The huge dragon flew furiously in the direction of the group. His greenish eyes shone with such intensity, and his teeth garbled in a clear threat was only a mirror for instinctive fury. Once the dragon entered that sacred territory, and his huge and heavy body rested in a bang on the greenish field, the effects of dominion fell upon him.
Out immediately.
Aries staggered, growling trying to stand.
"Bedtime, pup" Koa said calmly, staring at the dragon "Your master is safe in the goddess's arms."
The dragon growled and roared loudly, his warm breath shaking the trees around. But at last, as if gravity were against him, his huge body fell unconscious on the lawn.
Cale widened his eyes slightly and approached cautiously watching the fainted dragon.
"What happened? Is he in trouble?"
"It's just a natural effect of this place" Koa also approached, touching the dragon's muzzle with tenderness "The dream space has strong impact on instinct. He is just sleeping soundly."
"Is that why you lured him here?"
Koa agreed with his head, turning quietly to the group.
"Here we can talk without any intervention, and the goddess will also be listening to our words, since, technically, we are inside her."
For a moment, Cale felt repulsed, remembering the unpleasant feeling he had when Koa shoved them into his mouth. Looking around, there was no sign of saliva or sharp teeth, much less a foul odor. On the contrary, it was just a gentle spring breeze and an extensive green field that brought a lot of calm.
Turning to Koa, Cale tried to organize his own mind. There was much to discuss, many questions to ask. However, he needed to prioritize the more urgent ones. Rubbing his fingers on his forehead, he sighed tired.
"Okay, so... how do I get my theiodesmos back to its human form? Since you brought him here, I believe you have thought of something."
Koa sat on the lawn, completely comfortable in front of the group. He gestured for them to do the same as if he were at home. The others exchanged glances and slowly did the same. Contact with the warm earth brought relief to the tired, which was unexpected. Yvaine suppressed a sigh as she rested against a tree, with Cale and Linus around her. Even Mikhal was surprised by the comfort that a mere lawn brought.
"We, dragons, are beings whose strength comes from our primal instinct. Controlling it is part of the basic training we have in our childhood, so that we know how to use it consciously during battles. I feel the fury of this puppy when it comes to the egg... You said it was Riteun who had it in possession, right?"
"That's right. Apparently, a group of humans under Guyel's orders attacked Riteun's temple in search of the egg." Cale explained, leaning his arm over his knee "When Riteun asked for my help to get the egg back, Aries already sketched a strange reaction."
Koa looked at the sleeping dragon.
"It is not strange, cursed demigod. It is natural. Considering the near extinction of all species of dragons during the Rupture's Age, protection of our fellow beings has emerged in our instinct."
Cale felt a shiver in his spine.
"Near extinction?"
"Humans believe that dragons are just fairy tales, but among the gods it is known that dragons lived in colony. Some races had their own civilization" commented thoughtful Mikhal.
Koa's eyes shone for a moment. It was clear his excitement between the deep sea of that face. Cale stared at the egg for a moment, not feeling anything special coming from it. However, the sudden interest of so many gods in something so small and harmless aroused his attention.
"That is, an ancient civilization that was reduced during the Rupture's Age. Is it correct to think that today's dragons are descendants of the survivors?"
Koa tilted his head slightly.
"Some of us. Aries is a descendant, but I am a survivor."
Surprised, Cale looked at him attentively.
"Survivor? From the Rupture's Age? That was.... hundreds of years ago..."
"Just as the pup of the wheat god was exiled by heresy five hundred years ago."
Frowning, Cale kept quiet. He could not be stuck in such details, although they still impressed him. Divine beings can be immortal... to some extent. The concept of immortality was complex. Cale did not want to linger on that, so he just accepted the sharp answer.
"Right. So, you are a survivor of the Rupture's Age, and the dragons of the new generation are born with an instinct for protection among the species. But that does not answer how we will bring back Aries."
"Entering his mind, of course." Koa crossed his arms, looking at him as if that answer was the most obvious "to understand what prevents him from coming to his senses."
"Let it be so" Cale replied promptly, raising his hand as Yvaine took a deep breath to stop him "How will this work?"
"Use the touch of Belice to make you sleep and connect your consciousness, so that you can wander through my puppy's inner world and then try to convince him to come back. Your connection with him as a master is enough for this."
The connection that Cale had went beyond a Theiodesmos and his master. The demigod looked at the dragon, knowing very well that his skin still had marks of an intense night they had under the moonlight before that tumult.
A bright wire connected them beyond what could be seen.
Cale has not yet demystified his relationship, nor was he willing to give up Aries. Regardless of whether it is his subordinate or lover.
"Very well. I will. As for the egg..." he pointed to Linus.
Koa looked at Linus, evaluating him silently and without expressing his emotion. The boy shrank against Cale, hugging the egg carefully.
"I must take him to be properly shocked. Under the care of my kind, who in the gardens of Belice have found a new home... This little cub will find a family that will protect him from corruption."
Cale would not believe him so easily if he was not the father of Aries. Cale did not want to believe or trust anyone who involved the gods of Keonna. However, he was unable to continue with the egg.
Not when his focus was to avenge the gods who cursed him.
Touching Linus' shoulder, Cale tilted his head indicating him silently. The boy squeezed the egg and timidly stood up to go to Koa and deliver the egg. The boy looked at the ebony with sadness, just as he was saying goodbye to an old friend.
Koa's long fingers held the egg, and he raised his head to young Linus.
"You are a pilgrim, no? I feel a familiar smell coming from you."
Linus' shoulders became tense, and he quickly ran to hide behind Cale. Koa did not insist on the question, but stared at the human boy with quiet interest.
"Well, considering I have to invade the mind of a dragon, I want an oath that they will be safe in my absence."
Koa faced Cale, an exchange of looks silent and cold. Mistrust involved Cale, despite his need to solve all problems on hand. The older dragon sighed tired, seeing with accuracy such hostility.
With no choice, Koa marked the skin of his chest with an "x", sealing the promise. Around the wrists of Linus, Mikhal and Yvaine, emerged a golden thread. A mere symbol for the sacred oath.
"While on your mission, yours may rest and feed. Take your time, cursed child. Once inside the Dream World, mistakes will not be allowed."
Agreeing with the request, Cale faced Aries again. The sleeping dragon that had lost control, and now depended on him to be rescued.
"My master still struggles to deal with the blessing of Riteun, Koa warrior. I don't agree that I put him in danger."
"Goddess, there is nothing to worry about. Your master will only sleep in the sanctuary of the goddess, and his consciousness will connect with that of Aries. His body will remain intact. Although it would be recommended to keep the body of the young semideus cursed... healthy. External disturbances reverberated in the internal."
Yvaine frowned, not liking that detail. Cale just touched her shoulder and looked at her carefully.
"You also need to rest, Yvaine."
"We'll all be together." she said categorically, then turned to Koa "We won't part. I hope you get permission from Belice to do so."
Koa faced the group, the determination of Yvaine and Linus, who clung to Cale's arms in clear sign that they would not change their mind. Although Mikhal said nothing, he did not move from his seat. Probably also indisposed to leave the group.
In the end, they were all determined to stay together. A union that brought a warmth to Cale's chest and a touch of familiarity.