting the perfect stage for deepening our bond. In short, I was in danger of dying until he considered me part of his pack. I wouldn¡¯t take this kind of risk if this weren¡¯t a dream. Luckily, it "was"¡ªotherwise, I¡¯d already be dead and reincarnated as a roasted chicken. I put enough distance between myself and the castle, searching for a place to lie down and steady my nerves. I couldn¡¯t sleep, but I wanted to close my eyes and bask in the peace. I had done everything I could; now, all I could do was wait. As I hummed the lyrics of a song whose name I couldn¡¯t remember, I heard the rustling of tree leaves. Given that there was no wind here, it could only mean one thing¡ªthe young Kairon was approaching. I no longer feared for my life, but I knew we weren¡¯t quite close enough to be called friends yet. One more step remained. So, I clenched my teeth and tensed my muscles, bracing myself for what was to come. In the silence of nature, I could hear his footsteps circling around me. After a moment, as if deciding I was too weak to be a threat, he simply lay down a short distance away, letting his full belly rest. I opened my eyes when his breathing became steady, thinking that, for once, this might be one of those rare occasions where I wouldn¡¯t have to endure pain before being accepted. *Swish¡ªCrack!* A sharp pain shot up from my leg, spreading through my entire body, followed by the sound of a whip cutting through the air. ¡ªUhhg Damn it! Was that really necessary? Breaking my leg with a single whip of his tail would¡¯ve been easy for him. But he didn¡¯t. Even though the pain was so intense that standing was nearly impossible, it was also a sign¡ªI had been accepted as part of his group. The purpose of the strike wasn¡¯t to injure me, but to establish the hierarchy. ¡ªCouldn¡¯t you be a little gentler? Unlike you, I don¡¯t have scales to protect me, you know? *Swish¡ªCrack!* Like an annoyed parent punishing a child for talking back, another strike landed on my leg, making me wish I could wake up from this dream¡­ but I knew that wasn¡¯t going to happen. ¡ªGrahh! ¡ªYou little¡­! Don¡¯t push it. Don¡¯t make me angry. You better stop now while I still care that you¡¯re an infant. I forced myself to stand despite the weakness in my legs, trying to look intimidating. I had no chance of winning; all I could do was take the hits. However, if I gave up without resistance, he wouldn¡¯t see me as part of the group¡ªhe¡¯d see me as something closer to a servant. I had already been through that. I had to show him that, even though I was weaker, I wouldn¡¯t tolerate abuse. ¡ªGrahh! ¡ªbut Kairon wasn¡¯t one to back down easily. In the end, I had to endure six strikes before my protest was acknowledged. When our little argument was finally settled and his leadership was firmly established, he flapped his tiny wings, lifting off the ground and landing on my shoulders¡ªcompletely unconcerned that my legs were still trembling from the pain. ¡ªDon¡¯t get too cocky, scaly friend. You¡¯re such a brave leader, yet you don¡¯t even have a name. Naming him was part of my strategy to form a stronger bond, something I had learned back when I was treated as a slave. At that time, giving him the name "Kairon" had shifted my status in our duo from a mere servant to a companion. But since I was already starting as a companion this time, I had the chance to use the "name card" to earn his consideration and become a close friend. Perched on my shoulders, I felt his claws tense, a clear sign of his disappointment. It made me wonder how he even understood what a name was, but since we couldn¡¯t communicate, asking was impossible. ¡ªKairon¡­ That will be your name. What do you think? I seized the opportunity and offered him the name I had called him by in so many dreams, thus sealing our friendship¡ªwhile thinking it would be great if the "Mae" in the real world could form close relationships this easily. ¡ªGrah? ¡ªOf course, it¡¯s a great name. Unique. Worthy of a being as powerful as you. Believe me, coming from someone who has seen more powerful creatures than you can imagine. ¡ªGrah-grah! ¡ªPleased with my answer, he climbed up to my head, proud, while urging me to walk. I had tried to get Kairon to leave the city, but he refused to do so unless I went with him, which wasn¡¯t an option. So, we could only repeat the same routine: walking, eating fruit, and resting. However, thanks to his presence, the strolls were much livelier, and my laughter, mixed with his growls, filled the silent ruins, bringing back a sliver of the life they had lost. A Beginning That Almost Became the End Darkness slowly descended, like the dimming of a screen, wrapping the day in its dense mantle. In this place, in this dream where everything seemed magical no matter where I looked, resting atop the roof of the central tower while my eyes wandered across the distant yet near grasslands was one of my favorite things. Something I could never get enough of. The young Kairon lay peacefully beside me, enjoying the gentle scratches along his scales. I had demanded too much from his body for his first day of life, so it was only natural for him to be exhausted, his only concern at this moment being to breathe. Despite my curiosity, I have never managed to see the night in this place. It¡¯s strange, but my consciousness only lasts until dusk, the moment when sleep and heaviness ambush me like a mortal enemy. I have tried to resist, but my mind always succumbs to the anesthesia of darkness, leaving me with the unanswered mystery of what secrets the night holds in this world. In an instant, the view of the grasslands and the green of nature faded into darkness. I felt the softness and comfort of my mattress and slowly opened my eyes to welcome a new day. A deep yawn and a natural stretch woke my muscles, and with each breath, my mind began to clear, preparing itself to face the hours ahead. The clock on my phone read 8:25. Many would say it was still too early to wake up; others, like my mother, would insist I had already wasted a good part of the day. As for me, I didn¡¯t have the luxury of choosing when to open my eyes. I mean, if I decided to laze around in bed and accidentally fell back asleep, I¡¯d end up traveling once again to the dream world. Waking up wasn¡¯t the problem; sure, dying was unpleasant, but it would be as simple as eating a poisonous fruit. The real issue was that time in the dream didn¡¯t follow the same rhythm as in reality. Whether a minute or a day passed there, it could translate to several hours, a single hour, a few minutes, or merely a couple of seconds in the real world. It was completely random, and time was not something I liked to waste so absurdly. Shaking off my frustration over not having full control of myself, I got out of bed to start the day with a refreshing shower. ??? Trade inspector¡ªthat''s my job title. Now, I can confidently say that I¡¯m fully prepared for the role, but when I first entered the workforce with only a technical education under my belt, I wasn¡¯t. It was thanks to Mr. Braun who, despite my lack of experience, gave me the opportunity to join his inspection company¡ªa firm contracted by the city council to oversee businesses throughout the city. That¡¯s how I was able to gain experience and work my way up to the position I now hold. On paper, my job is simple: conduct inspections of commercial establishments to ensure compliance with current regulations, particularly concerning the legality of goods and adherence to quality standards. These visits are usually prompted by complaints, reports, or irregularities found in business records. With the experience I had gained, I could carry out most of my duties with ease. However, some¡ª or to be exact, nearly all¡ª inspections tended to become uncomfortable. Shop owners who had everything in order found it annoying to be treated like offenders, as it damaged their establishment¡¯s reputation, while those with something to hide obviously did not enjoy our visits. Aside from the displeased looks I was always greeted with, everything else went smoothly. After visiting the fourth business, I had completed half of my workday¡ªjust in time to escape the stifling heat and grab an ice-cold drink. *vrzzzzzt vrzzzzzt* The insistent ringing of a call I had been ignoring all day soured my peaceful moment of hydration. ¡ªHey, why haven¡¯t you answered me? ¡ªshe asked, every word thrown out