The dragon stood roughly six feet tall, his spiky red hair sticking out behind him like a box of toothpicks. He wore white robes, accented by red cloth that hung around his neck and waist, elegantly flowing around his body. A single gold and green shoulder plate guarded his left shoulder, and his white pants were tucked into a pair of cream colored boots that went up to the man's knees. He had large, white wings extending from his back, hugging the air in a tight embrace. A long, furry white tail protruded from his back, curved so as not to drag against the ground. His gaze bore down on me, striking crimson colored eyes, like two burning fires in his skull.

  Surrounding the dragon was a small party of three: the Hero Eldros, the marksman who had been with him, Lyssira, and the third True Dragon, Kyr. She stared at me cockily, a smug smile plastered on her lips and hands on her waist.

  “Eldros? What’s going on…?” Tyrien said, breaking the silence.

  “I should ask you that. What happened to Conrad?” The hero responded.

  “He… he used Isarion’s avatar.”

  “Not again!” Lyssira shouted worriedly.

  “Eldros,” Thaleres warned, the simple word holding a deeper meaning. Eldros nodded, shooting his party members a look that said that they would discuss the matter another time.

  “Well, Azazel? You gonna come with us or what?” The dragon lady jeered, staring expectantly at the dragon on my shoulder.

  “No!”

  [Dragon’s Will]

  I had experienced the skill before, when Kyr had used it on me and my companions, but the feeling I endured then was nothing compared to Thaleres’ version.

  I grimaced in pain, not just unable to move, but forced to the ground like I was underneath a hydraulic press. The Ashmane below me crumpled as well, although he seemed better able to withstand the menacing aura than I could. Even Kril, who had been revived with incredible power, was rendered powerless at the hands of the dragon’s skill. The only beings unaffected were Eldros, Kyr, and Azazel.

  [Goddamnit, why does this shit hurt me as well.] Joshua complained, speaking as if his non-existent teeth were clenched.

  “Stop!” Azazel yelled desperately, but nothing changed.

  “You will come with us, insolent child,” Thaleres spat. “The world has been thrust into chaos since Luminarch’s return, and we cannot have one of our own frolicking in the grasslands with some demon.”

  “I have already chosen him!” The dragon on my shoulder exclaimed. “It says right here that once a True Dragon has chosen a bond, it cannot be broken!”

  “I. Don’t. Care.” Thaleres’ skill somehow strengthened, and I was pushed even further down, falling from the Ashmane’s back and landing on the ground on all fours.

  “Too bad!” Azazel roared, and suddenly the pressure around me lifted.

  “Impossible…” Kyr gasped, jaw agape in shock. I turned my head, still in pain from Thaleres’ skill, but my eyes widened at the sight.

  Azazel was floating in the air, although his wings did not flap. Blue energy flowed around him, swirling in a beautiful vortex. His sapphire eyes glowed intensely, as if they would burst at any moment. The light burst into a glorious explosion of energy, and in its wake was a boy. He stood around the height of Cedric, and appeared ten at most. He had white, spiky hair and a simple gray and white loincloth covering his nether regions. His torso was covered in light blue markings, snaking across his body like a pair of roads. He had a muscled frame that would’ve fit well in a Greek museum alongside statues of the gods. A pair of gray wings spread from his back, accented by blue lines like cracks of lightning, and a similarly colored tail sprouted from behind him.

  Thaleres regarded the young boy, almost impressed, but his gaze grew stern after a moment. “You canceled my skill.” The dragon stated. I couldn’t discern any emotion behind his words.

  “Yeah, I did,” Azazel said like it was obvious, sticking a tongue out at his older brother.

  Thaleres scoffed, then turned away. “It seems you have chosen well, brother. I will let you be, for now.”

  “What?!” Kyr shrieked, completely mortified. “We can’t leave him here with these demons! We need—”

  Thaleres’ crimson eyes flared with intensity, boring down on the dragon. She withered like a dying flower, then hung her head in defeat.

  “Eldros, I hope you will see that my brother remains safe in our absence.” The dragon said with a tone of finality, less a request and more an order.

  “Of course, Thaleres.” The hero bowed respectfully, and the pair of dragons transformed, flying into the air at breathtaking speed.

