The Familiar

Part 2: The Dragon

Aster turned, and tilted his head up, to observe the looming giants. They seemed so much more menacing up close. It was like he was about to plunge into the maw of a giant.

He figured he'd better sleep right here, so he could find a hearty meal among the foothills before he dove headfirst into the unknown.

And that is exactly what he did.

By mid-morning the next day, he stood at the base of the path, his mind clear and stomach full. Aster took a long, deep breath, before taking the first steps that will lead to many, many more.

Going up through the mountain pass had to be the dullest walk Aster has ever taken. All he saw was rock, shrubs, and more rock.

At least until he came across a skeleton in the middle of the rocky road. A Human skeleton covered in the metal plates Tasan had described to him. The plates were so dented, it looked like a giant decided to poke him in multiple places really hard.

Some distance away, the "pointy metal stick," which was a sword, stuck out of a rock. There was no way that was naturally stuck there. It seemed intentionally set up. A warning, perhaps?

The sword's position disturbed him most of all, though. Not many creatures had the physical strength required to do that, and no Witch would use magic to set up this gruesome scene.

Aster took a daring step closer to the remains, to inspect them further. He studied the crest on the dented and scratched breastplate, noting the golden star shape that had been painted on. He could barely make out what it was.

That told Aster this as a Knight belonging to the Human Government. Not the army kind of knight, that led hundreds of men into battle, but the kind of Knight that was an army himself. A hero, the Humans called these Knights. They were the kind that went on suicide missions and usually returned very much alive. Oh yeah, Aster thought darkly. There is no doubt this is a warning.

Yet, Aster was oddly unafraid. Sure, he had the building sense of dread in his chest and in the back of his mind, but he wasn't scared of what he would face. That is, if he was unlucky enough to face anything.

Aster tilted his head back, to inspect the peaks. There was no sign of anything as far as he could see.

Maybe whatever left the remains of the Knight had left long ago? Or perhaps that was Aster's wishful thinking

Nevertheless, it wasn't like he was going to turn back now. So, Aster stepped around the mutilated skeleton, and continued along the pass. He kept his eyes and ears alert, constantly scanning the cliffs.

For a very long time, Aster pressed onward without any interference. Of course, he heard it before he saw it. Massive wing-beats that were like the reverberating claps of a Witch's staff upon the ground during a Thunderstorm spell. Then, there was a rush of warm air overhead, as a large silver streak darted overhead and behind another mountain. Yet the artificial thunder was still echoing off the mountainsides.

Aster truly didn't know what to do. Did he stay and hope the massive beast didn't see him in it's rush, or did he run? Both seemed incredibly silly options, since whatever it was, could obviously fly a lot faster than he could run.

The sounds had decreased in volume, as if the creature had flown off. Alas, that was not Aster's luck, as the creature's wing-beats got louder again. Remember when Aster told himself he wasn't afraid? Well, that was a bluff. At least, now it was. He was absolutely terrified.

The Silver beast slowed and lowered itself some distance ahead of Aster, yet it seemed still rather close. The Dragon was quite large, you see. Then, Aster did a double-take.