carelessly, as if completely disregarding the presence of others. The speed at which she spoke and the way she forced each syllable made me feel a constant pressure in my ears. Maybe it was the sharp tone characteristic of a nineteen-year-old, maybe the speaker was distorting her voice, or maybe I simply disliked the person, but listening to her was somewhat grating. ¡ªI''ve been working ¡ªI replied curtly, trying not to be outright rude but hoping she¡¯d catch my irritation. ¡ªOh, sorry. Are you still busy, or can you talk now? ¡ªSigh I¡¯m taking a break¡­ but fine. What is it? The girl, seemingly oblivious to or simply ignoring my obvious displeasure, continued rambling: ¡ªYou¡¯re free by eight, right? Let me tell you, we¡¯re preparing everything ourselves, so it¡¯ll be made with lots of love¡ªespecially the dessert, you¡¯ll love it, I made it all by myself. Oh, and Mom says don¡¯t worry about bringing anything, just don¡¯t be late ¡ªshe paused briefly and lowered her voice as if sharing a great secret¡ª By the way, Mom is the one working the hardest to make everything perfect, but don¡¯t tell her I told you. ¡ªYeah, I¡¯ll go, don¡¯t worry ¡ªI cut her off bluntly. I mean, if I didn¡¯t, she wouldn¡¯t stop. I was aware that my attitude might not be the right one, but I just wanted them to stop trying to drag me into their false happiness. The few times I had met with the people who claimed to be my mother and sister, the conversation always revolved around forgiveness and building a family. They never showed any interest in my life, as if their only purpose was to satisfy themselves without caring about my peace of mind. And I just wanted to be left alone. ¡ªPerfect! Then we¡¯ll see you at eight, don¡¯t forget¡ªeight o¡¯clock, bye! ?thud thud? I finished my drink, which had lost its pleasant taste, and resumed my inspections, though they weren¡¯t as smooth as the earlier ones. Maybe my attitude had attracted bad luck, but one thing led to another, and by the time I finished the paperwork for the last business, I was already half an hour past my shift. Now, I had to attend that damned dinner, carrying the exhaustion and stress I had accumulated throughout the day. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. ¡ªYou look distracted. Are you okay? The words came too close to my ear, catching me off guard, as a pair of arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me out of my thoughts. There was only one person in the office with the habit of hugging me from behind, so I simply took her hand, accepting the gesture, while answering her question. ¡ªYeah, it was just a rough day. I¡¯m exhausted, and I still have to attend a dinner. ¡ªIs your meeting with your mo¡ª with Vera today? ¡ªYeah ¡ªI sighed internally and voiced my thoughts¡ª I would¡¯ve liked to turn down Mila¡¯s invitation, but to be honest, I didn¡¯t have a reasonable excuse. ¡ªDo you want me to go with you? ¡ªthe woman asked, tightening her embrace. ¡ªNo ¡ªI replied after thinking about it for a moment¡ª I don¡¯t want you to have an uncomfortable time because of me. ¡ªAlright, then I won¡¯t insist. But text me when you get home and tell me how it went, okay? It¡¯s nice to know you matter to someone, and it¡¯s unpleasant not being able to sincerely return their feelings, even though you want to. ¡ªI will ¡ªI answered, standing up from my chair and effectively ending her embrace. ¡ªI¡¯m not done yet, but I¡¯ll keep my phone close, so you¡¯d better not forget to text me. I know you ¡ªthe woman said, giving me an accusing look. ¡ªHow were you planning to come with me if you still have work to do? A tender kiss on the cheek and an innocent smile were her response. Carolina returned to her cubicle while I headed for the exit. I had to buy a gift to bring. Mila said not to worry about it, but my mother had taught me that kindness should be met with kindness. I drove slowly through the city, searching for the right present. To be honest, it was the first time I was attending an event like this, and I had no idea what would be appropriate to bring. I knew I should have asked someone, but now the decision was entirely up to me. So, I played it safe: the ever-versatile chocolates were my choice. I arrived home with two boxes of chocolates, my body utterly exhausted and starving. The delicious aroma wafting from food stalls had stirred my appetite, but I refrained from eating, intending to fill up at dinner. That way, I could focus more on the food than on the conversation and, in doing so, make them believe I was enjoying myself, even if I wasn¡¯t. Two birds with one stone. The safety of my home offered some peace of mind, but it wasn¡¯t enough. I still felt stressed, so I put on some music and let the melodies carry away my distress with their notes. Getting ready took less time than I would have liked. There were still over 40 minutes left until the meeting, and it would only take me 15 to 20 minutes to reach the address Mila had sent, even if traffic was slow. I was hungry, but I didn¡¯t want to show up too early either, so I did the most sensible thing I could think of: I lay down on the couch and enjoyed the music. ??? ¡ªShit, I fell asleep. I don¡¯t know if it was because I was exhausted, because Oltremare was too relaxing, or a combination of both, but the last thing I remember is closing my eyes to immerse myself in the piano music, followed by that strange transition, and then opening my eyes surrounded by nature. At this point, I had two options: wake up, hoping I hadn¡¯t lost too much time in real life, or stay asleep and deal with complaints tomorrow. Once again, I went with the most sensible choice¡ªleaving things for tomorrow. I mean, it¡¯s not like I cared much anyway. The only thing that bothered me was that Carolina was waiting for my message; she was the only person who genuinely cared about my well-being, and making her worry wasn¡¯t right. That being said, I could properly apologize tomorrow with two boxes of delicious chocolates. I erased my concerns from my mind and surrendered to the relaxing rhythm of sleep. Many would say doing the same thing every time can be boring, but for me, having to deal with all sorts of people and problems daily, the predictable and repetitive nature of my dreams gave me the same feeling as a countryside vacation¡ªthat sense of peace that only a simple, uncomplicated routine can offer. I don¡¯t know if it was because I had too much fun spending quality time with young Kairon, but the day¡ªor well, the dream¡ªfelt shorter than usual. The light was beginning to fade, and we were already resting atop the tower, enjoying the view. Kairon, as usual, lay beside me, letting his young muscles recover from the exercise. Normally, he would fly up, or walk if he was too tired, but this time we had overdone it, and I had to carry him all the way to the tower. He was completely still, and if it weren¡¯t for his steady breathing and the occasional movement of his eyes beneath his eyelids, I would have thought he was either an inanimate object¡­ or had died from exhaustion. ¡ªHuh? ¡ªI murmured, running my fingers over Kairon¡¯s scales as I gazed at the ever-empty plains¡­ until my eyes landed on a small black dot moving in the distance. I couldn¡¯t make out what it was due to the distance and the dimming light, but there was something there, something that wasn¡¯t usually there. I quickly tried to get to my feet to see if I could get a better look, but drowsiness, as if afraid I would discover something I wasn¡¯t supposed to, struck. In the blink of an eye, it hit my vulnerable head with a hammer¡ªor at least, that¡¯s what it felt like¡ªbefore my mind faded into complete darkness. ??? On the rooftop of the castle that had once been the most important structure of a mighty nation, a young dragon lay peacefully. Beside him, like a puppet whose strings had suddenly been cut, lay the motionless body of a young man, no older than two decades of life. As light pushed back the darkness, marking the beginning of a new day, a faint gray mist drifted from the man¡¯s body. The young dragon, alerted by the sudden chill¡ªso different from the usual warmth¡ªopened his eyes, only to be met with the grim realization that his companion¡¯s life was fading away. Lacking experience due to his tender age, yet guided by the instincts engraved in his very being, the infant dragon swiftly wielded his power, creating a cage of energy to prevent the