Two months had passed, and Gabriel, Lowell, and Kaida had ventured with the guild into many dungeons. In that time, their skills had improved greatly, and Gabriel had saved a fair sum of talons. Life seemed steady and well for them, especially with the guild master's favour toward Gabriel — his daughter, Roselia, had also taken a liking to him. Yet Gabriel knew they could not remain forever.
Knock, knock. Gabriel rapped upon a wooden door.
"Come in," said the guild master. When he saw Gabriel enter, he smiled warmly and greeted him. Gabriel returned the courtesy.
"Gabriel, what brings you here?" he asked.
Gabriel inclined his head. "Good afternoon, guild master. I have brought the guild's identification token."
The guild master froze. He knew at once what this meant — Gabriel was leaving the guild. Rising to his feet, he asked quickly, "Why so suddenly? Has something happened? Is the pay here not sufficient? Have other guilds offered you better? Or — ah, is it Roselia? That daughter of mine, I have asked you to pardon her. I have told that girl many times not to trouble you."
Gabriel shook his head gently. "No, guild master. It is nothing of the sort. I have affairs to attend in the capital, and as you know, I am a traveler. I cannot remain in one place for too long."
The guild master sank back into his chair, his expression heavy. "I understand."
Gabriel's voice was steady, almost reassuring. "Please, I hope I have not troubled you by this."
"Not at all," the guild master replied firmly. "If you request to leave quickly, I shall comply."
At dawn, Gabriel nodded his thanks for the guild master's generosity. "We shall depart this very day."
The guild master, seeing his daughter's saddened face, could not help but step forward as a black stallion was led to them. He handed the reins to Gabriel, his eyes thoughtful.
"They are but young children," he thought, "and already they must labour so hard." Aloud he said, "Take this, child. My daughter is grieved to see you go, and I would not have you depart empty‑handed. Please, do not forget us, and may fortune favour you upon your travels."
Gabriel inclined his head in gratitude. With Lowell and Kaida beside him, he mounted the horse, and together they rode away.
As they journeyed onward, they gathered what useful provisions they could for the road ahead. When evening fell, they made camp beneath the shelter of tall pines, the forest alive with the quiet murmur of crickets and the distant rush of the river.
Lowell, ever resourceful, waded into the stream and caught several fish with practiced ease. Soon, the scent of roasting fish mingled with the smoke of their small fire, filling the clearing with warmth.
Kaida sat close to Gabriel, his green eyes reflecting the flicker of the flames. He seemed content, though his small frame leaned against Gabriel with a weariness that betrayed the day's travel.
Gabriel glanced at him, his tone calm and assured.
"Please, eat while it is hot. The road ahead will demand our strength."
Lowell grinned faintly as he handed over the cooked fish. "Alright, Master. It is not much, but it will serve us well."
The three of them ate together in quiet companionship. The forest, though vast and shadowed, felt less daunting with the firelight between them. Gabriel's gaze lingered on the stars above, his thoughts steady yet distant, as though he carried the weight of another time and place.
For that night, at least, the world seemed gentle — a rare pause in their wandering lives.
Gabriel found himself standing in an endless field, the scent of blood thick in the air. Coyote beasts circled him, their snarls echoing as he surveyed the desolate ground. His hand was coated in blood, his boots submerged in a crimson puddle.
In his grasp lay Dancing Cloud. Then—something lunged at him. Darkness swallowed his vision.
Gabriel jolted awake. The morning sun filtered through the forest canopy. Lowell was already preparing Night, checking the reins with care.
Gabriel's breath stilled. The dream—the blood—the beasts. He forced the thoughts aside. There was no time to dwell. With Kaida soaring above in his dragon form, concealed from prying eyes, they pressed forward on their journey.
As they traveled, Gabriel's senses sharpened. Something lay ahead—a group of people blocking the path. Kaida noticed them first and pulled back, hiding within the thick clouds.
Gabriel slowed Night, his grip tightening slightly on the reins. The clearing came into view.
A young girl—injured—looked up at Gabriel. Her eyes widened at the sight of him, surprise and pain mingling upon her face.
"Please," she pleaded, "help me."
Gabriel's gaze remained cold. The flicker of false desperation in her eyes was laughable.
"Stop pretending," he said flatly. "Let us through."
The girl hesitated, then exhaled. "I cannot." And as if rehearsed, armed men emerged from the woods.
Their eyes swept over Gabriel, sizing him up. A few of the women exchanged glances, murmuring about his appearance. One younger girl, unable to contain her amusement, whispered, "He's quite attractive."
Disgust coiled within Gabriel.
Then, a man seated atop a carriage spoke, his voice carrying authority. "Enough talking. Hurry up."
Gabriel studied him—the strongest among them.
"What do you want?" Gabriel asked, his voice measured.
A man stepped forward. "To pass through our turf, you must pay a fee." His eyes lingered on Gabriel, assessing him.
