The Dragon's P.O.V.

I have lived for thousands of years.

I am considered to be as old as time itself.

Yet sadly, time stopped for this heart of mine.

Why did she leave?

Just why?

What was she thinking?

Thousands of questions bombarded my mind,

not a single one answered.

Alas, the events of that day were so clear; I remember it like it was yesterday.

*-*-*-*-*-*

"Ras" she called to me, staring blankly at the beautiful sunrise in front of her,

"It's time." a single tear escaped from the side of her luminescent grey eyes.

I knew that face face very well. She'd made that face one too many times before; whenever she argued with her father, when she felt scared, when she felt guilty. It was that exact face that would always make us nervous.

For we knew,

It meant the start of another bloody confrontation with the demon lord.

That face would always send chills down our spines,

and now is no exception.

"Master..." laying a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "This will be over soon."

All I got was a soft chuckle, followed by a pat on my shoulder.

"Sure Ras." she answered sarcastically, "You keep thinking that."

I hate how she always doubts herself. Usually, after she says something like that, I'd respond with an annoyed tone nagging her by saying;

"Don't say that!" or "Master we'll get through this! We always do."

But looking at the situation we're currently in right now, there's no arguing with her.

"Master, we're ready." the white wolf gestured a salute behind us.

We both turned around, but she was the only one who nodded. The wolf and I made eye contact, giving me a pitiful sigh before turning back, the raven followed behind it. It was always the three of us who followed master the most.

Like a promise with no end, we made a pact.

We are and will always be, Agathe's elemental protectors.

"C'mon Ras," she gave me a smile, must've noticed how lost in thought I was.

I looked at her and smirked, "Yes Master." I answered.

She lead the way and her I followed. She was indeed a born-leader, even at a young age. Though the youngest of the creator's children, Agathe spoke and thought more maturely than them. Of course, there were time where she would get into some mischief, but I noticed that it was her way of relaxing and taking a break from being "the mature one".

Looking at the tall woman in front of me, I was happy and sad at the same time to see that the small little girl who once rescued me in the caves of Prontis years ago become such a brave and powerful protector of her father's creations.

You grew up well, Agathe.

As we made making our way down the west tower, she stopped. I looked around to see if there were any signs of danger nearby that could've caused her to stiffen in her tracks, but no matter how hard I looked and sensed, there was none.

"Hey Ras..." her sudden calling startled me for a moment.

I fixed my composure, "Yes, Master?" answering sternly.

A moment of silence passed by before she turned around to look at me with those sparkling grey eyes of hers and a smile that could melt any cold blooded sanguise heart. But there was something different with her expression this time, something that I've never seen before.

"Master...?" I asked worriedly.

She walked towards me ever so slowly and placed a hand on the tip of my nose, it was a gesture we always did since the beginning.

Staring straight into my eyes she uttered,

"If I die, promise you'll let me go."

I swear I heard my heart break at that moment, but as I stared back at those dazzling eyes of hers, I was speechless.

"Master please.... I--please...." was all I could muster saying.

She moved even closer, "Ras...promise me."

I could see my reflection from her eyes as it glowed.

Of course, how could I've been so blind? For years, hundreds of years, she's been fighting non-stop. Clearly--she's clearly tired of everything by now. Agathe, the most powerful curser who's been protecting us all, seeks to be able to finally rest.

"I..." there was nothing more I could do, but say "Yes, Master."

With that, she showed me a soft smile, before turning back and moving forward, fading away as she sacrificed almost every bit of everything she had to lead us and defeat her own brother, the demon lord, Vedasto.

*-*-*-*-*-*

I tried to obey.

I really did try my best to do so.

But seeing her lifeless body at the hands of her own father, I couldn't believe my eyes.

She was killed....by her own father?

["Ras"]

[Her voice lingered in the back of my head.]

["My father is a kind and caring man, but he's not all cupcakes and rainbows either."]

[At that time, I didn't understand what she meant.]

He struck her....just like that?

