I noticed even before Ella warned me that we were surrounded by so called "the most dangerous Predators of the forest". I hid my expression. Really? Those dogs are called most dangerous Predators? I didn't mean any disrespect to the High Wolves by calling them as dogs. But the fact that they were considered as predators to other races makes me laugh. Their puny little nails are just for decoration that's what we dragons thought actually. And Ella a dark elf was afraid of them that's unexpected. Elves are like us dragons, their power increases as they get older.
Anyway, a pack of 24 high wolves surrounded us. Their heights are roughly 10 feet. Their leader was watching us from the shadow. Others are slowly coming near us. I was thinking about, in which way I would sent them to God. "Mr. Ryu step back. You can't fight them without any high class magic weapons. And you don't even have any weapons to begin with. I can hold them off for a little moment. In that time, run towards south as fast as you can. Don't look back. You will arrive to the Luxus City."
I was really moved to hear that she decided to protect me despite of being so scared. A little bit of insulting though. I, an earth dragon would run from some dogs ? And let a dark elf protect me! If any of my siblings or cousins heard that they would mock me entire my life. I shivered just from imagining that.
Suddenly, a high wolf jumped towards me. Seriously, you couldn't even cut my hair, you insect. Should I give a poke on his head?
At that time, Ella came infront of me holding a sword. And that high wolf hit her with his claws. That sword instantly shattered and Ella was thrown off and clashed on a tree a few meters away, and then fell on the ground. I was stunned by what happened. I looked at Ella. Her left arm was cut off. Her body was trembling.
I couldn't control myself. Next thing I remember that, I was at my dragon form and ready to attack those insects with Sandstorm Extermination. This would erase their flesh and bones from existence and there would be just a desert instead of a forest.
As I was about to release the spell, I heard Ella's voice, "Lord Ryu, I am fine. Please control your anger my lord."
I looked down, Ella was standing in front of me and all wolves were behind her with head on the ground. I cancelled the spell and took human form again. Ella knelt down before me. "My lord, I am sorry that I couldn't recognise your true self. Please forgive my behaviour earlier. And my lord, these high wolves was trying to protect the forest. So, I forgive them. As you can see, I am alive. Please spare them." Ella said that with so much respect.
The High Wolf leader came infront of me and put his head on the ground and said, "My lord, I apologise for hurting your companion. I will give her a potion which will heal her hand. And I offer my head to you. Please don't destroy our family and the land." "That won't be necessary." I said. Then I bit my pinky finger and gave Ella a drop of my blood. After drinking that drop, Ella's left arm instantly recovered. Ella was speechless. She again knelt down before me and said, "Thank you for this blessing my lord." "No, I should thank you for trying to protect me." I said politely. "No, my lord, I don't possess any power to protect you. But you honored me, my lord." Ella said in hurry.
The high wolf leader put a big Fenrir's Core in front of me. "My lord, please accept this little offering from me. My lord, I am the king of this forest. Whenever you need any assistance from me, just call my name, Huyank. I will be there to serve you." The high wolf leader said. "I'll keep that in mind. Leave us now." I replied. "As your wish, My lord." Said Huyank and All high wolves vanished into shadow.
"My lord, would you give me the honor to serve you?" Ella asked with her head down. "Sure but with one condition." I replied. "Name the condition my lord. It'll be immediately fulfilled." Ella said in hurry. "I need companion for my journey to explore the world. I don't require any servants. Be my companion." I replied. Ella said, "But I can't ever be equal to you, my lord." "Well, then I don't need you. Leave me." I replied with a smile. Ella stood up and said, "Please, my lord. I accept your condition. But let me address you, as my lord." "Good Enough. I am happy to have your company." I said with a smile.
When we got out of the forest. It was already night. Ella said that she would take me to the guild house tomorrow to sell the Fenrir's Crore. So, we should rest for today. I agreed with her. She brought me to her apartment. I could feel everyone's gaze. Maybe because, I am an unknown face or maybe Ella is a dark elf. Racism!
Ella's house was pretty normal house like any other middle class human. Every thing in that house was in perfect order. "Where are your family, Ella?" "They are in the sacred forest. I live alone here, my lord. Please make yourself at home." Ella replied with smile. "Sure." I said with smile.
Ella was very worried about the dinner. How to feed enough to a dragon. But I told her that we dragons don't need to eat food. We absorb mana. And nature has plenty of that. But I can taste any food. So, little amount of food for human will be more than for me. And Her cooking was so delicious. Reminded me about my past life.
