Dark clouds circled above the forest. The wind whispered through the leaves, and faint flashes of yellow and green light flickered between the fog.
Rion traced a circle in the air, observing the entire village from above. The trees below swayed violently, and the sharp scent of mana in the air warned him of the danger that awaited.
> After hours of flight, he finally sensed something ahead.
"A goblin village... Creatures between level three and five. Their bodies are bound by low bloodlines — breaking through to higher ranks is beyond them," Rion thought.
"For me and Noa, this place means safety… and food."
He descended slowly. The gust beneath his wings shook the ground; soil trembled, leaves rustled, droplets fell and shattered the silence.
Goblins rushed out in panic. Some screamed, others dropped their spears.
Rion's crimson eyes glimmered — each goblin felt the taste of death pressing upon them.
> "They think I'm a predator… They're right."
The goblin leader — a level four warrior wielding a massive blade — stepped forward despite his trembling. He knew this dragon was no ordinary beast.
"This is our land!" he shouted. "Fall back!"
Rion remained silent. Then, with slow, heavy steps, he approached. The ground quaked with every movement.
The mist around him began to swirl, igniting into red flames.
"This land belongs to me now," Rion's voice rumbled, deep and resonant.
The leader roared and charged, swinging his sword — but Rion took a deep breath and released a stream of fire.
The goblin vanished in an instant — burned to ash.
Silence followed. Then — panic.
The remaining goblins fell to their knees, pressing their faces to the dirt.
A few resisted, trembling.
"Please, mighty dragon... spare us," they whispered.
Rion walked past them.
"Those who do not kneel... are enemies," he said, his voice cold as steel.
The goblins obeyed. The smell of blood spread through the air, and fear consumed them.
Rion simply said:
"From now on, you belong to me. Your strength will live for my cause."
He looked toward the sky.
"Where's the best hut in this village?"
A young goblin stepped forward.
"M-my name is Gobuta. I'm the youngest warrior here. The best hut belonged to our chief. If you allow me, I'll take you there."
Gobuta thought to himself:
If this dragon stays, we won't fear the orcs or the lizardmen anymore.
Rion's eyes gleamed. For a brief moment, his dominance filled the air — the forest itself seemed to bow before him.
Leaves swirled like crimson embers in the mist, and the goblins obeyed his every word.
Rion walked to Noa's side, clenched his fist, and lowered his gaze.
For now, this village and these goblins were their sanctuary.
He surveyed the area.
Food. Shelter. Safety — for a while.
But the storm within him had not yet calmed.
> "My name is Rion," he said at last.
"You will serve me. You will follow my orders without question.
Any who refuse — step forward now."
None did. The goblins bowed.
They had accepted him as their new lord.
For Noa and Rion — this was safety.
But it was only the beginning.
---
The Edge of Riza Forest – Night
The torches above the village flickered weakly, their flames dying one by one. The air still smelled of blood, but the wind slowly carried it away. Goblins had finished devouring the corpses. The night was quiet — only distant howls of beasts echoed through the forest.
Rion sat in silence.
Behind him lay Noa — still unconscious.
Above them, the clouds moved restlessly, revealing a crimson, diamond-like moon.
> "Peace... but this peace belongs to the dead," he whispered.
Doubt stirred within him.
> "How many creatures live in this place?
Where... exactly are we?"
He lifted his head.
"Gobuta!"
Moments later, the young goblin appeared, bowing deeply, fear trembling in his eyes.
"Where are we? How many of you remain?" Rion asked, his tone calm but cold.
Gobuta swallowed hard.
"This is Riza Forest, my lord. We had eighty-four goblins... but now the number is uncertain. Fifty are fighters — level three. Thirty are young. Only four elders remain... the wise ones. There are eight women — human captives, my lord."
Rion stayed silent.
> "I see."
"Inspect the village — food, wounded, defenses. Report everything."
"Yes, my lord!" Gobuta bowed and ran off.
Rion rose into the air, scanning the area.
The village was wrecked, but livable. A few huts had collapsed. At the center stood a bloodstained well — dark and silent.
Among the goblins, whispers spread.
> "We thought he'd kill us... What happens now?"
No one dared meet Rion's eyes.
