Onward to Dystoark (Part 1)

Hours has passed and I get a message.

[Notice. Schwarze and company has arrived at Veldiar Meadows.]

"When?"

[They have arrived 3 hours ago.]

Then that means we slept for 6 hours. I looked at outside that the sky is still dark, but it's a good time to get going.

I got up and walked towards Hyoran sleeping peacefully.

"Hey, Hyoran. Time to get up." I said, rubbing her back.

Hyoran still sleeps, but her ears twitch and her tail wagged gently.

"Mmm...hamburger..." Hyoran mumbled in her sleep. She then nibbles on the corner of a pillow, mistaking it for dinner she ate yesterday. Then, her face slightly contorts as she noticed the texture that wasn't like the dinner she ate.

She opened her eyes and realized she's eating a pillow and sees me.

"Morning." I said.

Hyoran's looked around and see the sky is still dark.

"It's not morning yet." Hyoran grumbled.

"I know, but it's a perfect time to get going." I said. "To Veldiar Meadows, to Dystoark."

"Like...right now?" Hyoran groaned.

"Yeah, the sooner the better. Besides, Telgin Mountains are less dangerous at night." I said.

"Okay, give me a minute." Hyoran said. She got up and jumped off the bed. I looked and noticed something different.

Hyoran, who wore a night gown that showed her feet now showed her shins. She really did grow. She grew taller than me even without those wolf ears.

We switch onto our clothes and got ready.

"Zala." I whispered.

*Woooo...*

Zala slowly emerges from the shadows. We got up on her back and I opened a rift, but it shows the landscape of mountain and rock. But we went there anyway.

*Vzoop!*

We went through the rift to reach in the middle of the Telgrin Mountains where the path leads straight ahead.

But the question is...why am I not in Veldiar Meadows? Hell, why can't I see it in the horizon?

[You are 2 hours away from Veldiar Meadows.]

"Two hours? That's a little far."

[You have expended your Mana, therefore unable to reach Veldiar Meadows.]

Welp, I would've went further when it came to me reaching Rank V, but I gotta get to the forest.

"Wow...we're in the Telgrin Mountains..." Hyoran gasped as she looked around. "Where's Viri?"

"In the Veldiar Meadows, but we're 2 hours away." I said. "Because I ran out of magic."

"Is it safe at night?" Hyoran asked.

"Yeah, mostly. As long as we don't make too much of a noise." I replied.

I closed the rift behind us and we began our travel to Veldiar Meadows...with a good head start.

Zala began running through the path with high speed, but not in a sprint. Seeing the fact that it's still dark, Zala can move even faster. At this rate, we could reach Veldiar in less than 2 hours, even less if I use Shadow Sneak while there is darkness.

But I can't go careless because what if some monster tried to run my pockets while I'm lacking? Or what if I get jumped by an army of monsters?

Either way, I better get to Veldiar so that I can continue to Dystoark.

[Notice. A dragon has been detected. Located in the west.]

"Zala stop!" I said.

*Thrump!*

*Skrrrt!*

Zala skids to a stop.

"Kain?" Hyoran said with concern.

"You hear that?" I whispered. Hyoran closed her eyes as to focus on her hearing. A moment passes and her left ear twitched ever so slightly.

"I hear it, but it's faint. A faint growl..." Hyoran whispered.

*Aaaarr...*

I hear the growl, but it is a weak one...a dying one.

"It's a dragon. A very young one." I said. I jumped off of Zala and pulled out my Red Moon.

"Gris, Noire, Arex, come on out." I said.

*Shoom!*

*Bwing!*

Gris and Noire comes out of the shadows and sat down. Arex, appeared in a silver light and floated above Zala.

"You two, follow me, Zala, head to Veldiar Meadows, Arex, protect Hyoran." I said. I dashed towards the western direction as fast as I could.

"Wait, what if the dragon have parents?!" Hyoran yelled.

"If it does, I would know! Go!" I replied.

Gris and Noire followed me. Next, Zala began running as Hyoran holds on to the reins as to prevent her from falling. Lastly, Arex follows Hyoran and Zala to protect them.

I began running towards west to rescue a dying dragon, a very young one and alone. I see Gris and Noire running beside me, ready to attack anyone who wants to run my pockets. The jagged, grassy terrain with rocks soon became a blur as I am focused to saving a dragon.

*Swoosh!*

I jumped off of a small cliff and used Wind Magic to propel myself as my magic has recovered some.

While we're in the air, Gris sniffed something and widened his green eyes.

*Bark!*

Gris barked and flew downwards, I followed him to track down what he had smelled and touched the ground.

*Thud!*

*Ta-tap!*

[You have reached the destination.]

We found a cave where the system said it would be. We walked into the cave, but its tunnel is much smaller than the cave in Valtuz inside the mountain.

I walked in to see multiple scratches on the stone walls, scratches that vary in depth and length. I see burn marks, footprints larger than my body, and bits of dried blood.