gray mist from dispersing. He didn¡¯t know how or why, but deep in his mind, this human was important to him, and he would do whatever it took to save him. Thanks to his quick actions, he had managed to contain the energy. However, that alone wasn¡¯t enough to bring the man back to life. Perhaps there were other ways, but in the inherited memories of his lineage, the only method to save the human was to risk his own existence. With the dragon¡¯s body as the center, a crimson mist spread across the area, enveloping the human¡¯s motionless form. With utmost care, and displaying a level of control that only seasoned experts could boast, the young dragon shaped a portion of his own life essence into delicate needles. The tiny needles, nearly imperceptible to the eye, pierced the lifeless body one after another, guided with precision by the young dragon, who was already beginning to show signs of exhaustion. Every step of the process had to be executed with extreme caution; his essence, being more powerful, could easily consume the human¡¯s, and if that happened, their deaths would be inevitable. There was a chance that even after absorbing the human, the dragon would survive, as the human¡¯s essence was too weak to resist. But the memories embedded in his lineage kept warning him that if that happened, he would end up in a state where death would have been preferable. Perhaps it was his inexperience, or simply the inherent difficulty of the revival process, but the fine needles kept striking in succession without yielding the desired outcome. Nearly half of the crimson mist had vanished, and the gray mist showed no intention of returning to where it belonged. They were doomed. That was the thought that crossed the dragon¡¯s mind. If he failed to reclaim the life essence he had spent, both of them would perish. Fortunately, his efforts weren¡¯t in vain. In an instant, the gray energy, which had previously seemed intent on escaping, surged back into the human¡¯s body, expelling thousands of needles that fused with the crimson mist in the air. Now whole once again, the mist swiftly returned to its owner, who, relieved that his efforts had succeeded, finally succumbed to exhaustion. As the dragon fell into a deep slumber, strange phenomena continued to unfold within the young man¡¯s body. The gray energy emerged once more, but this time as fine chains that jingled like tiny bells. Their tips swayed as if searching for something, and then, without warning, they shot skyward, vanishing into the vastness of the heavens. Curiosity Didnt Kill Mae (But It Tried) When the vital energy of kindred planets, located in different planes, enters into resonance, a temporary place of perdition is created¡ªwhere everything that enters is turned into pure energy. This energy completely dissolves at the end of the resonance, erasing all traces of those unfortunate enough to have been dragged into it, leaving behind only a void that will never be remembered. The Valley of Absence¡ªthat was the name given to this place in a distant past. Few have ever defied their inevitable fate and managed to escape from this space. Those beings, who burned through all their luck just to return home alive, are the only witnesses to the existence of this cursed land. However, those poor souls never regained their peace of mind, forced to live with a deep-seated fear etched into their consciousness¡ªa tormenting memory that reminded them, day after day, just how powerless they truly were. As hundreds of energy-born beings vanished into nothingness, dragged away by the land they inhabited¡ªdisintegrating at an alarming rate¡ªthin chains shot through the void like meteors. Without slowing down, they launched themselves toward a lone entity, who, unaware of the chaos around them, walked at an unhurried pace. The chains found their target and coiled tightly around it. Then, as if an incomprehensibly powerful titan stood at the other end, they retracted, vanishing into the void as swiftly as they had arrived. In their departure, they took their captive with them¡­ and an unexpected soul¡ªone lucky enough to have been caught by mistake, purely by a twist of fate. The return journey lasted but an instant and, as they neared their destination, all the chains dissolved into a dense, gray mist¡ªall but one. This mist enveloped the intended target of the journey, holding it firmly, shielding it from harm. The other being, however¡ªthe one who had, by sheer luck, escaped the Valley of Absence¡ªwas cast into an unknown place. Now, its fate depended solely on luck. A flash streaked across the sky at an almost imperceptible speed, descending upon the ruined city. Upon touching the ground, it merged with the lifeless body of a young man who lay beside a dragon hatchling. A brilliant glow engulfed the place, its light pulsing in the darkness like a heartbeat, alerting the creatures roaming the prairies. When the radiance finally faded, the man¡¯s body¡ªonce devoid of life¡ªnow breathed softly, as if merely asleep, with no trace of what had just transpired. ??? *Ssshhhh... Chirp-Chirp... Rustle...* My mind slowly emerged from its lethargy, guided by the gentle whispers of nature¡ªa harmonious melody that starkly contrasted with the oppressive silence of my apartment, where, fearful of running into a daring burglar upon waking, I used to barricade myself behind locked doors and windows, as if my little refuge were a fortress. Intrigued by the unusual sound, I opened my eyes immediately, only to be assaulted by a whirlwind of questions. The first thing that caught my attention was Kairon¡¯s body, lost in a deep sleep. His face, serene and adorned with a faint smile, reflected such genuine satisfaction that I couldn''t help but wonder what kind of dreams were wrapping around him. I had no idea what the young one was dreaming about, but his peaceful rest was proof that, in his mind, something truly pleasant was unfolding. Surprised, I jumped to my feet, and for a moment, my mind went completely blank¡ªI even forgot that by waking up so abruptly, I had nearly fallen from a height that would have been unquestionably fatal. Before me, the vast plain¡ªonce empty¡ªnow pulsed with life. Hundreds of animals and birds moved across the horizon, but whether it was due to my lingering confusion, sheer astonishment, or simply my nearsightedness, I couldn¡¯t recognize a single one. They were strange figures, creatures that didn¡¯t match anything I had ever seen before. They all seemed to belong to another world, as if the very land had birthed unknown beings¡ªinhabitants of a reality that, until that moment, had been completely inaccessible to me. *Swish-crack* A sharp pain shot up my leg, spreading through my entire body and momentarily clearing my muddled thoughts. Slowly, like an outdated robot, I turned my head in search of the culprit¡ªonly to find myself staring into a scaly face brimming with indignation. Although, really, I should have been the one upset, considering I was the one who had just taken the hit. ¡ªWhat the hell is wrong with you? ¡ªGrahk-Grahk! ¡ªYou hit me, and yet you¡¯re the one who''s angry? ¡°Grahk!¡± A guttural sound escaped his throat as he flapped his wings, his tail swaying through the air like a whip. I knew him well enough to tell he was upset about something; however, this wasn¡¯t the time to deal with his tantrums. My head was still trying to piece together what was happening, while a sense of unease began to take root in my chest. I "should" have woken up in my room¡ªyet here I was, staring at an angry, out-of-his-egg Kairon. That, combined with the animals I could hear and see outside the city, the gentle wind brushing against my skin, and, most of all, the oppressive feeling in my chest, drained away any joy I should have felt at witnessing such a long-awaited event. In its place, I was left with the same nervous dread you get when your mother goes to school to check your grades. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Everything was completely different from the quiet place I was used to, and the unease in my gut only grew stronger with every passing minute. ¡ªGrahk! ¡ªEnough, I¡¯m not putting up with your tantrums. Just come with me¡ªwe need to find out what¡¯s going on. If you have questions, seek answers. I couldn¡¯t just stand there like an idiot; I had to figure out what had caused this change and put an end to the growing unease in my chest. With that in mind, I quickly climbed down from the tower¡ªonly to realize my companion had decided not to follow me. ¡°Shraa!