Tiamat

Riser stood on the edge of the Familiar Forest, feeling the raw magic pulsating from within. The forest was unlike anything he'd ever seen—ancient trees intertwined with thick vines, the air brimming with a magical aura that even a novice could feel. Beside him, Yubellena shifted her gaze to the entrance, eyeing a weathered wooden board nailed to a post. On it, a poem was etched, its verses eerie yet captivating.

Yubellena read it aloud:

"Beware the forest, dark and deep,

Where shadows creep and secrets keep.

A dragon's realm, a fearsome place,

Where Chaos Karma rules with iron grace.

Her treasure hoarded, gold and bright,

A tempting lure, a deadly sight.

For those who covet, greed will burn,

A fiery wrath, they'll surely learn.

The dragon's roar, a thunderous sound,

Her claws like steel, her teeth abound.

A beast of legend, wild and free,

Who guards her hoard with ferocity."

She looked over at Riser, her eyes narrowing with a smirk. "It's a bit dramatic, don't you think? And a doorbell, really?" She gestured toward the small, unassuming doorbell hanging on the post, completely at odds with the ominous poem.

Riser chuckled softly. "Well, what can we do? It's not like we can announce ourselves any other way."

He stepped forward and pressed the doorbell. A soft ding rang out, a simple sound that seemed oddly comical in such an enchanted and foreboding place.

As the sound faded, a figure appeared before them with a suddenness that made Yubellena raise an eyebrow in surprise. The creature was small and frail, his large bat-like ears twitching slightly. His pale gray skin almost seemed to glow in the dim light, and his wide, round eyes were filled with a strange mix of fear and devotion. He wore a ragged tea towel as a tunic, and oversized socks sagged around his bare feet.

Riser blinked, a single thought flashing in his mind. He looks like a house-elf from Harry Potter. This world keeps amazing me, day by day.

The creature spoke in a meek, trembling voice, "My name is Hoppy, and I am the doorbell responder of Madam Tiamat's residency."

Yubellena's lips curled in amusement at the absurdity of the creature's introduction, her sarcasm sharp. "A house-elf and a doorbell responder? How quaint. I suppose Tiamat doesn't like to deal with the trivial matters herself."

Hoppy, unfazed by the remark, turned his wide eyes toward Riser and Yubellena, shuffling nervously. "What business do you have in the Familiar Forest?" His voice cracked slightly. "The madam has instructed me to warn all visitors… only those with an appointment before the past fifty years are allowed to enter."

Riser smiled and pulled the ticket Grayfia had given him from his pocket. He held it out toward Hoppy, saying, "Would this suffice?"

Hoppy's large eyes grew even wider, and he let out a high-pitched squeak. "A ticket from the madam! Oh! Let me check with her immediately!" He took the ticket from Riser's hand and, with a blink, vanished into thin air, leaving only a faint trace of magic behind.

Yubellena let out an amused sigh, shaking her head. "Well, he certainly lives up to the eccentricity one would expect from someone in Tiamat's service. A house-elf and a doorbell responder—what's next, a elf maid?"

Riser chuckled. "Tiamat is known for her unpredictability. It doesn't surprise me that her servants are equally… unique."

Yubellena crossed her arms, leaning back slightly as she scanned the edges of the forest. "Let's hope this ticket is enough. It would be quite the shame to come all this way, only to be turned away by an overzealous doorbell responder."

Riser smirked. "Tiamat's not one to turn down a challenge. This is going to be interesting." As they waited for Hoppy to return, Riser's mind drifted to what lay ahead. The Familiar Forest—managed by Tiamat herself—was not just any ordinary forest. The familiars here were rare, powerful creatures that could serve as incredible allies in battle. But to gain their loyalty was no simple feat.

"Do you have any thoughts about the familiar you're hoping to acquire, Master?" Yubellena asked, breaking the silence.

Riser pondered for a moment. "Something that brings something new to the table. The familiars in this forest are bound to be unique, so I'll see what calls to me when I enter."

Yubellena nodded in agreement, her usual sharpness giving way to a moment of seriousness. "A familiar from here will undoubtedly enhance your power, especially if Tiamat oversees the forest personally."

Just as she finished speaking, a soft pop echoed, and Hoppy reappeared in front of them, trembling slightly, but this time with a satisfied look on his face. "The madam has approved your entry. She's... intrigued by your arrival." His eyes darted to the side nervously. "Follow me, please."

Without another word, the forest responded to his presence—trees parted, clearing a path as the magic-infused flora rearranged itself. A stone path, lined with shimmering tiles, stretched into the depths of the forest, glowing faintly underfoot. Spirits of various elements flitted through the trees, their forms bending the light in different ways—some ethereal, some bound to physical shapes, but all emanating power.

Riser and Yubellena walked in silence, observing the spirits and familiar as they traveled deeper into the forest. Eventually, they arrived at a mansion nestled within the heart of the forest, a grand structure that seemed to pulse with its own energy. The sight of it almost made Riser smile—it was impressive, though it gave off the sense that it was watching them in return.