After dinner, she started doing dishes. She wouldn't let me help. Then again, I might break something. So, I was examining the Fenrir's Core. I was certain that this item is very much valuable to human. Let's see how much they would give for this one.
After a while, Ella finished with her house work and we started arguing about, which one of us was going to sleep on the mattress. None of us were letting other person sleeping on the floor without any mattress. Ella went to her neighbour. She was kind enough to let Ella borrow one of her extra mattress. Ella placed two mattresses side by side with some gap in the middle.
I could sense that Ella wanted to ask something. "Ask what you want to know Ella. We are companions."
-"Thank you, My lord. Why did you leave your homeland, My lord?"
-"I want to explore many places, know about the life of other races, meet with new people, and get to be friends with them."
-"You want to be Friends with other races, my lord?"
-"Yes. Why? Is it bad for them?"
-"Of course not, my lord. But, if you, a dragon goes to any race's territory. Everyone will be at your feet, begging to be your servant."
-"Hey, I don't want that. You were doing the same aren't you? Why do other races respect us that much?"
-"Because dragons are considered as angels of God. And dragons are the highest powerful living beings created by God. That's why Dragons are respected and feared. Some even worship dragons. And Only royal dragons can take human form. So, it's an honour to be your servant, my lord."
-"I get it. You know, I heard some dragons give a little bit of strength and magic to some selected people of other races."
-"Yes, my lord. They are called the 'Dragon Blessed'. Their power is unearthly. Most people worship dragons for that power. There is a hero named Adriana in the Luxus City. She is a 'dragon blessed'."
-"Ella, tell me about you. Why did you leave your home?"
-"My lord, Among dark elves, I was the weakest one. They ignored me like I was a dead tree to them. My sisters were ashamed to recognise me as their family. I wanted to get stronger. And that was not the place to be stronger. So, I left them. Since that day, I am trying my best everyday. Train myself day and night. Even so, I don't seem to be getting that strong."
Ella's eyes were filled with hopelessness. That surely was ruining her beauty. "Ella do you want that power?" I said with a smile.
Ella looked at me with a shock. Like She couldn't believe what she heard. She said with a shaky voice, "What did you just say?" "Do you want to accept a fragment of my power, Ella?" I asked with a smile. Ella's eyes were filled with water. She replied, crying, "Yes, My Lord. Please, I won't let you down." "I know Ella. Now stop crying and accept this gift." I said with a smile.
I stood up on the mattress and Ella knelt before me. I said, "I, Ryu Urthgard hereby take you under my blessing. You will be renamed as Ella Voldrath. Accept this blessing with pride, for you who deserve this blessing." "I accept this blessing with gratitude, my lord." Ella said. I cut my index finger of right hand with my teeth and gave a drop of my blood to Ella. She drunk it. "Feels like my whole body is on fire and it's hurting on my chest, my lord!" Ella said with pain. "Endure it." I said. After a few seconds, the pain stopped. There was a earth dragon sign marked on her left chest, slightly above of her breast.
Ella closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then she opened her eyes. "I can feel a large amount of mana inside me. I feel stronger. Really stronger." She exclaimed with joy. "And you are. We should sleep now. It's pretty late." I said. "As your wish, my lord. Let me say this, my lord. This loyal servant will serve you untill the day she meets death." Ella said with respect. I said, "Ella, I don't need any servants. I need companion. So, be one or leave me." "Sorry my lord. I will always be your companion as long as you desire." Ella said in hurry. "Thank You. Stay with me forever. But for now, let's sleep." I replied with a smile. "Sure, My Lord." Ella said with a beautiful smile.
In the morning, when I wake up. Ella told me that she made breakfast. So I went to take a bath.
The flashback ends here.
After the breakfast, Ella goes to the guild to sell the Fenrir's Core. I stay in the house. New face may cause commotion.
Some time passed. Suddenly I hear knocking on the door. Followed by a female voice. "Ella! Ella! Open the door. Are you okay there ? Should I break this door?"
Seriously! What her problem! I rush to the door and open the door. A adult human girl wearing some shiny silver dress standing at the door. She possess slight red eyes and shoulder length red hair. She is full of anger. She points her sword to me. "You! What have you done with Ella? I'll kill you in the name of justice." She says furiously. "Why? You don't have any name?" I say with a smirk.
"I am Adriana Blazefang. I will be serving you justice with my sword, for defiling Ella's purity." She said fiercely.