On a return trip to the Demon Lord's castle, I didn't expect to carry my family there on my back...!

"Pleaaaaaase?"

"You already know what the answer is, goddess-- it's for your own good."

"Come on...!"

I whine out at Mom, resting my head atop hers as I beg her once more to let me out into the world. It's been another three years, and I've begun to get stir-crazy. Or maybe it's more that I'm hitting my own rebellious phase, and I'm tired of being holed up in this village my entire life.

Regardless, given how much taller I've grown, I'm sure I look pitiful begging like this-- having to bend my neck down --but I don't care. I feel like a bird in a cage, and I'm ready to be let free.

"Pento, you're, what-- three, four feet tall, now?" Teases Khil'nub. "You look so goofy trying to bend down to our height like this!" She chuckles to herself, elbowing my side. She's nearly become a young adult by this point-- and as a result has taken a fondness for giving her little sister a hard time.

"Mom lets you go out, though!"

"Yeah, because she's run me through combat training." A spear is slung over her shoulder, in a posture not unlike how Mom would carry it. It's not the same as Mom's, but she still holds it pridefully nonetheless. "And besides, it's only ever for hunting runs."

"S-still..." I pout.

I'm only two years younger, you know. And-- and! I'm taller than you, too. That counts for something, right? In that sense, I'm the bigger sister.

...Wait, wait a minute. Why do I even care about this?

Having a second puberty sucks.

Exgrave steps in, having overheard this conversation. In case you were wondering, no, they haven't grown any taller. Their botched resurrection didn't make them younger, just smaller and more mascot-like. So, they're still only about a foot and a half tall.

Regardless, they have a whispered conversation with Mom. Mom isn't comfortable with having people enter her mind, so they're talking discreetly the old fashioned way. Whatever they're talking about, it seems like they're arguing. About me? Maybe.

Mom sighs, before speaking up again. "Khil, are you busy?"

"Besides being the big sister to a brat who's taller than me? No."

"Lord Exgrave wishes to take our goddess to see the outside world. But..." She looks away, seemingly uncomfortable. "I'm busy right now. Can you please join them?"

"Sure." Khil shrugs her shoulders. "Well, sis, looks like you won." She gestures for me to crouch down, flicking my forehead as I do before hopping on my back. Then, she picks up Exgrave and places them on my back as well.

...Honestly-- if I knew I was going to be a riding dragon for my first time outside, I wouldn't have been begging so much to leave.

But, my mind's made up. I've been wanting to see the world for myself for five years now, and today is the day I finally cross that border.

Mom gives me a hug. "Stay safe, goddess." I nod in acknowledgement and head out.

Surprisingly, the entrance of the tunnel isn't far off from the outskirts of the village, meaning I don't have much time for trepidation like I did when we snuck out a few years ago.

...

I lock up, caught off-guard as sunlight washes over me, allowing me to take my first rays of daylight as a reborn dragon.

But, that's not what hits me the hardest, even as the mountainside gives way to a forest of trees. What really gets to me is the soundscape. The leaves that jostle lightly against the passing breeze. The birds singing back and forth in communicative harmony. The gentle creaking of wood and the pitter-patter of wildlife.

Not to mention the smells. The distinct aroma of a forest-- the wafting texture of trees, grass and fauna... It takes me back. Honest to god, it takes me back.

"Pento?"

...

"...You're crying."

"Give... give me a sec." I choke out between sniffles. I'm feeling very overwhelmed-- a conflict is stirring within me as both the good and bad memories come rushing back in all at once. The forests were my life, my everyday, and... man.

For the first time, the sheer magnitude of everything going on has finally hit me-- my life, death, and new life. All of the struggles that proved too much for me to bear, all of the friends and family who no doubt miss me, how all of that is just... gone.

Yet, nature still remains. I still remain.

"Sorry, I just-- ... ...sorry." I struggle to find the words. Exdeath pats my back gently-- as does Khil.

We sit there in silence for what feels like an eternity-- a welcome eternity, but an eternity nonetheless.

"Oh, Pento-- you've been allowed to leave the village?" Elioxus approaches from afar, noticing the three of us. "How... wonderful?" Their smile fades and they trail off, noticing the dried tears caked on my scales.

"What's the matter?" They take out a cloth, cleaning up my face.

"I've just not seen a forest in so..." I trail off. Does Khil even know I'm from another world? Would she even understand? I pivot, not sure how to approach the topic. "It's just so beautiful-- it's overwhelming."

Elioxus chuckles, able to read between the lines. "Ah, yes-- I can imagine living in a cave your whole life would not prepare you for the great outdoors."