¡± Kairon snorted as he saw me returning for him, clearly displeased with my attitude. ¡ªWhat are you standing there for, you little slacker? Let¡¯s go ¡ªI said, ignoring his complaints ¡ªWe¡¯re a team, and as such, we have to stick together. That way, if something happens, we can watch each other¡¯s backs. This time, Kairon decided to follow me, though he kept a certain distance, still snorting in evident displeasure. Even though my steps were hurried, I wasn¡¯t reckless¡ªI moved with caution. First, to check if the place had changed in any way, and second, because I feared some wild animal might be lurking among the trees. However, after a quick survey, I found nothing unusual within the city walls; everything was just as I remembered. Standing at the city gate, I watched the small animals moving in the distance while bearing the weight of Kairon on my shoulders¡ªhe had grown tired of flying. I let my thoughts wander as a nervous tension, not unlike that of a young man meeting his girlfriend¡¯s parents for the first time, built up inside me. For over three months, like a loop, I had been having the same dream. It may not be right to say this, but in a constantly changing world, where, no matter how much you plan for the future, everything can go to hell at any moment and you have to be resilient enough to adapt, this place had become a refuge¡ªa place that, no matter what happened, remained the same. But now, faced with the strange sight before me, an indescribable sense of unease crept through my body. I wasn¡¯t sure if it was due to the sudden change or the fact that now the loop seemed to be unfolding normally. I¡¯ve always prided myself on being the kind of person who, despite life¡¯s ups and downs, manages to stay calm. And yet, at this moment, I couldn¡¯t control the pounding of my heart. ¡ªGrah? ¡ªPerched on my shoulders, Kairon tilted his head slightly, watching me with curious eyes¡ªtinged with a hint of concern, as if he could sense my change in mood. ¡ªIt¡¯s fine. It¡¯s just a lot to take in all at once ¡ªI said, pointing toward the vast prairie while stroking his head ¡ªCome on, let¡¯s see if we can get a closer look at those animals and figure out what¡¯s going on. Honestly, I had little to no expectation of actually discovering anything, but even knowing that the outcome might be a failure, it was still better to try. I mean, at this point, my options were either to do nothing and wait for nightfall or to kill myself in an attempt to wake up. But I quickly shook my head, dismissing the thought. Until I was certain of what was happening, it was best not to do anything reckless. I took a hesitant step beyond the safety of the ruins. I had tried to take that same step several times before, always failing. But this time, instead of waking up like I usually did, I simply crossed the threshold. There was no joy on my face. Instead, a chill ran down my spine, leaving me frozen in place. Kairon, oblivious to the storm of confusion in my head, soared into the sky, enjoying the breeze, his wings beating gently as I remained trapped in my own thoughts. ¡ªGrah-grah! Kairon¡¯s cheerful growls snapped me back to reality. I took a deep breath in and then out, letting the fresh air calm my nerves. Maybe I was just being unnecessarily paranoid. Pushing all the bad thoughts aside, I took a step forward with ease. It was strange, but only my companion and I were near the city. With nothing but a few scattered rocks on the ground, I wasn¡¯t worried about an animal catching me off guard at that moment¡ªwhich was a mistake. Despite having decided to venture into an entirely unknown place, filled with creatures whose danger I couldn¡¯t gauge, and most of all, with my mind still clouded by confusion, in an act of infinite wisdom, I chose to distract myself by watching Kairon soar through the sky, happy and carefree. *BAM!* The animals couldn¡¯t hide from my sight, but in the same way, I wasn¡¯t hidden from them either. One moment, I was looking up at the sky with a dumb smile on my face, and the next, I was on the ground, writhing in unbearable pain, with several broken ribs and struggling to force air into my lungs. I didn¡¯t even have time to identify the creature that had brought me agony before the pain and lack of oxygen dragged me into unconsciousness. The blackout lasted only a brief moment, and slowly, my senses began to return. Still dazed by the immense pain, I could hear Kairon¡¯s roars in the background, mixed with the squawks of another creature. Then came the agonized wails of an animal, and finally, the place fell into a deathly silence. Lying face-down on the ground, uncertain of what was happening beyond my limited view, I tried to move despite the pain, but it was impossible. Even the slightest attempt sent fresh waves of agony through my body. On top of that, I feared that if I made a sound, I¡¯d alert my attacker, and it would strike me down once again. *Fwip-fwip* ¡ªGrah-grah! A familiar flapping sound, followed by Kairon¡¯s worried growl, brought a sliver of peace to my soul. With careful movements, fearing he might hurt me further, my companion turned me onto my back. I was grateful from the depths of my being for that simple gesture¡ªat least now I could breathe with less difficulty. However, the air that entered my lungs wasn¡¯t fresh or revitalizing. It was thick, foul, saturated with the unmistakable stench of blood. I couldn¡¯t tell if it was mine or that of the one who had just drawn their last breath. ¡ªGrah-grah! I wanted to tell him I wasn¡¯t as bad as I looked, but when I opened my mouth, no sound came out. It seemed the air in my lungs was barely enough to keep me conscious. The last thing I saw before my vision completely blurred was Kairon dragging my body back to the city as if I were nothing more than a sack of garbage. Fortunately, the ground was free of rocks or debris¡ªit felt like being dragged across the grass of a soccer field. So, all things considered, the ride was more relaxing than expected. Consequences Despite his size, Kairon managed to drag me back to the city, bringing me under the shade of a large tree. As soon as I felt I was in a safe place, the adrenaline began to fade, and with it, the pain¡ªintensified by the friction against the debris and roots on the ground¡ªstarted to grow, slowly but relentlessly. I worried that, in my vulnerable state, some wild animal might see me as easy prey. But, as motionless as I was, there was nothing I could do except rely on luck and my companion, who kept circling around me. I closed my eyes, hoping that, when I opened them again, the pain would be gone. Losing consciousness right now would be perfect... or better yet, waking up from this dream. I heard Kairon¡¯s wings flapping as he flew away, but I didn¡¯t bother opening my eyes to watch him. If he was leaving, it had to be because he considered the place safe¡­ or at least, that¡¯s what I wanted to believe. *Grack-grack* The sound of flesh being torn apart, accompanied by a thick, nauseating scent of blood, pulled me out of my comfortable daze. Slowly, I turned my head in search of the source¡ªand then I saw him. Kairon was devouring the body of an animal with ferocious intensity. His claws were buried deep into his prey, holding it firmly as he tore off chunks of meat and crushed bones between his jaws. A guttural growl of satisfaction rumbled in his throat with every piece of the corpse that disappeared into his mouth. As if sensing my gaze, Kairon lifted his head from his feast and looked at me. Fresh blood dripped from his maw, staining the ground beneath him. His scales, slick with red, gleamed under the dim night light, and his piercing eyes locked onto mine. The scene was both savage and mesmerizing, enough to send a chill down my spine. Witnessing a predator so close, feeding on the life of another being, was as nauseating as it was fascinating. ¡ªDon¡¯t mind me, just keep eating¡­ ¡ªI muttered weakly, making it clear that I had no intention of interfering between him and his meal. My body was still numb, and just forcing out those words had taken tremendous effort, but I hoped they would be enough to remind him that I was a companion¡­ not part of the menu. Kairon gave me a perplexed look for a moment but then resumed his feast. As for me, I didn¡¯t want