Chapter 54
Lamia turned towards Gray, her fury barely restrained, her eyes blazing as she spoke, "Now, anyone who remains this calm and untouched by my flames is no ordinary man. Who are you?" Her voice was sharp, slicing through the tense atmosphere of the room. Gray sighed, his expression calm yet unyielding, before he exhaled a chilling breath. The icy air he emitted swirled through the inn, extinguishing the roaring flames with deliberate ease. "I was just interested in this little magically constructed inn of yours and those ghostly brothers," he began, his tone casual, "but I ended up witnessing something far more entertaining." His smile was one of cold amusement, showing no fear as he began to stride through the inn.
Lamia narrowed her eyes, the green light of the fading inn reflecting eerily in her gaze as the once-vivid surroundings began to dissolve. "Do you know who I am?" she asked, her voice laced with venom and pride, as though daring him to answer wrong. Gray, unfazed, gave her a dismissive glance. "I don't, nor do I care, witch," he replied, his voice steady and unimpressed. "But you did entertain me, and for that, you have my thanks." His words hung in the air like an icy breeze, leaving Lamia stunned. Gray's form shimmered as he began to shift, his Animagus transformation dwarfing her, his massive presence dominating the space around them.
Gray's transformed figure was immense, a breathtaking blend of power and grace that sent a ripple of unease through the air. He smiled faintly, his sharp teeth glinting in the dimming light as he conjured an ice walkway beneath his feet. The crystalline path shimmered with an ethereal glow, reflecting the faint green light of the inn's final moments. Without hesitation, he ascended upward, his movements smooth and deliberate, the ice forming seamlessly with every step. Lamia could do nothing but watch, her pride wounded and her anger simmering as the man who had bested her ascended into the heavens as if he were untouchable.
Above, Gray's voice echoed lightly as he continued his ascent. Rachel's voice resonated in his mind, lighthearted yet teasing, "Did you just do that to style on her?" A chuckle escaped Gray's lips, his icy breath misting in the cool air. "Perhaps," he replied, the amusement clear in his tone. The ice path beneath him glittered as it stretched upward, vanishing into the vast expanse of the heavens, leaving Lamia and her ruined inn far below. His calm composure and casual disregard for her power were etched into her memory, a reminder of the encounter that had humbled her.
Meanwhile, high up in the sky, sitting on a platform of ice, was Gray in his Animagus form, gazing into the night sky as he thought, "To think that stars are actually living creatures in this world." He sat down, his calm gaze fixed on the stars, when Rachel exited the suitcase and said, "You're not thinking of how to drain the blood from those stars, are you?" Rachel asked. Gray chuckled in his lion form, prompting Rachel to sigh. "Of course you are," she said, sitting down beside him. Together, they sat in silence, watching the stars while Rachel leaned against Gray's head, nestled in his thick mane, for a hours.
When suddenly, Gray had an idea. Returning to his human form, he turned to Rachel with a mischievous grin. "Hey, do you want to do something fun?" he asked, his voice filled with excitement. Rachel, eyeing him suspiciously, crossed her arms. "What are you planning on doing?" she asked, her tone wary. Gray simply smirked and replied, "Ahhh, where's the fun in telling you?" Without another word, he conjured an ice slate out of thin air, its surface smooth and glistening. Rachel's eyes widened slightly as she stared at the shimmering creation. "This is your idea of fun?" she questioned, her voice laced with disbelief. Gray didn't answer; instead, he grabbed her hand and dragged her onto the slate.
The moment they pushed off, the ice slate sped down the platform, Gray conjuring an icy path ahead of them as they went. Rachel remained stiff and expressionless, her face numb as they began to pick up speed. "Whoa-hoo!" Gray yelled, his voice echoing through the air, his excitement palpable. The icy trail twisted and spiraled, looping them through dazzling arcs of frost and light. Snowflakes glittered like tiny stars as they raced downhill, the wind rushing past them. Rachel's usually stoic demeanor began to crack as the sheer thrill of the ride seeped into her. The world around them seemed to slow as Gray's joy became infectious.
As the slate gained even more speed, Gray's excitement peaked. "Oh, come on, this is fun!" he shouted, his laughter ringing out. He waved his hand, causing the icy path to spiral again, launching them into loops that defied gravity. Rachel's face, once frozen in a stoic mask, began to soften, her lips twitching into the beginnings of a smile. The cool breeze, the shimmering snow, and the sheer absurdity of Gray's antics chipped away at her usual composure. Finally, as they neared the ground, Rachel couldn't hold it in any longer—she smiled, a genuine, warm expression that lit up her features just as they hit the ground.
Gray quickly conjured a large, soft mound of ice to cushion their landing. The slate slammed into it, causing a flurry of snow and ice to explode into the air, glittering under the light of the stars. When the snow settled, Gray lay on his back, laughing softly, with Rachel sprawled on top of him. For a moment, neither of them moved. The stars above seemed to twinkle brighter, as if watching over them. In this universe, stars adored love, especially the kind that was just beginning to bloom—delicate and unspoken, like the connection between Gray and Rachel.
The magical stillness didn't last long. Rachel coughed and sat up abruptly, brushing snow off her coat. "That... was fun," she admitted, her voice low and almost shy. Gray smiled slightly, his usual confidence softening into something more genuine. "Of course," he replied, his tone light. An awkward silence filled the air as they glanced at each other, unsure of what to say next. The moment lingered for a heartbeat longer before Rachel stood up, extending a hand to help Gray to his feet. The stars above continued to shine, as if they knew that this was just the beginning of something special.
-scene change-
High in an unnamed mountain with thick trees, the serene environment was suddenly disturbed by a massive formation of ice spikes. A loud gust of wind swept through the forest as the flapping of enormous wings echoed through the air. The source revealed itself with a deafening roar—an imposing black dragon, its scales shimmering ominously in the dim light, unleashed a crackling blast of lightning. The destructive bolt surged forward but was countered midair by a beam of radiant silver energy. The two blasts collided violently, sending shockwaves rippling through the surroundings, uprooting trees and scattering debris. Emerging from the chaos was Gray in his Animagus form, his body bleeding heavily and his fur charred, though his wounds closed swiftly as his regenerative powers activated.