  [That was exciting.]

  I’ll say.

  I breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the young dragon boy beside me. “How did you do that?”

  Azazel shrugged, then glowed with blue light, transforming back into his dragon form. He was slightly larger than before, more the size of a medium-sized dog than his previous squirrel-like stature. Rather than perching on my shoulder, he hung around my neck like a decorative necklace.

  “Not sure! It just felt right.” He said casually, laying his head gently against my body.

  “What just happened?” Tyrien said, still reeling from the shock and pain of the Truth Dragon’s skill.

  “Who knows?” I replied. “But, since I have you all here now, how would you like a proper tour of Mount Boom?”

  “What kind of name is that?” Eldros said, tilting his head inquisitively.

  Guess he hasn’t seen Lord of the Rings.

  We made our way back to my territory, and in the distance, I could see that substantial progress had been made, a few hours having passed since I had departed. A small lake had been dug directly in front of the Warg’s den, the few remaining nature spirits blinking above the surface. Five simple homes dotted the perimeter, shaded by the large gray heartwood trees. The treants were rooted to the ground, creating the illusion of an even larger forest, and I saw Dryads milling around, small pockets of conversation sprouting between the forest's inhabitants and my friends.

  If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  “What is this?” Lyssira said, eyes wide at the sight.

  “It’s kind of… peaceful.” Said Tyrien.

  Eldros regarded the sight curiously, then turned to face me. “Where’s the mountain?”

  [I have done it! The first intelligent person!] Joshua exclaimed triumphantly.

  Ossara came bounding from the miniature forest, regarding each of the humans following beside me one by one, then settling her gaze on me. “Welcome back, Lucivar. We have made good progress on the construction efforts, many thanks to your friend, Viressa.”

  “I will tell her your kind words,” I responded, walking alongside her.

  “Is that…?” Tyrien began.

  “The ruler of the forest, Ossara. I thought you were just a myth, no offense.” Eldros said, lowering his head politely in greeting. Ossara responded in kind. We made our way into my territory, passing through the now lively atmosphere. Although there wasn’t much, the small lake had an enchanting aura to it. Colorful flowers sprouted from the ground, the Dryad’s magic naturally aiding in their growth. Ambient sounds of birds chirped through the treeline, creating a warm ambiance. I saw Viressa, talking intently with a pair of Dryads, twirling her hair as she did.

  “Tell us about him!” One of the Dryads said, giggling. Viressa blushed, looking down at the floor sheepishly.

  Are they talking about…

  [I’m gonna vomit.]

  “What’s wrong with him?” Ossara inquired, staring down at the boy in Tyrien’s arms.

  “He used up all of his mana and fell unconscious,” I explained. Ossara stopped, kneeling and simultaneously gesturing towards the paladin. He laid the wizard on the soft grass, and the centaur's hands glowed with green energy.

  [Nature’s Blessing]

  The effects were much more potent than when she had attempted to heal Zorrack, and Conrad’s eyes immediately fluttered open, his gaze centering on me.

  “You have to stop him! He has the mark of the Primordial Black!” He shouted hurriedly.

  “Stop, Conrad,” Tyrien warned, kneeling beside him. “You just woke up, you’re gonna hurt yourself.”

  “What is he talking about?” Lyssira said worriedly, gripping her bow tighter, her knuckles whitening.

  “We’ve gone over this, but I have a mark from my most recent expedition into Hell—” I began to explain myself, but Eldros cut me off with a hand.

  “You have already proven yourself under the Truth Dragon’s Blessing. Furthermore, you have made friends with Ossara herself, and therefore, you must’ve passed the famed Trials of the Verdant Accord, correct?”

  “With flying colors,” Ossara answered.

  “As such, I have no reason to distrust you, demon.” Eldros smiled, regarding me with wise eyes.

  Is he really a teenager?

  [Don’t act all high and mighty, you're not exactly a wise old man.]

  Fair enough.

  “But Eldros—” Conrad protested, but Tyrien shushed him with a look, gazing wide-eyed at our surroundings. It seemed that he had been convinced.

  Suddenly, a low growl.