Gabriel's lips curled faintly. "I have no money."
"Lying little bastard," the man sneered. "You ride a horse like that, and expect me to believe you have no coin? That's an expensive breed. If you have no money, hand over the horse."
Gabriel was about to respond when movement caught his attention. A young woman adorned in pearls stepped forward. The air shifted. The group silenced instantly.
Power. She held influence here. She studied Gabriel carefully before speaking, her voice rich with amusement.
"Since you have no money, and since that horse seems dear to you and your little friend, why not work for us?"
Laughter followed, full of mockery. Gabriel tilted his head.
"And what exactly do you do?"
The girl smirked. "We are a circus crew—one of the most famous in the city. If you work for us, we can make you famous too."
She stepped closer. "You're beautiful," she purred. "A perfect fit for the stage. Don't worry—we know how to put on a show."
Her smile widened. "With that face, you'll earn quite a good penny."
Gabriel's expression remained blank. His gaze swept over them. One. Two. Three… Thirty-eight. He exhaled lightly.
"I fear no matter how much my face may help, my acting skills are nowhere near as refined as yours. So, I must refuse."
The group bristled. One man stepped forward, but the girl raised a hand. Her smile did not falter.
"If you will not join us voluntarily," she said softly, "we may have to convince you forcefully, darling."
Gabriel's hand shifted behind his back—a silent signal to Lowell. Then he looked up toward Kaida, signaling him not to attack. He turned back to the girl, his voice unwavering.
"Then please, try."
Her eyes gleamed. "Alright," she whispered. She flicked her hand. Two men stepped forward, weapons drawn.
They rushed toward Gabriel.
Lowell struck first, his old sword slicing through the air with raw force. The impact sent both men staggering backward. The group froze. The girl's amusement grew.
"Catch that one too," she commanded.
More attackers descended on Lowell. He defended, but did not kill. Gabriel observed, his thoughts briefly slipping elsewhere—to Kaida above.
Then, the girl gestured silently. Another woman retrieved a crossbow. She loaded an arrow, aimed at Gabriel, and released.
Gabriel did not turn. The arrow sped toward his leg. He shifted his foot. It missed.
She fired again. Missed.
Frustrated, she aimed carefully at the back of his head. She fired. Gabriel tilted his head. The arrow whizzed past. Now annoyed, Gabriel finally turned his gaze upon her.
Before she could fire again, a scream erupted beside her. A man lay writhing, his body engulfed in flames.
Wind struck her, pushing her back. She spun, aiming wildly—but saw nothing. Then a wave of fire tore through the air. She leapt aside as the ground burst into flames.
And then she saw it.
Descending toward Gabriel was a creature of legend, its vast wings beating the air.
An abyssal dragon.
Kaida's overwhelming presence stole the breath from every soul in the clearing. Awe and fear warred within them.
The man in the carriage stepped out, his eyes widening. He understood the worth of what stood before him. A dragon like this could make him richer than a king.
"Kill the boys," he ordered sharply. "The dragon is mine."
His words sent unease through the group. But greed overtook fear.
"Stop being cowards!" he snarled. "That dragon will make us the most powerful people in the empire!"
They charged.
Gabriel placed a hand upon Kaida's head, his voice steady.
"Kill them."
Kaida soared skyward, releasing a torrent of fire, burning them alive while Lowell cut down the rest.
The man lunged at Gabriel, blade flashing. He knew the ancient saying: kill a dragon's master, and you can claim it as your own.
Gabriel drew Dancing Cloud, meeting the strike head‑on. Steel clashed. The man struck toward Gabriel's head. Gabriel sidestepped smoothly, avoiding with ease.
Then—swift as lightning—Gabriel raised his sword and slashed across the man's neck. The attack landed effortlessly. The man collapsed.
Gabriel stood frozen. He had killed him—so easily, without resistance. His fingers clenched around Dancing Cloud's hilt as he processed the moment. Then he raised his head. The group was dead.
Nausea rose within him, but he composed himself. They had to leave.
Gabriel walked toward the carriage, ransacking it without hesitation. Lowell, stunned, finally spoke.
"Master… what are you doing?"
Gabriel did not look up. "Taking their money, obviously."
Lowell blinked. "You—you just…"
Gabriel tilted his head. "Are you truly surprised? They meant to steal from us. Taking their wealth is fair."
Lowell did not argue.
Gabriel turned to Kaida, his tone sharp. "Do not attack like that again. We are in the empire's city now."
Kaida exhaled, his glowing eyes narrowing. "I held back my power. I lowered my rank close to a human's sigil."
Gabriel nodded. "Good. But we must leave before we are caught."
Without wasting more time, Gabriel and Lowell mounted Night, riding toward the outskirts of the city, while Kaida followed, unable to remain in dragon form. The city's barriers would not allow him to go unnoticed.