The Monster King's Legacy - Chapter 122

Chapter 122: New Lands and Skies
The desert’s chill set in as the sun disappeared below the horizon, leaving the vast expanse of sand bathed in the silver glow of the moon. They had one more night in the desert before they left it behind.

While they sat beside a rock, the silence of the night was broken only by the soft and occasional whisper of the wind.

Lance leaned back against a smooth rock, his cloak wrapped tightly around him as he stared up at the stars. He and Aelyndra had not spoken much to each other following the events of the day. Conversation had been quite awkward ever since. It was only because of necessity that they could travel together and in physical contact without any fuzz.

“We’ve been through a lot these past few days,” Lance said, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

“Indeed,” Aelyndra replied, her voice softer than usual. “This journey has been… enlightening.”

Lance’s body stiffened for a second, but then he chuckled. “That’s one way to put it.”

As the conversation pacified, Lance’s gaze drifted through the stars. “I wonder how everyone back home is doing.”

Aelyndra tilted her head. “Your goblins? And your… tribe.”

“Yes. It feels strange being away from them for so long. I’m used to having them around.” Lance said.

“They seem capable,” Aelyndra said thoughtfully.

Aelyndra observed Lance for a moment, “You care deeply for them, don’t you?”

“Of course I do,” Lance said without hesitation. “They’re not just my allies, you know? They’re my family. They’ve stood by me through everything.” He said.

Aelyndra lowered her head slightly, her golden eyes closing. “You’re fortunate to have found such loyalty and love. Not many can claim the same.”

“Yeas… I know.” Lance responded, not pondering on it further.

Silence fell between them, but it wasn’t as uncomfortable anymore. Lance glanced at Aelyndra for a moment, “What about you?” he asked gently. “The sacred dragon lands… You haven’t talked much about it.”

Aelyndra exhaled softly, the air forming a very weak mist as her breath disappeared right after. “My home… It’s a place unlike anything you’ve seen, Lance. Describing it in words would appear farfetched… fortunately, you will be seeing it soon… with your own eyes.”

“Wow, sounds really amazing… must be a chill and calm place.”

Aelyndra was silent for a moment before she spoke. “The sacred land isn’t as simple as it seems. For dragons, it’s not just a place of rest, it’s a proving ground. Every dragon must earn their place there, especially those of us who are still young.” Aelyndra explained.

“Earn your place?” Lance said, seemingly interested. “How does that even work?”

“To dragons, deeds beyond our lands mean little,” Aelyndra said, her gaze distant. “Strength and power are all that matter… Perhaps, wisdom, is also important.” She said.

“Aren’t dragons wise and intelligent creatures? It certainly seems so, why do you speak of wisdom in such manner?” Lance asked, curious.

“Oh, it is not as it sounds. You see, dragons are born wise, a fairly young dragon having the intelligence of a grown adult human. Because of this, we usually don’t seek more knowledge, since we have enough. Not to mention, magic comes natural to us, we don’t need to spend so much time like other races, learning theory and the likes.” Aelyndra explained.

“I see, makes perfect sense.” Lance said, thinking of how this would tally with a few fantasy theories from earth. “You seem, to be thinking of something?” Lance said. “Don’t tell me even you suffer from societal standards.”

Aelyndra didn’t respond immediately, shifting her body to reposition herself faintly. “It’s easy for you to say, human. You’ve already achieved so much in your short life. Dragons are measured by eons, not simple years, and I have barely begun my journey.”

Lance smiled wryly. “Maybe so, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that worth isn’t measured by time. It’s measured by the choices we make and the people we impact. And you, Aelyndra, have done more in your ‘short’ life than most could ever dream of.” Lance said, pulling from whatever famous quote he had heard on earth, however he remembered it.

Aelyndra only let out a low rumble, somewhere between a chuckle and a sigh. “You always have a way of saying things that make sense, even when I don’t want to hear them. Especially now, because that doesn’t even apply to any being with a long life. Besides, the ‘most’ I will be comparing to are other dragons… and they’ve done a lot.”

Suddenly, Lance’s words lost a chunk of profoundness. He could only chuckle faintly as he waited for the embarrassing moment to pass by.

“You should come close, before you freeze to death from the cold. I don’t think your magic is doing much.” Aelydra said to him, shifting her wind a bit so he could shield himself. He had been using his healing magic to alleviate the cold, but that was useless for the most part. Though it made him feel comfortable, that was about it, and only for a minute or so.

As he moved closer, sheltering himself from the blistering cold, he thank her, muttering out the words, “Thanks.”

…

Their journey continued the next day before the sun was even up, taking them through the rocky crags of the desert’s southern edge. The towering spires of stone made some respite from the sun’s relentless glare, though the air remained heavy with tension.

Aelyndra had made sure to inform Lance in advance of where they were headed. Well, not so much as for where they were headed, but what laid in the path between.

“We’re entering the territory of the sky serpents,” Aelyndra replied, her voice low but steady. “They’re a lesser draconic species, wyverns. Proud, territorial, and easily provoked.” She said.

Lance nodded, nodding more than he should, “sounds like most beasts I’ve known.” He said, rubbing his beardless chin. Somehow, he was reminded of how smooth his face was at that moment, causing him to retract his hand for a moment. He really couldn’t tell if it was good or not that he didn’t have a single beard.

“Anyway, if anything is to happen, just remember, this is my fight, not yours.” Aelyndra said.

Before Lance could respond, a piercing screech echoed through the skies. Shadows darted across the ground as several large, serpentine forms rose to the sky, their leathery wings beating furiously.

“Speak of the devil.”