They set aside their cloth. "Though, if the powers that be have their way..."

"Huh?"

"The king is interested in cutting down this beautiful forest-- in order to path out more trade routes." They grimace.

...Some things never change.

Khil scowls in disgust. "How awful. Where will any of the animals live?"

Elioxus moves past the obvious answer. "I'm trying to see if we can change their mind-- but even being a national hero has its limits with political sway."

"So we should enjoy this while it lasts." I interject, sighing. Elioxus nods sternly.

Enough of such a dour subject. "What brings you here, though?" I ask.

"Hmm? Ah, yes. I confess I've developed a fondness for these kobolds, so I stop by whenever I can. I'm surprised you haven't noticed."

"I guess I haven't, sorry."

They chuckle. "As if you need to apologize-- you were busy enjoying your childhood. There's nothing wrong with that." They place a hand on my head, telepathically continuing. "We'll have plenty of time to work together once Exgrave deems it time to act. So again, no need to apologize."

"I'm curious, though--" they speak aloud again, gesturing amusedly towards Exgrave and Khil atop my back. "--what is this all about, exactly? Never realized you were interested in being a travel animal."

My snout curls up, causing them to laugh. "I kid, I kid."

"I'm taking her to the castle." Exgrave answers. "Seeing as she expressed interest in the outside world, I figured it would be reasonable to take her back to her birthplace-- it is her second home, after all."

"And, as it's not so far away, you were able to convince Mae'poi to let her go." Elioxus adds.

Exgrave nods. "So long as her sister supervised, of course." They sigh, lamenting their stature.

"Of course, of course." They curtsy. "Well, I shouldn't keep you all any longer, then-- I do hope you have fun with your pilgrimage."

"Oh, oh!" Khil interjects. "Can you take care of Blubbo while you're visiting?" Oh right, our pet slime. I'm still surprised they're a part of our family-- I would've expected them to have left by now.

"Consider it done." They curtsy once more-- nearly convincing me I've gone back in time again. "Stay safe, you three." But, they head out, leaving us to begin our journey in earnest.

"Man, Pento. Born in a castle? That's super awesome-- castles are soooo cool."

"It's really not all that special-- Elioxus took me to the village like, right after I was born anyway. I barely remember what it looks like at this point."

"...You would be wise to listen to your sister, Penelope." Exgrave scowls.

What? That your castle's cool? ...Don't be so insecure, I'm sure it's a fine enough castle. And don't call me Penelope outside of my thoughts! It's my actual name, yes, but Khil knows me as Pento.

In any case, we've still got a bit of a trek ahead of us, even if the castle isn't too far away. I don't really know how Elioxus made it so quickly before, seeing how we've got a decent bit of forest to cover before we even get to the mountainside that the castle resides upon. I wouldn't be surprised if this turned into an all day affair, even at a more brisk pace.

Really, I don't mind it, given how fond of the forest I am. Even with the negative memories I've accrued over the years of my past life, even with the anger residing in me over the fact that this forest may be leveled for commerce, I'm still washed with nostalgia and sentimentality. I missed being able to go on walks like this, taking in the beautiful atmosphere as I gave myself up to the sights and sounds. Hopefully this trek convinces Mom to let me leave more often, because I would love being able to simply laze about and relax out here like I did so many years before.

...Huh?

What was that noise?

...I'd almost missed it. Clanking metal. Likely that of someone clad in armor.

Or perhaps, multiple people?

The others notice it, too.

I crouch down so they can hop off, and the three of us retreat into the bushes for cover as they approach.

There's four of them-- all clad in armor. One of them is ridiculously muscular, confidently though slinging a giant hammer and practically eclipsing the scruffy-haired musician that's standing close to them. Said musician looks on edge, arms crossed as they seemingly deliberately lag behind their muscled companion, who's vigilantly leading the pack.

Another looks like a healer, clad in serene white robes and carrying an ornate wooden staff in both hands. They too seem on edge, though compose themselves more elegantly in a way that, going off of personal experience, seems like they're more stressed out than irritated. The last one has... bunny ears, as well as a disturbing amount of daggers adorned across their curvaceous figure. Outside of the muscled individual, they're the one I would say is carrying themselves the most confidently, swaying as they idly fidget with yet more daggers.

Aside from the rabbitfolk, there's no clear indicator of species amongst this group, as their faces are all obscured by helmets all indicative of their general demeanor-- stoic warrior, ill-tempered bard, elegant rogue, demure cleric.

Thankfully, none of them have noticed us, so we can probably just let them pass and be about our way.

"To believe the King wishes to tear down this beautiful forest..." The warrior sighs, disappointed.

