Only a Master Mage Could Become Buds with a Dragon!

Alara yanked Thalia back with all her might, but the young looking priestess didn't budge. Instead, she picked up Alara and put her back at the mouth of the cave. Yotaro climbed onto Alara's shoulder. With a look of sheer and undiluted excitement, Thalia kissed Alara. “You two stay here. I don't want to be rude.”

Alara was trying to follow Thalia due to her major concerns about the beast that stood before Thalia when Yotaro gave her ear a gentle nip. “Leave her be, you'll see what this is about in a minute” the critter spoke directly into Alara's head.

There was no way that she could face something like that on her own. She was so confused why Thalia was wearing such an excited expression on her face when it was clearly a monster she would have to face.

Still confused and speechless, Alara watched Thalia run towards the towering creature that was the size of a large house. Covered in giant red scales that were as shiny as mirrors but had a slightly black tinge to them that dulled their glossy finish, the creature was both beautiful and terrifying. The claws of the beast were about as long as Thalia's body and appeared to be razor sharp. It had a huge head that was very similar in shape to that of a horse, but instead of hair and flat teeth for grinding, it too was covered in the beautiful red scales and sharp teeth the size of a small child. It turned its head towards Alara's true mate and the glowing yellow eyes full of intelligence narrowed. She couldn't believe her eyes. Everything about this creature matched the description that she had only heard about in folklore and bedtime stories. It was a dragon!

It spoke in a hiss, words forming but no movements from its mouth. “You called me Thalia. Shall we begin?”

“Of course, Fenrir, my dear friend.”

The two dramatically bowed to each other then suddenly both disappeared. At least that's what Alara thought at first. Then, as she refocused her eyes, she realized that both were still there. They were merely moving so fast that they could barely be seen.

The two were exchanging blows at lightning speed. The closer she paid attention the more amazing her lover appeared. “She's using a high level flash step like it's nothing.”

Thalia slid under the belly of the dragon and nearly landed a punch before it swung its tail around knocking Thalia into a giant boulder. Alara's marks lit up but she didn't feel any pain. Thalia laid back against the boulder as Fenrir approached her with a wide and terrifying mouth. When the mouth was close enough to Thalia, suddenly she opened her eyes and lunged into the dragon's mouth.

“How did she not get hurt from being thrust that hard onto a rock,” thought Alara out loud. She glanced at the boulder. In its place was a large pile of sand.

“Omg she turned the stone into sand before she hit the boulder. Just how fast is she?” As if Thalia heard the question, ice suddenly shot out of the dragon's mouth forcing it open. Thalia rolled out of the open jaws onto the ground and landed in a combat stance.

The dragon clamped down and broke the ice with its powerful jaws. Before the two could re engage in combat, a loud, bellowing laugh broke out. All tension between the two resolved as Thalia too began to laugh.

“A pleasure to do battle with you as always Freyja.”

“Likewise. Though I am currently known as Thalia, Fenrir.”

“Why have you summoned me to this place?”

“I am sure you are aware of the corruption in the dungeon. It has spread much further than we expected. We are on a quest to see the goddess Elis then to find a peaceful resolution to the discontinuation of mana crystal harvest. We need your help to get to the 50th level as soon as possible.”

“Aw you mean the corruption caused by the surface dwellers! We should be riding into battle to resolve this, not talking about peace!” Fenrir's tail angrily smacked the ground causing the area to shake.

“I owe it to my creator and to the dungeon to make peace. If we kill the surface dwellers it will create war which will lead to the death of many. Our people included. That is not what I want.”

The dragon exhaled forcefully. “I suppose not. When you say “we”, who are you talking about?”

“One moment Fenrir, I shall introduce you.” Thalia ran towards the two that were waiting for her at the mouth of the cave. Her beautiful blonde haired lover stood very still with a shocked and confused expression on her face.

“Alara are you alright?” Thalia stroked her shoulder gently.

Alara pursed her lips and balled her fists. “You… I was… You made me worried, you jackass! Suddenly running off to fight a dragon of all things without telling me what was going on! I was so close to running out there to try and save you. I could just…”

Thalia hugged Alara tightly, “I'm sorry. I'm not used to other people caring about me,” she smiled, “You could just what?”

Rather than Answering Alara pressed her lips against Thalia roughly before setting her forehead on Thalia's shoulder. “Just tell me what you are doing next time, ok?”Alara whispered into her lover's shoulder.

Thalia slung her robe over her shoulders then offered her hand to Alara. Yotaro set up in his favorite resting position in the hood of the robe then the party walked towards the towering figure. Thalia deliberately put herself between Fenrir and Alara.

“My friend, I would like to introduce you to Alara Elding, princess of Alloria surface dwellers.”

The dragon let out a deep roar. Flames jutting from the corners of his mouth. “How dare you bring one of them here to me! Are you out of your mind?!”

The air around Alara grew cold as Thalia prepared to extinguish the dragon flames. “I Would not be so foolish as to bring an ordinary surface dweller to you. She is marked by the goddess. Also… she is my true mate. Look at the marks.”

Alara showed her hand and lifted up her hair so the mark on her neck was visible.

“So you see she has been selected by the goddess. And on top of that, we are true mates which means neither of us could hurt the other one. You've known me for such a long time. Please believe in my words and in my judgment.”

Without warning Fenrir swung his claws at Thalia. Alara reacted automatically, using a flash step then a Zeus blade knocking the dragon's claw away from Thalia and striking the claw causing a huge crack to form.

The dragon let out a laugh. “She's talented and brave. I suppose I can let this slide for now. What is it that you want of me?”

Thalia smiled sheepishly at Alara before making her request as if to warn her of potential future attacks. “Transport us to the 50th level and nothing more for now, but ask that if I call on you again you listen. I believe that my little sister Heda is building an army for some reason and I bet she has gathered them there.”

“If that is your request then it shall be done”. The dragon placed its tail in front of the group.

“Get on my back, Elding.”

Alara and Thalia exchanged glances before Alara led the group onto the dragon's back. The scales were surprisingly smooth as Alara climbed onto Fenrir's back. As she settled behind a large scale protruded from his back, Thalia grabbed her by the waist and smiled.

“Ready for your first time princess?”

“Eh… Thalia, what are you talking about? My first time? Isn't that perverted?!”

Thalia whispered in her ear. “You're the pervert Alara. I meant your first time riding a dragon.”

Alara's face turned red. Thalia held onto her waist and instructed Alara to grab onto the scale. Fenrir's wings opened and spread causing a gust of wind to blow. Alara was becoming increasingly nervous about the flight. She didn’t like heights anyways and was sure that this gigantic dragon was going to fly faster than she would be able to tolerate. Her knuckles turned white and she shut her eyes tightly. Thalia sensed the tension in Alara’s body, so to ease her nerves, she placed her hands over Alara’s and her head into her back.

“It’s ok Alara. Are you scared of heights?”

In a small voice, “Yes.”

“Keep your eyes closed, maybe try to sleep. I won’t let you fall. Do you trust me, Alara?”

“Yes I do. Absolutely. One hundred percent”.

Thalia quickly turned Alara’s face to her and pressed a gentle kiss into her lips. “Then rest. I will take care of you.”

The tension evaporated from Alara’s body just as Fenrir flapped his wings.