["Agathe."]

[The creator's deep low voice called to his only daughter.]

["Do whatever you need to do to stop this, I expect nothing more nor less from my daughter.]

[And with an obedient bow, like a slave succumbing to its master, she forced a smile on her face.]

["Of course....father."]

[What is there for a child to do than listen to their parents--right?]

AFTER ALL SHE DID FOR HIM?!

Oh how badly I wanted to curse him.

I wanted to tear him apart and shove him down that dark pit.

After all,

After what he's done,

He is no different from his Demon Lord son.

I heard my subconscious self crack. like a malfunctioning machine, I couldn't control myself anymore. It was like the anger and frustration I've bottled up for years had finally caught up to me. My eyes fixated on the glowing old man who held my master a few meters away.

"You. Bastard." I growled under my breath.

Just then, I heard a familiar voice.

"Agathe...no..." it whimpered.

I looked to my right and saw that it was one of the fire protectors, a fire ferret to be exact. I often saw that ferret playing with Agathe in the gardens of Thesgus. It would often roll itself up in a ball then make Agathe play throw and catch.

But now;

It teared up, "Please....no..." falling to its knees, the light from its fire faded gradually.

That said, I wasn't the only one who witnessed the fall of our gracious master. All the elemental protectors were under her control. Thus, we all gathered around in horror as her body lied lifeless right in front of our eyes.

To my left, a serpent known for casting powerful illusions wailed.

"Oh no...." it hissed, eyes wide in horror.

Scanning through the crowd of protectors, my ears caught the cries of another familiar protector. It came from behind me this time. I turned around abruptly. To my surprise, I was greeted by a white fox who had its knees on the ground, same as the ferret.

"Don't tell me-- n-no....!!!"

It didn't even make eye contact with me.

It couldn't.

The fox could not take its eyes of Agathe, like its heart would crack if he did so.

"She can't.....leave us like this....." its cries continued.

And it continued for a long long while.

Scanning through the crowd of protectors, their faces full of bruises and scars, yet the pain they felt at that very moment doesn't even come close to the pain and sadness their heart felt as they witness the horror that is the lifeless Agathe.

I felt the heavy feeling of abandonment that lingered in every protector's thoughts.

I could feel their pain.

I could sense it.

It overwhelmed me to a point where I didn't even notice the tears falling from my eyes.

Turning back, I witnessed as the creator laid a hand on his daughter's now paled cheeks and slowly wiped a single tear that dropped from the side of her face. It was a touching scene, a father's farewell to his dead child.

He didn't even utter a word.

I knew he wasn't the chatty type but at that moment-- at least at that moment he could've...

"Say something." my lips moved on its own, in a subtle whisper it twitched angrily.

I could feel my resentment toward's him growing stronger and deeper.

What kind of a sick joke is this Agathe?

And before I knew it, I came to resent her as well.

["If I die, promise me you'll let me go."]

But her voice kept lingering at the back of my head.

["Ras...promise me."]

Her words echoing over and over again.

["You promised Ras..."]

That alone, was enough to drive me in a state of madness.

Everyone should just die.

My mind went blank, and I no longer had control over my body. My all time rule of not letting my emotions get the best of me, the first thing I've ever taught myself and the first exercise I teach the other protectors-- gone just like that.

And the funny thing is,

I didn't even care.

SWOOOOSH!! A strong gush of wind eroded around me. Along with it, a stiffened look from the protectors around me. Some looked surprised, some had no idea I was there, and some--oddly enough--I feel like they expected nothing less from the black dragon.

They expected nothing less from their--

"MAGREUX!!"

I've heard that scream before, but I wasn't completely sure. The wind blew debris of sand everywhere, it was hard to see through it. Therefore, I couldn't tell who or what kind of creature suddenly swooped in front of me, stopping me in my tracks instantly.

A huge shadow hidden behind the dusty fog uttered slowly,

"Erasmus....stop it." it said.

