Vaelor spent the following weeks in the dragon valley.
Lyria was brought into the inner sanctuary after Nyx confirmed she posed no threat. The servant had been terrified at first, but the dragon showed surprising patience, shrinking in size and speaking softly until fear turned into cautious curiosity.
"Your companion is interesting," Nyx remarked one night as they watched Lyria sleep beside the campfire. "Her soul has... peculiarities."
"What kind of peculiarities?"
"I'm not sure." The dragon squinted. "She's clearly human. But there's something more. Like an echo of something that shouldn't be there."
Vaelor stored the information for later analysis.
◇ ◇ ◇
Training began the next day.
"Your body is weak," Nyx declared bluntly. "You have potential, but you've been training like a normal human. That has to change."
"How?"
"By learning to use the energy you already have inside you." The dragon pointed to Vaelor's chest with a claw. "The seal blocks most of your power, but small amounts constantly leak through. It's what fuels your curse and your bonds with beasts. But with proper training, you can redirect that energy toward other purposes."
"Like what?"
"Body reinforcement. Expanded perception. And eventually..." Nyx bared her teeth. "Combat."
The lessons were brutal.
Nyx forced him to run through the valley for hours, chased by beasts she controlled with her presence. She made him meditate under icy waterfalls, ignoring the cold while trying to feel the flow of energy inside. She made him fight against reduced versions of herself, hitting him again and again until he learned to dodge instinctively.
"Too slow," the dragon growled as she knocked him down for the twentieth time in an hour. "Your body reacts before your mind processes. Trust your reflexes."
"My reflexes say I'm going to die."
"Then train until they say otherwise."
◇ ◇ ◇
Weeks turned into months.
Vaelor felt changes in his body and mind. His muscles grew denser, more efficient. His perception sharpened to the point he could detect movement in total darkness without relying on his beasts. And the energy flowing inside... he could now feel it, like a constant river running beneath his skin.
"You're progressing," Nyx admitted after a particularly intense session. "Faster than I expected."
"Is it because of my... nature?"
"Partly. But also determination. Most beings would have given up long ago."
"I don't have that option."
The dragon looked at him with something like respect.
"No. I suppose not."
◇ ◇ ◇
While Vaelor trained, Lyria did not remain idle.
She had found her own place in the sanctuary, helping with daily tasks and learning about dragon history. Nyx seemed to genuinely enjoy her company, telling stories of past eras that Vaelor was too busy to hear.
"The servant has questions about you," Nyx informed him one night.
"What kind of questions?"
"The obvious ones. Why you're special. What all this means for your future. If you plan to stay here forever."
Vaelor sighed. He had been avoiding that conversation.
"What did you tell her?"
"That she should ask you directly." The dragon flapped her wings. "It's not my place to reveal your secrets, little creator."
◇ ◇ ◇
That night, Vaelor sought out Lyria.
He found her sitting by the stream that ran through the sanctuary, gazing at the stars. He sat beside her without speaking, letting silence stretch between them.
"Nyx told me about the war," Lyria said at last. "About the gods and dragons. About... you."
"And what do you think?"
Lyria took a moment.
"I think I always knew you were special, young master. From the moment I first saw you, I knew there was something different about you. Something... greater."
"And that doesn't scare you?"
"No." Lyria turned to look at him. "What scares me is thinking about what you'll have to face. The gods, the wars, the betrayal... how can one being carry all that?"
"You won't be alone." Vaelor reached out and took her hand. "I have you. I have Nyx. And eventually, I'll have more allies."
"Are you sure I want to be in that position?" Lyria's voice trembled slightly. "I'm just a servant. I have no special powers or combat training. What can I offer in a war against gods?"
Vaelor squeezed her hand.
"You offer me humanity," he said sincerely. "You remind me why it's worth fighting. Without you, Lyria... I don't know what I'd become."
The servant was silent for a moment.
Then, very softly, she rested her head on Vaelor's shoulder.
"Then I'll stay," she whispered. "Until the end."
Vaelor said nothing in words.
He just held her as the stars shone above them, silently promising to do whatever it took to protect her.
No matter the cost.