Then, an old goblin emerged — hunched, but with a spark still alive in his gaze.
"My lord... my name is Gabuta."
"Gabuta?" Rion chuckled faintly. "That boy was Gobuta. Your names are almost the same."
"Yes, my lord. We are of the same bloodline."
Rion's expression hardened.
"This forest — Riza Forest, correct?"
"Yes."
"What do you know about it? Speak."
Gabuta took a deep breath.
"Riza Forest is vast. We are only at its edge. Travel five or six days south, and you'll reach a human city."
"A human city…" Rion narrowed his eyes. "Noted. And the threat level here?"
"Mostly low to mid-tier monsters. The high ones live deep within the forest — they never come here."
"Their strength?"
"I've never seen them, my lord. But rumors say… level nine or ten."
Rion nodded. "Understood. You may go."
The elder bowed and walked away, trembling. He didn't know whether this dragon's mercy would last.
Rion returned to Noa's side.
Still unconscious.
He knelt down, watching her in silence.
> "What else must I do… for you to wake up, my friend?"
He exhaled slowly. Mana flowed from his body — a mist of pure energy spreading across the ground.
A soft light rippled over Noa's body.
> "If she wakes... the world will change.
But will the Noa who returns... be the same one I knew?"
Rion raised a barrier — a translucent dome of energy surrounding her like glass.
---
Morning
Sunlight began to filter through the trees.
At Rion's command, the goblins stood in formation — silent and disciplined.
"Gobuta!" Rion called.
The young goblin ran up and knelt.
"Yes, my lord!"
"Did you finish your report?"
"Yes, my lord. Seventy goblins remain. Forty warriors, two elders, twenty-eight young. Eight human women. Food supplies will last about three days."
Rion nodded.
"Good work. From now on, you're my chief aide."
Gobuta's eyes widened.
"T-thank you, my lord!"
"You'll lead in my stead. If I'm needed, call me.
And when my companion wakes — treat her with the same respect you show me."
"As you command!"
Rion turned and climbed the hill.
The first rays of dawn brushed over the village.
The goblins worked quietly. The forest wind was warm, but his heart was not.
> "This place... is only a temporary refuge."
The wind rustled the trees.
> "But even temporary peace... is the beginning of war."
He stood still for a long moment.
The morning light broke through — cold and pale.
He exhaled.
> "Forgive me, Noa.
It's not time for rest."
He returned to the hut.
Noa's face was pale, her lips dry — but her heart still beat.
Rion placed his hand on her chest.
His mana surged outward — a crimson mist seeping into her body.
The air trembled.
Noa gasped sharply.
She sat up —
"What... was that?" her voice echoed faintly, as if from far away.
Rion answered softly:
"I directed my mana into your heart. Your body resisted. That's why it hurt."
Noa lowered her head.
Then whispered, "That's not it…"
She looked up. Her eyes darkened.
"Rion... can you kill me?"
Rion froze.
"What do you mean?"
She lifted her hand — but stopped.
"I... can't feel my fingers.
What's on my hand?"
Rion closed his eyes.
"I bound your arms with vines.
I didn't want you to harm yourself."
Noa gave a weak, bitter smile.
"Marius broke my arm. My mother... he took her. My brother... sold me."
She turned away.
"So I'm still alive, huh? Why? They wanted me dead…"
Rion's voice was calm.
"They teleported us to Riza Forest. But it malfunctioned.
We landed on the outskirts — not the center.
If we had fallen there... we'd both be dead."
Noa lay still. Her eyes fixed on the ceiling — empty, unfocused.
"So you saved me again…" she murmured.
"You're always better than me."
Rion didn't reply.
Then Noa said quietly,
"Can you leave me alone for a while?"
Rion nodded.
"Of course. They'll bring you food soon."
He stepped outside.
The sun rose over the forest — but inside the hut, the night still lingered.
Noa lay motionless, whispering words only she could hear:
> "I'm alive... but why?"
Hey readers,
What do you think will happen next? 👀
Don't forget to drop a Power Stone and share your thoughts in the comments!
Save it to your Library — Noa is just standing at the beginning of his path, and I'm inviting you to join his journey. 🌙🔥