The Earth Dragon's golden eyes scanned the battlefield. The bodies of the cursed werewolves lay scattered like broken toys, their dark blood staining the frost-covered ground. Despite their collective strength, none of the beasts had posed a true threat to her life—but they had drained her. Deep gashes ran along her rocky scales, and her wings throbbed with fatigue.
The serpent coiled beside the Master of Life, her scaled body radiating tension. The dragon suppressed a snort. The creature was brash and insufferable, but she had held her ground against a pack of Master-ranked beings. That was no small feat.
Still, the dragon found herself focusing more on the boy. The Master of Life.
She narrowed her eyes as she studied him. He was small, but there was a presence about him—an aura of calm and vitality that soothed even her battle-worn spirit. Life Masters were rare, almost mythical. In her long existence, she had only encountered one other, and they had been as kind as they were powerful, capable of healing wounds and nurturing the land.
Her gaze flicked back to the serpent. "Why does such a pure creature travel with something so vile?"
The serpent bristled, her tongue flicking in irritation. "Say that again, lizard, and I'll show you vile."
"I did not stutter," the dragon replied, her tone icy.
Alypos groaned, stepping between them. "Can we not do this? I'm tired, you're tired, and I think we all want to avoid another fight."
The dragon huffed, a plume of dust rising from her nostrils. "The serpent should learn her place."
"And you should learn to keep your oversized nose out of other people's business," Zainab shot back.
"Alright, that's enough," Alypos said, raising his hands. "We just survived a pack of Master-ranked werewolves. Maybe save the insults for later?"
The dragon didn't reply, but her gaze lingered on the boy. There was a warmth to his presence that tugged at her instincts. Dragons, by their nature, were aligned with life. Though she was an Earth Dragon, her kind had long been protectors of Life Masters, forming pacts and alliances to safeguard them. It was a tradition steeped in their ancient bond with nature.
She would not reveal this to the boy—not yet.
***
The dragon watched the pair closely as Alypos explained the state of the world. His words confirmed what she had feared: the balance of power was shifting, and the abominations were spreading.
Her thoughts churned.
First, I am injured. Though these lesser beings could not kill me, I fought seven Master-ranked creatures. My wounds are minor but will take time to heal. If I encounter another pack—or worse, a Gate Disaster—I may not survive without aid.
Her tail swished across the ground, sending a spray of pebbles into the air.
Second, the world has changed. In my time, Master-ranked beasts were rare. If such creatures are now common, then what of the Gates? A Gate Disaster could release dozens of these creatures. Alone, I could endure. Against a hundred? Even a dragon has limits.
Her claws dug into the earth as she remembered the stories passed down through her kind. Gates had the potential to unleash destruction on a scale unimaginable. A gate disaster could release up to 12 Grandmasters. A Grandmaster-ranked Gate could devastate an entire region, and only the strongest alliances could hope to contain it.
Third, the Master of Life.
She glanced at Alypos, who was brushing dirt off his spear.
He is an anomaly. Simply being near him strengthens my affinity with the life element. That is a gift I cannot ignore. And… there is something about him. His kind are rare, kind creatures blessed by the world itself. My instincts tell me to protect him. Or perhaps use him. Either way, I cannot let him go.
The dragon let out a long sigh. She despised asking for help, but she was not a Fire Dragon. She had no overwhelming pride to blind her judgment. As an Earth Dragon, her connection to nature taught her the value of alliances.
"I have decided," she rumbled, interrupting the boy's explanation.
"Decided what?" Alypos asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I will take you to my home," she said.
Zainab stiffened, her tongue flicking in suspicion. "And why would we go anywhere with you?"
The dragon's eyes narrowed. "I do not care for your opinion, serpent. My invitation is for the Master of Life. You are merely… an unfortunate attachment."
Zainab hissed, but Alypos quickly interjected. "Why the change of heart?"
The dragon tilted her head. "The world has changed, boy. If this is truly the Age of Gates, then I will need allies. And so will you."
"You need us?" Zainab asked, her tone dripping with mockery. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen."
The dragon ignored her, focusing on Alypos. "A Gate Disaster could release a hundred Master-ranked creatures—or worse. Alone, I may survive, but together, we may thrive."
Alypos considered her words. "And you're willing to put aside your pride for that?"
"I am an Earth Dragon, human. My pride is not so fragile as that of a Fire Dragon. I know when to act in the interest of survival."
Zainab snorted. "How noble of you."
The dragon's gaze sharpened. "I do not expect gratitude, serpent. But do not mistake my invitation for weakness."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Zainab said, her tone light but her posture tense.
The dragon shifted her weight, lowering herself slightly. "Come. My wounds will heal faster in my lair. And there, we can plan our next move."
***
The trek to the dragon's lair was tense, to say the least.
Zainab slithered alongside Alypos, her movements graceful despite her size. The dragon led the way, her massive form carving a path through the frozen wilderness.
"You're awfully quiet, serpent," the dragon said after a while.
"I don't waste words on those who don't deserve them," Zainab replied, her tone clipped.
"How fortunate, then, that you still have plenty for me," the dragon said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Alypos smirked but quickly hid it behind his hand.
Zainab shot him a glare. "What are you laughing at, boy?"
"Nothing," he said innocently.
"Hmm," the dragon rumbled. "Perhaps he is simply amused by your inferiority."
Zainab hissed, her tail lashing the ground. "I'll show you inferiority, you overgrown gecko!"
The dragon chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "Your temper amuses me, serpent. Perhaps you are not entirely useless."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Zainab muttered.
The Dragon's Lair
The lair was a vast cavern carved into the side of a mountain, its walls glittering with veins of quartz and emerald. A natural spring bubbled in the center, its waters glowing faintly with life energy. The air was warm and humid, a stark contrast to the icy wilderness outside.
The dragon settled herself near the spring, her massive body coiling around it. "This is my sanctuary. You may rest here, but do not touch anything without my permission."
Zainab slithered to the far side of the cavern, muttering under her breath. Alypos, meanwhile, approached the spring, his eyes wide with curiosity.
"This place is… incredible," he said.
The dragon watched him, her golden eyes softening slightly. "It is a place of life and healing. You are welcome here, Master of Life."
"And me?" Zainab asked, her tone sharp.
The dragon smirked. "You are tolerated."
Zainab rolled her eyes. "Charming."
Alypos chuckled, settling himself on a nearby rock. "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
"Friendship is a strong word," the dragon said.
"For once, I agree with the lizard," Zainab muttered.
The dragon's eyes gleamed with amusement. Despite her initial reservations, she found herself entertained by the serpent's fiery temper and the boy's calm demeanor. Perhaps, she thought, this alliance would not be so unbearable after all.