"Do you think we can trust her?" Trisha asked as the three of them jumped out of the cave.
Alex looked at the bracelet that Andromache gave them, its golden band etched with glowing runes. It shimmered with an aura so ancient, it seemed alive in his palm. "We don't have a choice," he answered. "I never really expected to convince her. It's a miracle she even trusted us."
He could still hear her voice echoing in his head—calm, regal, yet oddly warm.
"I swear that I will never kill or hurt any elves again that linger in my territory. As proof of my promise, take this bracelet and give it to them. They will know that you are telling the truth."
The dragon queen had let them go peacefully. Not as defeated enemies, but as honored envoys.
Alex still couldn't believe it. He had actually convinced one of the most powerful beings in the world—a royal golden dragon—to not only spare them but to support them. A part of him wanted to laugh at the absurdity. But he knew deep down it wasn't really absurd at all.
It was luck.
Pure, stupid, ridiculous luck.
He looked at his hand, flexing his fingers as he thought about everything that had happened since awakening. Most people would say his greatest powers came from the insects—the absurd strength, speed, and durability. Others would say it was his Druid class or the unique magic spells he'd acquired. Some might even guess it was his mysterious bloodline legacy, still wrapped in mystery but brimming with potential.
But Alex knew better.
It was none of those.
It was the Ancestor's Blessing—Pure Luck.
It was the silent force behind every narrow escape, every perfect opportunity, and every encounter that somehow tipped in his favor. The treasure in the cave, the nymphs, even Callum and Trisha. All of it. The universe, for whatever reason, had chosen him to be its favorite coin toss.
He wasn't about to argue.
"In all my battles," he murmured aloud, "I rarely get hit. If I do, it's a scratch. My energy always runs just low enough to survive but never enough to kill me. And I just convinced a dragon to be my friend. That's… not normal."
Trisha glanced at him. "Talking to yourself again? Must be the altitude."
Alex snapped out of it and grinned. "Come on, guys. I can't wait to shove this bracelet down Malik's throat just to prove him wrong for underestimating us."
He began to shapeshift, feathers starting to sprout from his arms, but Trisha grabbed his wrist mid-transformation.
"Hold on, don't shapeshift yet," she said, eyeing him sternly. "We need to arrive together. No flashy bird entrances or dramatic cliff dives. Just us—three tired, victorious humans walking into that village like the heroes we are."
"Yeah," Callum added, tightening his grip on his bow. "If you fly ahead and show up looking smug, I'm telling Malik you actually joined the dragon. Let's see how that goes."
Alex chuckled, letting the feathers fade. "Fine, fine. We walk."
They started their trek back through the jungle trail, bruised and burned but still alive. The sun was setting behind the mountains, casting a golden glow over the trees. Birds called in the distance, and for a moment, it almost felt peaceful.
"So," Trisha said after a while, brushing some ash off her shoulder, "how did you even manage to talk her down? I saw her claws, Alex. One flick and we were dead."
"I honestly don't know," Alex admitted. "She was old. Ancient. Maybe she was just… lonely."
"She said she hadn't laughed that hard in ten millennia," Callum pointed out. "That's either the saddest or the most terrifying thing I've ever heard."
"You know," Trisha said, as they carefully descended a steep slope, "I thought we were dead back there. Like… legit dragon barbecue. And then you went all diplomatic and pulled a 'talk no jutsu' out of nowhere."
Callum snorted. "Honestly, I was halfway through writing my will in my head."
"Well, good thing I saved your sorry lives," Alex said with a smirk. "Again."
Trisha jabbed him lightly in the ribs. "Let's just hope this bracelet actually convinces Malik and doesn't explode the moment we hand it over."
"Please," Alex said confidently. "That old elf is going to choke on his own pride when he sees this. Then he'll thank us with tears in his eyes."
"Or stab you with one of their decorative tree daggers," Callum added cheerfully.
By the time they reached the mossy forest, the enchanted trees shifted slightly as if welcoming them back. The breeze seemed warmer, and the air had lost that oppressive heaviness it carried before the dragon fight.
