With a flourish of the romantic hand, the sunset blossomed red and gold. In such a picturesque time, the image of a devilishly handsome young man holding angelically beautiful young women just became so much more enchanting under the glimmering magic of the last light of the sun. But someone did not look so enchanted. Princess Elizabeth Leon of Avalon looked as if she would give Azar and Sasha a piece of her mind.

“Practice a lot you two !?” The cold gaze from the princess was more than enough to tell what she was feeling. The crowd disbanded quickly when they saw the princess was unhappy, giving the three of them some space.

“What !!??” Sasha replied in a rather high pitch and awkward tone. “ He and I, we … we haven’t seen each other for 10 years !”

“Oh yeah …. that looks bloody convincing !” The princess nodded her head, but in the way that a wife would do to her husband when she caught him doing something wrong.

Azar did not say a word. Instead, he just quietly walked away.

“Hey ! And where do you think you’re going !?” Elly spoke commandingly

“To get my stuff and get out of here ….”

“What ?!? you’re leaving already !?” Sasha turned to Azar. “This late !? Why in such a hurry !? Where are you even heading to anyway ?”.

Sasha's questions struck Azar hard. For 10 years, he had guidance, so even though he did not know where his destination was, Azar never felt lost. But now, he got nothing, just a vague promise that everything was right where they needed to be. Sasha and Elly were still patiently awaiting Azar's answer.

“Princess Elizabeth !!” Someone yelled out to the group.

Never had Azar ever been so happy getting interrupted by someone else. But after seeing who it was, Azar knew he was far from being off the hook.

“Munir !? What are you doing here ?” Elly turned back. Her emerald eyes looked confused when she saw Munir. And Munir also looked kind of hesitant when he saw Sasha and Azar.

“Oh …. Ummm …. I just …”.

Azar looked at Munir with a particular expression. How could a human shapeshift his personality so much? The little Munir, who Azar once knew, was a timid and shy little kid who said sorry all the time. Then the more grown-up Munir, who Azar just met a few hours ago, was confident and brave, easily earning others' respect. And now, for whatever reason, Munir turned back to that little kid he once knew. Stuttering with every word he said, hands behind his back, Munir looked nothing like that strong young man.

Azar had to put him out of his misery. “Hey, Munir, how about we get out of here and have a drink or two before I leave !?”.

“Wait !? You’re leaving ?” Munir immediately took the opportunity. “Why not stay at the castle, at least for tonight !?”

“Nah !” Azar simply answered. Azar could barely tolerate normal humans. Eating and sleeping alongside armed and trained humans who once he had to face on battlefields, Azar did not know if he would have the stone.

“Oh come one now, the night is about to come. You can’t go that far anyway.” Munir came up and put his hand around Azar’s shoulder as if they were the best of friends. “Besides, are you seriously walking out on exotic food, a warm bed, and old company !?”.

Azar looked at all the armed knights surrounding him. There was no way he was going to rest in the heart of the enemy. But Munir’s words were very persuasive, and it was a rare chance he got to catch up with those young humans.

“Fine … But not here,” Azar sighed. “Outside of this castle, I can at least have one dinner with you all.”

“Wait ! Outside !? I can’t go outside of the castle ! How can I …” Elly, as a princess, especially a newly kidnapped one, had a strict limitation. But luckily for her,

“Don’t worry princes, As your personal knight, I shall escort you all the way” Sasha smiled and bowed slightly.

“Good, so it’s decided then !” Munir smiled brightly.

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

There was a famous restaurant, The Citlali, not too far away from the castle. It was where most the high social class and even the royal came and spent their time. They had special rooms and private areas, specific for such occasions.

It was one of the highest buildings in Tolemac. Of course, it was still far behind the castle, but sitting in that private 4th floor VIP room, Azar could see almost everything in the city. However, the view was not the only thing this restaurant was famous for.

“Wow,” Azar gasped when he saw the food they served him. Lobsters that were as big as his arms, steak that was so buttery, they could melt in his mouth, … a poor man would have given his soul away just to have a smell of this excellent meal.

“I told you it was worth the wait,” Munir joyfully said.

All of this, the fancy meal, the elegant dining room, and of course the high-class service, made Azar remember the time before when he was a king and not a simple human.

