𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙚... ᴷᴺʸ ˣ ᴳᴱᴺˢᴴᴵᴺ

비전⬩A sudden guest

Dirt, leaves, and grass crunched beneath the feet of two travellers that meandered on the pathway within the dense patch of forestry as nigh-muted sounds of falling leaves continued to flutter through the air and thus fall to the ground, somewhat making the setting oddly peaceful.

However, the group comprised of Sumiko, Aether, and Paimon had wary expressions on their faces as they kept their wits about them, for they took heed of the massive creature that just landed in the woods mere moments earlier—and as any sane person would do, it was wise to be on one's guard.

"Do you guys hear that?"

They stopped in their tracks when Paimon murmured her words out as their eyes slowly darted to their surroundings with careful intent a second later – and true to the fairy's words, their ears picked up a rumbling sound.

Precisely, a low, guttural growl.

"Up ahead," Aether whispered, glancing waveringly at his companions. "Stay close."

Sharing a nod of agreement between the three of them, they stealthily motioned forward - and with swift movements, they hid behind the nearest tree, subsequently pressing their backs against it and daringly peeked around the edge of the tree bark.

"Over there," whispered Paimon.

When Sumiko sneaked a look on the corner of the tree, it was there she fully discerned the humongous creature where it had varying gradients of cerulean across its skin and scales, its eyes emitting a blue flame kind of effect—and such a creature was crouching before a green-clad stranger.

"Don't be afraid," soothed the green-clad boy. "It's all right. I have returned."

The trio from behind the tree watched the scene unfold in front of them, their faces morphing in silent fascination.

"Is he talking... to the dragon?" Paimon whispered.

The answer came not in a form of words, but rather in an ethereal hum that emanated from Aether's chest, in which it flickered in a hue of bright teal without warning.

In the next moment, as if being snapped away from a trance-like state, a snarl escaped the dragon's throat, shortly developing into a vicious roar that forced the green-clothed boy to jump back when the beast nearly grazed him with its razor-sharp claws.

"Who's there!?"

Sumiko met his emerald gaze only briefly before the azure dragon flared its wings intimidatingly, shaking the wind and trees in the vicinity as a result. Using both forearms to shield her face from the blustery wind, she managed to steal a glimpse of the mysterious stranger slowly walking backward and disappearing from the scene in a swirl of cerulean feathers.

The monstrous creature propelled itself off the ground with its gigantic wings before roaring once more and flying off in a fit of rage, the harsh air soon calming down from the dragon's absence.

"Well, that was close," the snow-haired fairy began. "Paimon almost got blown away!" She flitted her attention to the crimson-eyed girl next to her thereafter, lips curling into a grateful smile. "Good thing you held on to me, Sumiko. Thanks."

Sumiko mirrored her friendly grin. "It's no problem."

"Seemed like we walked in on something important there," Aether noted.

"Looks like it," Paimon agreed. "Whatever just happened, it definitely has something to do with that green weirdo who was talking to the dragon."

"Is... talking to dragons considered normal here?" Sumiko posed.