They stood before the giant oak again—the one that served as a portal to the hidden village.
"Alright, who wants to knock?" Callum asked.
Alex stepped forward and placed his palm against the bark. "Let's see if the tree still likes me."
A soft glow rippled beneath his hand. The mist returned, swirling in a gentle spiral before engulfing them once again. When it cleared, they were back—standing at the edge of the Elven village.
Unlike their last visit, they were expected.
Waiting at the end of the stone path was Leyla. She didn't wave or run to them, but her expression changed the moment she saw them—surprise first, then worry, then relief.
"You're alive," she said simply.
"Told you we'd come back," Alex said, holding up the golden bracelet. "And we brought a souvenir."
Leyla approached and studied the artifact. Her eyes widened slightly as she recognized the ancient Draconic runes. Then she smiled—warmly, genuinely.
"She gave you this?" she asked.
"She did," Alex confirmed. "And a promise. She swore to never harm the elves again. Said you'd recognize her seal."
Leyla took the bracelet and held it close. Her eyes flickered as she whispered an incantation. The runes lit up, and the air around them shimmered briefly with golden energy.
"She sealed it with her soul," she said quietly. "This isn't just a truce. It's a life-bound promise."
Footsteps echoed across the square. Malik approached, flanked by a few elders and elven guards. His eyes narrowed when he saw the trio, but he paused when Leyla held up the bracelet.
"She gave them this," Leyla said. "A soul imprint. Her vow is genuine."
Malik stepped closer and took the bracelet in his hands. He turned it over, studying the inscription carefully. His stern face slowly shifted into something unreadable—half awe, half disbelief.
"I don't believe it…" he murmured. "This mark—this is not just a vow. This is a soul imprint. She tied her essence to this promise."
"Wait, what does that mean?" Trisha asked.
"It means," Malik said slowly, "if she breaks her vow, she will weaken… possibly die. This kind of magic cannot be faked."
There was a long silence.
His lips pressed together.
He looked up at Alex.
"You did it," he said.
Alex blinked. "That's it? No dramatic apology speech? No 'I misjudged you, brave hero of men'?"
Malik's mouth twitched. "Do not push your luck, human."
Callum clapped Alex on the shoulder. "That's elf-speak for 'thank you.'"
One of the elders stepped forward with a long wooden case. "For your bravery," he said. "And your mercy."
Alex opened the case. Inside was a curved blade with a translucent edge—it shimmered faintly like it was made of both steel and spirit. Next to it, a glowing gem the size of a marble: a Mana Heart.
"A legendary weapon," Leyla said softly. "Forged from the scales of a Silver Drake, It can pierce through magical defenses. And this gem"
Alex blinked. "That's… wow."
"It's a Mana Heart," Leyla explained. "Rare. One of the last we possess. It can restore your energy instantly or be absorbed to permanently increase your magical reserve."
Alex whistled. "Are you sure we earned all this?"
Malik nodded once. "You did."
"Good," Trisha muttered. "Because I'm keeping it even if you say no."
Then, Malik straightened and looked at Alex. "I was wrong about you."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "That's the closest thing to an apology I'm ever going to get, isn't it?"
"You really know how to brag, druid," Malik said, though a hint of amusement softened his tone. "But yes… thank you. You have done what none of us could for centuries."
Leyla beamed. "Told you."
"Let's rest," Callum said, finally letting his shoulders relax. "I'm too tired to be humble."
They followed Leyla to the guest quarters, and the village slowly returned to normal around them. Elves peeked from treetop homes, some whispering, others simply nodding in respect.
As they walked, Trisha sighed dramatically.
"You know," she said, "I was going to suggest a bath and a nap… but now I'm thinking of singing karaoke with the elves."
Alex gave her a look. "You almost died."
"Exactly. Gotta celebrate living," she said with a wink.
Callum groaned. "If I hear a single K-pop song, I'm burning this village down."
Alex smiled to himself. They'd gone in expecting death—and walked out with a dragon's promise.