As a child, I was captivated by a dream so vivid and consuming that it felt like an extension of my very being. The idea of becoming a Dragon Knight, with all the honor, glory, and raw power that came with the title, filled my mind with endless possibilities. I was entranced by the tales of brave knights donning their shimmering armor, wielding swords that crackled with lightning, and soaring through the clouds atop their dragonoids.
The Dragon Knights were more than just legendary warriors to me; they were a symbol of strength, courage, and unwavering dedication to a higher cause. I was mesmerized by their unflinching code of honor and the awe-inspiring power they wielded in the face of danger. They were everything I aspired to be and more, and I longed to join their ranks.
But what I truly yearned for was the companionship of a dragonoid. The thought of soaring through the skies, feeling the wind whipping through my hair and the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins, was a vision that never left me. I wanted a friend who could take me to the highest reaches of the clouds, a partner who would share in my triumphs and stand by me through every perilous journey.
And yet, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that the bubbly, vivacious girl I met would be the dragonoid I would spend the rest of my life with. Her infectious energy and zest for life were the perfect complement to my own fiery determination, and as we fought side by side against the forces of darkness, our bond only grew stronger.
It was a fateful day, three years ago, when we first crossed paths. I remember it vividly, as if it were yesterday. Our school had organized a field trip to Goldcliff City, a bustling metropolis that was infamous for its pollution and the widespread use of radiation crystals as a source of energy. It was a city that reeked of smoke and toxic waste, a place that no sane person would ever willingly venture into.
But there we were, a group of wide-eyed students, eager to learn more about the enigmatic radiation crystals and their impact on the environment. The day started out like any other field trip, with everyone excitedly chattering away as we explored the city's many shops and attractions. However, little did I know that this day would turn out to be a turning point in my life.
As I was wandering through the crowded square with my friends, I suddenly felt a sharp tug on my bag. Before I could react, a small kid had snatched it from my grasp and was running away with it. Fueled by a sudden surge of adrenaline, I chased after them, blindly following them through the winding streets of the city.
It wasn't until I emerged from a narrow alleyway that I realized I had lost my way. I found myself in the heart of the slums, a place where the poorest of the poor lived, and where the dragonoids were at their most mischievous and filthy. As a noble, I had always been taught to avoid these parts of the city, and I had never imagined that I would find myself here, surrounded by beggars and thieves.
The slums were a world away from the opulent mansions and manicured gardens of my upbringing. Here, the dragonoids lived in shacks made of plywood, their ragged clothing barely covering their emaciated frames. The stench of sewage and decay filled the air, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disgust at the sight of these wretched creatures.
As the sun began to set, and with my bag nowhere in sight, I knew that I had no choice but to find a place to stay. I stumbled upon an inn that was filled with hulking, muscular dragonoids, their red eyes gleaming with hostility as I stepped inside. I could sense their disdain for my aristocratic background, and yet I had no other options. I needed a place to rest, and I was willing to do whatever it took to survive the night.
"You seemed totally troubled and exhausted. What do you like?"
As I entered the inn, my eyes immediately landed on her. Airelina Frembell. She was like a breath of fresh air in the midst of the grimy and foul atmosphere of the slums. Her vibrant red hair was tied in twin ponytails, which swayed gently as she moved around the inn, attending to the needs of the patrons. The light from the flickering candles cast a soft glow on her smooth skin, making her look almost ethereal.
Despite her position as the only stewardess of the inn, Airelina seemed to be handling everything with ease. Her movements were graceful and confident as she carried plates and trays, clearing tables and refilling glasses. Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as she interacted with the rough and rowdy dragonoids, who seemed to have taken a liking to her.
As she passed by my table, I caught a whiff of her sweet perfume. It was a pleasant contrast to the smell of sweat and alcohol that permeated the air. I couldn't help but feel drawn to her, intrigued by her beauty and her confident demeanor.
"I…I…don't have any money in me. Is a glass of water free?"
Airelina held out a glass of water, which I gratefully accepted, feeling the cool liquid quenching my parched throat. As I drank, she chatted with me like we were old friends, her easy demeanor putting me at ease despite the unfamiliar and dangerous environment I found myself in.
Her voice was soft and melodious, with just a hint of a playful lilt. She regaled me with stories of her adventures as a stewardess, and her experiences living in the slums. Her red hair swayed gently as she spoke, and I couldn't help but be captivated by her energy and enthusiasm.
Despite her being a dragonoid, I felt no sense of hostility or danger from her. Her red eyes, which had initially filled me with fear and suspicion, now seemed to radiate kindness and warmth. It was as if she had a special aura that made people feel at ease around her.
"So you're telling me that some kid snatched your bag and now you lost your way and you don't have any place to stay? Worry not! I'll give you something to eat and place to stay for the meantime, for one condition. You should do the dishes on the back. Pleeease~ Like totally, I'm the only one left here! Is it a deal?"
At first, I was quite annoyed by Airelina's speech pattern and bubbly attitude. But considering my situation, her offer to let me work as a dishwasher in exchange for a meal and a place to sleep was the best option I had. She prepared a delicious meal for me, and I was given a small room to sleep in for the night.
The next morning, Airelina insisted on helping me find the thief. She explained that she was quite close to the slum people and knew the area well, so I agreed to let her come along. We searched high and low in the dirty wet market, checked out some of the orphanages, and even visited some random houses. Despite our efforts, we failed to find the snatcher.
As night fell, I began to feel hopeless. But Airelina suggested that she could lend me some money until I was able to recover my own bag. It was a small relief, but I knew that there was nothing better than reclaiming my own belongings.
While washing dishes that night, Airelina introduced me to the other crew members who were absent the night before. The first person she introduced me to was Brow, a huge and muscular guy who acted as the inn's bouncer. He had a tough, brownish complexion, and his black Mohawk hairstyle made him look even more intimidating.
