"Am I really a dragon?" I asked, my voice filled with confusion and curiosity. "Why don't I look like one? You know, reptilian with claws and wings and stuff?"
My father, Antrodos, leaned forward, his face serious but his eyes warm. "Max, you have not yet matured or tapped into your hidden potential," he explained, his voice gentle.
Agnes took over, her voice kind and soft. "You see, for anything to walk Dragon's Road, they must walk the path of all the other Avatars of Life. Understanding the way of life from those Avatars makes them stronger as they walk Dragon's Road."
She looked at me, her eyes filled with wisdom. "But in your case, Max, since you're a real dragon, you'll slowly evolve both physically and spiritually. You'll grow stronger, and you'll also change physically."
I felt tears well up in my eyes, fear and uncertainty gripping my heart. "Will I... will I eventually become something not human?" I asked, my voice breaking.
Agnes looked down, her face sad. "Yes," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
I felt a strong hand on my shoulder and looked up to see my father's comforting gaze. "I promise, Max, I'll find a way to keep you as my son, who is a human," he said, his voice filled with determination.
Agnes spoke up again, her voice filled with conviction. "Despite the many cons of walking Dragon's Road, Max, you've been chosen for a reason by fate itself. There hasn't been a biological dragon, or someone who walks Dragon's Road, in decades. It seems you've been chosen recently."
She looked at me, her eyes shining with belief. "Maybe you're the opposite of the future necromancer, meant to stop him or her. You have a purpose, Max."
Her words resonated within me, and I felt a new determination welling up inside. I was scared, yes, but I also knew that I had something important to do.
I looked at my father, his face filled with love and support, and then at Agnes, her eyes filled with kindness and understanding.
I was a dragon, and I had a path to walk. A path filled with mystery and danger, but also with purpose and potential.
With a deep breath, I nodded, ready to embrace my destiny. Ready to walk Dragon's Road.
My father, Antrodos, suddenly seemed lost in thought, his brow furrowed. After a moment of deep contemplation, he turned to Agnes, his voice filled with conviction. "Max should ignore his destiny. He should just live a normal life. He could become a merchant, a bard, or even a worker."
His words surprised me, but I could hear the concern in his voice. "I don't want my son to grow in power," he continued, his eyes filled with sorrow. "Not because I don't want to see him growing stronger, but because I don't want to lose him. I don't wish to lose my family, and I'm willing to sacrifice others for my family's happiness."
I felt a warmth in my chest, touched by my father's love. I wanted to say something, but my words were stuck, stuttering in my throat.
Agnes, however, was quick to speak up. "The fate of the entire world depends on Max's growth," she said urgently. "He could be someone who brings light or someone who brings darkness."
Her words weighed heavily on me. "This is all too much to bear," I finally managed to say. "If I go down that road, I could achieve so much good, but I might lose my humanity. What if I end up as a necromancer?"
My father quickly agreed with me, his voice firm. "Let's drop the subject and leave," he said, rising from his chair.
Agnes started to protest, but before she could finish, my father grabbed my arm and apologized to her, heading towards the door.
At the doorway, Axon handed my father a bag of Golden Coins, which he quickly accepted, and we walked out of the shack.
I could hear Agnes calling out to us from afar, but there was no response. I tried to look back, but my father positioned my head forward.
"Keep your eyes on the road to Tarvernia," he said, his voice gentle yet determined.
As we continued on our way, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life had changed forever. But with my father by my side, I knew we would face whatever lay ahead together.
As we continued our walk to Tarvernia, I couldn't help but break the silence. "Dad, do you want to talk about what Agnes said earlier?"
"No," Antrodos answered sharply, his voice filled with anger. I could see his jaw was clenched.
I hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "There's one way to solve this problem," I said, determination growing in me. "As much as I hate the idea of becoming a dragon or a necromancer, I can't turn down great power if it can make a difference. My goal has always been to make everyone smile. By walking down Dragon's Road, I'll have the ability to do that."
My father's stern face softened as he looked at me. "But Max, you'll be sacrificing yourself. Your powers could be out of control. Without proper party members or someone to keep you in check, it would be extremely dangerous."
A smirk spread across my face as an idea sparked in my mind. My father, reading my expression, quickly said, "Lucianna, your girlfriend, is not enough. You'll need more."
