Light collapsed inward.
The Faelight Sanctum dissolved into drifting motes, pulling back into a single point of white brilliance before snapping shut like a closing star.
And then—
Riley appeared in the middle of the forest clearing.
He stumbled forward, one hand braced on his knee as the world solidified around him. The familiar scent of moss, leaves, and distant blossoms rushed back in all at once.
His team stared.
Aria's jaw dropped so low it nearly hit her boots.
Sofia gasped, hands pressed to her mouth.
Hayes and Hayley had their shields raised, both mid-ready stance, utterly stunned.
Every spirit froze—
Dot halfway through climbing Aria's hair,
Echo with one paw lifted,
Les trembling behind Sofia's ankle,
Moggy with his tail puffed like a shadow duster,
Terror stomping in confusion,
Bramble squeaking in surprise.
No one moved for a full two seconds.
Then Aria exploded.
"WHAT—THE—ACTUAL—HELL—JUST—HAPPENED?!"
Riley blinked, still disoriented.
"…Hi."
"HI? HI?!" Aria shrieked.
"You disappeared like a magical tax refund and then REAPPEARED with—WHAT IS THAT?!"
Because nestled in Riley's arms—curled against his chest like a warm pearl of moonlight—
was a creature none of them recognized.
A tiny dragon cub.
Delicate, luminous scales.
Soft starlight drifting from its mane and tail like glowing pollen.
Two long ears that tapered into shimmering points.
A small budding horn like polished crystal.
Tiny claws gripping gently at Riley's shirt.
Silver-white eyes blinking sleepily.
The cub chirped, a soft bell-like sound, and tucked its face into Riley's chest.
Hayley melted instantly.
"Oh my GOD—Riley—Riley—Riley—WHAT is that PRECIOUS BABY?!"
Sofia knelt closer, voice breathless and trembling with awe.
"It's… it's beautiful. I've never seen anything like it. Not in guides, not in the selection hall… nowhere."
Hayes cautiously lowered his shield, though he watched the creature with wary respect.
"Is that… a dragon?"
Riley swallowed.
"Yeah. I… think so."
Aria pointed dramatically.
"YOU THINK SO?! BRO. IT HAS SCALES. AND A HORN. AND IS LITERALLY MADE OF STARS."
Dot clicked repeatedly, deeply offended that something cuter than her had entered the party.
Riley hesitated—then gently lifted the small dragon cub so everyone could see her better.
She blinked shyly at the group, then curled her tail tighter around Riley's wrist.
Sofia exhaled.
"She's adorable…"
"What's her name?" Hayley asked softly.
Riley smiled—small, warm, fragile.
"…Luna."
The cub chirped in approval, her soft glow pulsing.
Aria reeled back.
"You NAMED IT? YOU ALREADY NAMED IT? YOU WERE GONE FOR LIKE, THIRTY SECONDS!"
Riley shook his head.
"It felt… right."
Sofia stepped closer, brushing the dragon's mane gently. Luna hummed—a sound like soft chimes.
"Riley," Sofia whispered, "she feels… gentle."
Hayes crossed his arms.
"Okay, explain. Because you vanished. We couldn't follow. The forest literally froze. And now you're holding a cosmic lizard baby."
Aria flailed. "WITH A HORN!"
Riley took a slow breath.
Then he told them everything.
Not the reincarnation.
Not his past life.
Not the memories he shouldn't have.
But the rest—
the Hidden Path prompt,
the choice to heal instead of bond,
the light swallowing him,
the sanctum of floating petals,
the dragon cub stepping from the trees and bowing to him.
He described the moment the bond formed, the brilliance of light, the system message explaining the level reset.
When he finished, the forest felt impossibly quiet.
Sofia's eyes were shimmering with emotion.
"You were rewarded… for kindness."
Riley looked down at Luna, stroking her head carefully.
"I wasn't thinking about rewards. Lumi… just didn't want me to hurt the Wyldlet."
Aria scoffed but her voice softened.
"And of course the one time you listen to your small floating marshmallow, the universe hands you a mythical pet."
She stared at Luna.
"…she's still stupidly cute, though."
Dot hissed.
Hayley leaned closer, studying Luna with fascination.
"Can I… touch her?"
Riley nodded.
Hayley reached out carefully, letting Luna sniff her fingers.
The dragon cub nuzzled her knuckle gently, warmth blooming across her skin.
Hayley squeaked.
"OH SHE'S SO SOFT I CAN'T BREATHE—"
Bramble pawed toward Luna, curious.
Luna blinked—and lifted a tiny paw in return, touching Bramble's nose.
A little spark of starlight danced between them.
Aria clutched her heart.
"This is ILLEGAL LEVELS OF CUTE."
Hayes nodded begrudgingly.
"…I like her."
The Stone Golem Cub stomped once, as if giving approval.
Moggy hissed, immediately jealous.
Les peeked from behind Sofia's leg, glowing faintly in awe.
Echo barked softly, tail wagging in gentle excitement.
Riley checked Luna's spirit screen.
> LUNA — Faelight Kirin Cub (Mythical Dragon)
Level: 1
Skills: Gentle Nuzzle, Glint Step (Passive)
Stats: Extremely low early game.
Notes: Growth potential — UNKNOWN.
Aria peeked over his shoulder.
"What the—her stats are TINY. She's actually a newborn."
"Yeah," Riley admitted. "She reset to level 1."
Sofia considered this.
"That's… fair, actually. Balanced. You don't get a free powerhouse."
Hayley nodded.
"And it means we get to watch her grow."
Riley smiled softly.
"Yeah. We do."
The tension melted.
The forest felt peaceful again—warm light drifting through leaves and soft petals floating on the breeze.
Hayes sheathed his sword.
"Well. We should get moving. The day's still early."
Aria clapped her hands.
"YES. LET'S GO FIND SOMETHING TO PUNCH. I need to work out all these emotions."
Dot clicked in battle-hungry agreement.
Hayley laughed as Bramble climbed onto her shoulder.
Sofia stroked Les gently, grounding him.
Riley adjusted Luna in his arms as Lumi perched on his shoulder, proud as a king.
"Alright," Riley said with a steady breath.
"Let's find a safe spot to train Luna up. She's… delicate right now."
"And," Hayes added, "we should gather Kipp's ingredients too."
Hayley snapped her fingers.
"Yes! He's depending on us."
Sofia smiled. "He'll be so excited."
Aria pointed dramatically at the sky.
"TO ADVENTURE!"
"Aria—" Hayes groaned.
She took off running anyway.
Dot clung to her hair like a screaming mascot.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Riley lingered one extra moment—looking down at Luna curled against him, tiny scales glowing like starlight.
"…We're going to get stronger together," he whispered.
Luna chirped, warm and trusting.
Sofia called from ahead.
"Riley! Hurry!"
He jogged to catch up.
The forest welcomed them deeper.