The Red Dragon
Ethan's eyes widened in disbelief as he beheld the majestic yet formidable creature before them. The dragon's scales shimmered in the sunlight, reflecting a range of vibrant colors. Its powerful wings unfurled, casting a shadow over the surrounding area. Flames flickered in its throat, a clear sign of the potent fire it possessed.
"It's a … dragon!" Ethan exclaimed.
Helena's breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding with a mix of awe and fear. She clutched onto Ethan tightly, seeking solace and protection in his embrace. The air grew heavy with anticipation as the dragon fixed its piercing gaze upon them, its eyes filled with an otherworldly intelligence.
Time seemed to stand still as the dragon assessed the two intruders in its territory. Its massive form loomed over them, a living embodiment of ancient power and mythical might. The forest fell into an eerie silence as if nature itself held its breath in the presence of this awe-inspiring creature.
"Ethan, we have to run!" Helena said in a whisper. "It's dangerous here. Untie your horse and—"
"Wait here, Helena!" Ethan interrupted his wife's words and gently lowered her from his back near Onyx. Ethan calmed Onyx by stroking his head and whispering something to him.
Of course, this half-surprised Helena to death. Shouldn't they be running immediately? Why was her husband preparing his sword at his waist and intending to approach the dangerous creature?
"Ethan! What are you doing?" Helena shouted, trying to prevent anything Ethan was about to do. "Do you want to die?"
Ethan's mind raced, contemplating their options in the face of such a formidable foe. His instincts urged him to flee, to find safety and protect Helena. Yet, a spark of determination ignited within him, fueled by newfound courage born out of their shared journey. Gathering his resolve, Ethan locked eyes with Helena, silently conveying his determination to keep his promise.
"If I bring this dragon to you, you'll let me touch you, right?" Ethan asked Helena. "You haven't taken back the words you said."
"You fool!" Helena rejected.
"You stay here with Onyx."
Helena shook his head. "You'll die before you have the chance to spurt your semen in my womb!"
Ethan grimaced, taken aback by how harshly Helena could speak. A proper lady should never talk like that. However, it explained how frightened and angry she was at the moment.
"But you didn't give me permission!" Ethan retorted. "This is a rare opportunity: to meet a dragon. I won't let it pass!"
"Ethan!"
"Forget it, Helena! Just sit there and watch!"
Ethan ran towards the dragon, leaving Helena in despair as Ethan couldn't be persuaded. Meanwhile, Ethan felt great confidence because he knew from the book that dragons wouldn't attack unless provoked.
The dragon's powerful wings beat against the air, causing a gust of wind to whip through the clearing. It let out a deep, rumbling growl, a warning of the impending clash. The earth trembled beneath their feet as the dragon took a step forward, closing the distance between them.
In that pivotal moment, Ethan steeled himself for the battle that lay ahead. His spirit was unyielding, he braced himself to face the mythical beast that stood before him.
"I greet you, Mighty Dragon!" Ethan saluted. As mentioned in the book, the dragon loved what he did. It seemed like the right thing to do. The dragon in front of him appeared calmer now.
'You dare to face me, young one!' the dragon spoke telepathically. 'Usually, people are afraid to face me.'
Ethan was startled. Was the dragon speaking to him? Ethan's eyes stared in awe at the golden-scaled dragon before him. Similarly, the dragon locked its gaze onto Ethan's amber eyes, which had the same color as its own.
'Ah, it's pointless! I forgot that humans don't understand what I'm saying,' the dragon said in despair. It then bent its legs into a resting position.
"You're talking to me?" Ethan asked again, and this question naturally startled the dragon. Why did he understand the dragon's language? Wasn't it only the descendants of dragon riders who could communicate with dragons?
'Do you understand what I'm saying?' the red dragon asked again. 'It's impossible. My father said all the riders are dead. There will never be a connection between humans and dragons again.'
Ethan looked puzzled as well. "It should be that way, indeed!" The man thought, could the owner of this body actually be a descendant of a dragon rider? But how could that be possible? From what he knew, no rider came from the common people because dragons were extremely selective.
"Enough!" Ethan said. "Maybe it's just a coincidence. Don't dwell on it too much."
The red dragon was surprised and laughed cynically. His eyes looked sad. 'You're right! Besides, I have severed ties with my clan. My father will never accept me.'
Silence fell for a moment. Two creatures of different sizes and species stared at each other.
"Did you come here to capture me?" the dragon asked again. "Forget it! You'll die by my claws."
Ethan smiled. "I just … want to know, how old are you?" Ethan asked again. From the appearance and not-so-great size, the dragon seemed still young. However, he didn't know its exact age.
'Why does it matter?' the dragon asked. 'I'll tell you if you have a good reason. I suspect you're someone who believes that dragon meat is the food that will make you live forever and stay young.'
Ethan winced again. "Of course not. Do you see the woman standing by the horse over there?" Ethan pointed towards Helena, who was watching him from a distance without blinking. "She's my wife, and she only allows me to touch her if I bring a dragon that is at least a hundred years old before her."
The dragon burst into laughter upon hearing Ethan's account. 'What's good about a woman like that? Find another woman to satisfy you. She's a woman who doesn't know how to respect her husband,' the dragon mocked him.
"Never. She is my wife," Ethan said with a stern gaze. "I will grant her wishes as long as I can do it."
'What? And you hope you can kill me and bring my dead body to her?'