The morning sun after our skirmish with the bandits bathed my room in a gentle glow. I stirred, feeling an unfamiliar warmth on my face. Blinking sleep from my eyes, I saw a diminutive creature nestled beside me. Its scales shimmered in monochrome patterns, contrasting with its mesmerizing golden eyes.
Although I was certain my parents hadn't laid eyes on this mysterious creature yet, I wasn't keen on risking their disapproval. So, as a precaution, I tucked it out of their sight.
Something deep within whispered that this wasn't any ordinary bird. It radiated an aura that suggested it had the power of speech. Unsure how to unlock this ability, I vowed silently to find a way.
Cradling the creature, it nestled comfortably within my palms, its gentle warmth radiating a sense of security. As it yawned, stretching its tiny wings, I mused aloud, "What should I name you? How about...Inzaghi?"
To my surprise, the bird jumped up and down in excitement after hearing its name. I guess it liked it after all.
Carefully, I got out of bed and made my way to the window. I opened it, letting the cool breeze wash over us. The dragon stirred in my arms, and I realized that it was hungry.
"Let's find you something to eat," I said, heading to the kitchen.
I placed the bird on top of my head and let it rest while I scouted the kitchen. My mother wasn't there; she was out shopping for groceries and books, as I had requested books on ancient animals. My gut feeling told me that this bird was different from any other bird in this world.
I quickly hurried to the pantry and found some fruits and vegetables. I chopped them into small pieces and put them in a bowl. I could feel the drool dripping down my face as the Inzaghis hunger grew stronger.
Picking up the baby bird, I placed it on the table and watched it eagerly gobble up the food. I couldn't help but laugh at how cute it looked.
After Inzaghi finished their food, I picked him up and placed him on my head again. I decided to take it to the forest for some fresh air and a walk since it had been in my room for a while.
As we breezed through the village and into the forest, we didn't encounter any rabid creatures. I couldn't tell if it was due to there being fewer of them around or if they were miraculously avoiding us on purpose.
When we arrived at the forest, I let Inzaghi run loose, enjoying the beautiful environment that was blooming at its peak during spring. It was truly a relaxing feeling to be at peace.
To make things more fun, we decided to play some games, such as chasing butterflies and rolling in the grass.
The weirdest part was that Inzaghi liked to nibble on the flowers, and I let him eat them, hoping he wouldn't get sick. It also liked to breathe fire, which was amazing to watch. It would make a small flame that lasted for a few seconds, then look at me as if asking for approval.
Stroking its head in reply to its amazing trick, I couldn't help but smile.
We spent the entire day together, exploring the depths of the forest as I was learning Inzaghi's preferences.
As we roamed around, I observed his behaviour and mannerisms, marvelling at the strange, fiery breath that occasionally escaped his beak. It was clear to me that he was no ordinary bird, but a rare and unique breed.
As the sun began to set, I bid farewell to the tranquil forest and headed back home, with Inzaghi perched comfortably on my head. Despite his boundless energy and enthusiasm, he eventually grew tired and nestled into my pocket, his warm body providing me with a sense of comfort and companionship.
"Stay quiet and keep a low profile until we're inside, okay buddy?" I whispered to Inzaghi as we approached my front door. He chirped in agreement, and I breathed a sigh of relief as I successfully concealed him from my parents' prying eyes.
"Jin, my dear, welcome back!" My mother greeted me with a smile, handing me a stack of books that I had requested. I eagerly scanned the titles: 'Animal Cyclopedia', 'Mythical Animals', and 'The Psychological Animal Mind'. I thanked my mother and hurried to my room to delve into the fascinating world of animal biology.
Inzaghi hopped out of my pocket and began to explore my room once again, his curiosity piqued by the new surroundings. I settled into my bed and began to read, occasionally glancing over at Inzaghi as he playfully hopped around.
After devouring several chapters, I realized that there was little information on Inzaghi's unique breed in the books I had received. However, the 'Mythical Animals' book caught my attention with a vivid description of a creature that resembled Inzaghi in every way: a dragon. My mind raced with excitement and disbelief - I had never imagined that I would be the keeper of such a legendary creature.
As the sun set and darkness consumed the sky, my mind became consumed with fear for Inzaghi's safety. I knew all too well the cruel intentions of those who would seek to capture and exploit exotic animals like him. With a heavy heart, I vowed to become stronger, to ensure the safety of my precious companion.
But a nagging thought lingered in the back of my mind, sending a sharp pain coursing through my head: What if I wasn't there to protect Inzaghi? The idea of leaving him vulnerable and defenceless was unbearable. So, with a heavy heart and a steely resolve, I made the difficult decision to train Inzaghi to defend himself in my absence.
As morning broke, I woke to the warmth of Inzaghi's breath on my stomach. The excitement of beginning our training flooded through me, and I nudged him gently, exclaiming, "Rise and shine, Inzaghi! Today marks the start of our journey towards strength and resilience!" Inzaghi yawned and stretched his wings and beak, ready for whatever lay ahead.
Going through my morning routine as per usual Inzaghi was playfully exploring the house scampering at objects he's never seen especially at the chairs barging into them with all his might
He's definitely got something against chairs...