I blushed, stammering, "Lucianna's not my girlfriend, Dad. Not yet, anyway."
My father raised an eyebrow. "Do you have others in mind?"
I couldn't help but smirk again. "I have my family."
"You mean," my father asked, his eyes widening, "you're suggesting that we should all go on this quest to master Dragon's Road? Your entire family?"
I nodded, my heart pounding with excitement.
"That idea is ridiculous," Antrodos exclaimed, shaking his head. Then a smile broke out on his face, and he added, "And stupid. But you know what? I like it."
His words filled me with joy, but he continued, his voice growing serious, "We should ask what the others feel about it, though. Especially your mother, Laussinna."
I agreed, feeling a new sense of hope. With my family by my side, the path ahead seemed a little less daunting. We walked on, the bond between my father and me growing stronger, knowing that we were stepping into a new and unknown adventure together.
The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over Tarvernia's Snow Fairy's Tavern when Dad and I arrived. We found ourselves facing Mom, Matterinna, Illyanna, and Lucianna, all gathered around a cozy table.
I could see Mom's eyes ablaze, a fire in them I had rarely witnessed. "Where were you?" she demanded, her normally soft and charming voice sharp with anger.
Matterinna, our gentle and kind housemaid, was nodding in agreement, while my energetic little sister Illyanna and my prideful yet charming friend Lucianna looked on silently.
Dad quickly explained, his voice calm but firm, "Max was under my orders. We went out to find gifts for your upcoming birthday."
My mom's anger seemed to soften, and she asked, her voice trembling, "Is that true?"
I reached into my bag and pulled out a black and gold handbag that we had just purchased from Teroan Wood earlier, using the Golden Coins from our guild quest of exterminating a Land Crawler. "For you, Mom," I said, handing it to her.
She gasped, and then her anger flared again. "A Land Crawler! That's extremely dangerous without proper preparations!" she shouted.
Dad stepped in, his voice soothing. "Max and I took care of it. He did extremely well, despite his recent amnesia problem."
Mom's anger turned to concern, her eyes softening. "You were risking your lives to buy me an expensive birthday gift? Despite our poor finances?"
Dad and I both nodded.
Tears welled in Mom's eyes, and she rushed toward us, enveloping us in a warm hug. "I'm sorry I was angry," she whispered, her voice quivering. "I just don't want you to get harmed or injured, even for my sake."
Her hug was filled with love, and I knew that no matter what awaited me on Dragon's Road, I had the support of my family. The adventure was just beginning, and we were facing it together.
Mom looked at Dad and me, her eyes twinkling with concern. "You must be hungry and thirsty from your journey. And tired too, I bet!" she said, her voice full of her usual energy.
"Yes, and extremely tired as well," Dad replied, his voice weary but friendly.
I could only nod, feeling the exhaustion seeping into my bones.
Mom quickly ordered heaps of food and drinks from the bartender, her charming smile making the whole room feel warmer.
Dad approached Matterinna, our gentle and kind housemaid. "There's something serious I wish to discuss. Let's gather Laussinna too," he said, his voice grave.
Matterinna's eyes widened. "Should we have this discussion at a different table?"
Dad nodded, and they moved to a different table, Mom joining shortly after. Their faces looked serious and sometimes shocked, but their conversation was too far for me to hear.
Back at my table, my little sister Illyanna and my close friend Lucianna were talking to me, both showing signs of concern.
Lucianna shot me an angry look, her charming face twisted with worry. "We were extremely worried about you, Max! We thought you were kidnapped by some rogue group of cultists."
I blinked in surprise. "Why?"
Lucianna's voice was quick and sharp. "You walk Dragon's Road. That's rare and some adventurers out there despise Dragon's Road users due to jealousy. They could steal your powers or destiny!"
"They could?" I asked, stunned.
"Yes!" Lucianna shouted, her voice filled with passion.
Illyanna cuddled up to me, her energy softening into comfort. "Everything is good now. Max is back," she said, smiling.
Lucianna softened too, though she was still pouting at me. Her anger was gone, replaced by relief, and I felt a warmth in my heart. My family and friends cared for me, and no matter what dangers lay ahead, I knew I wasn't facing them alone.