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Stunned at place, coupled with the freezing air and water can make you panicked to the point of seeing things. This must be a bloody hallucination, it surely is. The mirror glass around me makes me hallucinate. There is no such thing as dragons. I believe it's there, in front of my eyes, but I try to convince myself that it's just an image.

Until it speaks.

"Who dare to disturb my sleep?" said a voice. I keep convincing myself that it's just the voice in my head, that I'm just hallucinating. Those saurians might've given me something that makes me high. I'm still in my tent, sleeping before exploring this cave. There's no way a flooded cave can be holding a dragon inside it. There's no way! The dragon is bigger than the corridor. Just look at the size of it!

"Spence, will you pinch me?"

"I want to believe it's just a dream but I've scratched my chest. It's right there, in front of us."

Oh goddess of the moon, just please let me out of here. I believe in you now and please, I'll give my hunting prize to you if you just take me out of this hallucination. That's what I thought. I still believe in the power of the lunar goddess, as I'm a Lycan. I believe that it's Lilac's voice, since it's feminine and powerful.

"If you are brave, present yourself to me, young ones, or fear my wrath," said the voice again. Oh goddamn it, it's so real now. But, deep in my mind, I am told that I must see it for myself to know that it's just a dream. I slowly look upon the dragon's head. It's not looking at me, so I assume that it's blind in the dark. But its movement feared me. It's sniffing us out!

"Two lost wolves coming to my presence. How quaint. Now speak, young wolves, if you are not a mute."

Spencer is too scared to talk, but I still have a little courage to talk to the voice. I started, "I...I'm here. W-what do you want f-from us?"

"Ah, you've shown yourself to me. Your courage is remarkable, if there's one," said the voice. "I'm the source of the voice."

I suddenly realize that it's the dragon's voice, and I am completely taken by surprise that it's a female dragon. As my vision adjusts to the darkness of the cave, I realize that the chains are holding her limbs on their places, preventing the dragon to move. There are shackles on her bodies, holding the limbs. Though I can't see the rest of her body aside from the legs and head, I can see her wings, torn by the stakes holding it in place. Not only that, she has the same runes covering her body, except her head, which don't glow like the rest of the room. Her head itself is held by some more chains, and what makes me feel bad about her current predicament is how her mouth is covered in a cage that prevent her to open her jaws too much, and at the same time, preventing her to eat us, which is a relief.

But then, the thing that makes me wonder is why I sympathize her? I mean, a dragon, sealed inside an icy cavern, means that she's captured a very long time ago and imprisoned here for a noble cause, but why do I feel wrong? Why do I feel that this dragon is innocent and wrongly condemned? Is it because of my nature as a half animal, or maybe that she's not agitated.

"I presume that you've stumbled into this cave by accident," said the dragon slowly. "But, you must fear me, as I'm giving you a chance to escape before you're dead."

"But..."

Spence will do something stupid if he tells her that she's immobilized. I close his maw and eyed him. He seems to understand. The dragon cannot see us, but she can smell us, yet she might have not known that we can see her through the darkness.

"This cave is not filled with treasure I guard. I live here, so now go, before I take you as my food."

Spencer understands me clearly, and follows me out of the cave. I can see her sleeping again, but with labored breath like that, it's safe to presume that she's dying of hunger. I feel sorry to even know that there's still a living being inside the cave. The goddess might not be pleased with me, since...you know, a Lycan's belief.

Our goddess, presented as a white wolf howling at the moon, is also a hunting goddess to the Lycans. With a deep root of lycanthropy in the Rezmirn family, both me and Lilac are drawn to that belief. Unlike most werewolves out there, the Rezmirn family is a pure Lycan breed, born to be able to transform. I knew my father a little and my mother a lot. My mother died because of hunters, while my father became a wolf and never meets us again. Both of us resents our heritage, and wish to become humans as Tragorians are known for their deep-rooted fear of wolves. The belief taught me that all hunters and preys are connected to each other. There is no domination between one and another; it's merely a position we're put into. The hunter hunts for food, and the prey is sacrificed. We are taught to end a prey's life as soon as possible, and not to be greedy to take more and more, as it imbalances the wild hunt and can lead to consequences, the most notable being no food in the forest. The wolves believe in it, as do pure Lycans, as it can give us control to what we are, beings that are neither human nor wolf.

