Chapter 21 – Returning to the Village and the Starting of a War [1]
The Wayven's Point of View.
I am the king of the Wayven race.
Not because I wanted to be—but because I had to be.
After my father was killed by a human who was considered the keeper of this forest, the strongest being that ruled within these woods, I didn't have a choice.
I couldn't do shit. I was powerless back then.
My father's death left a void in our race, and as the next strongest Wayven, it fell upon me to lead.
Whether I liked it or not, that was my fate.
For a while, things were going smoothly.
I was minding my own shit—hunting for food, patrolling the edges of our domain, keeping the weaker monsters in line.
The forest was peaceful, or as peaceful as it could be when ruled by creatures like us.
Then, one day, everything changed.
I felt it—the pressure of a dragon.
Even though it wasn't the full might of one, it was still powerful enough to send a chill down my spine.
I instantly knew it wasn't one of my kind.
That aura… it didn't belong to a Wayven.
It was something older, purer, and infinitely more terrifying.
So, I did the most logical thing a king like me could do—I rushed straight to my hiding spot.
Call me a coward if you want, but I call it survival instinct.
I stayed there for hours, maybe days—eating, sleeping, and waiting for that dreadful presence to fade.
Eventually, I couldn't sense it anymore. It was gone, and I foolishly thought the danger had passed.
"Maybe the thing died," I told myself. "Good riddance."
Oh, how wrong I was.
The next day, while I was resting, I saw them—two humans—entering my domain.
At first, I thought they were ordinary trespassers, but there was something about them.
The first one, tall and calm, had eyes like burning rubies—red, cold, and beautiful in a terrifying way.
The other… the other was familiar. That second human carried the scent of the forest itself.
My instincts screamed in warning as I realized who it was.
The Keeper of the Forest.
The same one who had killed my father.
My scales prickled. My wings twitched.
The two humans seemed to admire me—good, keep praising me, you inferior species. I puffed my chest and spread my wings, basking in their awe.
Then, the red-eyed human—yes, that beautiful bastard—approached me.
I couldn't deny it; he was stunning. But that admiration shattered the moment he opened his mouth.
He said he wanted me… to become his pet.
The audacity! The sheer disrespect! Did he think I was some dog to be collared?
Enraged, I released my aura, the full weight of my kingly might crashing down around him. I wanted him on his knees, begging for forgiveness.
But instead of bowing, the air itself trembled around him. That's when I sensed it—the faint, ancient pulse of dragon blood inside him.
Impossible.
And the other one—the Keeper—stood calmly by his side, not raising his hand.
Why? Why was the being who killed my father following this human's lead?
It was terrifying.
I understood in that moment that resistance was useless.
So, I made my choice. Even if it meant becoming his pet… I would obey.
Back to the Present
Ashton stood before the majestic white Wayven, one hand thoughtfully rubbing his chin like an old sage lost in deep contemplation.
His crimson eyes glimmered faintly under the fading sunlight, giving him an air of both mystery and command.
"Hmm…" he muttered. "Should I name him like Rimuru did with his people? Maybe Silver? No, no… that doesn't sound right."
He squinted, tilting his head. "Okay, I've got it. I'll call you Nasa."
(Note: Nasa, as in the fastest jet ever made—NASA X-43. If I'm wrong, please leave a message in the comments.)
With that, Ashton gently touched the Wayven's head.
"Your name is Nasa from now on, buddy," he said with a small smile.
Beside him, Kyen-Seen grinned, his crimson-and-black hair glinting in the light.
Ashton turned toward him. "What about you? Do you have a Wayven or something?"
Kyen-Seen chuckled, his tone half playful, half smug. "Oh, I have one, alright."
He pulled out something that looked like a whistle—ancient, carved from bone—and brought it to his lips.
The sound that followed was sharp yet melodic, a strange echo that carried deep through the forest.
The moment the note reached Nasa's ears, the white Wayven froze, trembling slightly.
He knew that sound too well. It was the same call used by the Keeper of the Forest to summon his own Wayven.
Before the sound faded, a shadow descended from the clouds—a massive figure breaking through the sunlight.
A Wayven with scales of red and black, its body coiled with ancient power.
Ashton's eyes widened slightly.
He looked at the creature, then at his own white Wayven, and his teeth ground together in annoyance.
Damn him… he's totally showing off. Just look at that smug grin on his face.
Kyen-Seen, meanwhile, patted his Wayven's snout with pride.
"What's with him?" he thought, glancing at Ashton's calm expression.
"Hiding his emotions again, eh? Pretending like thou art not jealous?"
"What's the name of your Wayven?" Ashton finally asked, trying to sound casual.
"It's Kye," Kyen-Seen replied smoothly.
Ashton blinked. "Damn. So he's bad at naming too. At least he's bad at something."
(Note: Ashton doesn't remember Kyen-Seen singing.)
"Alright then," Ashton said, clearing his throat. "Let's go back to the camp—and then, the village."
He climbed up onto Nasa's back, the white Wayven's wings unfolding with a soft roar.
"We're going to the front of the forest," he declared.
The two rose into the sky together.
Ashton tried to look composed, his expression calm and confident, but inside, panic was bubbling.
This is the first time I've been this high… Won't I fall? What if I ruin my skin?
(Author's note: This man really cares for his appearance more than I thought, don't you think, readers?)
He took a deep breath, patting the armor at his chest.
"No, I won't get hurt. This armor will protect me—and I can use healing magic.
I'll be fine."
Below them, the forest stretched endlessly, bathed in golden light. As they approached the camp, Ashton noticed movement—soldiers and Wayvens gathering.
Around twenty-five of them, their scales gleaming in different colors.
The air was tense yet proud.
Ashton's troops stood in silence, lined up neatly. Syph and Dino were at the front, waiting like statues of discipline.
Ashton and Kyen-Seen landed slowly in front of them, Nasa and Kye letting out twin roars that echoed through the clearing.
Ashton's crimson eyes scanned the soldiers. He nodded approvingly.
"You've made me proud. Good work, everyone."
The soldiers erupted in cheers, their voices ringing across the trees.
Then Ashton approached Syph and Dino, placing a hand on each of their shoulders.
"You two also did well. Now you just need to close the camp so we can leave."
"Your Majesty," Syph replied calmly, "we have already done that."
Ashton blinked and looked around.
The area where the camp should've been… was completely empty. Not a tent, not a single crate.
"Damn. So I was this late, huh?" Ashton muttered under his breath.
"I can't believe my own subordinates beat me this time."
Damn, His Majesty was late again. What was he even doing? Dino thought, though his face remained perfectly composed.
At least I ordered the soldiers to pack up early.That decision saved us time, Syph mused silently, her expression unchanging.
Kyen-Seen chuckled softly, crossing his arms.
This guy… how is he even going to lead a village at this rate? he thought, amused.
Ashton turned back toward his men, clearing his throat again.
"Alright, we're going back to the village."
He climbed atop Nasa once more. "Now, off we go."
With a thunderous beat of wings, the sky filled with movement.
Dozens of Wayvens soared upward, their colors painting the heavens in waves of light and shadow.
At the front were Ashton, Kyen-Seen, Syph, and Dino—each commanding the air like kings. Behind them, the soldiers followed in tight formation.
The wind howled, and the clouds parted as they cut across the horizon.
It took them a full day to reach the village.
But that day marked more than a return—it was the calm before the storm.
Hey leaders! Are you enjoying my book?
Then please! Put it in your library.