The moment Sai was released from the dragon's grasp, his feet touched the ground with a gentle thud. The ancient dragon had landed them just outside the majestic castle, its stone walls towering like a testament to timelessness.
The dragon, now in her human form, adjusted her robes with regal poise, and within moments, a group of maids and butlers emerged from the castle. They bowed deeply, their movements practiced and graceful, a testament to the hierarchy of this place. The servants' elven features and fairy-like presence only heightened the surreal feeling that surrounded him.
The old dragon's commanding tone cut through the stillness of the air. "Take care of this brat," she ordered, with a glance that seemed to pierce through Sai. The servants immediately complied, their expressions neutral, but their eyes carrying the weight of duty. Sai, still unsure of his next move, followed them into the depths of the castle.
As he passed through the grand corridors, he couldn't help but be awestruck by the elegance of the place.
They led him to a massive, opulent bath. The crystal-clear water shimmered in the ambient light, almost inviting him to relax.
After some time, he was whisked away again, this time into new, unfamiliar clothes. The silk garments were elegant, certainly, but they did little to ease his discomfort.
As he was led through the castle once again, his mind wandered, searching for any sense of normalcy. The butler, ever silent, escorted him to a majestic hall. In the center of the room, the old dragon sat gracefully, engrossed in a book. The atmosphere in the room was one of heavy authority, the air thick with elegance. Sai stepped forward hesitantly, unsure of what was expected of him. The dragon's gaze lifted from the book, piercing him with an intensity that made him feel as if she could see right through him.
Without a word, she closed the book with a soft thud and gestured for him to step closer. Sai, nerves still frayed from his earlier ordeal, complied, standing in front of her with his head slightly bowed.
"Tell me," she began, her voice calm but authoritative, "what do you know of the world you find yourself in?"
Sai paused, gathering his thoughts. His knowledge of this world, or what little he had gathered, came from bits and pieces of conversations he had overheard, and from a few fleeting moments of observation. He spoke cautiously, recounting the customs and traditions he had learned, the common details that seemed to hold some value. His voice faltered at times, but he pressed on, determined to answer her question.
The old dragon listened intently, her expression unreadable. When he finished, she leaned back in her chair, her eyes narrowed in thought. The silence that followed seemed to stretch on, and for a moment, Sai feared that his efforts had been in vain. But then she spoke again, her voice measured.
"What you said is not entirely wrong," she acknowledged, "but those customs and traditions you speak of have long been forgotten by the people of Eryndor. This world has evolved, shaped by forces and events that have erased much of what once was. Your knowledge is both outdated and incomplete."
The words hit Sai like a hammer. His sense of self-worth faltered, and he felt as though the ground beneath him had shifted. The world he had thought he understood was, in fact, a stranger to him.
The dragon let out a long sigh, her expression softening slightly. "From today onwards, you will spend your time in the library, learning the customs and knowledge of this world," she continued. "If you have any doubts or questions, you may ask the head maid. She will guide you."
Her words left no room for argument. Sai nodded, the weight of his new reality settling on him. There would be no more wandering aimlessly; he was now a part of this world, whether he was ready or not.
After the old dragon left, Sai was led to a guest room, a place far more lavish than anything he had ever imagined. As soon as he stepped inside, a wave of exhaustion hit him. The room was warm and quiet, the soft bed calling to him like a distant memory. The comfort of the room, the soft sheets, and the silence overwhelmed him. He sat on the bed for a moment, his mind racing with the events that had brought him here.
Tears welled in his eyes as the memories of his struggles in the forest, the constant fear, the sleepless nights, all came flooding back. It had been a long journey, filled with pain and uncertainty. But now, here he was, in a place of comfort. For a moment, he allowed himself to feel the relief, the peace he had longed for.
As sleep began to claim him, Sai drifted into a dreamless slumber, unaware of the many eyes watching him from the shadows. In the darkness, creatures lingered, silent and unseen. Their gazes were fixed on him, observing every movement with an eerie intensity. They whispered to each other, their voices quiet but filled with purpose.
As the creatures watched, Sai appeared to be in a peaceful sleep, his chest rising and falling gently. To their eyes, nothing had changed—he looked like just another human, resting. The power within him, which had caused such intense pain, had left no visible trace. The creatures were baffled, their task to observe him yielding no answers.
Sai, however, knew the truth. Though his body looked unchanged, his mind and soul had undergone something profound. The power that had once been dormant had awakened, reshaping him in ways beyond his understanding. He could still feel the echoes of the transformation—muscles and bones contorting without bloodshed or injury—but he was different now, though he couldn't yet comprehend how or why.
His eyes, closed in sleep, flickered briefly with a strange light, but to the creatures in the shadows, nothing seemed amiss. They quietly left the room, having found nothing to report.
Despite the outward appearance of sleep, Sai's mind was not at rest. Within him, something ancient stirred—a force tied to the very fabric of existence. Fragments of distant memories flashed through his mind—battles, unknown lands, voices calling to him. It was as if a hidden door within him had been cracked open, revealing pieces of something vast, something beyond this world. But when he awoke, everything was still. The room was quiet, his body felt drained, but the power inside him pulsed faintly, its presence undeniable.
Sai opened his eyes, adjusting to the dim light of the room. He knew he had changed, but how he could not explain. The creatures who had watched him couldn't sense what had truly happened. They had seen only a man, lying still.
Lying back down, Sai felt the weight of the transformation settle within him. The world outside remained unchanged, but inside him, everything was different. He would face whatever came next with this newfound power, even if he couldn't fully understand it yet. For now, he slept, his mind swirling with thoughts of what the future held.