Chapter 289 - The Dragon Wife, The High Half-Elf, and the Goddess Athena
Nathan Evenhart:
I had finished my tasks with my mother and was walking through the courtyard, heading to another location, when I noticed some soldiers chatting. Groups of men ran in their heavy armor, training their endurance, while the sounds of spells echoed in the air, suggesting a magic training session was happening nearby.
"Lord Nathan, good morning," a soldier greeted me as I passed by. Beside him, his son was practicing with a bow.
"The tip you gave me was really helpful, sir," the boy said, smiling.
I chuckled at his simple yet earnest gratitude.
"It was nothing, Tanner. Your problem was just balancing your center of gravity," I explained.
The boy, around six years old, was an interesting sight. Though he imitated his parents and brothers by writing with his right hand, he was naturally better with his left in more delicate tasks. A natural ambidextrous. This had caught my attention due to my old habits as an instructor. I noticed he trained with the sword in his right hand, but when handling a knife—where precision mattered—he instinctively used his left. When shooting with a bow, his confusion was evident, unsure of which arm should pull the string and which should hold the bow steady.
"Are you heading to the lair today?" his father asked, interrupting my thoughts.
"I am," I replied.
"Good luck, sir. That thing has been in a bad mood for the past three days," he said with a nervous smile.
I laughed, but a slight sense of apprehension crept in. To the soldiers, Cylla was just a beast that growled and snarled. But I understood what the dragon was actually saying—I could feel her emotions.
I hope she's not in one of her crazy clingy moods again…
I kept walking, greeting some of the men along the way. Most of them had fought alongside me during the invasion of Nikolaus Wolves' fortress, so they were well-acquainted with Cylla in action. Every now and then, they mentioned how massive she had been that day. Unfortunately, I hadn't been able to see it with my own eyes. According to her, that size was just a side effect of accessing more of her power than she usually did. It had been triggered by emotions due to the situation we were in at the time. Even so, her dragon form was already large, though not as gigantic as they made it sound.
I passed through the special wall that sealed off that side of the castle courtyard and opened the door, making my way toward the entrance of a cave I had grown quite familiar with. Sighing, I continued down the dark path. As I turned a familiar corner, the sunlight gradually faded, and darkness took over. Soon, the proximity light crystals began to glow as I moved forward, illuminating just enough to guide my way.
As I ventured deeper into the cave, total darkness engulfed the space. Nothing was visible ahead. I raised a small blue sphere of electricity, letting it float around me, casting a faint glow on the path.
"Cylla…" I called, my voice echoing against the cave walls before fading into silence.
I waited, but there was no response. The darkness felt even denser in the stillness.
"Are you mad?" I asked, letting my voice fill the empty space again.
Once again, only silence replied. I sighed, slightly frustrated.
"Alright… I'll leave you alone," I said, turning to walk away. But before I could take more than a few steps, something grabbed my arm, yanking me back into the darkness.
"Wait… idiot," I muttered, feeling the pressure of something squeezing me into what seemed like a tight embrace.
"Let me turn the lights on first…" I tried to say, my voice slightly muffled as I struggled to break free. Before I could make a move, the light switched on by itself, and I quickly realized that Cylla had used her tail to hit the switch that controlled the glowing orb on the ceiling.
"Cylla…" I murmured, now trapped in her arms. The massive red dragon continued to sniff me, as if confirming my presence.
"What are you doing?" I asked, trying to understand why Cylla kept sniffing me while squeezing me tightly in her massive arms.
"I'm checking to make sure no husband-stealing woman has skipped any steps with you," she replied, her rough voice tinged with jealousy.
"Don't talk like that about my fiancées…" I tried to argue, but she carefully set me down before I could finish.
"I'm glad you're still pure," she said, looking almost satisfied.
I stopped to analyze what she had just said. "Wait, how would you even know if I had… skipped any steps?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"Secret," Cylla answered with a mysterious smile, sitting down in front of me. A massive red dragon stared at me, her gleaming eyes filled with a mischievous sparkle. For anyone else, being face-to-face with a creature like this would be the definition of panic, but to me, this monster was… my wife.
Before I could react, I was suddenly scooped up in her enormous claws, lifted off the ground as if I were made of paper.
"What are you doing now?" I muttered as she rubbed her huge scaly head against me.
"I'm replenishing my 'Nathan Energy,' beloved."
"E-energy what? That's not even a real thing…" I grumbled as she continued to nuzzle me like I was some kind of soft pillow.
Suddenly, her massive lips moved closer, and her eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Kissy time!" she announced in a playful, sing-song voice.
"No… wait… we can do that later!" I turned my head, trying to escape, but it was like trying to run from a landslide of affection.
