The sound of dripping water echoed softly in the dimly lit cave. Bioluminescent moss and lichen grew lazily on the damp walls giving off a bluish glow. Deeper in the cave a living area was carved out of the rock, off to the left a stone table rose up from the floor, spaces for human sized creatures were carved out on one side, however on the other a larger space was carved out for a creature of great size.

  Skarlet frowned softly as she sat at the stone table drinking tea, a light bitter taste rested on her tongue. Was it from the tea, or the scene in front of her she didn't know. The steam rising from it gave of the scent of herbs, though even her sensitive nose couldn't quite place them.

  Beatrice was acting like a spoiled little girl with her grandpa. Snuggling up to him, she was still taking the form of a girl around the age of twelve. Well that would be human years, Skarlet sighed, Beatrice is over a hundred years old. Though based on what she's said in passing, it seemed that dragons entered a hibernation when transitioning from child to adult. Basically she had just become an adult very recently, based on her current actions, Skarlet wondered how immature she is inside and how much of the mature dragon's appearance she normally displays was just a front, pride probably.

  After completing her hibernation she probably didn't wanna be seen as a child anymore so she put up that facade. Though seeing this elder dragon that probably took care of her when she was young is bringing out the inner child still there.

  For some reason there was a sense of annoyance in her stomach an dull empty ache as she watched the young dragon nuzzle against the older dragon. What is this feeling? She wondered, but the answer didn't come. Soon enough Bal spoke to break the silence, he'd been thinking while softly rubbing Beatrice's head.

  "I've made a decision, I would like you to kill me Beatrice, and have the young dragon mage contract me." He suddenly destroyed the peaceful atmosphere.

  "What! Grandpa!? No. . . Isn't it the destiny of all great dragons to return to the mana stream and become nourishment for the world tree. Why would you throw that away?" Beatrice stood up bewildered and alarmed, she grasped his shoulder desperately as she pleaded with her eyes.

  "Hoho true, I definitely long to join the branches of the mother tree, but I think it's more important to protect this child." Bal explained as he stood up, he raised his hand and water droplets were pulled from the walls, ceiling, and floor. Taking the form of various dragons and spinning a short tale from history accompanying his words. "The dragons have been forced into hiding in order to protect the pillars we can't risk fights with humans, monsters, or demons. Can't risk the fate of the world for petty squabbles, but if the dragon mage's come back. They can share the burden with us once again and we can re-enter the world and spread once again." Depictions of humans fighting dragons, towns razed by fire, and heros slaying dragons. The story moved forward and the dragons fled and hid in various locations. The sea, caves, and mountains. The water shed it's forms and then combined into the image of Amber, raising a hand the water cascaded down and created dragons that surrounded her.

  "Mmmm, that's true. . . But I don't wanna. Come on isn't there another way?" Beatrice pouted, seemingly ignorant of her stark change in behavior.

  "This child needs strong protection, one that can't be taken from her. It can't be left to chance Beatrice. You know that, come now aren't you an adult, ah I guess it's partially my fault for spoiling you." Bal sighed softly, "Tomorrow, let's have a bout. I'll test how you've grown, praise my granddaughter one last time in the flesh before you kill me." Skarlet sipped at the empty cup, not finding an appropriate time to interject or even get more tea she was subconsciously sipping air. Amber had settled her head on Skarlet's lap and fallen asleep, unconcerned about the events happening around her that directly concerned her future. A dragon mage, huh? The hope of the world. . . Do I even have the right to raise such a light. Am I being foolishly arrogant. . . A hero. . . Isn't that what I'm trying to become. Selfish hero, solely chasing the glorified idea of happiness. But then again I'm starting to see more than just the gloomy ground. People I can trust and laugh with have started shoving themselves into my life regardless of my wishes. But honestly, side from my anxiety and worry. . . I have to admit it's nice. So maybe, I'll keep being a selfish creature. . . Yeah screw morality, I want Amber, Cody, and Beatrice to stick around. Who cares about worthiness or quality of my own soul. As long as I'm strong enough even a monster like me can protect what's dear to me. As Skarlet's thoughts subsided she unconsciously began to run her fingers through Amber's hair. Though, I am incapable of ignoring the fact that I don't deserve the title of hero. A story of my accomplishments won't be passed down, I won't accomplish anything after all. I don't care about this world or it's people, but then again that makes sense. A true hero doesn't wish to be one. . . They just are. I'm a false hero, I know that, but there's a hope that if I fake it long enough I can paint over my falsified ideals with truth. Unintentionally, her calm rhythmic petting of Amber and the thinking caused her to drift and soon she fell asleep while thinking about her purpose and future.