the raw brutality of the scene before me to carve itself into my mind, so I slowly shifted my head to look up at the sky. And immediately, an awe-inspiring image captured all my attention. A jagged rift, shaped like a bolt of lightning, split the sky in two. It was like an insatiable void, consuming the light, pulling the stars into its depths. It felt as if the sky itself had been wounded, its light bleeding away into an unknown abyss. The farther one was from that luminous wound, the quieter and more oppressive the void became¡ªa vast expanse stripped of stars, stripped of hope. It was the first time I had truly been able to witness a night in this ruined city, yet instead of being enchanted by the view, my mind was filled with doubts. Too many things had happened today that defied the rules I knew. After taking that hit, I lost consciousness for a moment¡ªbut instead of waking up on the comfort of my couch, I had come to lying on the ground, dirt and grass in my mouth. Sleeping was something I could never do here, no matter how hard I tried. And yet, this time, I had slept through the entire day¡­ only to wake up in this very same place. At this point, the only option left for me to wake up was to die. But after everything that had happened today, doubt began to wrap around my chest like roots clinging to the ground. I didn¡¯t want to kill myself¡ªI just wanted to wake up. A sigh, heavy with exhaustion and resignation, escaped from deep within my battered chest. I was bruised, dirty, wounded, and my mind was tangled in a web of uncertainty. But I knew I had to move forward, step by step, just as I always did when facing difficulties. I closed my eyes, hoping that the light of the next day would bring me some clarity. And so, between the cries of the animals in the prairies and the sound of Kairon feeding, I fell into a deep sleep. ??? The beautiful song of birds was drowned out by the terrible pain coursing through my body, accompanied by an overwhelming hunger and thirst. I tried to stand up, but all I managed was to shift my position from lying down to sitting up. I had to fend for myself, as nurse Kairon was nowhere to be seen. Fortunately, the tree I had been resting against bore edible fruit. With great effort, I managed to shake a branch until a ripe, juicy fruit fell to the ground. The sweetness of the liquid touching my taste buds was heavenly, but swallowing sent sharp pain through my broken ribs, turning every bite into agony. I let out a weary sigh when, after much difficulty, I finally finished my breakfast. The fruit could ease my hunger to some extent, but water was another issue. I didn¡¯t dare drink the city¡¯s water carelessly, so it was best to wait for Kairon and ask for his help. A moment later, I heard the sound of wings approaching. I trusted that it was Kairon, but just in case, I moved cautiously, hiding behind the tree. My luck had never been great, so it was better to be careful than to end up with more broken ribs. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡ªGrah-grah! ¡ªMy friend, I¡¯m so glad to see you ¡ªEvery word that left my mouth was followed by an intense, irritating pain in my chest ¡ªI need to clean off all this filth. Could you help me? I felt sticky, and I feared that some of my wounds might get infected. Seeing that Kairon¡¯s scales had regained their turquoise color, with no trace of last night¡¯s mess, I assumed he must have some way to get rid of dirt. Kairon hovered over my head for a moment before descending. Then, he grabbed my shirt with his claws and lifted off again, managing to pull me to my feet. Ughk¡­ ¡ªGrah? ¡ªUpon hearing my groan, nurse Kairon softened the force of his flapping. ¡ªI¡¯m fine, keep going. It would have been great if he could just carry me through the air, though that was probably too much to ask. After all, I was a grown man¡­ while Kairon was barely three days old. Slowly, as if we were both learning to walk, we made our way toward our destination. I was curious to see where Kairon was taking me, but it turned out to be the water channel. Which, in hindsight, made perfect sense¡­ I don¡¯t know what I was expecting. The cool breeze brushing against my skin made the effort worthwhile. It was a slow and difficult process that required Kairon¡¯s cleverness and the use of some broad leaves from the trees, but in the end, I managed to clean myself. Ideally, I would have just submerged myself in the water, but I was in no condition to climb or swim¡ªand I hadn¡¯t survived the attack of some unknown creature just to end up drowning. ¡ªHey, do you think I can drink this water? If it weren¡¯t for my fear of the unknown, I would have taken a sip directly during my "shower." My throat was dry, as if I hadn¡¯t drunk water all day¡­ which, essentially, I hadn¡¯t. Kairon was a native of this place, but more than that, I trusted his judgment, so I preferred to ask before taking the risk. ¡ªGrahh ¡ªhe responded, shaking his head in clear denial. ¡ªNo? Then where do you drink from? Or are you going to tell me you don¡¯t need water? ¡ªGrahh! Grahh! ¡ªAnd what¡¯s that supposed to mean? You could at least communicate in a language I can understand! Normally, I put effort into reading his body language and associating it with the sounds he made to understand him, but this time, thirsty and frustrated by his refusal, I wasn¡¯t in the best mood. Kairon flicked his tail as if he was about to whip me with it and let out a growl¡ªKraaagh! Kraaagh!¡ªto express his exasperation. Then, he opened his jaws, revealing his sharp teeth. I knew he wasn¡¯t threatening me but rather trying to point something out. ¡ªOkay, okay, see? You can communicate clearly when you try! ¡ªThough I didn¡¯t fully grasp his intention, I mimicked him, opening my mouth wide. And before I could react, I felt the pure delight of fresh water. Like rain after a long drought, the refreshing liquid flooded my throat. I closed my eyes to savor the drink, which kept flowing like an endless stream. Only when my thirst was fully quenched did I finally ask the question I should have asked from the start. ¡ªWhere did that water come from? ¡ªGrah? ¡ªKairon tilted his head, as if he didn¡¯t understand the question. Then, with a movement of his claws, a stream of water suddenly burst forth, crashing onto the ground with a shhshhhshh sound. Throughout my life, I had been surprised by many things. Several of them had happened just yesterday. But if I had to make a list of the most shocking events, this would undoubtedly take the number one spot. ¡ªExplain ¡ªI demanded the moment the water stopped flowing. Kairon, as if oblivious to my confusion, repeated the motion with his claw. As he gazed at me indifferently, water once again poured out of nowhere, as if there were an invisible faucet I simply couldn¡¯t see. ¡ªI don¡¯t get it ¡ªI muttered, moving my hand through the air in an attempt to imitate his gesture. Nothing happened. I didn¡¯t even disturb the airflow. Normally, I would have brushed the matter aside, convincing myself that this was just a simple dream. But now¡­ I wasn¡¯t so sure anymore. That was the beginning of the abnormal events in my new life, and little by little, I got used to the unpredictable becoming the norm. Distracted and with Kairon¡¯s help, we headed toward the castle. I had never seen it rain here, but with all the strange things happening, a downpour wouldn¡¯t be surprising either. I didn¡¯t want to get wet. Catching a cold in my current state could be a serious problem. Once inside the castle, Kairon gathered several fruits and left them for me to eat. It was a touching gesture. Without him, my situation would have been much worse. Maybe I would have found a way to manage, but it definitely would have taken me much more effort. ¡ªThanks, buddy. