Chapter 52

As they stepped into the living room, the group was taken aback by the sheer chaos that filled the space.

Broken vases lay scattered on the floor, books were strewn about with bits of food crumbs dotting the surface, and an array of dresses and undergarments were haphazardly scattered around the room.

At the center of this disorderly scene was the dragon goddess herself, Bahamut, in a rather undignified position.

Bahamut was sprawled out on a plush rug, frantically batting at a scurrying mouse with a slipper, her expression contorted into one of absolute panic.

Her immaculate silver hair was disheveled, and her robes were in complete disarray.

"Shoo, you wretched creature!" she shrieked, her voice high-pitched and laced with fear.

"Away with you, lest I unleash my divine dragon wrath upon thy tiny form!" she bellowed, her words echoing through the chaotic room.

The group stood transfixed, their jaws agape, as they watched the goddess chase the elusive rodent around the room, knocking over vases and scattering scrolls in her wake.

Vasiliki let out a startled yelp as another mouse suddenly appeared, darting between her feet, causing her to lose her balance and tumble towards the floor.

Draco, however, reacted quickly, reaching out and catching her before she could hit the ground.

Bahamut, laser-focused on her task, remained oblivious to the stunned onlookers.

With a triumphant cry, she finally managed to corner the mouse, bringing her slipper down with a resounding thud.

But alas, her victory was short-lived, as the resilient creature evaded her grasp once more, scurrying away to the safety of a nearby bookshelf.

"Aaah, why did I even come down to the mortal world?" she yelled, her cheeks flushed with exertion and embarrassment.

She let out a frustrated growl, glaring at the retreating form of her tiny adversary.

"Curses!" she exclaimed, her voice dripping with frustration.

"This is not the last you shall hear of this, you wretched vermin!" she declared, her determination evident in her words.

"Ahem!!' Draco decided to make their presence known, clearing his throat to catch Bahamut's attention.

Turning her head away from the bookshelf, the dragon goddess met Draco's gaze, her expression immediately turning serious and stoic, a stark contrast to the cute and endearing personality they had just witnessed.

"Huh, who are you people?" Bahamut asked, her tone cold and menacing.

Taking a closer look at the dragon goddess, the group couldn't help but be captivated by her mesmerizing features.

She had long, flowing silver hair that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, a small yet graceful frame, and a face that was nothing short of breathtaking.

Her eyes were a deep, striking red with a slit in the middle, her ears were long and pointed, and a long, flexible tail coated in shimmering silver scales protruded from her lower back.

Sprouting from her temples were two curved horns, and a pair of transparent, ethereal wings were folded behind her back.

Her lips were a sensuous red, and her clothing, a peculiar mix of a silver-colored swimsuit and a flowing gown, revealing her feminine features with tantalizing allure.

Her chest was flat which would have normally been a turn off to some males but it wasn't completely non existent.

Draco, Michalis, Nikolaos, and Vasileios found themselves unable to tear their gaze away from the dragon goddess' mesmerizing appearance.

"A real legal Loli," Draco subconsciously uttered, his words earning him a sharp step on the foot from Clair even though she didn't know what it meant.

"Stop staring," Clair muttered angrily, her voice laced with a hint of jealousy.

Her action earning a nod of approval from the other girls.

Snapping out of his trance, Draco quickly began introducing their group to the goddess.

"Forgive us for the intrusion, Uhm Lady Bahamut. We are a group of aspiring adventurers who have come to your home seeking an audience with you," Draco began, his voice steady and respectful.

He introduced himself and his companions - Michalis, Nikolaos, Vasileios, Eleni, Dimitra, Vasiliki, and Clair - each of them waving at her as their names were called.

Bahamut's expression remained stoic as she listened to Draco's introduction, her gaze lingering on his cloak.

"How do you know who I am?" she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"From looking through the guild records," Draco replied, his voice steady.

'Odd,' Bahamut thought, 'why do I sense draconic aura coming from him, and it is mixed with something else, but it is not divinity?' she wondered.

"And what, pray tell, brings you to my home?" she asked, her tone demanding an explanation.

Draco took a deep breath, removing his cloak and revealing his draconic features, preparing to explain the reason for their visit.

"Wait, are you by any chance, a dragon kin?" Bahamut asked, her voice laced with a hint of skepticism.

"I believe so," Draco replied, his eyes meeting Bahamut's steadily.

"I see. So you're the one he spoke of," Bahamut said, a sigh escaping her lips.