If I can, I will end the dragon's suffering, but what can I possibly do to kill her? She can talk, and understand reasons. It's completely out of my belief about that, though I'm practically 'hunting' her by being curious about the cave. As I walk to the open cave, I've made my decision to meet with the leader and make him spit out everything about this island.

Spencer needs to talk to James about our discovery. I can't blame him, but I wish James is wise enough not to try to find it. I quickly go to the draconian, who is happily burning a waste pit near his home with his breath.

"Oh, you're back again, werewolf," said the leader. "How's your morning?"

"Just explain to me everything, village leader. I must be out of the black if I want to declare that this island is not full of secrets and becomes our final resting place."

The leader actually acknowledges my pledge, but his actions are a bit frustrating. After burning the waste, he starts to throw many waste objects into the fire and light the fire again, completely ignoring me. After a while of waiting, he finally reacts.

"Come into my house. We can talk in private."

After following his actions and sit in the small room where he is making a soup, he said, "Not many of the villagers and the dinosaurs knew about the secret under them. I do not wish to make them understand."

"Why do you have an alive, captivated dragon under the island? I might be amazed if it's the remains of a dragon, but alive? What are you trying to do with it?"

"So, what?"

"Why not just kill it and end the suffering?"

The leader then said, "Werewolf, if you're stuck in the role of the guardian, would you even have the courage to kill that mighty beast?"

"Uh...I can't quite..."

"There are other reasons why I'm chosen as a village leader. First, because I'm a draconian, a higher level reptilian race than a saurian, but second, a draconian is necessary because you're facing a dragon and be its guardian. Just imagine if a Saurian or one of your mammalian races were to be her guardian. You might not want to face the dragon."

"But she's all chained in the dark! That's bloody torture!"

"The chains and runes are as old as this settlement. While it looks like we're a small community of reptilian races, we're not here because of a time accident."

The leader then takes a book from a bookshelf near him. It has inscriptions I do not quite understand, for it's an ancient language.

"Before the giant reptiles went extinct, millions of years ago, this island was separated from the mainland by a freak earthquake. By then, we were living in harmony with the nature, creating this lost paradise for us to thrive. But, we were not only thriving with nature alone. As the shamans of the saurians created a hex magic, we were able to live long enough for this island to grow into a giant tropical mass of land big enough for the dinosaurs to live. By time, the dinosaurs also evolved, creating a massive community of reptilians who actually hunted mammals in the forest.

"I don't actually know about the existence of this dragon before I am given the mantle to become a village leader by my father, where he took me to the cave and see her sleeping form. I couldn't see most of her, but I admit, seeing only a small portion of it is enough to make me scared, despite of being from the same race. The constant fear is how I managed to keep the secret, until now, when you came into my house."

"What's my difference from the others? I'm just an ordinary Lycan, by the goddess' sake!"

"A dragon has a sense that enabled them to feel someone's heart, where they might find who is strong enough or worthy enough for them to reveal their names to them. As of now, you don't know my name, is it not?"

"I don't really have the time to ask you properly, village leader, but...will you now?"

"Only if you have proven your worth that you can awaken the true heart in you. I gave you the hint to find that cave to give a chance for her to see into you, if she's not sleeping."

"I woke her up, but she assumed we are lost and she went to sleep."

"You woke her?! How?!"

"I don't know. Spence and I were just standing stiff in front of her when she opened her eyes and slowly talk to us."

The leader then puts his hands on my shoulder. With those big claws on his hands, I am concerned that if he clenches too hard I might lose a chunk of my shoulder. Those claws are bigger than mine!

"I want you to be honest with me. Pour everything inside your heart, because this is important. What did you do when she talks to you?"

I am sure he will think I'm a liar, but what I expect when I say that I slowly reply her made him gasp, before releasing his grasp on my shoulders and made a small laugh that make my first thought to say that he has lost some bolts.

"Okay, another honesty check," he said in a very serious manner. "Do you have anything in your heart, that wants you to be with her again?"

I certainly say yes to him, out of sympathy. The dragon is in pain, and right now, she's not a hunter, but a dying prey. For me, it's my duty to ease her pain before she dies, and if she dies lonely inside the cave, I won't forgive myself. Yet, part of me, the human part of me, wants me to leave her alone and not to risk killing myself. I am conflicted by it, and it's hard to think about the dragon if I'm still conflicted in my sense of sympathy.

Yet, the village leader just nods with a serious face that I know he's trying to give me something I partly want.

