Kaelen had lost track of how long he'd been running. The pounding of his boots against the dirt felt as rhythmic as the frantic beating of his heart. His lungs burned, his legs ached, but he couldn't stop—not with the soldiers closing in.
The dense forest had thinned into rocky hills, and in the distance, he could hear the thunderous sound of wings. A dragon. His blood ran cold. He had heard stories of the dragon riders who served the kingdoms, powerful warriors feared by all. If a dragon rider was with the soldiers, his chance of survival was slim to none.
Suddenly, a burst of flame erupted from the sky ahead, and Kaelen skidded to a halt. His heart pounded in his chest as the massive creature descended, its leathery wings sending gusts of wind through the trees. The soldiers who had been pursuing him scattered, their cries of terror echoing through the hills.
Kaelen took cover behind a rock, peeking out cautiously. His eyes widened as he saw the rider—a woman—sitting confidently atop the dragon's back, her fiery red hair glowing like flames against the twilight sky. She wore a suit of leather armor, dark and worn, yet elegant. Her posture was relaxed as if controlling such a beast was second nature to her. The soldiers hesitated, clearly unsure whether she was friend or foe.
The dragon let out a deafening roar, flames spilling from its jaws as it soared above the soldiers, driving them away. Kaelen could only watch in awe as the massive creature flew low over the ground, its shadow swallowing the fleeing soldiers before they disappeared into the trees.
When the soldiers were finally gone, the dragon landed gracefully in front of Kaelen, its scales gleaming a deep bronze in the fading sunlight. He stayed hidden, unsure whether he had just been saved or thrown into more danger. The rider swung off the dragon's back with practiced ease and strode toward him, her movements fluid, like she was part of the wind itself.
"Are you just going to hide there, or are you going to thank me?" she called out, her voice strong but teasing.
Kaelen hesitated for a moment, then stepped out from behind the rock, his heart still racing. "Thank you," he muttered, still trying to catch his breath.
The woman's intense, emerald-green eyes studied him for a moment before she smirked. "You're lucky I was passing through. Soldiers can be relentless, but they're not too bright when they see a dragon."
Kaelen swallowed, still in awe of the creature standing behind her. "Why did you help me?" he asked, cautious. "You don't even know who I am."
The rider's smile faded slightly, and she tilted her head, her red hair catching the wind. "I know enough. I've seen men like you running for their lives, and I've learned to trust my instincts. You don't seem like a threat."
Kaelen glanced at the dragon again, still unsure if he could trust her. She noticed his hesitation and rolled her eyes. "Don't worry about Eryndor," she said, gesturing toward the massive beast. "He's more gentle than he looks—unless you give him a reason not to be."
The dragon snorted, smoke curling from its nostrils, but it seemed more like a playful gesture than a threat. Kaelen relaxed slightly, though he couldn't shake the feeling that he had stumbled into something far beyond his understanding.
"What's your name?" she asked, stepping closer.
"Kaelen," he replied.
"Seraphina," she said, her smile returning as she extended a gloved hand. "Seraphina Dragonrider."
He shook her hand, feeling the firm grip that matched the confidence in her voice. There was something about her presence that made him feel safe, despite the danger surrounding them. Seraphina radiated strength, and though she was fierce, there was also a kindness in her eyes that Kaelen hadn't expected.
"Where are you headed, Kaelen?" she asked, her tone softening slightly. "Or are you just running with no destination?"
"I don't know," he admitted. "I'm trying to stay alive, but I don't know where to go or who to trust."
Seraphina studied him for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "Well, you're in luck," she said finally. "I know a place where you can rest, at least for a while. It's not safe to wander these lands alone."
Before Kaelen could respond, Seraphina whistled sharply, and the dragon lowered its massive head, allowing her to climb back onto its neck. She looked down at Kaelen and extended her hand again, this time offering to pull him up.
"You've got two choices," she said with a grin. "You can take your chances on foot and hope the soldiers don't find you, or you can ride with me and stand a chance."
Kaelen didn't need to think twice. He reached up and took her hand, letting her pull him onto the dragon's back behind her. The moment he was seated, the dragon spread its wings and leaped into the air, the ground falling away beneath them.
As they soared into the sky, the wind whipping through his hair, Kaelen couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom. For the first time since arriving in this world, he wasn't running anymore. And with Seraphina by his side, maybe he had found an ally who could help him survive.
"Hold on tight," Seraphina called over her shoulder, her voice filled with excitement as the dragon gained speed. "This is just the beginning."
The wind howled around them as the dragon soared higher, the ground becoming a blur beneath Kaelen. He clung tightly to Seraphina, his heart racing not just from the height but from the thrill of flying. Never in his old life could he have imagined something like this. The dragon's powerful wings sliced through the air, carrying them far from the dangers below.
After a while, Kaelen's grip relaxed slightly. He found himself trusting Seraphina more with each passing moment, her presence a strange comfort amidst the chaos. She navigated the skies with ease, guiding the dragon as though they were one. Glancing over her shoulder, she gave him a reassuring smile.
"Not bad for your first ride, huh?" she called, her voice rising above the wind.
Kaelen nodded, too awestruck to respond. The vastness of the world stretched out beneath them, hills and forests rolling into the horizon. For the first time since his arrival in this world, he felt something other than fear: wonder. It wasn't just the dragon, though the creature was magnificent—it was the sense that, for the first time, he wasn't alone.
Seraphina guided the dragon into a slow descent, aiming for a secluded valley nestled between towering cliffs. The landscape below seemed untouched, hidden from the outside world. As they neared the ground, Kaelen noticed a small, stone cabin near the edge of a forest. It was simple but sturdy, the perfect place for someone who preferred to remain unnoticed.
They landed with a gentle thud, the dragon's claws digging into the earth. Seraphina slid off first, then helped Kaelen down. His legs wobbled slightly as they touched the ground, still shaky from the ride.
"This is my safe spot," Seraphina said, nodding toward the cabin. "I don't bring many people here, but you looked like you could use the break."
Kaelen glanced around, taking in the peaceful surroundings. "Why are you helping me?" he asked again, still puzzled by her kindness.
Seraphina tilted her head, her fiery hair catching the fading light. "I've spent enough time fighting battles on my own," she said, her voice softer now. "Sometimes it's nice to help someone else for a change. Besides, you've got a look about you, Kaelen. Like someone who's searching for something bigger than just survival."
Kaelen didn't know how to respond. Her words stirred something inside him—an understanding that his journey wasn't just about staying alive. There was more at stake, though he couldn't quite grasp what it was yet.
"Come on," Seraphina said, breaking the silence. She turned toward the cabin and gestured for him to follow. "You'll be safe here for the night. Tomorrow, we'll figure out what comes next."
As they walked toward the cabin, Kaelen felt a flicker of hope, small but growing. For the first time in this strange world, he wasn't just a fugitive running for his life. He had a potential ally, someone strong, skilled, and—though he wouldn't admit it yet—someone who intrigued him in ways he didn't expect.
Whatever came next, at least he wasn't facing it alone.