The crimson dragon was awfully still. Alarmingly so. And so was I.
I felt like the moment I move even so much as an inch, I'll see my life flash before my eyes. Although I'm already dead. I don't know why I feel so threatened and fearful when I have a goddess next to me as insurance. Is it my instincts? Yes, it must be the more I think about it.
In the presence of a natural predator, weaker animals will flee instinctively out of fear, usually of the unknown. The same applies here. I want to flee with all my might but I just can't muster up the courage.
I was never a very courageous guy, to begin with. If I was, I wouldn't be in the situation that I was in. I could've prevented my end had I just taken a step forward. I wanted to change but change wasn't achievable through desire alone. I knew that but wasn't willing to truly better myself.
Was I afraid? Afraid of change? Perhaps. I would be embarking on unknown territories, with little to no guidance as I would usually have. That fear is etched into human nature. That's what I tell myself.
I've done a lot of retrospection after that incident. More so than anyone else would normally, I'm sure of. I was lost and still am at times. Despite all the resources that had been made available to me, I was unable to circumvent the course of events.
No. Rather, I was destined to face my fate. A cruel one at that.
Yet, I find myself wanting to act differently at this perilous moment.
I want to be able to confront this dragon with confidence and not feel as cowardly as I am now. I want to have that sort of conviction a hero would in those fairy tales. Not one to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. But the kind of resolve and valor to be willing to face a formidable foe.
Am I being foolish right now? Is this just a temporary desire I have or will it be permanent? I have no way of knowing nor should I be so worried about something like that in the future when I have more pressing matters to deal with. I shouldn't be overthinking this any longer.
A few seconds have passed by now. Neither side has made a move. Besides Phaidra of course.
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see her walking to the left side of the dragon, near his tail that lay rested. She was about half the height of his tail's end.
She probably wants a better view of my expression right now. Was this the reason why she brought me here? To be gratified as she watched me gawk at the dragon? Surely not. But somehow, I can imagine that being the case.
Wait... is this a test?! Is Phaidra testing my qualifications right now?! To see whether I'm worthy of such a precious opportunity by assessing my reactions? Was she capable of thinking so far ahead?
...
There's just no way. Perhaps I've given her too much credit.
"Oi! I'm still here you know. Just because I've given you some favor doesn't mean you can go thinking ill of me whenever!" Phaidra broke the suffocating silence as I hoped she would, confirming my suspicions.
"Oh?" She appeared surprised. She has been reading my thoughts for a while now since I haven't said a thing yet. Most likely to better enjoy my reaction I have no doubt. But her response has told me a few things at such a desperate moment.
I, for one, don't want to be mauled to death by a dragon. My sense of pain is still very much intact and even though I believe myself to have a quite accurate understanding of Phaidra, it doesn't hurt to be careful.
Cerise, the word I just so happened to think of, is the name I will be giving the dragon in congrats for being the first one I have and hopefully will ever meet.
Our dear Cerise here didn't react at all when Phaidra spoke so there's a good chance that he can't hear or see her. If that's the case, then perhaps it was just a coincidence that our eyes met at first glance. Cerise shouldn't be able to see me as well so I have no reason to be so frightened.
It's also possible that I'm completely wrong and am about to meet a very grisly end once again. Phaidra still needs me though so I'll be safe, for the most part. She might leave me to suffer for a bit before extending a helping hand.
"As expected of the one I have placed my hopes on. Your forethought is commendable! I am in awe! I'll have you know that amazing a goddess such as myself is by no means a simple feat." She grinned in delight knowing how much I overthink things.
She really is too carefree. I've never met anyone like her. I mean, can a human be as happy-go-lucky at every occasion possible? Surely only a god can achieve such a level of carefreeness.
But as a positive, she's great at easing tension. Can I be even as remotely similar? Then, I wouldn't be having so many unnecessary thoughts all the time.
"I'm honored." I played along. It may be that this is the way I should be acting all along. Appeasing as much as possible in fear of divine retribution. There surely aren't many who would act the same way I do when interacting with such a higher being.
I'm a bit of a special case in that regard.
"But is meeting Cerise the fortunate opportunity you were talking about before?" I asked her, my trepidation easing itself with her presence as I moved my legs. It took a bit before I could properly start walking once more.
I headed in her direction, getting a closer look at Cerise in the meantime whose insightful eyes were set in a specific direction, where we came from. There was evidently something specific Cerise was set on as he narrowed his eyes but there was no use questioning what when it could. quite literally, be anything.
"That's part of it. Even for the denizens of Elara, seeing a dragon up close is just about improbable let alone a world where they don't even exist anymore." Phaidra explained, leaning comfortably on Cerise's tail.
Don't exist anymore? That means they were present at some point in time back on Earth! Not that it matters but a surprise nonetheless. Besides that, wouldn't it hurt resting on the spiked tail? I'm better off just sitting on the ground to rest up.
Anyways, it is as I thought. Dragons are rare and mythical creatures of abnormal strength. Coming across one is by no means just a lucky encounter but an extremely lucky one. For me that since Cerise can't harm me when he can't see me. Anyone else would probably die before they even realize it.
"Then, where's the other part?" I questioned as I analyzed the scales on his body with great interest.
"No need to be so impatient. Isn't it better to take in the sights before you? You might not have another chance like this ever again." She responded, closing her eyes as if she was prepping herself to take a nap which she is.
Well, she's not wrong. I was scared out of my wits earlier so now that I've calmed considerably, it's the perfect chance to see what I couldn't before.
I'm not someone who is usually this interested in creatures or willing to go the extra mile to learn more about them. However, who wouldn't be intrigued by the most fantasy creature there is in the flesh, a bonafide dragon!
As I slowly walked away while admiring Cerise from every angle, something sparking caught my eye. As I positioned myself to get a better angle, it took me a while before realizing what it was.
"A sword?"
There was a sword of sorts plunged into Cerise's back, the blood emitting from the wound had already dried upon his scales here and there. It was a small, practically insignificant wound in comparison to his whole body yet it somehow felt more threatening than Cerise himself.
I must be out of my mind. I shook my head clear. and as I got closer, more wounds became visible, most of them present on his back where it would be difficult to defend himself properly. They added up considerably but in spite of that, Cerise remained serene, as if devoid of any pain.
Knowing this, his sagacious eyes appeared all the more forlorn.
A few moments later, Cerise abruptly stood straight up, startling me greatly. I was a few meters away but the ground shook from the sudden movement and it almost made me stumble. He did so slowly but with a regal aura, befitting of a king. His sights were still locked in one direction.
Something was approaching. Even I could sense it at this point. The varying types of birds fled the forest and were overhead for a swift moment as they fled opposite where we were initially. It was somewhat of a signal as I could hear several fleeing monsters and creatures from all angles. It seems I'm not the only one fearful of what's gonna happen.
"You're about to meet them. Prepare yourself. You're in for a ride." Phaidra told me as she lifted us both in mid-air several tens of meters up and quite a distance away, but enough so that I could still see the area clear of trees that Cerise had marked as his territory.
What was in store for me? I felt apprehensive but strangely excited in addition.
Elara has been nothing but surprise for me, delightfully so. Now I was set to meet another one.