The dragon's body was colossal and awe-inspiring, its dark scales glistening under the dim Valyrian sky. A massive claw-shaped scar stretched across its abdomen—undeniably a mark left by a fierce dragon battle.
Rayder couldn't help but wonder how many brutal fights this magnificent creature had endured. How old was it? What stories did its wounds tell?
He circled the dragon slowly, unable to suppress the burning desire that surged within him.
He wanted to ride it.
Drawing a deep breath to steady himself, Rayder didn't hesitate any longer. He climbed up its leathery wing with steady movements, then landed firmly on the dragon's broad, ridged back.
His hands gripped the bone spikes lining the beast's spine—hard, rough, and pulsing with raw power. It was as if just touching them infused him with strength.
Then, he gave the command in clear Valyrian.
"Soves!" (Fly!)
The dragon's massive, obsidian eyes snapped open, glowing with intelligence and instinct. Without warning, it surged forward like a bolt of black lightning, its wings extending with thunderous force.
With a single powerful beat of its wings, it blasted out of the dragon lair, soaring into the sky with astonishing speed.
A deafening roar erupted from its throat—a sound so powerful it shook the very air, a tempestuous cry that echoed across the ruined skies of Valyria.
Rayder's eardrums rang, but his spirit soared.
The roar, the wind tearing past him, and the sheer exhilaration of flying merged into a euphoric rush. He felt as if he'd fused with the dragon, two beings sharing one soul, rising together into the heavens.
The dragon seemed to sense his excitement. It tilted its head toward the sky and let out another resonating roar before unleashing a stream of black flame.
The flame arced through the air like a furious fire serpent, illuminating the sky. Wherever it passed, the air shimmered and twisted under the heat, igniting the atmosphere in dazzling flashes.
Rayder grinned, his heart pounding.
He was riding a black dragon. And not just any dragon—this one obeyed him.
Time passed unnoticed as he soared through the vast, open sky.
By the time twilight began to descend over the Valyrian landscape, Rayder reluctantly gave the command to return. The dragon, still brimming with energy, swiftly obeyed, streaking across the sky like a shadowy spear.
As they landed back in the lair, Rayder hesitated to climb down. His affection and fascination for the dragon had only grown.
Curious, he opened his system's pet panel to learn more about his new companion.
There it was—beside the unhatched Kidora egg, a new entry had appeared.
A detailed image of the black dragon was displayed, accompanied by its name and stats.
Name: Im
Species: Magic Dragon
Gender: Female
Age: 191 years
Length: 130 meters
Wingspan: 370 meters
Status: Curse
The name Im felt oddly fitting for such a regal beast.
But what caught Rayder's attention most was the "Curse" status.
He frowned. What exactly did that mean? Was she cursed? Or did she carry a curse? The system offered no explanation.
Still, Rayder didn't overthink it. After all, Im was an adult dragon—strong, proud, and loyal to him.
The corners of his mouth tugged upward until his grin almost split his face. This was the beginning of something incredible.
That night, he made the bold choice to sleep directly on Im's back. Her body radiated a comforting warmth, like sleeping within the clouds themselves. He drifted off quickly, enveloped in dreams of flying across the sky and eating endless beef feasts with his dragon companion.
By dawn, golden rays filtered through the broken sky, casting light on the ancient lair. Rayder stirred and sat up, stretching his arms.
He hadn't forgotten the system's quest. Without delay, he mounted Im again, determined to hunt magical creatures within the Valyria ruins and further accelerate Kidora's hatching progress.
Soaring through the skies, Im swept low over scorched plains and crumbling ruins. Her immense wings churned the air into whirlwinds as she hunted with ruthless precision.
When she opened her jaws, the Black Dragon Flame that poured out was a force of pure destruction.
Monsters—no matter how strong—were reduced to ashes.
Beasts of all shapes and sizes were consumed by the scorching flames. The barren wasteland bore witness to their merciless purge. Im showed no mercy, and Rayder issued no restraint.
Their coordination was flawless.
Rayder gave the orders, and Im unleashed devastation. Together, they cleared every inch of land around the Dragon Volcano.
By the end of the day, Rayder checked his system panel and was shocked to see that Kidora's incubation had already reached 57%.
He whistled in awe.
"All that grinding before… was nothing compared to two days of riding a dragon," he muttered.
Im had turned the grind-heavy system into easy mode.
That night, he considered heading out once again. If he could keep up this pace, Kidora would hatch in no time. However, just as he prepared to mount Im again, something strange happened.
A wave of emotions rushed into his mind—foreign, urgent, and unmistakably from Im.
Dissuasion. Danger. Death.
Rayder's brow furrowed. It was the first time Im had ever actively warned him like this.
What could possibly frighten an ancient dragon?
She had been alive nearly two centuries. Her wisdom and instincts couldn't be ignored.
He recalled the many nights he had spent in Valyria, wandering through the ruins. He had never encountered anything particularly threatening.
But clearly, there were dangers he hadn't seen—dangers that even a dragon feared.
"I've come too far to lose everything now," Rayder thought.
Reluctantly, he backed down.
There would be no night hunt today. No reckless adventuring.
Not until Kidora hatched.
From now on, he would prioritize stability and growth. Taking unnecessary risks at this point would be foolish.
Despite his curiosity about what lurked in the Valyrian night, he held back and chose to rest.
He lay once again on Im's back, staring at the stars above.
"I'll find out what you're afraid of someday," he whispered to her, "but not today."
He closed his eyes, and soon, sleep took him.
The Next Day
At the break of dawn, just as the sky began to lighten, Rayder was still sound asleep when Im began to stir.
Her vast body shifted beneath him.
Rayder groaned and rolled over—but the movement continued. Im was trying to take off.
Startled, Rayder slipped from her back and hit the ground with a soft thud.
Still groggy, he shook his head and shouted out, "Im! Stop!"
The dragon halted, turning her head slightly to glance at him. But the urgency in her movements hadn't faded.
Rayder concentrated. Through their bond, he could sense her emotions again—clearer this time.
Urgency. Anxiety. Determination.
She wasn't running from danger.
She had a destination.
Rayder's curiosity was instantly piqued.
"Im," he said aloud, walking up to her massive head, "you've got something important to do, don't you?"
Her eyes met his. She didn't reply, but after a few long moments of stillness, she bowed her head slightly—an invitation.
Rayder smiled.
"Then take me with you," he said. "Let's find out what's waiting."
He quickly strapped on his gear, climbed onto her back again, and braced himself for flight.
With a mighty push of her hind legs and a beat of her massive wings, Im surged into the sky.
Rayder gripped her scales tightly, heart racing with excitement.
Whatever Im was about to face, he would face it with her.
He was no longer just a wanderer in Valyria.
He was a dragonrider.
And the world was about to find out what that meant.
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