  Beatrice eventually gave in and, similar to Amber, curled up in her grandpa's lap. The only one left awake was Bal, watching calmly as his visitors slept soundly around the table.

  "Oh goddess, the winds are turning cold and the skies are darkened. I fear these young children will face many hardships before they reach the eye of the coming storm. My precious little flame has chosen to burn bright in order to guide us to a better future. Oh God of the night sky, Please would you have a modicum of mercy on these kind, good souls. The next king of your race lays here, sleeping soundly, her eyes full with a defiant fire against the fate before her. I ask that the two guiding forces of eternity relinquish a bit of your heavy hand and soften your gaze. I ask how many centuries have we repeated this cycle of pain, even if you don't lend my granddaughter a hand in her journey please, I beg of you both. Don't stand in the way of her happiness." A soft raspy prayer was lifted to the heavens before Bal allowed himself to sleep.

  Bang

  An explosion of wind ripped through the sky. The flapping of wings reached Skarlet's ears as she clutched her fluttering clothes, looking up at Beatrice and Bal. They were in their dragon forms, Bal was about twice the size of Beatrice and looked more like a snake while Beatrice was a traditional looking dragon. Bal had beautiful blue pearlescent scales similar to fish scales.

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  Skarlet couldn't quite figure out what was going on, but she'd learned a little bit prior to this fight about dragon magic. It's similar to normal magic however, dragons don't use magic with words instead they use raw sounds. The two wrestled in the air smashing into each other and rocking the sea surface causing it to look like a storm was brewing.

  Skarlet and Amber were sitting on a platform made with water magic, Bal's magic. Amber was on Skarlet's lap and she seemed in a good mood as her tail wagged and she leaned against Skarlet.

  Beatrice activated a spell, causing Skarlet to wince as the eruption of mana was massive, three interlocking Magic circles appeared in the sky, forming a triangle. Beatrice charged through the formation and became a massive fireball, her scales set alight she seemed to be burning without taking any damage.

  Bal also activated a spell, a line of runes appeared, like a winding river. At points on that river the runes expanded out into magic circles. Bal then dashed forward in the air, following the path of the magic each circle exploding with a shining glow and eruption of magic power, when he touched the final circle he exploded into water his body no longer flesh.

  Beatrice and Bal met in the middle and he quickly snaked around her, putting out her fire and enveloping her in water. She let out an alarmed sound and floundered momentarily before suddenly her and the water prison plummeted into the sea.

  Skarlet popped up slightly, disturbing Amber as she tried to follow Beatrice and Bal. The elder water dragon vanished entirely, while Beatrice was left floundering till she let out a powerful roar and a magic explosion erupted from her body as she became the center of a massive explosion.

  The water was pushed back and she leaped back into the sky while coughing and spitting water, but Bal was still nowhere to be found. The water calmed and Beatrice was on high alert while staring at the sea.

  As she stared, concentrating, she picked up a mana signature. She quickly turned towards it and fired a blast of dragon's breath, with that blast of magic it dulled her mana sense. She couldn't sense the real attack as Bal leaped out of the water, transforming back to flesh as he emerged before slamming into Beatrice's back with a dragon breath ready to fire, his teeth pressed against the back of her neck.

  "Check, Beatrice." Bal's calm voice ended the match as he withdrew and slowly lowered towards the water platform, his body turned to mist and the old man landed neatly on the platform. Beatrice landed with a pout, also shimmering as she took her human form.

  Beatrice stepped forward and hugged Bal, the form she'd taken when she emerged from her dragon form was the mature woman that Skarlet was used to seeing.