"Yeah, it sucks." The bard adds. "But what can you do? At least the trade routes won't suck as much once it's all done."

"I would much rather not take this job, if we can avoid it."

"Why not? A job's a job, 'B. Just... push past the guilt if it puts food on the table."

"Food on the table??" Khil startles everyone-- me and Exgrave included --with her outburst. "You think it's fine to destroy an entire forest and ruin the lives of innocent animals just because it puts food on the table?!" She storms out of the bushes to approach the group of knights.

The warrior and the bard both take a defensive stance. "W-who the heck are you?" The latter asks.

"Why can't you just learn how to hunt animals instead? That puts food on the table too, you know!"

I turn to Exgrave, unsure of how to handle the escalating situation. They don't seem to know either. I don't want Khil to get hurt, but we're not winning any fights here.

"It was just a turn of phrase, little one." The cleric interjects, placing two fingers to her forehead as if to try and push out an oncoming headache. "Pay them no mind."

"Yeah, Risky's a total crabass. You get used to it, after a while." The rogue teases.

Risky folds their arms. "Sometimes you've gotta do things that suck, even when you know it sucks. That's just how life is. You'll learn that when you're older, kid."

Khil scoffs. "My mom's dead and my dad's a slave. You're just a coward."

"You little-"

Okay, I definitely need to step in now. Risky's pulling out their lute, presumably to cast a spell. The muscular one tries to get them to stop, but it's not helping.

I leap between Khil and the knights, not wanting either to make any moves.

The knights... lock up, trembling with fear. All four of them, even, not just Risky.

That's strange. I have to look behind myself, just to make sure there's not a third party ready to jump us or anything. Nope, just me and Khil. Are they scared of me?

"B-b-big scary dragon!!" Screams the rogue, shattering their calm demeanor.

"Hit them with your hammer, Banger!" The cleric calls out to the warrior. What... strange names.

Banger slowly steps closer to me, seemingly reluctant to approach. They're not even holding their hammer in a combative stance.

...Still, they're very tall, maybe even taller than Elioxus, so I should choose my actions carefully.

...

...

Bwwoourrp

Gah, let out a bit of a flame belch. Still getting used to that.

"!!!"

Banger jumps back in fear-- it looks like I singed their armor a little bit with that one. Oops.

Despite the fact they could probably pancake me with that hammer, they instead opt to retreat, scooping up Risky like a football and running as far away as possible-- the other two following suit as well.

Well, that was unremarkable.

"I would prefer you not place yourself headfirst in the line of danger like that again, Khil'nub." Exgrave approaches the two of us.

Khil sighs. "Sorry... I just got so mad."

"I understand-- just be more careful in the future, please." She nods.

...Wait.

The thing that the rogue said before just hit me.

"...Am I really that big?"

Khil giggles. "Is that really what you're hung up on? Not the whole, 'scary' part?"

"You do stand on the taller side, for dragons of your age." Exgrave chimes in.

"Right. Right..."

"...You're not seriously thinking she was accusing you of being overweight, correct?"

"O-of course not! ...Of course not."

"I understand you have not seen me in my prime, but trust me when I say there is nothing wrong with being heavyset, Penelope." They chuckle a bit. "So long as you take care of yourself and use your strengths as strengths, rather than let people tell you that they are weaknesses."

They're probably right. Still...

Thankfully, the rest of the trip was peacefully uneventful, arriving at the foot of the mountain that Exgrave's castle rests upon at the start of sundown. We would've made it here quicker, but after the encounter with the knights we decided to take things a bit slower.

...As if to prove that our fears were not without warrant, I spot another individual standing in our way; though, this time they're eyeing the path we need to go down. It seems like they're contemplating making the trek to the castle, too.

Looking them up, they appear to be some sort of pudgy red-scaled lamia mage, though with the top half of an orange fox. Though they're clad in pale red robes and have a tome typical of a wizard, in lieu of a poofy wizarding hat is a red headband-- perhaps they're in training?

"Looks like they're heading for the castle too." Khil whispers.

"I'll try and scare them off." I add. "Just be ready if things go wrong." She nods.

"Be careful." Exgrave warns, not wanting a repeat of earlier.

I leap out of the bushes, growling at the lamia. They twist around, startled at my presence.

"Gah! Don't scare me like..." Her eyes glow yellow, seemingly activating a spell on instinct. Don't like that-- I start circling them in an attempt to be intimidating.

"Wait, you're an-" She cuts herself off, realizing what I'm doing. "S-stay back! I'm warning you!"

I enter a pouncing stance trying to scare her into fleeing-- only for her to begin casting a spell.

...Looks like I'm gonna need to be more persuasive.