"Werewolf, you are attracted to her. She feels something in you that woke her up. You must return to that cave to be with her. It's my duty, after all, to give her the company she sought of."

"You mean, there are those before me...who failed?"

"You're the first outsider to ever meet her and coming to this island. You're given a good heart and a wide belief of nature's love to you. Not only that, you're not scared despite of not having the necessary things to make you over her. Tell me, werewolf, what's your objective to go to the unknown sea?"

"I...want to find a cure to my condition because of my community. I keep thinking that if I only had one chance to turn into a complete human and end my family's curse, I might give that chance to my sister."

"You have...a sister?"

"She's waiting for me back home, waiting for me to come back safely to her. She's alone without me because she's still an untrained Lycan and people fear her. But, after meeting with the crew of the ship, I have second thoughts about the cure, seeing on how the Lycans are happily working with the humans like they are one. Seeing that makes me happy and makes me accept my condition. I want to go back to her and give her the impression that her brother is not a useless drinker who can only hunt and not to become the best brother she ever wanted me to, after I finish my journey."

"Young wolf...your adventure has just begun," said the leader. "Seeing the dragon is also your objective, and that will to live is what makes you a great person. Now go, put your head high, and go meet the dragon. But now, you must do it alone."

"Why?"

"While I can see your friends are strong-willed and driven by a goal, your werewolf companions are not ready to see the dangerous unknown. You captain is also goal-driven, but his love is not with something impossible, as in his old age, he cares about his crew and his ship, and not to something that's clearly dangerous like a dragon. You may tell them about your discovery, but not to everyone. The villagers don't know about the existence of the dragon, and your crew is not all trustworthy. Can you do it?"

I feel ready. I don't know why, but the dragon needs all the help she needs to be comfortable....

...which is the worst kind of idea yet. What the hell struck me? Trying to be friendly with a convict is dangerous itself, but to be friendly with a convicted dragon? Then I thought, Hans, just turn back. You might still be able to be alive and die in the storm than dying by heart attack. I am thinking about that, but my body doesn't listen. I keep walking down the path to the dragon's cave, as if I am called by it.

Before I go into the cave, I asked James to let this be a secret between him, me, Tim, and Spence, as we are the only one who actually knew there's a dragon cave. James himself didn't look too pleased about the potential danger, but he nevertheless agreed, saying that it's my own risk I must take.

"Okay, but let me tell you one thing straight. Don't come back with that dragon unless I can trust the dragon itself. Take these camping supplies with you. If you aren't coming back after a week, we'll leave you on this island, got it? We can't delay more if we want to see the new world. If you actually miss us, just wish the wind changes and we are forced to stay for another week."

"I know."

"Though I want to see it myself, I'm more reserved to see the new world than to see a dangerous exotic creature. I'll tell the others that you're exploring the other side of the island and takes a week. Good luck with it."

And so, he actually wanted to leave me in this island. I guess for me, it is better that way. I'm not a seafaring Lycan, and I'm useless in that ship. One less useless Lycan, the better.

Now, for the matter at hand. I finally reach the cavern, and by the goddess does her visage shock me. I feel like a total idiot to see her again.

She wakes up, and she sniffs the air to recognize me again.

"You again? Are you foolish enough to stumble upon this cave again?"

"I-I'm not here because I'm lost." Goddamn it, I'm sweating bullets. "T-there's something in me that want to meet you again, oh, noble dragon."

"Oh? And what is that, lost boy?"

"I-I actually admired the cave! Yes, I...like how the place is full of ice crystal and...and very much better like this."

"I try to make myself comfortable."

"Ice makes you comfortable? But I thought..."

"I think you've overstayed your welcome, little wolf. Flattery won't work with me, you pesky dragon slayer. I'll make you a nice food!"

By this point, she might still be bluffing, and the 'dragon slayer' that she means might've run away at this point. For some reason, I hold strong on my feet, and thus, it breaks her bluff when the chains around her horns and neck hold her from getting to me. Not only that, for additional safety, she still has that cage around her mouth.

She makes a faint roar because she can't open her mouth, and suddenly the runes start glowing and I can clearly see that she's in pain. I can't stand it anymore.

"Just stop!" I am furious by my inability to help ease her suffering, and I am not aware that my voice is raised. "Stop it, dragon! You're hurting yourself!"