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d do without you. ¡ªGrrruu ¡ªhe responded, with a sound that was somewhere between a growl and a purr. After handing me the fruits, he vanished into thin air. He didn¡¯t return until dusk, when he came back dragging the body of an animal that looked like a pony¡­ but with a horn. I couldn¡¯t make out its full appearance, as most of its body was in shreds. Kairon was definitely not a subtle hunter. ¡ªHey, are you okay? ¡ªEven though I didn¡¯t see any wounds on him, I was worried he might have gotten hurt. The creature, despite being about the size of a goat, was muscular and looked strong. Kairon, on the other hand, was only three days old. Kairon shook his head and, with a swift motion, tore off one of the creature¡¯s legs. It was astonishing to see how his teeth sliced through flesh and bone as if they were butter. ¡ªGrah? ¡ªHe let out an inquisitive sound while offering me a piece of his catch. It was a kind gesture, and it was also good to know I¡¯d be able to eat meat in the future. But for now, I had to refuse. I shook my head to make my answer clear. ¡ªNo, thanks, but I can¡¯t eat anything solid yet. Upon hearing my words, the young and hungry dragon proceeded to devour his prey with enthusiasm, replaying the same brutal scene I had witnessed the night before. Watching him in the middle of his feast, I could only say: ¡ªEat a lot so you can grow big and strong. After that, I turned my attention back to my fruits. For the next few days, I focused on my recovery. I¡¯m no professional doctor, but I had some idea of the basic care I needed to follow. Of course, that was under the assumption that, despite coughing up blood occasionally, I didn¡¯t have any serious internal damage. A Month in the Unknown It has been a month since I got trapped in this place, and I¡¯d like to say I¡¯ve come to terms with it, but the questions in my head still have no answers. During this time, I¡¯ve focused all my efforts on recovering from the injury I suffered on the first day. The first few days were a nightmare¡ªeven drinking water felt like hell. But with patience, Kairon¡¯s help, and some light exercises starting in the third week, my recovery progressed quickly to the point where I¡¯m now almost fully healed. Today, as part of my routine to try and understand this place¡ªand because I had nothing better to do¡ªI was sitting under the city gate¡¯s arch, watching the prairie, completely swallowed by the night. I wasn¡¯t worried about being attacked, since, for some unknown reason, animals don¡¯t enter the city. In fact, so far, I haven¡¯t seen a single one within at least thirty meters. The conclusion I¡¯ve reached after a month of observation is that there¡¯s some kind of invisible barrier or force keeping animals away from this place. This means my injuries were due to my own recklessness and bad luck. But more importantly, the biggest realization I¡¯ve had is that those broken ribs were a blessing in disguise, as they forced me to shift my focus from recklessly searching for answers to a calmer recovery. The goats that Kairon feeds on seem to be the only species inhabiting the prairie. However, I know other animals exist because, even though I haven¡¯t seen them, I can hear them¡ªespecially when the day fades and the entire place is engulfed in shadows. Unlike the daytime, the nights have a sinister touch. Though the darkness severely limits my vision to just a few meters, the eerie songs of birds and the recurring sounds of impact followed by the unmistakable wails of different creatures paint a clear picture of what happens in the prairies. *Tha-tha-tha* My ears caught the rapid flapping of something approaching, and a moment later, like a ghost, Kairon emerged from the darkness, firmly gripping the corpse of a goat¡ªhis latest hunt. Only a month has passed, but Kairon has grown remarkably. The baby dragon that used to perch on my shoulders is long gone. If he was once the size of a medium dog, he now looks more like an overweight calf. Which makes sense, considering he now devours an entire goat along with several dozen fruits per day. I don¡¯t know how many of those creatures live in the prairie, and honestly, with his growth rate, I¡¯m worried the food supply might run out. I just hope we can leave this place before that happens. The creature Kairon hunts has the sturdy body of a goat, but with short, muscular legs ending in three sharp claws. Its skin is thick and hairless, similar to that of a rhinoceros, with a pattern of interwoven straight lines on its surface. I could even feel the texture of those lines, as if they were carved into stone. Its neck and chest are covered in thick fur, resembling layers of dry leaves stacked upon one another. Its head is similar to that of a pony but adorned with a pair of large, curved antlers like those of an elk. Its tail is long, covered in hair that looks like dry branches but feels surprisingly soft to the touch. This is what the animal Kairon dropped beside me looks like. I admit that when I see them roaming the plains, they look imposing, but now, covered in deep wounds and blood, it¡¯s nothing more than a hunk of meat that stirs no emotion in me¡ªother than the urge to feed on its carcass. ¡ªI was lucky that the one that attacked me was a young one, right? ¡ªMales have thick, branched antlers, while females have horns similar to those of antelopes. Only the young lack them, with nothing but their pointed ears atop their heads. ¡ªGrrruu¡ª Kairon growled softly, as if confirming that I had indeed been incredibly fortunate in that encounter. As always when he brought back a kill, Kairon tore off one of the legs with his jaws and offered it to me. I had refused his kindness many times, still unsure if I could chew something so fibrous, but today was different. Now, I could make the effort to bite into it, but more than anything, I felt my body demanding something other than the liquid from the fruits. Something with more substance. ¡ªI appreciate you sharing your hunt with me ¡ªI said as I took the leg. The red liquid dripped down, triggering a sense of revulsion, but I couldn¡¯t afford to be picky. I mean, I didn¡¯t even have the right to claim a piece of this meat¡ªI wasn¡¯t the one who caught it¡ªso I was fine with whatever could fill my stomach and restore my strength. ¡ªI wish I had some fire¡­ ¡ªI muttered without thinking. After all, it was hard to go from eating carefully prepared meals just a month ago to feeding on the raw flesh of a completely unknown animal. I had previously tried to make fire using sticks and stones I found, but all my attempts were in vain. Back then, I didn¡¯t really need it, since I was living off fruit. But now, things had changed. As if the heavens had answered my prayers¡­ or, to be more precise, Kairon did, a flash of light illuminated the night, carrying a warmth that contrasted with the cool air. By now, I had somewhat gotten used to seeing him conjure water out of nowhere¡ªafter all, that was the water I had been drinking. Even so, I froze for a moment upon seeing that flame suspended in the air, gently dancing with the wind. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Fearing it might disappear, I snapped out of my daze and quickly searched for branches or anything that could burn to start a fire. Fortunately, if there was one thing this place wasn¡¯t lacking, it was branches. Moments later, I was sitting in front of a fire, waiting for the goat leg to finish roasting. ¡ªI won¡¯t ask how you do it, because even if you could explain it, I probably wouldn¡¯t understand ¡ªMy voice was calm, my gaze fixed on the flames ¡ªAs hard as it is to accept, it¡¯s true that you¡¯re like one of those mythical dragons, so it makes sense that you can manipulate the elements. I paused before adding, in a more severe tone: ¡ªBut tell me, my friend¡­ if you can control fire, then why, when you saw me enduring the cold, didn¡¯t you use that magic of yours? As if he had no idea what I was talking about, Kairon tilted his head in confusion and let out a loud "Grahh", shaking his head slightly, as if to say "you didn¡¯t ask". Then, without giving it another thought, he went back to making the goat¡¯s body disappear, bite by bite, as if nothing I had said mattered in the slightest. A tired sigh escaped my lips. Honestly, it didn¡¯t matter. Sure, it was cold, but not to the bone. In fact, inside the castle, where the air barely circulated, the temperature hovered around 17 or 18 degrees. Still, during the first days of my recovery, I would have liked to be a little warmer¡ªsomething a campfire could have easily solved. ¡ªYou¡¯ll have to teach me how to hunt and how to use that magic of yours¡­ or whatever it is ¡ªI muttered, more to myself than to him. Without knowing this place¡¯s wildlife, I could already tell that Kairon¡ªdespite having grown¡ªwas still hunting goats and only at night, which meant we were at the lower end of the food chain. I hadn¡¯t completely abandoned the hope that this was just an unusually long dream, but I also didn¡¯t