A few minutes later, we were all astonished as Matterinna used her magic to conjure a makeshift cabin on her back. It seemed to materialize out of thin air, like an architectural daydream.
"I've missed this cabin so much," Antrodos sighed, his eyes misting over with nostalgia.
Laussinna smiled, agreeing with him, "Me too, dear."
Illyanna, Lucianna, and I exchanged puzzled glances. "What?" I asked.
Antrodos's face brightened as he began to explain, "Back during our adventuring days, we would ride Matterinna inside this very cabin. It was like our mobile home, filled with memories and joy."
Laussinna's eyes sparkled as she added, "Oh, the memories of Antrodos the Knight, me as the Bard, and Agnes the Druid filled this place. I can still hear the sounds of laughter, singing, and bonding in my mind."
She looked at Antrodos, her voice softening, "I wish Agnes could join our adventures again. She would be such a help, and the reunion would be bittersweet."
Antrodos chuckled nervously, "I miss Agnes too. It's unfortunate that we haven't met in a long time."
I found myself lost in thought, thinking of Agnes, the one who revealed to me that I was a dragon. I wondered if we'd meet her again, what role she'd play in our journey. I regretted not interacting with her more, but for now, all I could do was bid her farewell in my heart.
The cabin was a treasure trove waiting to be explored. Illyanna, Lucianna, and I dashed around, our eyes wide as we examined ancient, magical artifacts. Clothes, magical items, remnants of slain monsters, and relics of great quests were all on display. It was like a museum of our family's history.
At the four corners of the cabin stood giant turret-like structures. I turned to Antrodos, "Are those turrets?"
He nodded, his eyes serious, "Yes, we used them to slay many rogue monsters of the dark. They're powered by the user's own mana."
Our eyes lit up at the explanation, but Antrodos quickly warned us, "Don't touch them. Transferring mana by mistake could cause them to start firing."
"Is this the life we'll lead from now on?" I asked, excitement and uncertainty mingling in my voice.
Laussinna looked at me with a gentle smile, "Yes, Max. This is what you decided, what we all decided. We'll go on a journey for you to undergo Dragon's Road and stop the arrival of the necromancer."
Her words settled around us, a solemn promise filled with adventure, mystery, and family. We were embarking on a journey like no other, and I knew that the cabin on Matterinna's back would be the center of our lives, filled with new memories and bound by a shared destiny.
As we settled into the cabin, Matterinna began to explain some of its quirks. "From time to time, when we encounter a town, I'll have to become my human form again, and the cabin will disappear," she said, her voice tinged with regret. "Channeling both my dragon form and summoning the cabin requires a steady stream of mana. It would be taxing if they were all activated for a long time."
I looked at her, concerned, and nodded. "Thank you for doing this for us, Matterinna. Are you sure you'll be okay? Will it cause you pain or tire you out?"
Illyanna chimed in, her eyes wide, "Yes, are you sure you won't get tired from moving us around like a giant mount?"
Matterinna laughed, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Thanks for your concern, Max and Illyanna, but you have nothing to worry about. I've done this plenty of times in the past."
I couldn't help but ask, "But if you're a dragon, how come you don't have any wings?"
Her answer was intriguing. "I'm a different breed of dragon, one that uses magic to float instead. However," she added, looking a bit wistful, "I'll only use my ability to fly in emergencies. It would tax my mana so much, especially when I'm also maintaining the cabin."
Illyanna and I reached out and patted her head affectionately, assuring her, "Take it slow, Matterinna. We're in no hurry."
Matterinna's eyes shifted to a more serious question. "Where will we go now?"
Lucianna, who had been quietly observing the conversation, spoke up, "We have to find the Avatar of Dragon's thief first."
"The Avatar of Dragon's thief? Do we have any leads?" Matterinna asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
Lucianna explained, "We have to venture into a region called Aurastia. It's a land where thieves usually roam, filled with all sorts of black markets. Judging from the direction the thief was going, she could be heading there."
Matterinna's face hardened with determination, and she nodded. As she began to move, I was surprised to find that the cabin didn't shift much at all, despite her sprinting movements.
The world outside our windows became a blur as we traveled at incredible speed, but inside the cabin, everything remained serene and steady. The conversation flowed, filled with hope, excitement, and a sense of purpose. We were on an adventure, guided by trust, family, and the wisdom of a wingless dragon. The journey was just beginning, and I knew that the road ahead would be filled with twists, turns, and discoveries that would change our lives forever.