I have found her

It was not hard, especially for someone as great as me.

To find her, I just went back to where we first got separated and retraced her steps.

Following the few footmarks

The strewn arrows

And burn marks here and there made it easy.

It was nothing to me.

But

I don't know what to do now.

I have just been floating high above.

Spying on them-

...

Keeping a close eye on them.

Although doing that

As it turns out

Is not necessary.

For she, even considering how worthless she can.

Is very strong.

But something bugs me.

During their journey

Very few words have been spoke between her and the Faun

She has only been speaking when spoken to

Letting the Faun do most of the talking.

Something unheard of for the human.

Something that scares me.

Me

Human, don't let this change you

Day has turned

Over and over.

Nothing happening except for the odd animal getting killed and eaten.

Nothing

Happening.

But oddly enough, I found myself content.

Which is a new

Why am I feeling like this?

It is as if

I am delaying something.

And feeling good about it

I think

Maybe.

Hmmm

Something to consider at least

Something to keep me from being bored

And day has turned

Over and over

But finally

Something new happened.

They found a tree

Hm

Okay, not that exciting

Except

She suddenly looked up

Eyes glowing a bright red

Oh

Quickly.

I took height

Going further than I usually do

Almost making them unseeable to my perfect eyes.

But just as quick as she looked up

She looked down again

Seemingly non-the wiser about my existence.

Phew

That felt close.

Wait.

Why would I feel scared about her seeing me?

I fear nothing!

I should fly down right now and make myself known!

Yes.

She will smile so brightly at my splendor.

I will glitter a glorious blue

And she will smile

Giving me that brightness back.

...

Okay

Maybe not

Not now

I can do it...

Later

…

Once more, day has turned

Over and over

Why do I even care about that?

It is not like I am counting the days I am floating above them.

No way

That would be beneath me.

Yeah...

Oh

Something is happening.

That Faun is-

Using borrowed magic

That, blasphemous, magic, from that blasphemous ritual.

Stolen magic

Our magic

Oooh, oh how I want to kill

Destroy

Burn him...

But..

No

I can not

Not her friend.

That

That would maker her

Sad?

i

Do not want to make her

Sad?

Something flickered in the corner of my eye.

Looking up, I noticed a big army of

Centaurs?

Oh yeah, these are those stepps

How could I forget?

This place was so interesting when we were younger.

Such a rascall of a god

Thinking he could keep such a vast-land for himself.

Hohoho

I wonder if he still makes his Centaur defend the stepps

Keeping up that weird tradition of “anything for the stepp” mentality.

Hohoho

Those were the days

We would tease him by shoveling earth away from his borders.

Shrinking the stepps kilometer by kilometer

Oh haha

Those...

Those were the days...

…

Anyway

Stop thinking

More focus.

Those Centaurs are probably up to no good.

Probably noticed that earth magic

Probably sent by that god to investigate

Probably sent to kill those who dare mess with the stepp.

Yes

This is my chance!

This is how I will ask for my forgiveness.

I shall save her from the Centaurs

Then she will bask in how powerful I am

And from it

We shall be

Friends

Mmmm

Sometimes I even impress myself.

So I waited.

Waited for the perfect opportunity

To save her, who I consider

Friend.

The Centaurs moved closer and closer

Both the Human and Faun tried to run away

But they were far too slow

Eventually, the girl stopped.

Making the Faun stop behind her

Soon after that, I felt a large amount of mana seep out of the tiny little Faun

Using that mana to lift a big chunk from the ground

A feat that even we Dragons would consider impressive

For Dragon children, that is.

But the Centaurs seemed to not mind

Continuing forwards

And I slowly floated downwards, keeping out of sight.

But as they closed

Nothing happened.

Nothing.

What?

I asked myself.

Seeing them get even closer

Well within striking range

But no such thing happened.

Instead, they started to speak

And a few minutes later

They started to move

The Faun following close behind the Centaurs

And she

She even rode on one of them

Making my anger flare up.

How

HOW DARE THAT CENTAUR TAKE WHAT IS MINE-

...

Mine?

Quickly, I calmed myself down.

Feeling uncertain

And confused

Wait.

Why would I get angry at her for riding that Centaur?

It is beneath you to let someone ride you

Is it not?

Thinking that

I could see them riding swiftly and fast.

Laughter erupting from her

Making my anger flare up again

But quickly cooling

Okay, okay.

Calm down

Hmmm

Okay.

Even someone as great as me

Even I

Must admit

That looks entertaining.

And I am not talking about riding a puny Centaur

But letting her ride me

Making her feel the wind rush past

Showing her how much power one of us Dragons can wield in the sky.

Our domain

Oh, she would be so happy!

Stupid, Human

If you want speed, you should ride me!

But

What should I do?

My plan was foiled by those stupid Centaurs.

If only they had attacked

How am I supposed to get close now-

Then, like a flash if brilliance

I remembered

Oh, yes

Yes

Why do I not just transform into one of those Centaurs and get close?

Yes!

That is such a great-

No

Yes?

No...

Yees

Aaaah

Why must I have to transform myself into such a...

Pitiful creature

Do I really have to lower myself for something like this?

This is.

...

Beneath me.

But as I thought that.

I continued to stare at the human

Seeing her wave her arms around

Talking, laughing

Smiling.

Making me feel

Hurt?

And I quickly transformed

An imitation of the real

Not like my phoenix form

But a reflection of reality

One that upon closer inspection

Could never be as good as the original.

Although, No mere mortal should have a high enough skill to see through my skill.

So it should be no problems.

None at all

There were problems

Almost immediately

As no one knew me

Fearing that I was some spy

Making me almost burn them in anger.

But

Using my great wits

And very patient nature

I managed to convince the surrounding Centaurs that I was coming from one of the other herds in peace.

Speaking out of my tail

But weirdly

Getting accepted

Even after screaming at them for several minutes.

Hehe

Foolish Centaurs

No mere mortal could ever wish to see through my disguise!

Anyway.

I have taken up the mantel of a manly Centaur

Making myself look as attractive as possible

For I hear that the human flesh likes attractive things

And I made myself look big and imposing.

Hearing that muscles are attractive

Nowhere near as attractive as Dragon scales

But these will do.

Unfortunately

I think I overdid it

Making myself stand-out a little too much from the crowded Centaurs

As a silver armoured Centaur singled me out

Pointing at me, telling me to

Carry the Faun

How dare you

...

I accepted.

What could I do?

Either that, or revealing my true nature

It is not as if I could have declined

That silver Centaur is obviously a high ranking member

Holding power over the others.

Moving through camp

I found the Faun

Looking up at me with a mixture of military stoicism

And fear.

Oh, hoho

Faun.

To think you would fear something so little

I will take great pleasure in this.

Thinking that, I moved closer

Heaving him up effortlessly and placing him on my back in an as awkward position as I could.

And speeding of

Making sure to keep the same pace as the others.

And also

Making the ride as bumpy as I could

Which drew a laugh

A familiar laugh

I looked to the source.

And saw her

A bright smile, looking at the faun

Then down

To me

Heart missing a beat

Locking eyes

To what felt like an eternity

Her smile staying bright.

Then she looked away.

Only a second had passed

But for me

Not enough.

This

Might be okay.

I do not have to hurry

I can apologise later.

Yeah

Let us see what entertaining things she will show me.