"No stalling! I want to kiss my man right now!" And before I could protest, I felt her enormous jaws plant a loud, smacking kiss on my cheek—warm and gentle despite her sheer size.
"O-okay, that's enough!" I tried to argue, but Cylla just laughed, a sound that was almost like a deep purr, as she pulled me closer against her scaly skin.
"Nope… I'm still feeling needy… I need to mark my territory a little more." She affectionately rubbed her head against my neck, her voice melting into a whiny tone. "You smell like a fox. That needs to change. Everyone has to know that this human already belongs to someone."
I let the massive dragon continue her clingy attacks.
When she was finally done, she gently placed me back on the ground.
The huge red dragon stared at me, a sight that would terrify most.
"Beloved," she said, giving me a light pat on the head with one of her massive paws. "Is it time for our walk?"
"Yes, let's go for a walk. You'll stay in your panther cub form for a while, and we'll be away from this region for a few months," I said, inviting her to our usual walk before heading back to Apsalon.
Cylla stepped toward me, and her body began to change. The massive dragon disappeared, and before me stood a small Moon Panther cub.
"That was faster this time," I said, surprised.
"I've improved a lot in the Body Aspect," she replied proudly, pleased with her growing strength. "Trying to become human as quickly as possible… so I can stay by your side…"
***
We had arrived at a part of the forest near the castle.
The road before us cut through the forbidden woods, yet no one ever traveled it. That path was exclusive to my family. The forests surrounding it were untouched territories, places where few dared to step. The only sign of civilization in the area was the fortress on the outer wall, about half a day's journey along the road.
"I'm ready," Cylla announced, leaping off my head and darting into a clearing.
Her body began to glow, enveloped in an intense white radiance. From the center of that light, an immense red dragon emerged.
"Let's go, Nathan," Cylla said.
I was still pondering the riddle on the document, but I tucked the paper into my storage bracelet and pulled out another—a large map that unfurled in my hands.
"I'm coming up," I warned, folding the map before climbing onto her back.
Cylla lowered her body, allowing me to mount her.
"I used to ride on top of you, and now you're the one riding me," she remarked with a soft chuckle.
"When you put it that way, you're right," I replied, settling myself atop her scales.
She tensed for a moment, crouching low before launching forward in a powerful leap. Her wings spread wide with a majestic sweep, propelling us into the sky.
The familiar thrill surged through me. No matter how many times I did this, that sensation in my stomach never quite faded. With each passing second, the ground grew distant, the treetops shrinking into a vast green canopy below.
Animals scattered at our presence, and flocks of birds took flight, startled by our shadow.
"Can I go faster?" Cylla asked.
"Of course!"
She flapped her wings with ferocious strength, shooting forward like an arrow. The howling wind whipped around us, and I had to cling tightly to one of her spines. I had already stored the map in my storage bracelet, but I checked our route one last time before climbing aboard.
We would circle around the path to our destination, soaring above the forest where no one dared to venture, avoiding villages and any unwanted gazes.
A nostalgic place...
***
We arrived at a part of the forest near the mountains.
It was a secluded, quiet place—the kind of silence that carried an eerie sense of isolation, yet I had always found it comforting. We landed near a waterfall, one of my favorite spots to think.
"That was impressive. At this speed, you could cross the entire duchy in half an hour," I commented.
"It's because I'm impressive," Cylla replied proudly.
I jumped off her back and took in the scenery around me. The scent of the forest mixed with the damp mist from the cascading water.
"Nate, I'm going to hunt for a bit," she announced.
"Alright. Just don't mess with the Moon Panthers," I reminded her.
She nodded in agreement.
"If anything happens, call me through our mental connection, beloved. I'll be nearby."
Without waiting for a response, she dashed into the forest, vanishing among the trees with her usual agility and speed.
Over the past few months, our mental connection had grown stronger. We could now communicate whenever we wanted, as long as we weren't too far apart. Cylla had explained that, as far as she understood, no one but her could invade my mind. Our soul bond was something unique—our souls were "married" to each other.
There was no mind-reading, only a deep connection that allowed us to access each other's thoughts.
That reassured me. I had always feared that someone might be able to glimpse into my past beyond her. Cylla didn't know how she had managed to do it the first time she saw me that night on the ship, but she had only caught glimpses of certain things. After our souls bonded, she could see more, but she told me she had stopped looking into my past—choosing to respect the privacy of my former life.
Sisika, on the other hand… was different. She had dreamed of me even before I came into this world. That fact still unsettled me to this day.
I sighed and retrieved the letter from my storage bracelet.