The dragon stops, but the runes still giving her the pain. Now the fear to her has really gone. I'm so sorry for her that I want to ease her pain, but how? I can't do magic. The runes are carved to the wall and put on her body like a glow.

"I know that you're in chains when I see you, but I'm such a bloody idiot that I just stand there, consumed in fear, and asking unnecessary question! Why are you doing this?! Not all of us must be an enemy!"

She actually hears my voice and said, "What do you know about me, wolf? We're animals! I hate you small creatures, who think that they are high almighty over us ancient races that are a threat to the humans! If Grandos is here he's going to save me from my captors."

"Don't you understand? You're sealed deep inside a cave with no way out of here except dying. Let me help you to at least be calm, okay? I'm not here to hurt you."

I can see she gradually calms herself, and her breath starts to slow. I can't believe she followed me. It's all because of my outburst.

Now, for the first time, I can see her without the help of my eyes. Despite of that, most of her body is still dark black, and I can't see anything beyond her chains. She can now see me, and I'm surprised that she's quite surprised by me being a Lycan.

"You...are not a feral wolf?" said the dragon in a tone of disbelief. "I've never seen your race before."

Oh bloody hell, she's one old dragon to not know my race pretty well, I thought. She's ancient, I get that.

"Oh well, at least you're not here to mock me of my predicament."

I sigh in relief, then I actually sit near her from a rock jutting beside her. I take a candle and light it, so as to find a warmth into her (I know a dragon is a fire-breathing creature). She doesn't object.

"You're quite a brave creature, to talk to me like that," said the dragon. "Yes, as you can see, I'm bound to the cave, as a war captive."

"War?"

"I lost my track on time, but I was involved in a devastating war that destroyed everything. A war so devastating that we dragons were losing more and more of our race. The humans sought of a way to contain us, so the war would end, and thus, they captured us alive and put us in these prisons to give the others an example. This fate is worse than death, as I cannot die despite of not eating for so long."

"But if there's a war, why there's nothing written in our history book? And why there are no surviving dragons, except you?"

"Then our fight has failed.... Even the mighty Grandos is not undefeatable. Tell me, wolfman. Do you still believe in dragons?"

"I...can't say much so as to hurt you, but I believe your race as a myth, and the first time seeing you I was...completely overwhelmed, thinking that I was dreaming."

From here, I actually think that the dragon is not menacing, and not even close to another violent burst. I keep her talking to distract her from the pain. From what started as a small talk and history exchange starts to gradually become a very warm talk. Each day, I talk to her about my own homeland, while she talks about the events of her time, where she had a good family, caring parents, and great life. She liked venison since they were so much around her lair (she called her nest that), and wished if she still can eat, she would love to eat one more.

I only leave her when she wants to sleep. I made a camp outside of the cave, and I've meet with the Saurians passing by, including Anniki and his Anaconda (I can't quite pronounce his name), though I kept the dragon's existence a secret. From what started as sympathy starts to grow more and more to something you can call a friend. Her heart starts to warm up and by time, she is more and more eager to meet me. Her grumpy persona starts to melt away, revealing a caring and heartwarming dragon below. I don't know what to say about her and what to expect, but I can see that she has accepted her imminent death, despite of her claim to not be able to die. She tries to smile and greet me whenever possible, as I can guess, that I'm the only friend she had for so many years of imprisonment. I'm glad that I can help another to be better.

Then, almost a week passed. I have only two days before they leave. The Ice breaker's body is repaired with the turbine up and working. James just need time to gather supplies and say goodbye to the saurians. I decided to live in the island, but I don't want the dragon to die without ever seeing the sky again. For the first time in my life, I want to make my help useful, and so I consult with the village elder on how to free her. I thought, her guardian might've something useful to unbind her.

"Hmm...I don't know if I can help, young Hans, but let me see my father's belongings, see if I can get a clue."

As he rummages through some old things, he said, "My name is Dajrin Olmsten, and I'm grateful that I've meet someone like you, a respectable werewolf who can really help her out of her misery."

"Thank you, Dajrin." Then I paused, before saying, "Dajrin, I'm planning to stay."

"Hmm? But you're not going to find any werewolves here."

"James and his crew are ready to sail again the day after tomorrow," I said. "I have a resolve now. Until I can free the dragon, I won't go. You've been so nice to me, Dajrin, and for me, the sight of this island is giving me the magical experience that I sought to find. I hope my sister will understand me."