"A battle took place here...is that adventurer earlier responsible for bringing an Adolescent Fire Dragon to Noltia?" I thought.

*Arrrr....!*

A weak cry called out and fell, letting out a thud on the ground. I walked towards the cry to not believe my eyes.

A red dragon...at the size of a little house kitten, riddled with scars, wounds, and tears flowing from its eyes. This little dragon was calling out to the Adolescent Fire Dragon, hoping it would come back.

This sight...fills me with sadness and yet rage. It's just the like the time when Hyoran and I found Gris as a pup when he was fighting off some goblins.

And yet this man...this scumbag took the dragon's big brother from him, forcing him to fend for himself, getting attacked periodically.

But...my parents killed him, making him alone and no one's the wiser.

I checked the little dragon's stats.

<Name: Red Dragon>

<Gender: Male>

<Race: Dragon>

<Dragon Heart: Hatchling-II>

<Rank: I>

<Skills: Fire Nullification, Regeneration>

<Unique Skills: None>

<Ultimate Skills: None>

<Warning: Starving, Heavily Injured, Dying>

He's a Hatchling that just got born not so long ago as a dragon! God dammit! He didn't have Breath nor Magic!

I slowly pick him up from the ground to closely look at him with such sorrow. That is when I am determined.

I will heal the dragon.

"Don't worry, little guy. I'll heal you right away." I said.

*Pwiiing...*

I began emitting a pale green glow to heal the little dragon. The little dragon that struggled to keep his eyes open is now showing a sign of relief. But he is starving and cannot recover on his own.

[The Red Dragon's life is no longer in danger, but the regeneration is greatly reduced due to starvation.]

Good thing I have that giant burger that I couldn't finish earlier.

*Vwoop!*

I take the burger and lay it in front of the dragon. The Red Dragon began eating it ravenously. Of course he was very hungry and hadn't eaten for who knows how long.

I also see his wounds slowly closing up, thanks to his Regeneration. Soon, he finally finishes my leftover burger.

*Arrr!*

The Red Dragon let out a tiny, yet adorable roar to show his satisfaction. He walked towards me and rubbed his red scaly body at my ankle.

[The Red Dragon wants to be with you.]

I picked the little dragon up with my hands and held him close to my face. I know that he won't survive any longer alone, even if he's fully healed. It's decided.

"I'll take you with me, so that you won't be alone anymore." I promised the little dragon. I promised that I will raise him, feed him, make him big and strong; stronger than his older brother.

I held him in my hands and I turned around to leave the cave.

*BREEP! BREEP!*

An alarm sounded in my head.

[Warning! A Hellkin is crossing over!]

Another Hellkin!? Shit, this is the cause of the threat level I got!

"Let's get out of here." I said and head towards the cave exit, watching the red dragon closely.

*Bark! Bark!*

*Grrr...!*

Gris and Noire barked and growled suddenly. I looked up to see the cave entrance. My instincts soon flared and made me dash backwards to Gris and Noire.

*Nyurrr...*

The space where the cave opening is began to twist and warp until a black flame shoots around it.

*Fwoom!*

I tried to use Space Magic, emitting a blue rift to escape from the encounter.

*Vzzz!*

*Bzznnn...*

The blue rift I created shortly disappeared.

[Warning. Your Space Magic has been nullified.]

"You gotta be shitting me..." I hissed, looking at my hand. I then looked at the portal at the entrance to prepare for an attack.

*Swoosh!*

A long tendril darted out towards me as I was holding the red dragon in my hands. I raised my arm out and created a shield out of Earth Magic and activated Steel Body Armor.

*CRASH!*

My shield was broken instantly and caused me to stumble back to the cave wall. My eyes widened as I looked at my hand and see that my Body Armor has cracked.

I looked at the red dragon and he looked at me with fear in his eyes, trembling. I pet the dragon with my other hand.

"Don't worry, I'll get us out of this." I said to the dragon to comfort him.

{Meanwhile...Arex's perspective.}

When Kain summoned me, he told me to protect Hyoran from whatever monster comes our way while Zala head into Veldiar Meadows. Hearing him talk about a dragon must mean it's a strong one approaching.

For now, I should focus on protecting Hyoran until Kain is finished.

*Zzt!*

This feeling...there is no doubt. A Hellkin has crossed over. I usually go over to find it and slay it for the sake of duty as a Heavenkin, but I am ordered to protect Hyoran. I can hope Kain is nowhere near the Hellkin so he can come back safely.

*Zzt! Znnn...!*

No...I...I lost him!? Already!? No, Kain has survived life-and-death situations before. He can't die this quickly.

"Hyoran, keep going and do not look back." I said.

"Huh? What's wrong? Is Kain okay?" Hyoran asked.

"Yes, but he is in need of my help. Now keep going." I implored her. Hyoran nodded and went ahead without me.

I looked at the direction where Kain went and I began searching where I last lost him. If I keep going in that direction, I'll have a chance in finding him.

Kain...please persevere. I am coming to save you.