The second person she introduced me to was Richard, who appeared to be a mercenary. He was wearing leather armor and had a bronze sword on his back. Despite his rugged and dirty appearance, he looked handsome.
The last person Airelina introduced me to was a snotty, dirty kid with spiky red-dyed hair, who was wearing a torn and dirty white jersey. His name was Gaz, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity with him.
Suddenly, it all clicked. Gaz was the one who had stolen my bag! I chased him through the kitchen, the bedrooms, and the tables, breaking plates, bottles, and glasses in the process. Finally, I cornered him at the counter and kicked him in the face, demanding to know where my bag was.
"Where is my bag, you filthy lizard?!"
The atmosphere in the inn became tense and hostile after I kicked Gaz in the face. The snotty kid was whimpering in pain and terror as I demanded to know where my bag was. Suddenly, Richard, the mercenary with the sword, stepped forward and pointed it at my throat in an attempt to stop me. Airelina quickly intervened, helping the poor kid to stand up and trying to calm everyone down.
As I looked around the room, I noticed that all eyes were on me. The dragonoids who were enjoying their meals and drinks just moments ago were now glowering at me with fury. Their expressions were menacing, and I felt a knot form in my stomach. Even Airelina and Richard, who had seemed friendly before, were now staring at me with cold hostility.
I realized that I had made a grave mistake by losing my temper and attacking Gaz. In this part of the city, violence was the norm, and I had just broken one of the unwritten rules. I felt a sense of fear wash over me as I wondered what would happen next.
"You have to leave. Now." Richard furiously said to me.
I immediately left the inn, and Airelina was there to send me off.
As Airelina and I were walking towards my hotel, the silence between us was heavy and uncomfortable. I could sense her distress and it made me uneasy. Her eyes, which were once filled with warmth and kindness, now looked sad and troubled. Her eyes were red and puffy as if she had been crying before.
As we arrived at the hotel, Airelina stopped me before I entered the lobby. She looked at me with a glint of sadness in her eyes and said, "I'm sorry for what happened earlier. I know it wasn't right, but you didn't have to hurt that kid like that."
Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. I didn't expect her to take the side of the dragonoid who stole my bag. I could feel my anger building up again. But before I could say anything, Airelina placed her hand on my shoulder.
"I understand your frustration," she said softly, "but not all dragonoids are like that. Some of them are just trying to survive in this harsh world."
I didn't know what to say. I just stared at her as she took her hand off my shoulder and turned to leave. Before she walked away, she looked back at me and said, "Goodbye. Take care of yourself."
I watched her walk away, feeling a pang of guilt in my chest. I knew I shouldn't have acted the way I did, but my anger got the best of me. As I entered the hotel, I couldn't shake off the feeling of regret and shame.
Despite my earlier misadventures, I managed to enjoy my field trip for the first three days, and everything went according to plan. The itinerary was packed with activities, and we were able to visit several fascinating places in the Goldcliff City. However, as the days went by, I began to feel restless, and I craved some excitement. It seemed that fate had other plans for me, as I was about to find myself in another precarious situation.
The duration of the field trip was eight days, and as it turned out, I had plenty of time to get myself into trouble again. Despite my best efforts to stay out of harm's way, trouble seemed to find me wherever I went. It was as though I was destined to be caught up in the city's turmoil, no matter how hard I tried to avoid it.
As I glanced at the bulletin board on the fifth day of my field trip, my eyes locked onto the wanted posters pinned up there. The faces on the posters were familiar. They belonged to the two men I had met at the inn in the slums - Brow Gattling and Richard Astherson. To my horror, the poster declared them as members of the notorious terrorist group, Arcadia. My mind raced back to the day I left the inn, and I realized that the power plant bombing happened on that very day. The thought sent shivers down my spine. I had been blissfully unaware that I had been mingling with actual terrorists. Thankful to have returned to Goldcliff City unharmed, I couldn't help but wonder - was Airelina also involved with these dangerous criminals?
Despite my relief that I had narrowly escaped harm, the realization that I had spent time with a group of dangerous terrorists sent shivers down my spine. I couldn't imagine the danger I would have faced had I stayed even a day longer in their company. It was clear that I needed to be more cautious in the future and steer clear of such individuals. Nonetheless, I couldn't help but feel grateful that I had managed to make it out of the inn unscathed.
According to our itinerary, the next day was scheduled as a learning experience from one of the six power plants located in Goldcliff City. However, my excitement was cut short when I realized that only five power plants remained intact, as one had been completely destroyed by the terrorists. The devastation caused by the attack was evident in the surrounding area, with debris scattered across the site and the remains of the destroyed power plant serving as a grim reminder of the danger that lurked in the city.
Our tour guide provided us with fascinating information about the power plant. He explained that the plant was powered by radiation crystals of a top-secret origin. These powerful crystals were so potent that a single plant could provide electricity to an entire continent. However, the technology was still in the development stage. The crystals themselves were incredibly hazardous, and approaching them directly was deemed too dangerous. For this reason, they had been hidden in a secure location deep within the power plant. It was a wonder to behold, and I couldn't help but feel awed at the potential of the technology.
The sun was starting to make its descent in the sky, casting a warm golden glow throughout the power plant as we continued our tour. Suddenly, the ground beneath us began to shake violently, causing us to stumble and grab onto nearby structures for support. A deafening noise echoed through the entire building, making it difficult to hear anything else. Panic ensued as we realized that the explosions we had heard earlier were not isolated incidents. The alarm system blared loudly, and an urgent announcement crackled through the speakers, warning us to evacuate immediately. It was clear that something catastrophic was happening, and we were in grave danger.
"Location Breached. All personnel must evacuate using the emergency exit. This is not a drill."