Days and Days Pass

Months passed in a flash for Artha. Although she missed her family, she couldn't deny the fact she enjoyed her time with Sylvia. During these few months, she learned many things from Sylvia, whom she began to regard as a gentle grandmother next door.

Reaching the light red stage during this time, Artha was well on her way to breaking through into the dark orange stage. Even though she knew they'd be fine, she was still worried about her parents.

She kept wondering if they went back to Ashber, arrived in Xyrus, attacked, or even worse, killed. It was a bad habit from her past life—overthinking every small thing.

Sylvia reminded Artha to not judge a book by its cover. Even though she looked like a demon, she was one of the kindest people Artha ever met. She was the complete opposite of her appearance.

Although the risk of her family dying is there, Artha was worried for Sylvia, maybe even more so than her parents. The reason was quite simple, her wound has been getting worse.

Even though Sylvia tried to hide it, she couldn't do so from the sharp child. Every time Artha asked about it, Sylvia would downplay it as a normal thing. One day, Artha couldn't take it anymore and wanted to know what was happening.

Suddenly, Sylvia vomited a pool of blood. Artha—testing the techniques Sylvia taught her—ran towards Sylvia. "Sylvia!"

"Sylvia, please tell me what's happening. Why is your wound getting worse? It wasn't like this before."

Suddenly, realization struck Artha. She froze, her legs shaking as her body threatened to curl up into a ball and weep. Sylvia—seeing her reaction—took a deep breath before mustering up a sheepish smile.

"Art, I am dying. I have always been dying. But don't you dare blame yourself because you still have to live a happy life. You're doing me a favor by allowing me to leave this damned cave sooner."

Sylvia paused, smiling once again. "I don't really look like a Sylvia now, do I?"

As she said this, a blinding gold light radiated from her. Protecting her eyes from the light, Artha stumbled back. Gradually, the light dimmed. Once it completely disappeared, Artha's eyes widened.

Where the giant demon once stood, now stood an even bigger dragon with shimmering white scales. Its deep purple eyes looked down at Artha, wrinkling up slightly as the dragon smiled, revealing its sharp teeth.

Golden runes traveled around her body, almost framing it like the portrait of a deity. To Artha, it felt as if these markings were powerful—divine almost. The complex patterns of the markings resembled a massive ancient tree.

"S-Sylvia, you're a dragon?" Artha stammered, her mouth agape in shock.

"I am what you humans refer to as dragons. Now that I'm in this form, we don't have much time before they find us. I received that wound—the one slowly killing me—after narrowly escaping my captors."

She folded one of her bladed wings, revealing a colorful gem with an aura that made Artha gravitate towards it. The gem flew towards Artha's hands, gently landing.

Despite the gem being nearly weightless, Artha felt like she was sinking into the ground. It was as if the gem didn't deem her worthy. Without waiting for Artha to respond, Sylvia plucked a feather off her wing, drawing blood.

Handing the feather to Artha, Sylvia continued. "Cover the gem in this feather. Hide the gem and don't let anyone know you have it. Most won't know what it is, but they will be attracted by its aura."

Pressing her snout against Artha's chest, Sylvia pierced her core with her tongue. Golden smoke covered with what looked like purple lightning wisped into my core.

Artha yelped, feeling as if her core was on fire. She blinked, confused as to what just happened. As Syliva moved her head away, Artha looked down at her sternum, seeing blood trickle down.

Despite what she expected, both her clothes and body were completely unharmed.

"Everything will reveal itself in time," Sylvia whispered.

Before Artha could question what just happened, a giant explosion caught both of their attention. Turning towards the ceiling of the cave, dust and rubble fell down.

"Lady Sylvia! I advise you stop your stubbornness and hand it over."