"Looks like it's just you and me," I murmured, walking toward the sound of the waterfall.
The scenery was familiar.
"This is where I spent some moments with Sisika…"
I followed the stream until I reached the base of the waterfall.
Lifting my gaze, I saw the cliff towering above me, and the memory surfaced vividly—Sisika jumping from up there, pulling me along into the rushing waters.
"Every time I come here, I feel something strange," I muttered to myself.
It was a difficult feeling to describe.
Technically, I was here with Cylla. But at the same time, I was also here with Sisika.
Only she didn't remember.
I crossed the hidden trail between the rocks, a concealed path behind the curtain of falling water. The mist from the spray hung in the air, and fine droplets clung to my skin as I advanced.
Soon, I arrived at the familiar spot.
"I'm back…" I said to myself, recalling that day.
The echo of my voice filled the cavern.
'Grrr!' A low growl resonated in the darkness.
My eyes caught a pair of glowing orbs deeper inside the cave. I wasn't alone—there was a creature with me.
"It's okay… I'm just passing through," I assured, recognizing the presence in the shadows.
Raising my hand, I conjured a faint blue spark, casting a soft glow over the space.
There she was.
A Moon Panther.
She rose slowly, narrowing her eyes at me as she approached. Her movements were deliberate, fluid like the shadows themselves.
"I just came to visit a nostalgic place," I continued, keeping my voice calm. "I'll be leaving in a few hours."
The panther watched me for a moment, assessing my presence. Then, without a sound, she disappeared into the darkness, merging seamlessly with the shadows of the cave. I knew I had to be respectful—this land belonged to them.
From my bracelet, I pulled out a small light orb and placed it on the ground, illuminating the cavern.
The sphere emitted a gentle glow, pushing back the darkness.
"Time to think," I murmured, leaning against the wall.
Adjusting my posture, I sat on the ground and unfolded the document.
"I am as light as the wind, yet I do not dance with it.
I am part of all that lives, yet I am never seen.
When I leave Midgard, all things cease,
And the void takes my place.
Who am I?"
I sighed, staring at the message. The page was practically empty, containing only the large rune and the riddle, which appeared in the air whenever I focused on it. I kept analyzing the words, trying to find a pattern.
What is as light as the wind but is not the wind? It is part of all living things, yet it cannot be seen? When it leaves Midgard… What exactly does Midgard mean in this context? My human kingdom? When it leaves, everything ceases… and the void takes its place…
I struggled to connect the clues, but the answer didn't come easily.
"Want my help?" A voice spoke beside me.
"No…" I muttered to Athena.
She approached, her footsteps echoing lightly through the cave. "You do realize I could solve this riddle in seconds, right? All you have to do is ask, Icarus."
I ignored her offer, but she continued. "Still upset about those… visions? Those hallucinations from your past? You know I would never have done anything to disturb you like that."
"It's not about that," I shot back without looking at her. My voice came out cold but firm. "My revenge is complete. I killed you. But that doesn't mean I forgave you. Not then, not now, not ever."
Athena remained silent, listening.
"But carrying this hatred is a weight I don't want anymore. You're not worth my time. I have far more important things to worry about. I appreciate your help with Nikolaus Wolves back then… but at the first opportunity, you tried to drag me back to who I used to be. Offering me a throne. Tempting me with governance. I already told you—I want nothing to do with you."
The goddess studied me, her expression unreadable.
"Giving in to the Goddess of Strategy even once is a dangerous thing," I said.
Athena smirked. "It's my nature, Icarus. Just as you have yours."
A moment of silence settled between us, broken only by the distant roar of the waterfall.
"Like it or not, I'm bound to you. Our journey will be walked together until the very end, no matter where it leads."
"Unfortunately, I have no doubts about that," I muttered. "You'll haunt me until the last day of my life."
She stepped toward the cave's exit. But before vanishing into the shadows, she turned to look at me one last time.
"We both know there are hidden forces in this world—dark, malevolent forces. Forces beyond our control." Her voice was different now. More… serious. "Do you know why I made you that offer?" She locked eyes with me. "Because if the two of us stand at the top, it means nothing will be above us. None of these forces will be able to manipulate us. No piece in this wretched game of shadowed beings will control us."
She took a step closer. "You and I have only one life. And when it ends… it's over. No second chances, Icarus. Think about that."
I said nothing.
"My offer will always be open to you," she continued. "I made this proposal before I died. And I'm making it again now." She paused, gauging my reaction. "Let me help you with your problems. You don't have to forgive me for the past. Just accept me in the present, in this life. I am the only one who truly understands you. An enemy so intimate… he can become your greatest ally."
And with that, Athena disappeared into the darkness.