"Haa, haa, haa" Gasping for air as he ran, a poor boy in rags was running through the bustling streets, weaving past person after person.
A few moments ago, he had run out of a restaurant, being chased by the fairly upset head chef!
Clenching something covered in a pure white cloth close to his chest, he squeezed it as he ran, each stride fueled by desperation.
"GET BACK HERE, BOY" Bellowed the tan, hairy man as he chased the boy. The man wore a white chef hat, an apron, and a white pullover covering his oversized figure that flapped with his exertion.
Darting down an alley, the boy vanished from sight, leaving the chef standing there, huffing and puffing, as he scanned his surroundings in frustration.
"YOU DAMN THIEF" The chef roared, his anger blinding!
He clenched his fists and gnashed his teeth as he returned to his restaurant.
Still panting, the boy took refuge in the alley, peeking from behind a dumpster as the chef's figure disappeared.
As the tension faded, the boy sat down and softly chuckled, "Hee hee he".
He unwrapped the cloth and revealed a freshly baked loaf of bread, steam wafting from its golden crust.
~Growl~.
The boy's stomach growled in hunger as he licked his lips in anticipation at how tasty the bread looked!
Taking a bite, the boy's eyes lit up in delight because of how good it tasted, not disappointing his stomach in the slightest!
Just as he was about to dive in for another bite, he saw something that inspired awe and fear in him in droves.
Racing through the sky with a thunderous speed, was a red dragon big enough to cover multiple streets of the city where the boy lived!
It was none other than the dragon king, Agni Igris, zipping past the city from the air!
*WHOOSH*!!
His fleeting presence was strong enough to inspire reverence and awe in all those who managed to get a glimpse of him!
The boy stared up in awe, afraid and amazed as he saw the figure of Agni Igris disappear into the distance!
The Dragon Monarch was on his way to the Human Monarch's castle because of his invitation!
Soaring through the sky, the Dragon King caught sight of a grandiose castle! The castle was covered in silver metals and smoothed cobblestones, its pillars and guards making it look simply majestic!
The banners that could be seen from even such heights inspired a sense of nationalism and patriotism, as they fluttered from the breeze of Agni Igris' flight!
Seeing the regal castle, Agni Igris felt a seed of respect at the structure, recognizing the craftsmanship of the piece and acknowledging that he was in the human domain now!
Arriving, he landed on the balcony of the main throne room, causing the castle to shake and rattle!
Guards rushed to the area where the commotion was, however, the King himself stood in front of the large dragon already, making them pause!
"Leave us" King Arthur commanded with a firm and steady tone.
He stood with his chest out and back unbowed as he exuded a commanding presence that rang with confidence and authority!
He stood clad in regal armor adorned with intricate designs representing the kingdom's strength! He carried himself with the weight of a ruler, an air of dignity and poise.
He had flowing golden hair that traipsed down his shoulder and piercing and calculating blue eyes. He was tall for human standards and had a filled-out physique that radiated power through his suit of armor.
As the Guards bowed and left, Arthur narrowed his eyes as the dragon before him dwarfed him in size and just barely surpassed him in power! Arthur could feel the Ki surrounding the dragon, his aura if you will!
Arthur regarded Agni Igris with a measured gaze, his tone cordial yet authoritative, "Shall we have our discussion out here?"
It was a slight jab at the dragon, as he couldn't fit inside the castle with his stature, let alone attend a meeting. It was also a play to poke at the fact that the dragon king was a mere beast, not fit for civilization.
Agni Igris smirked, feeling amused at the human's boldness! It is true that Dragons, and Agni Igris in general, were very prideful creatures.
Normally, if Arthur was weak or not worth his time, he'd have punished or killed him for this disrespect.
However, Agni Igris could also feel the Ki aura surrounding Arthur. It was like an executor's blade, noble and refined, sharp and deadly, final.
Although not as strong as him, Arthur's power and station alone have earned Agni Igris' acknowledgment.
Unfortunately, acknowledgment and respect were different things entirely.