"Who spoke of me?" Draco asked, a perplexed expression crossing his features.

He had a vague guess about how she knew, but it was nothing concrete.

"A friend," Bahamut replied simply.

"Anyway, my name is Bahamut, as you can tell, I am a Dragon goddess," she introduced herself with pride.

"By the way, how long have you all been watching?" she asked, her gaze sweeping over the group.

"From the beginning," Draco replied, and he could see that her ears were slightly red.

He could tell that, she was a bit embarrassed by their presence.

"Forgive the mess, some assailants must have broken into my house before you all arrived," Bahamut said, a smile that wasn't a smile gracing her features.

"Wait, wasn't it..." Michalis began, but Draco quickly covered his mouth, sensing the goddess's discomfort.

"I'm sorry to hear about that," Draco said, stepping forward.

"Can we help you in cleaning up the place?" he offered.

Bahamut's eyes widened slightly, and Draco could see the gratitude in her expression.

"Thank you, that will help a lot," she replied, and they quickly set to work, cleaning and arranging the mess that Bahamut had caused in her mouse-hunting quest.

After making the place more presentable, Bahamut offered them a seat.

Draco wanted to resume explaining their reason for coming, but Bahamut interjected.

"I already know why you have come here, Draco," she said, her voice soft yet commanding.

"But why do I sense so much hate, rage, and sorrow coming from not only you, but your companions?" she questioned.

Draco was taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise.

She had seen through them, even though it was their first meeting.

'I guess it would be odd if we didn't harbor any hate, rage, or sorrow. I just didn't think it was so obvious,' Draco thought, glancing at his family.

He began giving Bahamut an account of what had happened to them over the years.

How the one-eyed black dragon had appeared like a natural disaster and destroyed their lives, leaving them with a deep-seated anger and a burning desire for revenge.

As Draco spoke, Bahamut's expression changed, her eyes reflecting the weight of their story.

There was a heaviness in the air, a palpable sorrow that seemed to permeate the room.

For some reason, telling Bahamut about it made Draco and his family feel a bit better.

She gave off a weird feeling that made him want to tell her everything that he had been holding back, and it didn't feel wrong or bad.

She didn't give the impression of being someone evil.

He also knew that the goddess before them was a powerful and ancient being, one who had witnessed countless tragedies and triumphs throughout the ages.

Bahamut listened intently, her gaze never wavering from Draco's face.

When he had finished, she let out a deep sigh, her shoulders sagging ever so slightly.

"I see," she murmured, her voice laced with a profound sadness.

"The loss you have all endured is truly immense, and the pain you carry is palpable. I cannot claim to imagine the weight of such a burden." she said.

She paused, her eyes sweeping over the group.

"But know this, children: the path of vengeance is a treacherous one, often leading to more suffering and destruction. It is a road I would not wish any of you to walk." she said.

Draco opened his mouth to protest, but Bahamut raised a hand, silencing him.

"Shhh, let me finish. While I cannot undo the harm that has been done, I will also not deny the need for revenge. I can see that it is what currently motivates you to move forward," Bahamut said, her voice carrying a weight of experience and understanding.

She paused, surveying the group with a pensive gaze.

"I wish to stand as the wall that will stop you all, when you go astray. Keep in mind that the end should be one that leads to – a path of healing, true strength, and perhaps, even inner peace" She advised, her tone measured and resolute.

The group listened intently, their expressions a mixture of expectation and uncertainty. Bahamut's words had struck a deep chord within them, and they were extremely eager, yet apprehensive, to hear what more she had to say.

"I know that you seek answers to many questions, and I will share with you what I can," Bahamut continued, her voice taking on a more determined tone.

"But be warned, Draco, what lies ahead will not be easy. It will require courage, sacrifice, and a willingness to sometimes look beyond the confines of your own pain and rage." She stated.

Draco nodded in understanding, his expression solemn and resolute.

Looking around at the various expressions on the faces of his family, he made up his mind.

"We are ready, Lady Bahamut. Whatever it takes, we are willing to do what is necessary to grow and right the wrongs that have been done to us." Draco replied, his voice steady and his determination palpable.

The others nodded in agreement, their faces more resolute, their eyes burning with purpose.

'It seems due to responsibility of taking care of his sibling, he didn't stray. Sigh, those darn lizards really thrust a piece of work on me' Bahamut thought.

Bahamut's lips curled into a small, sad smile, a hint of sorrow visible in her expression.

"Then let us begin," she said, her voice steady and sure.