  "Beatrice, you may be a dragon, you may be strong, but never forget. The weak fight the strong through tactics. Be more methodical, when you think you've got your opponent, pause for a moment and examine your surroundings for traps or other possibilities." Bal rubbed his old hand through her red hair as she made the face of an abandoned child, a striking contrast to her appearance. "That's my parting wisdom." He then turned and approached Amber, leaving Beatrice to secretly wipe her tears.

  "Young dragon mage, will you give me the honor of being your contracted dragon. I will protect you with my life." Bal took a knee as he looked into her blank eyes, she didn't seem to react.

  "She's not all there right now, elder dragon sir. Amber, you should accept." Skarlet spoke up, as she said her name Amber perked her ears and turned to look at Skarlet. Those eyes still looked empty and there was no expression on her face but her body language showed attention. "Ok, thank you."

  "Hmm, alright I'm ready." Bal stood up and turned to Beatrice as she approached. One of her arms had transformed into the claws of a dragon. She slammed it through Bal's chest with a release of tears down her face.

  "Don't be so dramatic dear, you know I'll still be here."

  "But, I won't feel your touch ever again." Beatrice whimpered before she fell to her knees, blood dripping down her arm, her form shimmed and she looked like a little kid again. Bal's body trembled as he also fell to his knees and smiled softly.

  "How lovely, dear I will miss patting this head as well." He rubbed his hands through her hair as his blood began to turn to light and slowly floated upwards. The wound began to turn to light, glowing blue, it spread like an infection outwardly. "But, you have to be strong. You're an adult you know, a thousand years old. Time sure flies, be the fire that lights our future. And when the time comes, we'll meet again and I'll hold you in the roots of the mother tree."

  Amber stood up, surprising Skarlet, she approached the disappearing dragon and reached out her hand. For the first time since meeting her, Skarlet saw an emotion in those eyes. It was sad familiarity, a light barely noticeable change. She watched as the elder dragon became wisps of light and circled around Amber, she opened her mouth and Skarlet thought she was gonna speak, but she didn't. She only mouthed the word "Accept." Then the light circling her got faster and faster before condensing and entering Amber's body. Her eyes glowed and tears dripped down her cheek, eyes wide, she seemed to be remembering something.

  Skarlet caught her as she fell back, eyes closed, and a steady rise and fall of her chest. Amber had passed out, though her face wasn't expressionless, it was frustrated. Her eyebrow was wrinkled and the usual neutral mouth was slightly frowning.

  "It's time to go." Beatrice spoke, not even giving anyone time to answer she immediately transformed into her dragon form. Moments after she did Skarlet yelped as the water platform turned back into normal water and she fell into the sea, struggling to lift Amber above the surface. Beatrice silently lifted Skarlet onto her back and took to the sky.

  Skarlet sighed as she laid against Beatrice's back, heat was rising from her scales warming them. She couldn't help her finger tracing circles on Beatrice's back. "I'm sorry. . . Losing family is really hard." Skarlet finally let out, Beatrice just snorted without interest. Though the warmth increases and it became more comfortable.

  "Skarlet, look at that." Beatrice broke the silence after about an hour had passed, Skarlet leaned over the edge and saw a boat being attacked by pirates, surrounded. She frowned, it looked like a small merchant ship.

  "Beatrice, let's at least scare the pirates away." Skarlet sighed as she stood up. "I can't use magic right now and don't have my sword, but I think I can take a few pirates." Her friend soon turned into a soft smile. "Protect Amber for me." With that Skarlet leaped from Beatrice's back, hitting the water with a splash. When she broke through the surface she grabbed onto the merchant ship's hull beside her and began to climb.

  She pulled herself up into the deck and looked around. The captain was being held at sword point while the pirates pulled out the cargo, it was a lot of ore, slaves, and alcohol. As Skarlet examined the situation her eyes met with one of the slaves, a young girl with Ruby red eyes, wearing a red and black Gothic Lolita dress. Beside her was a second blonde haired young girl who was shivering in fear, Skarlet noticed how the red eyed girl held the blonde haired girl's hand reassuringly.

  Skarlet smiled softly, her eyes landing on the pirates as she cracked her neck and knuckles. "Hey guys, mind if I butt in? For some reason I'm in the mood to crack some skulls." She was grinning, but her eyes held annoyance and frustration.