*RUMBLE*!!
Suddenly, a tremor shook the castle balcony as Agni Igris released his formidable masses of KI!
His massive form began to shrink, enveloped by a radiant yet overbearing crimson aura!
Eventually, the glow consuming him shattered like glass to reveal Agni Igris, in the form of a human!
Agni Igris' human form was a magnificent sight to behold! He stood straight as a towering form that showed a strong physique that seemed to be sculpted for violence!
He was draped in a light yet domineering suit of red and black armor that was adorned with black and red glowing gauntlets that formed around his claws! It covered everything besides his stomach and draped into a flowing red robe that fluttered in the wind.
He had billowing red hair that almost covered his still massive volcanic ash-colored horns!
He had sharp, predatory yellow eyes that held a glint of amusement. Seeing the somewhat rattled form of the human King, he smirked and finally replied,
"I'm good here, but it's your house," He remarked with a smirk, "I'll follow you" he added, his tone carrying an unspoken implication.
King Arthur nodded his head and turned around, concealing his unease as he led Agni Igris inside.
What Agni Igris had done was trap Arthur. If Arthur rebutted in any way then it could be viewed as disrespectful and cause the Dragon Emperor to take offense.
King Arthur knew his temperament, which was why he did not want to make the mistake of crossing him.
However, he also knew that the alternative was to expose his back to this monster in human skin, leaving himself open, unprepared, and alone.
However, knowing that Agni Igris was just messing with him, he decided to put up a nonchalant attitude.
It indeed worked as Agni Igris had no intentions of doing anything, he was just trying to get a read of him.
Still…
'His Ki aura is just so da*n oppressive'! Arthur thought in vexation, keeping a neutral face as he led the dragon king to his throne.
Sitting comfortably on his throne, Arthur regarded Agni Igris with a composed smile as he raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you just going to stand?"
King Arthur was never one to back down from a challenge, he felt he would be a terrible king if he did.
Returning the childish slight to King Agni Igris, he smirked as he saw the dragon frown.
However, a moment later, a black throne that shone with a red light and had sharp obsidian blades poking out of it appeared behind the dragon! Its sinister appearance only added to its eerie presence.
He sat on the throne, made himself at home, and smiled innocently back at King Arthur, "No, I was just making myself comfortable first"
Arthur felt inwardly annoyed as he recognized that this game ended in his loss.
However, knowing that he had more important things to do, he let it go.
So, he brushed it off with a laugh and asked rhetorically, "Of course, shall we start now?"
Agni Igris smirked, knowing it was his win. Dragons were competitive like that!
However, understanding that Arthur wanted to move on, he obliged and inquired, "So, why the sudden invitation, I am guessing it wasn't just to play games?"
King Arthur's expression lost all sense of humor as he grew serious, "In truth, I called you here to discuss an idea of cooperation"
Agni Igris narrowed his eyes and gestured for him to continue.
"I am worried about the recent escalations of the ongoing war between the Angels and the Demons" He shared with a somber expression.
"Tsk, that's all?" Agni Irgis clicked his tongue in disappointment as he heard Arthur speak, "That war has been going on for centuries"
He had come here out of curiosity. He had no intention of hyping up or worrying about a war that had nothing to do with him.
"Indeed, however, I have recently found out that the Angels have been secretly requesting the aid of the fae" King Arthur disclosed.
Agni Igris frowned as he realized the gravity of the situation. The eight kingdoms have been around for millennia now, each having a rich history and culture.
In their long lives, there have been multiple wars between kingdoms as well as many treaties and alliances.
The worrying part of this news is that, if the fae were to join the war against the Demons, because of contracts and connections, the rest of the kingdoms would be inclined to join the war as well.
Although Agni Igris loved hunting and fighting, for his people, he would like to avoid World War III if possible.
That's why this news was unfortunate for him, however, it made him hear Arthur out, at least.
"I suggest that we join in alliance together, as neutral parties of the war, abstaining from any and all participation for the near future, at least" King Arthur proposed as he held his hand out.
*****
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