As the mansion doors opened, Hoppy gestured for them to enter. "Please wait inside. I shall inform Madam Tiamat of your arrival."

Yubellena crossed her arms as she watched the house-elf scurry off. "Making her guests wait, hmm? For someone so revered, she certainly doesn't stand on ceremony."

Riser glanced at her, his tone neutral. "Perhaps Madam Tiamat was busy. We did arrive unannounced."

Before Yubellena could respond, a voice echoed through the mansion, smooth and commanding. "No need to wait any longer, darling. You can excuse yourself and leave my estate if you're so impatient."

Tiamat stepped into the room, her presence filling the space immediately. She carried herself with regal grace, her aura nearly suffocating in its power. Yubellena, ever unflinching, quirked an eyebrow and gave a half-smirk. "Well, at least you're quick with your insults. I'd expect nothing less from the Chaos Karma Dragon."

Riser quickly stepped between them,. "Yubellena, enough. We came here unannounced. Madam Tiamat may have had her hands full."

Tiamat turned her sharp gaze to Riser, her lips curling into a bemused smile. "Ara~ A gentleman? There are still some left in this world, it seems."

With a refined air, Riser stepped forward and bowed, reaching out as if to take her hand in a formal greeting. "Lady Tiamat," he said smoothly, "it's an honor. I am Riser Phoenix."

Tiamat chuckled lightly, extending her hand, letting him greet her properly. "And you have manners too. How delightful."

She gestured for him to take a seat, her voice casual but still laden with command. "Please, sit. girl, if you wish to stay, take a seat, or you're free to leave."

Yubellena smirked, shamelessly taking a seat beside Riser. Tiamat sat opposite them, her allure undeniable, the power behind her every movement radiating with ease. A moment later, an elf woman entered from the side, quietly serving tea as if rehearsed a thousand times before.

Tiamat looked directly at Riser, her eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity. "So, Riser Phoenix. Why have you come to my domain? And how exactly did you come into possession of that ticket i handed out to sirzechs so long ago?"

Riser sipped his tea, then spoke plainly. "I earned it as a prize, Madam. I came here seeking to form a contract with a familiar, one I hope will complement my powers."

Tiamat's lips twitched into a playful smirk. "Oh? You could always make a contract with me—98 percent me, and 2 percent you. How does that sound?"

Yubellena, who had been listening quietly, rolled her eyes. "Such an offer. Greedy and rude."

Tiamat's smile widened but remained dangerous. "Not something to be offended over. I'm simply extending a generous offer."

Riser, remaining composed, gave a polite reply. "I appreciate your offer, Lady Tiamat, but I must decline. I came here seeking a familiar, not something quite so... unequal. I'm simply looking for something of equal or lesser value to match my current needs."

Tiamat raised an eyebrow, amusement flashing in her eyes. "Well, well. You're certainly going to missing out on some of the stronger ones, darling."

Riser gave a small smile. "There's no need to concern yourself with who I form a contract with, Lady Tiamat. I'm confident I'll find one with decent potential."

Tiamat let out a soft laugh. "Why wait, then? Let's not waste time. I'll personally give you a tour."

Without further words, she rose gracefully, leading them outside as Riser and Yubellena followed closely. As they ventured deeper into the Familiar Forest, Tiamat showed them mythical creatures of all kinds. High-tier fire and wind elementals approached Riser, their curiosity piqued by his presence. But just as they neared him and want to form a contract , Tiamat would interrupt, making her presence known, and each time, the familiars hesitated, then withdrew.

After a particularly large group of wind fairies scattered at Tiamat's approach, Riser stopped in his tracks. "Lady Tiamat, why do you keep interfering in my attempts to make a deal?"

Tiamat glanced back at him, feigning innocence. "Oh, don't be like that. If they leave this forest, it's a loss to me. I can't have just anyone waltzing in and taking my precious familiars."

Yubellena crossed her arms, unimpressed. "What about that ticket you gave him?"

Tiamat smiled coyly. "That ticket only guarantees entry and a tour, nothing more. It doesn't promise a contract. The forest grants you a chance to make a deal—no more, no less."

Riser's eyes narrowed. "But you keep pushing them away by reminding them they'd have to leave the forest."

Tiamat laughed softly, her voice like silk. "Can you blame me? Would you want to leave a paradise like this? They have protection, an ideal environment to live in. You can hardly blame them for hesitating."

Riser sighed. "True. I wouldn't want to leave either, if I were in their position."

Tiamat, sensing his frustration, leaned closer with a grin. "Now, now, don't sulk. How about this? You provide me with 100 Phoenix Tears every year, and I'll let your familiar reside here."

Riser scoffed lightly, shaking his head. "That's daylight robbery, Lady Tiamat. Is there anyone in this forest who actually wants to leave?"

Tiamat put a finger to her lips, thinking for a moment. "Well, there is a place… a no man's land, so to speak. A place where the more aggressive familiars reside."

Yubellena's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "And what's the catch?"

Tiamat's smile widened wickedly. "Nothing too serious. You'll just have to fight them. To the death."