“Well well, Azar….” Elly gave Azar the mischievous eyes. “Care to recall all those stories of yours one more time, now that all of those characters are here !?”

And just like that, they all shared their end of the stories. Of course, the main focus was still on Azar’s. 10 years and his journey had taken him across many lands and nations. Azar told them everything. The night was on their side. He told him how he could pass through all of those lands so easily without paper. Of course, he mainly made it up as the truth was he got “lucky'' every time.

But most importantly, he told him the stories about how he saved Sasha and how he helped Munir. Azar could not help but notice how emotional those three were when he told them his stories, especially Sasha. She tried to hide it, but Azar could tell, some tears were shed. He also got to listen to their side of the stories. Sasha seemed reluctant to talk about what happened before she met Azar. But she was eager to tell Azar what happened after. She was saved by the nuns in that church, and they took her in and raised her. But that didn’t last long, wars came, and the church was destroyed. So they had to move away. Luckily for them, Avalon was open to refugees, especially religious groups such as her church. So they went through a vigorous journey by boat to get to Avalon. On that journey, of the 4 boats that made their way to Avalon, 2 reached their destination, the others were sunk by foreign enemies. And in Avalon, her talent was scouted. She passed the Elites Academy entrance exam with flying colors and graduated in record time. In her time in the Academy, she met the princess, Elizabeth. They quickly made friends, and Sasha became one of her personal knights.

As for Munir, after he and Azar parted ways, his life had really turned around. He was taken in by the Desert Falcon guide to help them up during their journey. Lucky for Munir, his parents had taught him many things, including reading, writing, cooking, navigation and reading the stars, which came in handy in many cases. The guide master saw the potential in Munir and adopted him into his own family. Since then, he had learned and gone on business trips with his adopted father. And even though he was just at the age of 18, Munir was widely considered as a wise and capable man, more than sufficient to take over his father’s position as the guide’s master. His guide was a big contributor to the country. Because of their knowledge and connection, Munir and his father were regularly called to the councils, attending meetings with the king and his subjects. And during those occasions, Munir got to meet the young princess. They quickly become friends, the lonely princess and the adopted young merchant.

“Wow … I still can’t believe it after all these years, … I never thought I would get the chance to see you again …” Sasha emotionally told Azar.

“I never thought I would get this opportunity as well.” Azar chuckled, “But I have to say, seeing how you two have grown, how strong, brave and capable as you are now. I’m glad.”

“But Azar, you never told me how you earned a living during that time. I mean how could an 8 years old survive and thrive all on his own !?” Elly wondered.

“You know, living off the land, hunting animals, looting from bandits and good old fashion gambling ….”

Munir almost spitted his wine when he heard Azar say the word “gambling.” Ever since his time in Habagra, Munir had never even thought about gambling. His experience with it had scarred him for life.

“Gambling !? You had no money to spare but you still threw them away in gambling !?” Sasha cried out. But Azar just smiled and chuckled to himself.

“It’s not gambling per say, Sasha” Munir put his wine down, “Azar here is the never lost. He is the best con artist I have ever seen.”

Munir then turned to Azar and asked, “I have always wondered, Azar. That trick, back then. How did you do it ? I have learned and studied from many. But none of them could even come close to doing what you have done.”

Azar just smiled. Of course, he could not say he had put Munir’s whole life on the line because Azar knew he had Godlike luck, which God himself personally bestowed upon Azar. So Azar just simply told him, “Sorry kid, some legends best keep a mystery.”

“Again with the kid !” Sasha was annoyed. “You called everybody a kid, honestly Azar, just how old are you !? What 20, 21 !?”

Azar shrugged his shoulders. He didn’t know his actual human age, and he could not tell them that he was once a 250-year-old dragon. So Azar gave a rough estimate “Humm … about 18.”

“ 18 !!!” All three of them went wild. Azar was exactly their age. They all gave him the sting eyes and grumpy poses with both hands crossed in front of their chests.

“HEY HEY HEY !!!!” with a chicken drumstick in his hand, Azar pointed at all of them one by one. “I thought you said it was a safe and non judgemental place ! Do not judge me by your standard.”

