When Zaygar's caravan finally arrived at the icy mountains of the dragons, all the members held their breath. The mountains were covered in snow and ice, and the cold wind pierced even through their thick clothes. The sunlight reflected off the ice, dazzling their eyes, and everything around them glimmered like sharp, transparent jewels. Suddenly, from the mouth of a massive cave, glowing blue eyes stared at them. The sheer presence of this enormous being made everyone's heart skip a beat, and even Lord Eylan, the aristocrat, took a step back.
But Zaygar, with his sharp senses and unwavering courage, heard a faint voice amidst the icy silence of the mountains:
—Help… There's no one… My child is dying…
Lord Eylan looked at Zaygar with concern and said:
—Zaygar, we cannot ignore this voice.
Zaygar nodded and spoke in a calm yet firm voice:
—You're right. We have to go to him. No one should be left in pain alone.
Carefully, the group approached the cave. The snow crunched under their feet, and the icy wind burned their skin. As they entered, they saw an awe-inspiring yet terrifying sight: a dragon of immense size, entirely made of ice, sitting on the ground. Its icy wings were magnificent, and frost hissed from its mouth.
Zaygar respectfully asked:
—Are you… the Ice Queen?
The dragon's eyes sparkled intensely, and with a trembling voice, it responded:
—Yes… but now is not the time for introductions. My child is dying. If you do not help, nothing else matters to me.
Zaygar, with empathy and focus, approached the baby dragon and gently touched its head. After a brief examination, he said:
—If we don't act, it will live only about five more days. But do not worry; we have someone who is the best healer in the world. She can save your child.
The Ice Queen looked at Zaygar, fear and hope mingling in her eyes:
—If she can save him, I will give you anything you desire.
Zaygar turned toward Selin, the daughter of Queen Lilith and a member of their group, and said:
—Selin, you can heal him.
Selin stepped forward and, concentrating, extended her hands toward the baby dragon. A massive magical energy emanated from her palms, warming the entire cave. The energy shimmered in red and green, half green, half red, and its healing power grew stronger with each moment. Selin's magic enveloped the baby dragon, and it began to stir slowly. Hours passed, but Selin did not waver. Finally, after an hour, the baby dragon opened its eyes and immediately recognized Selin, rushing to embrace her.
The Ice Queen, tears streaming down her face, held her child and then approached Selin:
—You are the bravest human I have ever seen… Take one of my scales as a gift. With it, any wish you have can be fulfilled.
Zaygar, with a respectful smile, turned to the Ice Queen:
—Thank you as well. If you hadn't done this, your child might not have survived.
Zaygar then requested that she bring them to the Dragonlands so they could continue their journey. The Ice Queen, thrilled, took flight. The force of her flight was so powerful that they could see nearly all the mountains and even the sky above them. She said:
—I cannot come down with you. If anyone sees me, it may cause trouble. You must descend from this height yourselves.
Zaygar quickly drew his brush and created a dragon illustration that allowed them to descend safely to the ground without harm. Upon landing, everyone carefully touched the earth, feeling a sense of relief and pride. Only Lord Eylan appeared cold and detached, his spirit separated from his body.
The Dragonlands appeared simple yet vibrant and lively. Dragons freely moved about, buying, selling, celebrating, and flying. The landscape was full of color, sound, and motion. The group decided to visit an inn and ordered several local dishes. General Allen, suddenly ravenous, devoured all the food on the table, and Zaygar did not hold back either.
Lord Eylan, with a cold and serious expression, said:
—Do you know where your next step must take you? You must reach the land of Queen Azaroth's son.
Everyone was shocked by this news. Even General Allen and Zaygar were so surprised that they dropped their food. They immediately left the inn and moved toward the forest. At night, they made a plan to ensure they would reach their destination fully prepared the next day. No one knew that a sudden event was about to happen that very night.
On the 36th day, the group woke up and headed toward the market to prepare for the journey ahead. The half-demon swordsman and General Allen went to the weapons store, while Selya and Selin went to purchase combat tools. Zaygar and Lord Eylan, unsure of what to do, wandered the market. Zaygar suddenly remembered he needed a special cloak, purchased it, and the group returned to the forest.
That night, everyone ate well and drank heartily. Suddenly, a yellow-haired demon girl, wounded and frightened, appeared. She shouted:
—Two people were chasing me! I escaped from them…
Zaygar stepped forward without hesitation. With his small knife, he struck down both of the pursuing demons and said firmly:
—No one dares lay a hand on a woman.
The next morning, the 37th day, the group, full of excitement and energy, set off toward the land of Queen Lilith Azaroth's son. They raised their hands and shouted in unison:
—Yes! We are ready!
They felt that even though dangerous adventures awaited them, their unity and camaraderie gave them the strength to overcome any obstacles.
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End.