As my view became clearer by the second, I could slowly make out the creature who stood a couple of inches away from me. It growled fiercely as I took a step closer. The elemental protectors surrounded the two of us like an arena, patiently waiting for what the bloodbath that is nowhere far happening in that moment.

"Ahh..." I whispered to myself, smirking as I did. "I knew it would be you."

Anyone would be able to recognize those thick white fur and golden eyes that would follow Agathe everywhere she went, basically merging into her own shadow because of how much the creature followed her.

"Xueana." I called out,

And it growled exactly like the white wolf that it is.

Blocking my way with its body only a quarter of my size,

"Don't do it Ras." the wolf answered. "Don't do anything you'll regret later..."

I don't know why, but her words made me laugh.

There wasn't anything funny about what she said or the tone she said those words in, but her words made me laugh hysterically. It's as if her words frustrated me so much that shouting or pushing her away wouldn't suffice my anger at the creator in that moment.

But at this point,

I think nothing ever will.

So let's just end this.

Thus,

I uttered the last words I never thought I'd say for a looong while.

"Enimus...." I started chanting.

The moment I did, the strong gush of wind continued to erode around me as it slowly but surely surrounded all of the creatures there. And with that, huge thunders of lightning grumbled from the sky above us as the clouds turned dark.

Xueana immediately sprinted towards me.

"No... No..." I heard her utter in a soft whisper to herself.

But it was no use, no matter how hard she tried, no matter how sturdy her legs are, the wind was so powerful that there was no way she could ever get near me. She even tried to counter the dragon's powers, but of course-- she of all people knew that there was no way she could.

After all,

A wolf is no match for a dragon.

"Asientis..." I continued.

My eyes glowed in anger and frustration, releasing my power as it did. Looking around, I saw every single one of the protectors frantically trying to find a place to hide and running away for dear life. It was a sight that I, their leader, never dreamed of witnessing.

But then again,

I also never dreamed of witnessing my master's own death.

Our beloved Agathe

[It was a stormy winter night in the mountains of Seilaph]

[A sweaty and panting tween girl is faced with a lost dragon in the middle of the mountain's forest with a bow in her hand.]

["You." the dragon pointed at the girl, eyes squinting in curiosity, "Who are you?"]

[Hesitant to remove her cloak, the girl stepped back from the creature, hiding from the shadows of the large trees.]

[She thought long and hard about what to say, before finally giving a response a few seconds later]

["Clearly someone who's not supposed to be here." she said.]

[The dragon raised an eyebrow at the young girl, yet giggling just right after.]

["I should say, you're not too shabby for a little girl..." he snorted.]

[Though the girl didn't seem to have much of a reaction to what the dragon said, she didn't tell her off either.]

[Heavy snow continued to fall, and silence along with it. The dragon stared at the vast sky above them as the girl stared at the dragon whilst still hiding from the shadows.]

["Are you..." the girl broke the silence by asking " A Tenebraene?]

[Her words made the dragon flinch, glaring at her with death in his eyes, his guard suddenly sprung up.]

["I knew it..." it growled, "You're a Vauxsoll aren't you?!"]

[The dragon's jaw open wide, roaring as it released a powerful unknown aura. Yet before he could even attack the girl with it, she spoke once more;]

["No I'm not."]

[Removing the hood from her head, she took a step towards the dragon, revealing a girl with beautiful shiny chestnut hair and slate eyes that glistened perfectly in the moonlight.]

["I despise them in fact." she smiled.]

[Just like that, the dragon was mesmerized. There's only one creature in this world who matches the features of the tiny being in front of him. There's only one creature in this world whose power could counter any magical attack, good and bad.]

[Bowing before the Goddess, the dragon greeted "Mish Aprojito Dizas" (Apologies, my Goddess)]

["Ah, I assume you know Azethezi well then?" the girl smiled at the dragon.]

[Reaching out her hand she continued, "Âgäthé, cuvn mih pxrazskt" (Please, call me Agathe)]

["Oh...Uhh..." the dragon looked away in embarrassment,]

["I only know a few words, but I understand what you just said Goddess."]

