{"Once you've earned its loyalty, there is nothing a dragon won't do for you." }
He let out a deep, rumbling huff, a wordless retort that carried both defiance and silent vigilance. Then, with a final exhale, I felt him retreat, slipping back into rest.
I sighed, pushing myself up. My muscles were stiff, my mind was still clouded with the remnants of sleep. Stepping forward, I walked toward the main pool, the dim cave light barely illuminating the space. Gerod was nowhere in sight. The pool still sizzled faintly, the energy within it pulsing like a living thing, but the ancient dragon had vanished.
Then, a loud growl from my stomach. I grimaced. Right. I hadn't eaten since… hell, I wasn't even sure when. The exhaustion of the past few days had dulled my hunger, but now, locked up in this cave with no obvious source of food, the need clawed at my gut.
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly. Was there even a way to get food here?