want to put all my eggs in one basket. If the most absurd possibility turned out to be true and I really was trapped here, I needed to be able to defend myself from whatever dangers lay ahead. And those strange powers Kairon used might just be the key to my survival. The leg over the fire was already releasing a fragrant scent¡­ though I wouldn¡¯t say it was particularly appetizing. It smelled as if I were burning scented plastic¡ªan odd, unfamiliar aroma. I had never grilled meat over an open flame before, so I had no idea how long a leg this size would take to cook. I could only rely on my instincts. Holding my breath, I took my first bite in one swift motion. To my pleasant surprise, the meat tore apart easily, and it tasted a thousand times better than it smelled. The delicious fat sliding down my throat made me momentarily forget everything that had happened to me. I knew I hadn¡¯t faced the worst yet, but a month had been more than enough for me to miss the comforts of home¡ªof my world. As I enjoyed my meal, warmed by the fire and accompanied by Kairon, who had already surrendered to sleep, I let all my worries and uncertainties fade away, if only for a moment. As if understanding my state of mind, the place remained silent for a long while. Taking advantage of the fire¡¯s warmth, I decided to sleep under the open sky, using Kairon as a pillow. The chances of an animal attacking us were close to none. Maybe a sudden downpour could ruin our improvised camp, but even that seemed unlikely¡ªafter all, it had been four weeks, and not a single drop of rain had fallen. Thus, satisfied, with a full stomach, a calm mind, and a path of possibilities to explore, I sank into a renewed slumber. That night, despite lacking any comforts, I rested better than I had in a long time. And by morning, I got to work. I needed a way to defend myself. Kairon had sharp claws and fangs, but I had nothing. I was just a fragile, soft human. Though I trusted my years of training, that was only useful against other humans¡ªnot against dragons or mini-horses with horns that looked like they were on steroids. And that wasn¡¯t even considering the other creatures I hadn¡¯t yet encountered but that, if my assumption was correct, were predators just like Kairon. All of them, without a doubt, ferocious. So, I tried to get Kairon to teach me his tricks¡­ but I simply couldn¡¯t understand them. It was like someone trying to explain how to breathe. And if you added the difficulty of communication to that, learning became nearly impossible. I tried to grasp it, to decipher what he was attempting to convey, but in the end, there was a huge difference between receiving a direct explanation and interpreting growls. Faced with that barrier, I decided to shift my focus to creating a weapon. It would have been perfect if a sword, a spear, some knives¡­ or better yet, an assault rifle had magically appeared. But since none of that was going to happen, I had to improvise with what I had at hand. And as a result of my limited knowledge and the available materials¡ªbasically branches and vines¡ªI ended up with a bow that looked more like a poorly made toy than a lethal weapon. But that didn¡¯t discourage me. I knew I had to get out of this place. Even though animals didn¡¯t enter the city, right now, I was like a hamster trapped in a cage: food was limited, and I couldn¡¯t keep relying entirely on Kairon. From the first light of dawn until well into the night, I spent two whole days perfecting my bow, and at last, I had one that at least looked functional. I felt proud of myself¡­ until I started making arrows. With Kairon¡¯s help, I sharpened several branches, only to discover that there was no way those flimsy arrows could pierce an animal¡¯s hide. I searched everywhere for something that could serve as a sharp tip, but I found nothing. Initially, I had thought about using the scales from Kairon¡¯s egg, but when I went to the vault, I discovered they had disappeared. I tore down the hill of gold in search of a substitute for those scales, but after an entire day of rummaging, I found nothing usable. Exhausted, frustrated, and angry, I turned to look at Kairon, who was munching on reddish-purple rocks as if they were candy. Seeing his serene expression calmed me a little, but the fire inside me didn¡¯t fade. With a determined voice, I conveyed my thoughts: ¡ªTake me hunting. The Prairie... Before my eyes, an impressive and surreal scene was unfolding: two goats were engaged in a fierce battle. Their bleats and the thunderous clashes of their horns echoed across the prairie. They moved like seasoned swordsmen, constantly aiming for each other¡¯s necks, but the most shocking part was realizing that those damned creatures were using some kind of trick¡­ or magic, to take the lethality of their attacks to the next level. With a loud *clank*, like a sword striking a shield, one of the goats landed a precise hit that sent its opponent reeling, creating an opening in its solid defense. Sensing the opportunity, like a predator smelling its prey¡¯s fear, it stomped on the ground, and immediately, a spike of earth shot up beneath the stunned goat¡¯s belly. A powerful rumble rolled across the prairie, accompanied by the agonized cry of the wounded creature. Unable to stay on its feet, it collapsed to the ground with a fatal hole in its stomach. Seeing this, its enemy looked proud, confident in its victory. It stomped forcefully on the ground while bleating triumphantly into the air. I thought it would take the opportunity to finish off its rival with more spikes¡ªor at least, that¡¯s what I would have done¡ªbut the animal had something else in mind. The patterns on its fur seemed to glow for an instant before the creature charged at the fallen body with astonishing speed. Maybe it was its first fight and it lacked experience, or maybe it thought that with such a massive wound in the stomach, its opponent was no longer a threat and wanted to finish it off with its own horns. Whatever the reason, that decision was its downfall. Out of nowhere, a thick spike of earth shot up from the ground, blocking its path. Unable to react due to the speed of its charge and the sudden appearance of the obstacle, the overconfident animal was skewered like a kebab, unable to even let out a final cry. And yet, its horns managed to reach their target, bringing the bloody fight to a draw. A double death. ¡ªIs that what we¡¯ve been eating? ¡ªI muttered under my breath, afraid that another animal might notice my presence and charge at me. I didn¡¯t want to make the same mistake as before and lose another month recovering from injuries caused by my own stupidity. The two beasts that had been fighting were certainly dead, but they weren¡¯t the only goats in the prairie. Just a few meters away from the fallen bodies, a group of these creatures grazed peacefully, as if the death of two of their kind didn¡¯t matter in the slightest. Now I understood why, when I had mentioned the idea of going hunting, Kairon had refused. After all, what kind of help could a weak body like mine possibly offer in a fight like this? At that moment, I became fully aware of the risks of leaving the city. But deep down, I knew that if I didn¡¯t take a step forward now, I would eventually turn into a coward, incapable of leaving these ruins. My decision was reckless, without a doubt. However, I trusted that wit could make up for my lack of experience and strength. Besides, I relied on Kairon¡¯s protection. After all, he had been hunting these beasts since the day he was born. Honestly¡­ if Kairon weren¡¯t here, I wouldn¡¯t be this brave. Ideally, I would go hunting with the right tools. However, all I had at my disposal was a stick shaped like a staff, the remaining bone from my meals, and a pathetic bow that, without arrows, was only useful for trying to start a fire¡­ which, by the way, I had also failed to do. The goat bone was undoubtedly the most durable material, but its short reach worried me. I could have tried making arrows with it, but it was so solid that only Kairon¡¯s teeth could crush it. So, in the end, I settled for the staff. With enthusiasm, a mere stick as my means of defense, and after my relentless insistence, Kairon¡¯s frustrated gaze gradually softened. And though begrudgingly, he relented. In the end, he couldn¡¯t resist my pleading any longer and agreed to take me along. I was nervous and excited, convinced that we would go hunting that very night. However, Kairon decided that the darkness would be too dangerous for me, so the lesson was postponed until the next day. By noon, when the daylight was at its brightest, we were ready to leave. Uncertainty flooded my body, and the staff I clutched tightly did nothing to reassure me. Kairon noticed my nervousness, and as if a brilliant idea had struck him, he headed toward the dense trees, letting out a soft *Grah-grah!