'A knight's swordfight is supposed to be with a sense of chivalry and fair play, with respect and courage. Yet that is merely the stuff that the bards sing of, the stuff from the legends to make it all seem nice. When it comes to a true fight on the battlefield and in war, there are no gentlemen nor rules, there is no grace to it. It's ugly and inelegant, the only thing that is there are long knives under the heavens. Careful not to be fooled by tales of chivalry and honor young knight. — ???

**************

As I stood there at the entrance of the cave, all eyes suddenly turned towards me. I could feel my father and mother beckoning me to bow down and lower my head towards the unfamiliar red dragon.

I was about to when a part of me unexpectedly disagreed. 'Why should I do that?' Useless pride began to take over. I respected my parents because I have seen the extent of their powers, and now I'm expected to lower my head to a stranger?

I understood that just the fact that my parents were showing the unknown red dragon their respect was enough testimony of his strength. But my body, no my pride did not allow me to lower my head so easily.

'Shit! Shit! Shit!' My mind was going into overdrive, as I felt conflicted. My more rational side opted for a safe approach, which was to just bow down as all of this was stupid and I had no reason to get on the bad side of an unknown dragon.

My more bestial side did not like that, quite the opposite, I could feel my fighting spirit ignite as I met the red dragon's olive-green eyes.

I did not notice my siblings who were all on their knees, hiding behind my parents in fear. My eyes stared at the unknown red dragon with defiance. 'If I just lower my head to everyone, what sort of dragon would that make me?' Screamed my bestial side.

I tried to argue back, to think more rationally, yet this time was, unfortunately, one of those where I could not control my instincts as both our gazes locked together.

The world suddenly seemed to go quiet as all my surroundings slowly began to disappear. All I could see was those olive-green eyes staring back at me with almost indifference.

It felt like I was getting sucked into a different world altogether as I began to lose consciousness. 'This is bad!' I tried to shake away from the strange stance I found myself descending into.

Yet I was unable to move my body, hell, I was unable to feel it all together. My entire world was those olive-green eyes. It suddenly felt as if I returned to tha strange dark realm.

'No, I have to get a grip! This is bad!' I anxiously tried to sense the mana in my surroundings yet was unable to feel it.

Nervousness gripped my heart as the mana no longer answered me. I gulped as I felt my entire being getting swallowed into that gaze. It was then that the energy that surrounded my heart lunged forward abruptly.

A fiery sensation rushed from my heart and extended to all parts of my body. I blinked and the world suddenly turned back to normal. The red dragon was still standing there looking at me, my parents looked worried as they observed the entire ordeal, while my siblings had awe-struck eyes.

'What happened?' I gulped, my knees were shaking as I held my ground. I could see a flash of surprise pass by the unknown dragon's eyes as he looked at me, then gave me a nod of acknowledgment before dropping a bomb revealing who he was.

"Not bad, worthy of being called my grandson," Said the old dragon.

'Oh heavens, that's my grandfather?' I sucked a deep breath as he turned to face my parents.

Mother still had a worried expression on her face as her eye kept darting between grandfather and me, while my father had an almost smug and prideful look on his face as he raised his head back up.

The adults then moved to the deeper parts of the cave led by grandpa, leaving us younglings behind. It seemed like they had their matters to discuss. 'Phew, at least I didn't fall,' I breathed a sigh of relief.

That was when Green suddenly launched herself towards me and jumped on my back before swiftly climbing to sit on top of my head. Golden boy quickly followed and rushed towards me with gleaming eyes, his fighting intent ignited.

Blacky gave me a nod before he made his way back to a dark corner where he resumed his nap. White was the last one to come as she nudged her head against my side affectionately before she too slumped down to the ground to sleep.

By now, Golden boy who was unable to hold himself back lunged towards me with a playful claw attack. Even with Green sitting on my head, I was easily able to dodge his blow as I spun around and sent my tail to his legs.

Surprisingly, his reaction was swift as he jumped in the air avoiding my attack, yet he seemed to have gotten a little bit too excited as a sharp earth spear materialized abruptly in the air and was sent my way.

I hurriedly retaliated with a water spear of my own. As both sides clashed, a small boom pushed Golden boy back a few steps from the shockwave as he was in the air when it happened, while I remained rooted in place.

His earth spear was good, yet he still did not seem to have full control over the mana as it easily broke when it came in contact with mine. My spear continued towards him, as he hastily tumbled back and raised his claws to block.

Yet just as it was about to reach him, I willed the attack to change its shape as he was suddenly drenched in water. Green must have found the situation amusing as I felt her happy emotions.

She was the easiest one to read out of all my siblings. Just as Golden boy was about to make another charge, the adults appeared to have finished their talk as they made their way back towards us. Grandpa's eyes were on me the entire time, seemingly sizing me up with a strange expression.

'What now?'