“Bloody hell ! You made me think you were like a nearly 30 years old man with that kind of language !” Elly cried out.

“Hey at least you got to be called by name, Elly. Those two I only ever called “kid.” You should be proud” The moment Azar stopped talking, Elly’s face turned red.

“Elly !!???” Munir almost shouted.

“Wait, you get to call the princess Elly !?” Sasha smiled and turned to the princess.

“AZAR !!!!!” the princess cried out. “I TOLD YOU TO ONLY CALL ME BY THAT NAME IN PRIVATE !!!!!”.

“Ooopppsss …” Azar had totally forgotten about that. The princess was red with blush, and Sasha could not help but tease her friends a little bit. Laughter filled the room, but there was one person that could barely push himself to smile, Munir.

“Elly ? She let Azar call her Elly … even I haven't ....” Munir thought to himself. Munir felt something stirred up within him, something that he shouldn’t have felt.

Their conversation continued until the streets went quiet, and the moon grew high and bright. The three of them were still chattering the night away. But Sasha knew time was running out, she had postponed it long enough, but Elly had to go back to the castle.

“I apologize for cutting the party short, but it’s time for the princess to return to the castle,” Sasha kindly said. Elly just frowned and sighed. Sometimes, just sometimes, being a princess sucked.

“Well, if I must. …” Elly sadly and reluctantly said, “Let’s do this again sometime, soon !”

“Haha,” Azar laughed. “If luck would have it, perhaps we would meet again in ten or so years.”

And then came that awkward moment of silence. All eyes were fixated on him.

“You … still want to leave !?” there was a little but noticeable tremble in Elly’s tone.

“Seriously, Azar …” Munir calmly said “Just think about this.”

“Like I said. I have time for dinner then I’ll have to say my goodbye ….”

“Azar, where are you heading ? What are you searching for ?”Munir questioned.

Azar took some time to think it through, then he simply replied, “ I don’t really know. I don’t know yet where I should be. What I should do. I only know what I have to do ….”

“10 years, Azar. I don’t know what you are running toward, or what you are running away from. But you have traveled through all the lands. You have done more than a human could have accomplished in a lifetime.” Munir put his hand on Azar’s shoulders. “But a man can’t keep chasing the North Star forever ….”

Azar’s eyes suddenly widened, his heart skipped a beat.

“What did you just say ?”

“ I’m saying stop chasing the stars dammit !” Munir cried out, “There is so much more in you, Azar. You are one of the kindest and bravest people I have ever had the fortune to meet. I can’t let such a man like you waste his youth wandering across the land like a nobody.”

Finally, Azar took a moment to look at the three humans. All of their attention, they are focusing on him, looking at him for an answer. Azar chuckled a bit and mumbled something to himself. He got the look of someone that had just figured out the riddle of a lifetime.

“ … could have told me that in the first place, Carl …” the little whispering was the only words the three could make out of Azar’s mumbling. That little chuckle soon became loud laughter, followed by clear confusion on Munir, Elly, and Sasha’s faces.

“Didn’t you say it’s time for the princess to head back to the castle!” Azar finally stopped laughing to himself.

“Yeah but …”

“I’ll see you all soon.” Azar smiled. “But right now, I have to meet up with someone ….”

They said their goodbye. Munir offered Azar a room in one of the finest Inns in the city, and Azar gladly accepted the offer. And just as he suspected, once his body went into slumber, Azar's soul got called up again.

However, this time, rather than the cold and darkness of the eternal abyss or the bright and calm of a spring valley, Azar found himself on a warm and sandy beach. And not far from where he was, Azar saw someone peacefully enjoying the scenery, listening to songs of the waves ever so calmly hitting the shore. God was sitting on the golden shore, enjoying the warm sunset.

“Hello, Azar.” God greeted Azar before he got to speak a word. “How do you find the change in scenery ?”

“It’s quite nice” Azar got next to God and sat down.

“And how do you find your current position ?”

Azar sighed. “You could have told me that from the start ….”

“And ruin the surprise ?” God chuckled. God caught a glimpse of Azar. He also had a little smirk on his face. “I told you. You have done more than you could ever imagine.”

“So my mission. Be the North Star for those little humans ?”

