By the time they got near the entrance, Ling was already clinging at the back of Maga for support while walking. He was encouraged by the light so he walked faster and almost broke off into a run followed by the still energetic dragon. Too bad he was too tired to ran but he still reached the opening faster than he expected.
What he saw outside the cave was the familiar forest. Familiar because of the trees, plants and grassy ground but not really the actual place. This still made him smile.
When he looked back at his companion, he saw that it was still shrouded in the dark of the cave.
"Come on out, Maga! The light outside is brighter!"
However, it was actually not bright outside the cave. It was night time by now, hours after Ling was found missing. The light in the forest was coming from the moon that was peering from the leaves and the usual green life 'mist' in the forest.
Still hesitant, Maga stepped into a brighter area. Ling became confused. He noticed that Maga looked bigger compared to the waist height it was when it came out of the rock, er, egg.
Nevermind, they still have to find a way back to the village. The two set off outside the cave to the forest. When Ling looked around, he actually saw something familiar. It was the pool beside the river.
Excited, he turned to his companion, "Maga, see that?" he said as he pointed in the direction of the natural pool, "That's where I fell before! But I'll tell you about that next time. I remember the way to the village now. Let's go!"
His footsteps crunched the fallen leaves on the ground but no other sound followed his. When he looked back, the dragon was still standing just outside the cave.
Ling walked back but kept looking at the path to go to his village. He crouched down to stare at the dragon eye to eye and whispered, "What's the matter, Maga? I told you, the food was better at my house. Mother and sisters' cooking were better than yours. They put some other things like vegetables aside from the meat to make it more flavorful and nutr-nutricious."
The dragon whimpered, then looked back at the cave where they came from.
"Ok, the lava might seem better for you than the vegetables so why don't I leave you here for now. I have to go back so my family wouldn't worry."
When the boy finished talking, the dragon nudged the boy's hand again, asking to be touched.
The boy was patting the dragon to comfort it, "I'll come back. I promise. I'll bring you some meat and vegetables too." As if on que, a growling sound coming from the boy's stomach interjected.
When the boy walked away, the dragon kept staring at the back of the disappearing figure later covered by the branches and leaves of the trees.
___
Back at the village, a few guards were still patrolling by the border. The hunters that went looking for the missing boy were already back an hour ago. The 'haze' during the night was more intense, which overlay the 'mist' from the boy, making them unable to look for him in the mean time.
"I-I'll look for him al-alone!" One sobbing voice kept insisting in the noisy area where the villagers were planning about the hunt the next day.
Bobo's face was ravaged by tears and scratches because of the anger of his wife on him. Mahina was not talking to him now and was taking care of their other worried children, sitting on a bench near the area. All of them can't sleep yet, thinking of what could have happened to their little boy.
While the people continued talking, they didn't notice that a small figure together with two guards were walking to the center of the area until one of the guards shouted the news.
"We found the missing boy!"
This announcement was repeated a few times before the din of the council was quieted. When everybody understood the news, the noise started up again.
Leaving the group were one sobbing man together with his wife and six daughters.
"Ling!" "Liiiiiiiing!" "My baby!"
"Are you okay? Were you hurt by the animals in the forest? It was a good thing the large animals can't enter our village."
"W-who found you? We h-have t-to thank them."
"Were you afraid? Mother is here now so don't worry. Father will protect you."
The questions from his family were making Ling unable to answer them. When he heard that the large animals can't enter the village, he thought that maybe Maga can't too.
"By large animals, what does that mea-"
Hearing the first words her son said, Mahina became horrified, "Were there wild animals outside?! Your father will kill them all! Don't be afraid now!" Then she hugged her son tightly while glaring at het husband.
Ling didn't know how to tell them about Maga but, upon hearing this, he thought that maybe it's better to hide it for now.
The others were still asking him too many questions and the news being spread around the village was adding to the noise.
"Mother!"
"What is it? Are you hurt? Let me see your wounds."
"No! Mother, I'm hungry!" And what he said was supported by his growling stomach.