["Hmm..." squinting her eyes as if observing the dragon,]

[She raised as eyebrow at him, "Isn't it customary to tell the other person your name too?"]

[That's when the dragon's expression suddenly turned dark. Looking at the goddess with an anxious smile on its face, he answered with a serious tone on its voice.]

["I am a Tenebraene, my Goddess. I am a creature that sprouted from the corrupted lands with the sole purpose of wreaking havoc to your father's creations."]

[Indeed, that is true, which is why they get hunted for sport most of the time. Vauxsolles haunt Tenebraenes down and use their skin and scales for sewing clothes while they use the guts for making sturdy furniture.]

["We're creatures who don't deserve--!?" its eyes widened, "Huh?"]

[The young girl teared up out of nowhere. She had a grim expression on her face as she looked at him straight in the eyes, yet tears streamed down her face non-stop.]

["That's just..." she angrily wiped the tears on her face, "Brother is too cruel."]

[The dragon felt uncomfortable at that moment. It had this weird feeling in its stomach but just couldn't pin-point what. No one has ever cried for a creature like a Tenebraene before, no one has ever cried FOR them.]

["Mish Dizas I--"]

["Erasmos!" she shouted out of nowhere.]

["Hu-huh?" the dragon asked confused. "Is that a word in Azethezi?"]

[The young girl, seeing the dragon's confused look, got even more excited.]

[Her eyes lit up as she continued, "Yes, it is!"]

["Erasmos means 'loved' in ancient Azethezi." her eyes glowed as she said those words.]

[The snow fall along with her glittering magic surrounded the both of them.]

["I have so many people who love me, so I have so much love to give." she uttered with a smile.]

[The wind grew stronger with the words, "Your name is to remind you..."]

["That even when you're sad....alone...." the words escaped from her lips gently]

[And with a gracious smile she said the most beautiful words the dragon had ever heard.]

["You deserve love and to be loved!"]

My beloved Master

That was the moment I became a protector, the moment I decided to dedicate my life to her. I am her first ever protector and that will forever be my pride, no one will be able to take that away from me.

She gave a name,

She gave me a purpose,

She gave me a reason to live.

But now that she's gone, what's to happen next?

Looking up in the sky as I turned the world around me in chaos, I kept picturing the heave snow storm that night. How the moon was the brightest than ever before-- How her eyes glistened under the moonlight.

A night to remember.

With a single tear dropping from the side of my eye, I uttered slowly.

"Szans--GRAAAAHHHHH!!!!!"

BOOM!! SWOOOSH!! BOOM!!

The last thing I remember was the face of the creator--inches away from mine,

And the sound of my heart,

breaking.

*-*-*-*-*-*

Looking at the young girl sleeping on the huge king size bed, everything about her is indeed very interesting. After the incident at the spirit realm, the realm I've successfully kept outsiders out for hundreds of years, thousands of questions began to bombard my mind.

Who is she?

How was she able to enter my realm?

And most importantly,

"Where in the pit did you get that name?" I couldn't help but whisper under my breath.

Looking back, I guess I have an idea why I decided to help the child. Her beautiful shiny chestnut hair, it reminded me so much of...Agathe. Deep down, I know that some part of me wanted to believe that she'd come back. For a moment there, I was even sure of it.

And at that moment I realized something,

"Hmmm..." I moved closer to her, squinting my eyes as I observed the sleeping child.

I hesitated at first, but I wanted at least one of my questions to be answered tonight. Though I know I haven't used it in a while, well since I was striked by the creator, I know for sure that my powers still work.

Reaching my hand out I chanted;

"Enimus...Asientis....Szanse..."

A faint glow emitted from my hand and unto the child on the bed. Before I know it, without even realizing it, I was smirking.

And how could I not?

"So I was right...." I chuckled.

With a hand on the child's cheek I whispered softly,

"This is not your true form, right...master?"

*

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To Be Continued.