"Well, that's a noble cause to help others. Oh, I think I found it. Okay...let's see...the chains and the runes are interconnected with each other like knots. It's an ancient technology that relies on one another, or else it might fail. The chains can be broken easily, and the one bind to it will be free, along with the runes. But...there's one problem."

"What is it, then?"

Dajrin paused. He turns to me with a concerned look a dragon face can give, and then he said, "Hans, she's a prisoner to the dragon slayers that fought in an ancient lost war millennia ago. They are despicable and knew that once a dragon is imprisoned in there, they will not get out. You see, the only way to get out from that prison is to die. She is dying since the crystal is depleting."

"Crystal?"

"A life-supporting magical crystal inside her body that can keep her alive without nourishment. But, I'm not talking about her dying. There's another way to get out from that prison, and it's for the sacrifice of the other."

I snapped. Sacrifice? What the hell are those slayers about? I thought they are for the noble cause? Why a sacrifice?

"Why are those dragon slayers want to make sacrifices?! This is not what I thought they would be!"

"They won the war against the dragon. That's what I know. They might've changed the history so they becomes legends, but after reading this, I know that they're some damned bastards who only wants to satisfy their greed and to make their enemies suffer."

"So that's why the princess always comes for them. They're some good-looking cowards with magical swords.... I knew I should grow out of the stories."

"I have no comment about your own things, but listen to this. The chains are lined with a dangerous trap that can freeze the whole place, but ensuring that the dragon is free unscathed. From this journal, they also said that it's the biggest flaw of the whole system, as when a dragon managed to coax anyone foolish enough to sacrifice their own life, the dragon is free again, and it will be hard to put them inside the prison again. And for that reason, the dragons are sealed off in a remote place where it will ensure their permanent captivity."

"Those bloody bastards..."

"So what are you going to do? If you free her, you'll die, but she won't be able to free herself."

I contemplate on the matter. Dajrin is giving me an impossible choice. Whether I leave her alone to die feeling betrayed, or I sacrifice myself but she won't be able to get out. I am conflicted. I don't want to betray those I've grown so close to, but I want to live long enough for Lilac to have a chance to meet me again here. It is something that gives me a night up, which makes me realize that the only one that I want to actually talk to now, is the dragon.

At the night, I slowly walk into the cave. The dragon senses me and wake up. Unlike some times ago, she greets me happily. I smile to her, trying to conceal my conflicted heart, but she knows.

"What is it, young one? Explain to me of it?"

"I...don't know, dragon. It's just...after all these days...my life seems so content that I've been able to make you comfortable enough. But...it's not fair!"

"Just tell me what you're trying to say. I'm ready to accept everything. My family and friends are waiting for me, with my ancestors."

"I want to get you out of here, to give you another chance to find a new life! But those ancient bastards put you in this inescapable prison that requires a sacrifice. Not only that, you won't be able to get out after doing that. This place will freeze over, and we'll be trapped in the ice forever...."

I feel a warm breath coming to me. The dragon tries to nudge me despite of the cage. She tries to comfort me, but I can't be comforted right now. Don't you understand, I thought. You're not going to get out of here.

"Don't worry, Hans..... I am ready to accept my fate. You are still young, and you still have a life to pursue. It's alright...there's a time when a dragon must give away his or her pride to die, albeit miserably. You're such a good young werewolf, Hans. Go...and remember me. I will always remember your kindness and your friendship."

I shed some tears. If I leave her here, she is going to die alone. But...I don't want to betray her sacrifice. She is trying to act strong, but I know that she's dying and sad. These days of friendship are so precious to us, and my mind keeps thinking all the way to free her...

...until that faithful air that caught my attention, which provided me for the answer I sought of. It's now or nothing. I'll break the chains of sacrifice, and I wish, my bet is not wrong for her to survive.

I turn to the nearest chain, and I found it is just a stake, enough for me to pull with my strength, the dragon realizes of what I am doing, and shouted, "Stop it, Hans! Just leave me! You still have the life you got! We are both going to die anyway, so don't waste it!"

"Dragon...how much luck do you have?"

"Luck? Why..."

"Exactly. After that journey, James had given me the opportunity to test my luck. I want to test it here. Wish me luck, dragon."

"Wait, stop!"

I couldn't hear her anymore. I pull the stake and a surge of freezing air starts to overwhelm me. I hear myself shout when I see my body starts to freeze. This is it. My bet's off. I'm going to die...