Anyways we ate breakfast and prepped my gear as we set out to the forest in the hopes that the creatures would come at us with killing intentions.
With the freshly cold breeze that swayed throughout this forest, it was no joke that during the night these monsters would be at least roaming freely without having to be seen by anyone.
As we walked, we came across creatures with pointed ears and sharp, menacing teeth, their sickly green skin and beady yellow eyes sending chills down my spine. Their wiry limbs and hunched backs made them quick and agile, and it was challenging to catch them.
Were these the same creatures my father had warned me about? Goblins? In the darkness, I could barely make out their forms, but a tiny set of blue flames lit up the core of their bodies, enabling me to see their movements more clearly.
And then it happened again - a sudden surge of ability that aided me in battle, but one that I still struggled to control I called it the vision beyond which allowed me to see movements in current time before it even happens.
"Human and pet?" one goblin whispered to his comrades.
"Food!" another one screamed. "We hungry!"
And then, as if on cue, one goblin charged straight at us. I held Inzaghi close to me and focused on the goblin in front of me. Suddenly, everything seemed to slow down, and I could see each goblin's movement as threads of light, allowing me to anticipate their attacks.
I pulled out my silver broadsword and infused it with immense power, drawing on my elemental abilities to strike with a swift "Wave slash." The blow knocked the goblin in front of me to the ground, damaging others in the backline.
The other goblins were taken aback, calling out for their comrade and realizing that I was a force to be reckoned with. But I couldn't let my guard down - there were still five of them, and they were charging straight at us.
"Inzaghi, what are you doing?" I asked, alarmed, as he leapt out of my arms and onto the ground, letting out a scream that stopped the goblins in their tracks.
I saw how vulnerable they were, and I couldn't stand by and watch. Gripping my sword with both hands, a powerful surge of energy coursed through my body, as if a wave had completely engulfed me. But instead of using my elemental abilities, I channelled this overflowing power into my sword, determined to end this battle with a single strike.
My sword shone brighter than ever before, blazing with an intensity that took my breath away. With absolute force, I swung my sword, and what I saw before me was a sight to behold - a slash that wiped out the goblins, turning them into dust. The black lighting was coated in red outlines, a beautiful sight that left me in awe of my newfound power.
As I heaved a sigh of relief, little did I know that the ordeal was far from over. In a matter of moments, the surrounding goblin tribe, alerted by the commotion, descended upon us. The eerie silence was broken by the sound of their bloodthirsty growls, and I knew I was in deep trouble.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves as the goblin tribe closed in on me. I knew that I was vastly outnumbered, but I also had the priority to protect Inzaghi. The baby dragon nestled in my furry coat, and I could feel his tiny body shivering with fear. I placed him there reassuringly, promising that everything would be alright. I tightened my grip on my sword and stood my ground, ready to face whatever came my way.
The goblins approached cautiously, eyeing me warily as they spread out in a loose circle around me. I could see the giant in their midst, towering over his comrades like a massive oak tree. He carried a crude club in one hand and wore a fierce scowl on his face.
I waited for the goblins to make the first move, sizing them up and trying to find a weakness in their formation. They were a motley crew, each one different from the next, but they all shared a wild and ferocious look in their eyes.
Suddenly, the giant barked an order in a harsh language that I didn't understand. The goblins surged forward, their weapons at the ready. I braced myself, gritting my teeth as I prepared for the onslaught.
The battle was fierce and brutal. The goblins attacked with a ferocity that took me by surprise, their weapons striking hard and fast. I parried their blows as best I could, using my sword to deflect their attacks and strike back where I could.
I could feel my heart racing, but I refused to let fear take over. I had faced many other creatures before, and I had always emerged victorious. This time would be no different.
Suddenly, something shifted within me, and I felt a surge of energy coursing through my body. My eyesight sharpened, and I saw beyond what was in front of me. I could see the threads of fate weaving around me, guiding my movements and showing me the weaknesses of my opponents.
With complete focus, I was able to stay locked in, and then suddenly the ability emerged into my sight. The vision of the beyond gave me the advantage to see through them. I charged forward, engulfing my sword with that powerful energy as I slashed through the air. The goblins rushed at me, their weapons raised, but I dodged and weaved through their attacks, striking them down as more black lightning coursed through them, completely eviscerating them.
The giant goblin was more of a challenge, his massive club nearly twice the size of mine. But I was nimble and quick, darting around his attacks as I analysed his behaviour. A whiff of a golden thread paved the way for this opportunity.
Slamming his club to the ground, I saw the thread completely guiding me to attack the very right side of his shoulder. My body moved instinctively, and I swung my sword with a force that was out of this world. The goblin leader saw the little boy's feet steadily jumping high off the ground with his silver broadsword. He saw that the blue glowing light in my eyes was fierce and intimidating, and my sword then glowed a blazing brilliant bright black and red.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the last goblin fell to the ground, defeated. I stood there, breathing heavily, covered in sweat and blood. But I was alive, and I had won.
"I-I think that's enough training for us today, Inzaghi," I panted, trying to catch my breath after exhausting a complete amount of mana and willpower.
I sheathed my sword and grabbed hold of Inzaghi, heading back home. The baby dragon cooed softly, relieved that the danger had passed.