Eclipsed

Chapter 52

Ren adjusted his hood, pulling it lower to obscure his face as he carefully approached the village's outskirts. The streets were eerily quiet, illuminated only by the faint glow of lanterns hanging from wooden posts. Aiko followed closely behind, trying to match his silent movements. Her heart raced as they wove through narrow alleys and avoided prying eyes.

They stopped in front of an old, weathered house. The building had seen better days—its wooden walls were warped and riddled with moss, the thatched roof sagging under years of neglect. Strange claw marks scarred the sides of the structure, as if some massive creature had made it its home.

Ren knelt by the corner of the house and gestured for Aiko to follow. They crept around to the back, their breaths barely audible over the whispering wind. As they turned the corner, Aiko's eyes widened.

There, resting behind the house, was a dragon.

The beast was magnificent, its massive body covered in shimmering scales that reflected the moonlight in hues of deep green and gold. Its eyes were like molten amber, piercing and intelligent, and its wings, folded neatly against its sides, looked powerful enough to blot out the sky. The dragon's tail, lined with jagged spines, flicked lazily, brushing against the ground. Smoke curled from its nostrils as it rested, but its sharp gaze remained alert, tracking every movement.

"There it is," Ren whispered, his voice filled with a mix of awe and determination.

Aiko's jaw dropped as she stared at the creature. "How the hell are we supposed to get on that thing?"

Ren smirked, reaching into his bag. "I've thought this through," he said, pulling out a hunk of dried meat.

The dragon's nostrils flared, and its head snapped toward Ren. The ground trembled slightly as it leaned down, its massive head hovering inches from Ren's face. Amber eyes bore into him, studying him intently. Ren gulped, his heart pounding, but he managed a confident grin.

"Easy there, big guy," he murmured, holding the meat out with a steady hand.

The dragon sniffed the offering before snapping it up in one swift motion. It chewed briefly, then huffed, a plume of warm smoke washing over Ren. To Aiko's amazement, the dragon's posture relaxed, and it lowered itself to the ground, resting its chin on its claws.

Ren turned to Aiko, his grin widening. "Looks like we're in."

"Are you insane?" Aiko hissed, still frozen in place.

"Probably," Ren said, climbing onto the dragon's back. He reached down to help Aiko up. "But if we don't do this now, we're stuck here. So, let's go."

Aiko hesitated before taking his hand, climbing up behind him. The dragon's scales were smooth but cool to the touch, and its sheer size made her stomach churn. She clung to Ren as he adjusted his position.

"Alright, big guy," Ren said, patting the dragon's neck. He whispered something under his breath—a phrase in an ancient tongue Aiko didn't recognize. The dragon's ears twitched, and it let out a low rumble before spreading its massive wings.

With a powerful push, the dragon launched itself into the air, sending a gust of wind ripping through the trees below. Aiko yelped and clung tighter to Ren as they soared higher, the village shrinking beneath them. The dragon's wings sliced through the night sky, the air crisp and cold as it rushed past their faces.

Aiko, trembling slightly, glanced at the horizon. "Ren... how do you know how to control a dragon?"

Ren smirked but didn't look back. "Let's just say... this isn't my first time."

Aiko wanted to press him further, but the breathtaking view stole her words. The dragon's powerful movements were almost hypnotic, and for a brief moment, the world felt infinite and free.