Chapter 3: Etrale

"We're here, Young Master." Ogerath woke me up from my inner dialouge.

I nodded at her and got out of my carriage.

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(Narrator POV)

in the sun and eyes that sparkled like stars in the night sky. Many people had heard legends of this mystical serpent, but few had ever witnessedits beauty and power firsthand. But this day, the demon prince, Kazrach, stumbled upon the snake while hiking through the forest with his servants.

Kazrach had always been drawn to the unknown. Most avoided the forest altogether, fearing the unknown and dangerous creatures that may be lurking within it.

But for the demon prince, the forest held a special allure. He had grown up hearing the stories of the magical snake and had always longed to catch a glimpse of it himself. And so, one bright and sunny morning, he set out on a journey into the depths of the woods.

The trees towered high above him, the leaves rustling softly in the breeze. Birds chirped and flitted about, and small animals scurried amongst the underbrush. Kazrach felt a sense of excitement and wonder as he trekked further and further into the unknown.

As he walked, he occasionally caught glimpses of something slithering through the grass. Excitedly, he followed the trail, careful to avoid tripping over roots and rocks along the way. And after some time, he suddenly found himself standing before a clearing, with a beautiful pond situated in its center.

And there, coiled up beside the water's edge, was the magical snake.

Kazrach's' heart raced as he gazed upon the creature he had been seeking. It was even more stunning than he had imagined, with scales that glinted like diamonds and a regal presence that made his heart skip a beat.

Captivated by the creature's beauty, Kazrach decided to approach it, slowly and carefully. To his surprise, the snake did not flee or attack him. Instead, it regarded him with a calm and steady gaze.

Emboldened, Kazrach sat down cross-legged beside the snake, maintaining eye contact the whole time.

"Hello," he said, his breath catching in his throat.

The snake simply stared at him, as if waiting for him to continue.

"I've finally found you, hahaha," James laughed, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. "I've been hearing stories about you my whole life, and to finally come face-to-face with you is truly amazing." Kazrach said as his servants patiently waiting for their master.

The snake continued to stare at him, but Kazrach could feel some kind of connection building between them.

For hours they sat together, with nothing but the sound of the wind whispering through the trees and the occasional splash of a fish in the pond to break the silence. Kazrach felt himself becoming more and more relaxed, more attuned to the world around him.

As the day began to fade into night, the snake uncoiled itself and began to slither away. Kazrach' heart sank as he thought that the snake is just going to leave him like that.

But the snake turned back to him and slithered back to him, coiling on his arm.

Kazrach suddenly felt mana pouring into him, feeling an even more deep connection with the reptile.

The snake willingly formed a bond with the demon prince.

All of a sudden the snake opened its mouth and said, "From now on, I'm willing to recognize you as my master. Take care of me." Then the snake began to sink into his skin, appearing as a cool tattoo on the prince's arm. Though he wasn't worried because he new that he could ask the animal come out.

He showed a small smile and said, "Thanks." He stood up and motioned with his hand for the group to keep moving. He wanted to find the eagle as well.