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Scene: Deep in the Mountain, Preparing to Leave
The cold air nipped at Mordryn as he stood at the entrance of the cave, staring out over the horizon. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the vast landscape of the mountain. Behind him, Valora stood, fidgeting nervously, clutching her arms as she awaited his decision.
Mordryn remained silent, his eyes distant, deep in thought. Her story about her brother, Vlord, gnawed at him. It was hard to trust a dragon, especially one tied to so much destruction, but there was something about her vulnerability, her desperation to be saved, that stayed his hand.
Mordryn:
calmly, without turning around
"If the villagers forgive you, then I'll allow you to follow me. But that's up to them."
Valora's face paled, her lips trembling slightly.
Valora:
whispering
"The villagers… they hate me. They always have."
Mordryn turned to face her, his eyes stern.
Mordryn:
"You'll have to explain everything to them. It's your only chance. If they choose not to forgive you... you'll remain here."
Valora swallowed hard, nodding slowly. She knew this was her only hope. If Mordryn left her behind, she would be alone, vulnerable to both hunters and the lurking threat of her brother, Vlord. The thought made her chest tighten with fear.
Valora:
softly, determined
"I'll explain. I'll beg for their forgiveness."
Mordryn gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable.
Mordryn:
"Then let's go."
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Scene: The Village of Valendar, Days Later
After days of travel, the village of Valendar came into view. The humble village lay nestled between rolling hills, its stone houses emitting soft trails of smoke from their chimneys. The villagers, who had once feared Mordryn, now viewed him as their hero, having saved them from the dragon they had long dreaded.
As they neared the village gates, a small figure suddenly appeared, rushing toward them.
Kang Wo Hu:
excitedly
"Mordryn!"
Mordryn barely had time to react before Kang Wo Hu threw herself into his arms, wrapping him in a tight hug. She looked up at him with a bright smile, her excitement evident.
Kang Wo Hu:
giggling
"You've been gone for days! I thought something happened to you."
Mordryn, taken aback for a moment, gave a slight nod, his usual stoic demeanor returning quickly.
Mordryn:
gruffly
"I had something to take care of."
Kang Wo Hu then noticed Valora standing quietly behind Mordryn, her small form barely visible next to the tall man. She blinked in confusion, tilting her head as she stepped around Mordryn to get a better look.
Kang Wo Hu:
surprised
"Who's this?"
Mordryn glanced at Valora, who was now staring nervously at the ground, her hands clenched tightly in front of her. He took a deep breath, knowing the next few moments would be difficult.
Mordryn:
calmly
"This is Valora. She's the dragon."
Kang Wo Hu's eyes widened, and she stumbled back in shock, her gaze flickering between Mordryn and the small girl.
Kang Wo Hu:
in disbelief
"What? This kid is the dragon?"
The village gates creaked open, and a few villagers began to gather around, curious about the commotion. The moment they heard the word "dragon," their expressions darkened, and murmurs began to spread among them.
Villager 1:
whispering
"The dragon… here?"
Villager 2:
angrily
"She's the one who caused all this misery!"
The crowd grew, their fear and anger palpable as they glared at Valora. She shrank under their gazes, her small body trembling with fear. She had known this would happen, but facing their hatred was harder than she had imagined.
Mordryn stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the villagers, silencing their whispers with his mere presence.
Mordryn:
commanding
"Let her speak."
The crowd hesitated, but Mordryn's authority was undeniable. They quieted down, their attention shifting to Valora, who stood frozen in place.
Mordryn:
softly to Valora
"Now."
Valora took a shaky breath and stepped forward, her voice barely audible at first. She looked at the villagers, her heart pounding in her chest.
Valora:
trembling
"I… I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for everything."
The villagers stared at her, their expressions ranging from confusion to anger.
Valora:
voice cracking
"I never wanted to hurt anyone. I've been hiding… for so long. The destruction, the pain—it wasn't me. It was my brother, Vlord."
Gasps rippled through the crowd, the name unfamiliar to most but carrying a weight of dread.
Valora:
pleading
"He was the one who caused the chaos, not me. I tried to stay away, to avoid being part of his plans. But people... they feared me because of him."
She paused, tears welling up in her eyes. Her small hands clenched tightly at her sides as she continued.
Valora:
sobbing
"Please, forgive me. I've lived in fear, too. I just want to be left in peace. I swear, I've never harmed any of you."
The villagers exchanged uncertain glances, their anger softening slightly, though doubt lingered in their eyes. Could they believe the words of a dragon? Could they forgive her for the terror they had lived under for so long?
Kang Wo Hu, standing next to Mordryn, looked at the young girl with a mix of sympathy and curiosity. She couldn't imagine this small child being capable of the destruction the legends spoke of.
Kang Wo Hu:
softly to Mordryn
"Do you think she's telling the truth?"
Mordryn nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Valora.
Mordryn:
gruffly
"I believe her."
The village elder, a wizened old man with a staff, stepped forward, his sharp eyes studying Valora for a long moment. He raised his hand, and the villagers lowered their heads respectfully, awaiting his decision.
Village Elder:
calmly
"If what you say is true, then we have been wrong to fear you. But forgiveness... is not easily given."
Valora fell to her knees, her voice breaking.
Valora:
begging
"Please. I'll do anything. I just don't want to be alone anymore."
There was a tense silence as the villagers looked to the elder for guidance. His eyes softened as he looked down at the crying girl before him.
Village Elder:
sighing
"We will consider your words, child."
The tension in the air seemed to lessen slightly, though the villagers remained wary. Just as Valora's tear-streaked face lifted with a glimmer of hope, a loud, bone-chilling roar echoed from the distance.
The ground shook beneath them as a massive, shadowy figure loomed on the horizon.
Mordryn:
sharply
"What is that?"
Everyone turned to see a colossal dragon rising from the mountains in the distance, its wings stretching wide as it let out another deafening roar.
Valora's face went pale.
Valora:
horrified, whispering
"Vlord..."
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End of Chapter 22