  “Sorry…” Eldros said, rubbing his stomach. “I’m starving.”

  His words suddenly made me think of something. Since coming to this new world, I had not eaten or drunk anything, but I also didn’t feel hungry or thirsty.

  Do I not need food or water? How does that even work?

  [Demons do need to eat! However, much less often than other species such as humans!]

  How the hell do you decide when to answer my questions?

  The system did not answer.

  Cedric suddenly appeared, holding a chunk of meat in his hands. “I got this!”

  “Where did you come from?” I whispered to the small demon.

  “I was invisible, making sure these guys weren’t tryna hurt you.” He whispered back, his ring glimmering in the sunlight. I commended him for his sharp instincts and called Viressa over.

  “Viressa, could you start a fire?” I asked, and she set to work, gathering several logs and lighting them ablaze with her skill. A small bonfire roared to life, and I placed two sticks on opposite ends, skewering the meat with a third stick and allowing it to hang above the flames. It sizzled, slowly caramelizing as I spun the meat. I could see the four humans’ mouths drooling, and even my own companions seemed entranced by the prospective meal.

  “Have you got any more?” I questioned Cedric, who immediately procured a seemingly endless supply of food from his magical inventory. I grabbed one, tossing it to the Ashmane, who devoured it gratefully.

  “Do you have a name, by the way?” I said. The majestic creature shook its head. “Well, I can’t just name you lion…” I pondered aloud.

  “Bobby,” Cedric offered quietly.

  Viressa quickly added her suggestion, “Drazek!”

  “What’s a lion?” Eldros asked.

  “It sounds kinda cool!” Tyrien exclaimed. “How about Lioren?”

  “I like it!” I said, nodding enthusiastically. “From now on, you will be known as Lioren.” The Ashmane nodded gratefully, laying its head down as it observed the rest of us enjoying our meals.

  “So, you guys all met in Hell, right?” Lyssira asked, aiming the question at Viressa. She nodded in response, elaborating on the shortened story we had told of our long journey to the party of human adventurers. They grimaced as they heard of the sacrificial ritual Luminarch had attempted to put us through, but smiled softly as she recounted the way I had saved the three young demons.

  I rose, bringing two cooked chunks of meat along with me to the Warg’s den, Kril following beside me. The laughter and buzz of the conversation between human and demon faded behind me.

  “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” I said.

  “It has, and I see you’ve been busy! You even befriended a Dragon! As expected of my first friend!”

  “Only friend,” I teased.

  Kril crossed his arms. “That’s hardly relevant.”

  “I missed you, y’know,” I said, suddenly feeling sentimental.

  The Imp paused for a moment, then suddenly glowed a bright red, shrinking, now looking similar to how he originally appeared as a newborn demon. “As have I.”

  “What the fuck?!” I said, flabbergasted. “You can still turn tiny?”

  “It’s a part of that quest I had,” He began to explain, reciting the info from his reward screen. “You have given your life for your brother in arms, a wonderful sacrifice! In exchange, if you manage to be revived, you will reap a powerful reward!”

  “That reward being?”

  “As long as I am near you, I can transform into assault mode for a limited time. Furthermore, I evolved twice, going from a Lesser Imp to an Imp Duke!” Kril exclaimed excitedly. I nodded in approval as we reached the entrance to the Warg den.

  So, he has evolved one stage above me and the others?

  [Lucky bastard.]

  He had to die…

  [If I kill you, will you evolve?] Joshua wondered.

  I entered the den, Fang raising his head and wagging his tail as I tossed him the meat.

  “Thanks!” He said, mouth full.

  Zorrack sat up, regarding me with a thin smile as he bit down on the Stag steak. His eyes widened in joy. “This is good!”

  “How are you feeling?” I inquired, looking worriedly at my large companion.

  Zorrack grimaced, his smile fading slightly. “Not much better, to be honest.”

  I nodded knowingly, staring down at the floor in silence for a few moments, remembering the menacing Elf who had caused the injury to my companion. Then, I stood, my mind decided.

  “We are going to get some revenge,” I said confidently, my mind spinning as I formulated a plan. Azazel looked at me worriedly, but he didn't speak.

  [That's more like it.]