I have found her
It was not hard, especially for someone as great as me.
To find her, I just went back to where we first got separated and retraced her steps.
Following the few footmarks
The strewn arrows
And burn marks here and there made it easy.
It was nothing to me.
But
I don't know what to do now.
I have just been floating high above.
Spying on them-
...
Keeping a close eye on them.
Although doing that
As it turns out
Is not necessary.
For she, even considering how worthless she can.
Is very strong.
But something bugs me.
During their journey
Very few words have been spoke between her and the Faun
She has only been speaking when spoken to
Letting the Faun do most of the talking.
Something unheard of for the human.
Something that scares me.
Me
Human, don't let this change you
Day has turned
Over and over.
Nothing happening except for the odd animal getting killed and eaten.
Nothing
Happening.
But oddly enough, I found myself content.
Which is a new
Why am I feeling like this?
It is as if
I am delaying something.
And feeling good about it
I think
Maybe.
Hmmm
Something to consider at least
Something to keep me from being bored
And day has turned
Over and over
But finally
Something new happened.
They found a tree
Hm
Okay, not that exciting
Except
She suddenly looked up
Eyes glowing a bright red
Oh
Quickly.
I took height
Going further than I usually do
Almost making them unseeable to my perfect eyes.
But just as quick as she looked up
She looked down again
Seemingly non-the wiser about my existence.
Phew
That felt close.
Wait.
Why would I feel scared about her seeing me?
I fear nothing!
I should fly down right now and make myself known!
Yes.
She will smile so brightly at my splendor.
I will glitter a glorious blue
And she will smile
Giving me that brightness back.
...
Okay
Maybe not
Not now
I can do it...
Later
…
Once more, day has turned
Over and over
Why do I even care about that?
It is not like I am counting the days I am floating above them.
No way
That would be beneath me.
Yeah...
Oh
Something is happening.
That Faun is-
Using borrowed magic
That, blasphemous, magic, from that blasphemous ritual.
Stolen magic
Our magic
Oooh, oh how I want to kill
Destroy
Burn him...
But..
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No
I can not
Not her friend.
That
That would maker her
Sad?
i
Do not want to make her
Sad?
Something flickered in the corner of my eye.
Looking up, I noticed a big army of
Centaurs?
Oh yeah, these are those stepps
How could I forget?
This place was so interesting when we were younger.
Such a rascall of a god
Thinking he could keep such a vast-land for himself.
Hohoho
I wonder if he still makes his Centaur defend the stepps
Keeping up that weird tradition of “anything for the stepp” mentality.
Hohoho
Those were the days
We would tease him by shoveling earth away from his borders.
Shrinking the stepps kilometer by kilometer
Oh haha
Those...
Those were the days...
…
Anyway
Stop thinking
More focus.
Those Centaurs are probably up to no good.
Probably noticed that earth magic
Probably sent by that god to investigate
Probably sent to kill those who dare mess with the stepp.
Yes
This is my chance!
This is how I will ask for my forgiveness.
I shall save her from the Centaurs
Then she will bask in how powerful I am
And from it
We shall be
Friends
Mmmm
Sometimes I even impress myself.
So I waited.
Waited for the perfect opportunity
To save her, who I consider
Friend.
The Centaurs moved closer and closer
Both the Human and Faun tried to run away
But they were far too slow
Eventually, the girl stopped.
Making the Faun stop behind her
Soon after that, I felt a large amount of mana seep out of the tiny little Faun
Using that mana to lift a big chunk from the ground
A feat that even we Dragons would consider impressive
For Dragon children, that is.
But the Centaurs seemed to not mind
Continuing forwards
And I slowly floated downwards, keeping out of sight.
But as they closed
Nothing happened.
Nothing.
What?
I asked myself.
Seeing them get even closer
Well within striking range
But no such thing happened.
Instead, they started to speak
And a few minutes later
They started to move
The Faun following close behind the Centaurs
And she
She even rode on one of them
Making my anger flare up.
How
HOW DARE THAT CENTAUR TAKE WHAT IS MINE-
...
Mine?
Quickly, I calmed myself down.
Feeling uncertain
And confused
Wait.
Why would I get angry at her for riding that Centaur?
It is beneath you to let someone ride you
Is it not?
Thinking that
I could see them riding swiftly and fast.
Laughter erupting from her
Making my anger flare up again
But quickly cooling
Okay, okay.
Calm down
Hmmm
Okay.
Even someone as great as me
Even I
Must admit
That looks entertaining.
And I am not talking about riding a puny Centaur
But letting her ride me
Making her feel the wind rush past
Showing her how much power one of us Dragons can wield in the sky.
Our domain
Oh, she would be so happy!
Stupid, Human
If you want speed, you should ride me!
But
What should I do?
My plan was foiled by those stupid Centaurs.
If only they had attacked
How am I supposed to get close now-
Then, like a flash if brilliance
I remembered
Oh, yes
Yes
Why do I not just transform into one of those Centaurs and get close?
Yes!
That is such a great-
No
Yes?
No...
Yees
Aaaah
Why must I have to transform myself into such a...
Pitiful creature
Do I really have to lower myself for something like this?
This is.
...
Beneath me.
But as I thought that.
I continued to stare at the human
Seeing her wave her arms around
Talking, laughing
Smiling.
Making me feel
Hurt?
And I quickly transformed
An imitation of the real
Not like my phoenix form
But a reflection of reality
One that upon closer inspection
Could never be as good as the original.
Although, No mere mortal should have a high enough skill to see through my skill.
So it should be no problems.
None at all
There were problems
Almost immediately
As no one knew me
Fearing that I was some spy
Making me almost burn them in anger.
But
Using my great wits
And very patient nature
I managed to convince the surrounding Centaurs that I was coming from one of the other herds in peace.
Speaking out of my tail
But weirdly
Getting accepted
Even after screaming at them for several minutes.
Hehe
Foolish Centaurs
No mere mortal could ever wish to see through my disguise!
Anyway.
I have taken up the mantel of a manly Centaur
Making myself look as attractive as possible
For I hear that the human flesh likes attractive things
And I made myself look big and imposing.
Hearing that muscles are attractive
Nowhere near as attractive as Dragon scales
But these will do.
Unfortunately
I think I overdid it
Making myself stand-out a little too much from the crowded Centaurs
As a silver armoured Centaur singled me out
Pointing at me, telling me to
Carry the Faun
How dare you
...
I accepted.
What could I do?
Either that, or revealing my true nature
It is not as if I could have declined
That silver Centaur is obviously a high ranking member
Holding power over the others.
Moving through camp
I found the Faun
Looking up at me with a mixture of military stoicism
And fear.
Oh, hoho
Faun.
To think you would fear something so little
I will take great pleasure in this.
Thinking that, I moved closer
Heaving him up effortlessly and placing him on my back in an as awkward position as I could.
And speeding of
Making sure to keep the same pace as the others.
And also
Making the ride as bumpy as I could
Which drew a laugh
A familiar laugh
I looked to the source.
And saw her
A bright smile, looking at the faun
Then down
To me
Heart missing a beat
Locking eyes
To what felt like an eternity
Her smile staying bright.
Then she looked away.
Only a second had passed
But for me
Not enough.
This
Might be okay.
I do not have to hurry
I can apologise later.
Yeah
Let us see what entertaining things she will show me.