“The North Star served as a beken of hope for you, once upon a time. Now it’s your turn to take on the mantle. It’s very fitting don’t you think ?”

“Again, could have just told me that from the start ….”

“What kind of a teacher would I be if I only gave you the answer ?”

“Well then teacher, can you at least tell me, will there be any more unpleasant surprises on my path?”

“I don’t know ….”

“Is that a real “I don’t know,” or is this some sort of possible teaching moment of yours ???” Azar turned and gave God the skeptical eyes.

God just laughed. “I genuinely don’t know Azar. That’s what makes the life of a human so interesting. I can’t decide what might come next.”

“Well … that’s comforting to hear … God can’t tell what’s going to happen next ….”

God calmly put his hand on Azar’s shoulder. “What is life, without a little drama? What is the sweetness of victory without the bitterness of defeat? You can’t escape from failure, or pain, for that is the cornerstone for success.”

Azar did not say a word to God. Instead, he just stoically looked at the horizon. Something was clearly on his mind at the time.

“Elly, the little human princess. It’s no coincidence that I met her, isn’t it.” A moment of somber came, then Azar bluntly said, “A lonely naive little princess, getting saved by a guy like me, … Holy Shit ! You’re aiming for me to marry the princess and take control of the kingdom as their new king, aren’t you ?”

God almost fell on his back. A much higher pitch voice answered Azar

“Wait whaaatttttt ??!!!???” God made a surprise ‘I can’t believe you even think of me like that’ kind of face. But Azar did not waver. His eyes remained as judgmental and piercing as ever.

“Alright, fine !” God finally gave up. “ That’s a good plan, you have to admit that.”

“It’s cliche as hell and really messed up. Even if I don’t judge the fact that Elly is this ugly, weak little creature. I’m pretty sure that boy Munir has feelings for her.”

“Huh !? What ? How did you ….”

“He can’t keep his eyes off her. He purposefully always stands or sits next to her. His face got a little sad every time I called her Elly. His heartbeat raises up every time she talks to him, so on and so on. Honestly, how can you not notice that ?”

“Again, billions and billions of life forms. I don’t have the time to check in on every little detail like do you have a crush on someone. I have bigger issues to care about. Like I don’t know,... looking after a certain dragon to save my world !?!”

“Ehm …” Azar awkwardly faked coughing and averted his gaze.

“And so what if he likes her. Are you like, afraid of some competition or something? If you are, let me tell you a secret ….”

“Nope nope nopppppeeee !” Azar interrupted God immediately, “I don’t even want to know what your sick mind has.”

“Hey ! HEY ! Don’t get any funny ideas ! I was only about to give you some love advice ….”

“ERK !” Azar felt like puking already. “Come on God, just think for a second. She is 17, 18. And I am A 260 YEARS OLD DRAGON !?? Different species aside. The age gaps alone !”

“Hey don’t be so close minded” God just gave a casual smile and shrugged his shoulders. “Let me tell you a small secret. I really think that will catch on. Back at Jesus’s world, you know my next door neighbor. He told me that in his world, humans, especially female humans, really love old and different beings. If I recall correctly, he told me a story about a 17 year old human girl falling in love with a 100s year old vampire. Oh and then a werewolf and new born child ….”

“Yep, that's going to haunt my dream… I'm going to vomit …” Azar’s face turned a little green and pale. “Fucking Hell ! You celestial beings are just sick !”

“HEY ! DO NOT PUKE ON MY BEACH !”

But that wasn’t going to help Azar. His stomach was turning, and his head was spinning. For the life of Azar, he could not understand, nor did he want to understand what God was talking about. Just the thought of being attracted to a different species was more than enough to disturb him, let alone falling in love with someone who was not even 1/20 of his age.

“You know what !?” God snapped his finger. Then a hole swallowed Azar instantly and sent him flying down back to the world of the living.

“NOT AGAIN !!!!” Azar screamed as he fell.

After Azar was gone, God just lay back on the sandy beach and chuckled to himself. “Oh my dear little dragon … How can you ever hope to foresee a god’s plan….”

Then he took out his magic mirror and looked inside. “Oh trust me, it will catch on. You see, …”