Morning sunlight filtered through the trees, touching the forest floor in small patches. Birds chirped, and the sound of the nearby river flowing was crisp and clear.
Azazel rested under a small, self-made hut while Akiena prepared breakfast from the edible vegetables that had grown nearby.
Suddenly, a strange sound rustled from the bushes. Azazel got up and went to check. To his surprise, he found a tiny baby snake with two wings growing from its back. Carefully, he picked it up and returned.
"Azazel, breakfast's ready," Akiena said.
He held up the creature. "Look at this… What is it?"
Akiena bent closer. "Could be a baby dragon… one of the rarest species. Look at its black and dark red body, and those crimson eyes."
"How did it even end up this deep in the forest?" Azazel asked.
"I might be wrong," Akiena said, "but maybe some traders killed its mother for gold. Female dragons get weak after giving birth… maybe the baby escaped when that happened. Male dragons are stronger and travel a lot, so people usually don't mess with them."
Azazel clenched his fists. "The world is cruel… so many people only care about themselves, just like the royals."
Akiena shook her head. "It's not always selfishness. Sometimes people just don't have a choice. Dragons attack villages too."
Azazel nodded. "Thanks for telling me this. Keep sharing more about this world as we travel."
The baby dragon was a female, she curled around Azazel. He felt an instant attachment and decided to give her a name.
"I'll call you Shwanzena… of the Eternal Hell," he said softly.
"Should we feed her?" he asked Akiena.
"Baby dragons rely on milk for the first five or six months," Akiena explained. "Judging by her size, she's not even a month old. Since her mother is probably dead, we can't give her dragon milk. But Alasikat buffalo milk works and these buffaloes are common in these types of forest."
Azazel used his spatial ring, which could store anything in it, to keep Shwanzena safe. "Pack up. We need to leave and find the milk."
They searched deeper into the forest for two days but found nothing. Shwanzena's condition worsened with each passing day.
For the first time, Azazel felt such worry for someone… he truly wanted to save her.
He took the baby out of the ring and stared at her with teary eyes. Suddenly, time seemed to pause by itself without Azazel using his ability, and a vision showed him the location of the buffalos. Without knowing why he saw the vision, he shared the location of the buffalos with Akiena, and they rushed there with Shwanzena.
They reached a lake where a beautiful woman swam naked, surrounded by flowers. Azazel froze at her beauty.
"Who are you? Are there any buffaloes here?" Akiena asked.
"My name is Euiena Rekasa," she said. "My family abandoned me here two years ago, along with my pet crow. I also found two injured buffaloes about a year ago."
Azazel explained their situation. Without hesitation, Rekasa agreed to help. They fed Shwanzena and were welcomed into her small but charming home, where she made them a cup of tea.
"I can freeze anyone in ice for a while," Rekasa said, showing her power.
Azazel, still amazed by her beauty and abilities, asked, "Do you want to join us on our journey to explore the world?"
"I've been bored here alone… I'd love to make friends," she smiled.
Rekasa told them to take a break and suggested swimming to relax. Akiena blushed but invited him to join.
As they swam, Akiena came closer to Azazel, "Umm... I want to say something...." They looked at each other, but then Rekasa appeared.
"I've packed all my things. We're ready to go now," she said
And just like that, their quiet moment ended… but what awaited them in the forest beyond?