* to signal me to follow. Intrigued, I obeyed, only to see him make smooth gestures with his claws as several vines wove together, forming a spear slightly taller than me. I had grown used to watching him use his magical tricks, yet it was still mesmerizing every time. With another flick of his claws, the newly crafted spear flew toward my hands. Enchanted by the spectacle, I stretched out my arms to catch it, letting the staff¡ªso crucial in convincing Kairon to take me hunting¡ªfall to the ground. ¡ªThis is incredible, buddy¡­ how did you do it? My question might have seemed foolish since I had just watched him create it with my own eyes. However, the spear felt as solid as steel, and the blade at the tip was so sharp that it looked like I could cut myself just by staring at it. It was unimaginable to think it was made from mere vines. I mean, even I could cut those vines; after all, I had used them to craft my ridiculous bow. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. With my new weapon in hand, I felt more confident. Once I steadied my nerves, we left the city. Feeding myself with my own hunt¡ªthat was my purpose in setting out. And it didn¡¯t take long before we found our prey. At that moment, adrenaline replaced my nerves. But I wasn¡¯t reckless, and a massive rock in our path served as cover for Kairon and me to approach the group undetected. However, things didn¡¯t go as I had expected. Before we could even plan an attack, the battle between the two monsters began, pouring a huge bucket of cold water over my expectations. My help meant nothing. In fact, I wouldn¡¯t even be a hindrance. I¡¯m pretty sure a mere sneeze from those beasts would be enough to kill me. ¡ªMy friend, I¡¯m glad to know you count on me for things like this. However, you must admit that bringing me along was reckless. Ignoring Kairon, who rolled his eyes at my words, I turned to head back to the safety of the city. It didn¡¯t take much intelligence to realize that trying to hunt one of those monsters was nothing short of suicidal. *Swoosh-Clang* The sound of a whip slicing through the air whistled past my ear. If that strike had landed on my head, it would have split open like a melon. Indignant¡ªbecause, as far as I knew, only Kairon was allowed to use his tail like that¡ªI spun around to confront the reckless dragon. ¡ªHey! What the hell is your prob¡ª?! But before I could finish, I realized that the rock I had been hiding behind¡­ was no longer a rock. It was a living being. One that was looking at me as if I were nothing more than a bothersome cockroach. Its shape was, without a doubt, that of an armadillo¡ªonly magnified to titanic proportions. It looked like a living fortress, its shell covered in thick moss, as if time itself had claimed it. Thin roots clung to its body, as though trying to pull it back into the earth from which it had just emerged. Its elongated head, with a grayish beard hanging from its jaw like silver threads swaying in the wind, along with a scarred, scaly snout, commanded respect from anyone daring enough to meet the gaze of those two crimson gemstone eyes. Its legs, as thick as the pillars of a forgotten cathedral, were adorned with natural patterns that resembled the arcane symbols of fantasy tales. Sprouts of moss and lichen had found refuge on its powerful, curved claws, which looked as if they could crush boulders like tofu. And its massive tail¡ªthe same one that had nearly ended my life¡ªslithered with astonishing ease for its size. A guardian of nature. I had never seen one before. In fact, I doubted they even existed in my world. But its mere presence exuded the wisdom of centuries. It was a being that had witnessed the world change time and time again, born from the whispers of the forest and the memory of the earth. A living remnant of history itself. A cold sweat ran down my back. I was in awe¡­ and terrified. Many ways to deal with wild animals ran through my mind, but after watching the goats fight, I understood that none of them would work against creatures like this. I quickly discarded any thoughts of escape or confrontation. I felt powerless. And frustrated. I had spent so many days observing the prairie, preparing for this moment, yet I had reached the wrong conclusion that only goats lived here. It was hard to predict something like this would appear¡­ but I should have been more cautious. I¡¯ve seen plenty of surreal things since arriving here, yet I remain na?ve. It¡¯s hard to accept that life is no longer as I once knew it. But I couldn¡¯t use that as an excuse. This was entirely my fault. And now, all I could do was hope this creature had mercy on me. Maybe there was still a chance that, upon dying, I would wake up¡­ but that was a possibility I had no intention of testing. I gripped the spear tightly to endure my frustration. I had no confidence whatsoever in even scratching the beast in front of me. A bitter smile curled on my lips¡ªthe weapon hadn¡¯t even been used yet, and at this rate, the first blood to stain its surface would be its owner''s. *Swoosh-Clang* "RRRAAAAARGH!" A powerful impact echoed across the prairie, followed by Kairon¡¯s roar as he intercepted the beast¡¯s tail strike for the second time. I snapped out of my daze and turned my head like a stiff, rusted machine¡­ only to see that two of Kairon¡¯s legs had been completely shattered. ¡ªIT DOESN¡¯T MATTER IF I DIE, I¡¯M TAKING YOU WITH ME, YOU SON OF A BITCH! The fear that had gripped me was replaced by an overwhelming rage¡ªone unlike anything I had ever felt before. I had no idea how to use a spear, but at that moment, all I could think about was using my small size to drive it into the beast¡¯s stomach until it was dead. ¡ªGrahk! Kairon blocked my path, stopping my reckless charge. Then, without taking his eyes off the armadillo¡ªwho seemed almost entertained by the scene¡ªhe flicked his tail backward, signaling for me to run. I was definitely afraid. Facing death head-on and charging toward it takes more than just courage, but at this point, I didn¡¯t want to retreat either. Kairon gave me a familiar feeling, one I had only ever felt with my mother. I didn¡¯t want to lose my family again¡ªnot if I could do something to stop it. I didn¡¯t want to be alone again. ¡ªForget it! I might be weak, but with my size, I cou¡ª ¡ªRRAAAK! Kairon¡¯s sharp cry cut off my words. Sure, I was older than him, but right now, I was acting like one of those reckless brats I had always despised. Kairon had experience hunting in this prairie. He had likely encountered this species before and had never been injured. It was only now, because he was protecting me, that he had taken damage. Even so, he could still fly. If he were alone, he could probably escape. A long, exhausted sigh escaped my lips. ¡ª¡­Fine. Clenching my teeth, I turned and sprinted toward the city as fast as I could. I trusted Kairon, but there was no way he could kill that thing. The only thing I could do was run as fast as possible. That was my only way of helping. The sooner I reached safety, the less time Kairon would be in danger. It was disappointing. Infuriating. This entire excursion had been about avoiding becoming a burden in the future, yet in the end, that was exactly what I had turned out to be. *BANG-BOOM-KERRANG* The battle had begun. The wind from the violent clashes pushed against my back, urging me to run even faster. As I fled, I counted the distance, and when I reached the thirty-meter mark¡ªthe limit where I had never seen a single animal¡ªI took in all the air I could and, without stopping my sprint, screamed at the top of my lungs: ¡ªKAIRON!! With a dull thud, I collapsed onto the ground, exhausted. I had burned through all my energy in a single, desperate sprint, and my muscles screamed in pain from the sudden burst of effort. Ignoring the agony, I forced myself to my feet as quickly as I could and kept shouting with all my strength, hoping Kairon could hear me. ¡ªKAIRON!!