The forest grew quieter the farther they walked—
too quiet.
Even the usual chorus of insects and birds had dimmed into an uneasy hush, as if the entire woodland held its breath.
Maelor didn't speak for a long time.
He walked ahead with his hands clasped behind his back, humming a soft, flickering tune that did nothing to ease the tension. Every so often, he would glance at the treetops or pause mid-step, as though listening to someone only he could hear.
Kael and Lira exchanged looks.
Something was off.
More off than usual.
When Maelor stopped abruptly, Kael nearly bumped into him.
"What now?" Kael asked.
Maelor held up a hand. "Shhh. Listen."
Kael listened.
Lira listened.
Nothing.
"Exactly," Maelor whispered. "No wind. No birds. The forest is waiting."
"For what?" Lira murmured.
But Maelor didn't answer.
He crouched, touching the ground with two fingertips. His expression tightened the moment his skin met the soil.
"…Oh," he breathed.
Kael lowered his voice. "Maelor. What is it?"
Maelor stood slowly.
"The battle's over."
Lira's eyes widened. "And the dragon—?"
"Alive," Maelor said. "Barely. And… changed."
Kael frowned. "Changed how?"
Maelor swallowed, something dark flickering behind his eyes. "You'll see. But first—brace yourselves."
He continued walking, and they followed cautiously, stepping over roots and fallen branches until the forest opened into the very glade where the battle had taken place.
Kael sucked in a breath.
The clearing was destroyed.
Trees torn from the earth. Boulders cracked. The ground scorched in spiraling patterns—like something had dragged heat and frost across it in a single breath.
The demon's corpse lay in the center, twisted, charred, and frozen all at once, as if it had died in multiple realities that had smashed together.
But the dragon—
The dragon lay collapsed beside it.
A great emerald-scaled titan, its body cracked like porcelain, glowing faintly from within. Plumes of energy drifted from its wounds like shimmering smoke.
Lira whispered, "Is it… dead?"
Maelor shook his head. "A Guardian doesn't die easily. But this one came close."
Kael approached carefully. "We have to help it."
Maelor's hand shot out, gripping Kael's arm.
"Don't."
Kael froze. "Why not?"
Maelor's gaze hardened.
"Because it's waking up."
A low rumble rolled across the clearing, and the dragon's massive head lifted slightly, one golden eye peeling open.
And it looked straight at them.
Kael's heart hammered.
Lira took a step back.
The dragon's voice entered their minds like a deep tide rolling through their skulls.
"MORTALS…"
The ground trembled with the weight of its breath. Branches shook. Dust rose in ripples.
"YOUR PRESENCE… DESTABILIZES THIS PLACE."
Kael forced his voice to work. "We didn't mean to be here. We—"
But the dragon's gaze sharpened, focusing on Maelor.
"YOU."
Maelor's cheerful smile vanished in an instant.
His shoulders stiffened.
"Ah. You're still conscious. That's… unfortunate."
Kael blinked. "What do you mean 'unfortunate'?!"
The dragon's voice boomed again, the air shuddering around it.
"TRICKSTER OF THE TWISTED PATH… GUARDIAN OF THE LOST THREAD… YOU SHOULD NOT BE HERE."
Kael and Lira stared at Maelor.
"…Guardian of what?" Lira whispered.
Maelor raised both hands. "Now now, let's not label things we don't understand—"
The dragon snarled, smoke curling from its nostrils.
"WHERE. IS. HE?"
Kael stepped forward. "Who?"
But Maelor's tone went flat, sharp.
"Don't answer."
Lira's eyes widened. "Maelor—"
"No." Maelor didn't look at them. "Don't say his name. Don't even think it. Understand?"
The dragon struggled to lift itself, fury burning behind its eyes.
"YOU WALK HIS PATH. YOU CARRY HIS SCENT. YOU ARE TO BE FEARED."
The dragon exhaled, and a gust of shimmering air surged outward, knocking Kael and Lira back several steps.
Kael steadied Lira, glaring at Maelor. "Enough! Explain—now!"
Maelor finally turned toward them…
And his expression was different.
Not goofy.
Not aloof.
Not joking.
Just tired. Heavy.
"Kael. Lira." He exhaled. "Some forces can be spoken of. Some can be fought. Some can be bargained with."
He pointed gently toward the dragon.
"And some can only be endured."
The dragon growled, attempting to rise again, its wings trembling.
Maelor motioned for Kael and Lira to move back.
"Come on. We're leaving."
Kael hesitated. "We can't leave it like this."
"Yes," Maelor said quietly. "You can. And you must."
Kael didn't understand.
Lira didn't either.
But they followed, glancing back at the wounded Guardian.
Before the treeline swallowed them again, Kael saw something—
The dragon wasn't looking at them anymore.
It was staring into the sky.
Fearfully.
As if expecting something to appear.
As if something far greater than demons, dragons, or armies had brushed the world recently.
And the world… remembered.
Kael shivered and walked faster.
Maelor hummed again.
But this time, the tune was sad.
Very sad.
As if he knew exactly what the dragon feared.
And exactly why.