I am dreaming of big forest plains, where I am as free as the wolf I am. I hunt down my prey, but I am being distracted by a howl. I know that howl. It's from a wolf I know very well.

As I follow the voice, I see a beautiful wolf that I once knew. Her fur is as black as us, and her blue eyes reminded me of Lilac, yet she's bigger and shaggier.

"Mother?"

She turns to me. My mother stares at me and said, "My son...how good to see you again."

"Yes...I guess I'm dead."

She makes a smile then sat beside me, like a wolf. I follow her.

"Son, have I ever told you about your father."

"He's a free wolf?"

"Yes, he is, and he's still out there, travelling and watching you from the forests. Yet, son, he knows that it's not time yet for you to die."

"But...I've been frozen. My body died out because of the ice and..."

"No...young wolf, you aren't."

Then, a wolf, beautiful than any wolf, comes down from the elevated terrain in front of me. It is shining bright, with its fur white as snow and silver eyes, it captivates me, and I know the wolf.

"My goddess! But I..."

"You are not entirely dead, Hans Rezmirn. Your friend is alive and well. By now, you'll go back to the world of living. Say something to your mother while you could."

I don't know what to say to my mother, knowing that we're going to be separated for such a long time. I start to speak, but she stops me and said, "Hans, you're the best son I've ever had. Lilac will be so proud of you when you come back to her. But, until your journey is over, hold the thoughts you have in your mind. After we meet again, tell me of your story with that dragon and everything."

I want to say "Mom" so badly, but my voice can't come out. The place starts to fade, leaving a white landscape I don't know what to see. At the same time, I feel like I'm still sleeping, and I want to wake up again.

Upon waking up, I am greeted with the sunset, and a warm feeling near me. A fire is behind me and my friends are all around me, watching me and smiling to me. I wonder how I get here until I see the dragon sitting beside me, watching me my eating some foods.

Now, I can get to see her body. She's of a black scaled dragon, with slim lean body that's very suitable for flying. But, not only that. Her body has some parts of it with fins, and her tail is fins to. Her claws are not of a normal claw, but webbed, yet not very pronounced. By then, I realize that the cold aura is still there, and I realize I won my bet.

"You're such a hasty wolf, Hans," said the dragon while eating a full body of a boar. "You figured my real race up."

"You're an ice dragon...so that's why you survived. But how do I..."

She smiled. "I'm not a foolish dragon, Hans. When those slayers caught me, they had no idea about my real element, since ice dragons are quite rare, especially the ones that can channel their elemental magic through their limbs. I tricked them to think that the cave is half-frozen by the seal the put on me, to close the real gap of the cavern. I am not a deceptive dragon, since I knew that despite of the trick, I don't have any chance anyone would find me here, until you came along."

"But...why do you want to sacrifice yourself, despite of knowing that you're still able to escape?"

"I was known to trick any wary slayers to free me of problems, but since I know you, I don't want you to go down for me. If you haven't known my ability, you'll freeze to death."

"The dragon took you to us and asked us to warm you up. She took you out from the dead," said James smiling. "Now I can believe her."

"Dragon..."

"Call me Azureath. You're worthy of knowing my name. It's draconic for 'Dark Ice', and..."

Azureath throws away the pork, and slowly put her head and body down, where she is now level with my posture. She's not all that big for me now since she isn't standing with her two back legs, but what actually takes me aback is her next sentence.

"Hans, you're a dear friend to me, and you've saved my life. I have something to tell you. It's an ancient pact that's only given to a select few that's become the best of friends to my race. And so...Hans, not only you can hear my name, but I owe you my life, and I will become your steed for your travels."

This makes me feel confused. She's not looking like a horse at all, but why she calls herself a 'steed'. Just then, I see Dajrin coming out of the forest, which surprised Azureath.

"Hans...she's offering you the chance to become the legendary dragon rider," said Dajrin. "She acknowledged your sacrifice, and she's offering her back for you to mount. It's a great honor to meet a new dragon rider after so long."

"A draconian?! But...I thought you're just a myth!"

"There are secrets that need to be unveiled in this world. I think you two are good for the job."

I am appalled. I have a chance to become something of a hero, a legend. I gladly accept the dragon's offer, and climbs on her. She smiles to me and I can see that the others smiled and cheers for me.

On this day, I am no longer a regular Lycan anymore. I'm a dragon rider, with my mount and partner, Azureath.