The shadow grew larger and larger, covering the entire ruin in darkness.
"A dragon?" Mike asked, looking at the blacksmith with hopeful yet fearful eyes.
The blacksmith, however, stared at the dragon in the sky with wide open eyes.
The dragon flew directly above the group but began to slow down in order to avoid the tall trees. The blacksmith looked at Mike and started speaking in a panic.
"That is him. The legendary dragon, the strongest creature in the jungle."
Mike could not believe it and stared even more. He wondered what the dragon wanted, so he asked the blacksmith, hoping he might know something.
"The dragon sensed the death of the king of the shadow tigers and…"
The blacksmith stopped when something massive landed on the ruin.
It was the dragon. When he landed, a cloud of dust blew toward them.
Mike and Ice stepped behind the blacksmith, but the blacksmith immediately ran into the jungle, leaving them behind.
So Mike stepped forward with shaking legs. He did not equip his sword yet and simply walked ahead.
The dragon's scales were slightly green, almost plantlike, and he had two large white horns.
Mike froze when the dragon began to speak.
"The king of the shadow tigers was killed by you?" the dragon asked, waiting patiently for an answer.
Mike, confused and ready to dodge or strike at any moment, answered quickly.
"Uh y yes."
The dragon lowered his head. Mike felt that this dragon was a creature of respect, so he relaxed slightly and dropped his guard.
Suddenly, the shadow tigers emerged from the ruin and waited for Mike's command.
He said nothing and let them wait.
The dragon raised his head again.
"What is your name?"
Mike stood straight and firmly on the ground.
"My name is Mike. And yours?"
He wondered if the dragon even had a name.
Mike glanced at Ice only to realize she had hidden herself among the shadow tigers.
"Mike… very well. I have many names, but you may call me Zaikel, or ruler of the jungle, whichever you prefer."
Mike thought for a moment about what to call him and chose Zaikel. Suddenly an idea shot into his mind.
"Zaikel, it seems you are here in a peaceful manner, right?"
Zaikel suddenly shot into the sky and landed right in front of Mike.
Had Mike said something wrong?
Zaikel folded his wings upward and sat down like a housecat resting at midday or a dog when its owner commands it to sit. Then he spoke.
"Well, that depends. Are you the one, Mike?"
When Mike heard these words, he nodded about five times to confirm.
"Oh, yes, yes, yes, that is us, and we actually want to leave the jungle soon."
The dragon lifted his head slightly.
"Soon, you say? If you travel quickly, you will reach the edge from here in about three weeks."
Mike was shocked. Three weeks felt far too long, although it really was not. But Mike could not stand the endless green anymore.
He wanted a new area. And besides, he had accomplished so much already in this jungle. A divine sword.
Mike thought for a moment and dared to ask.
"Could you take us on your back?"
Zaikel stood up and the ground trembled.
"Yes, I can take you to my nest. From there, you can climb the mountain."
Mike wanted to ask why not further, but the dragon spoke first.
"Why not further… The mountain was once a giant, cursed to remain a mountain forever. Something prevents me from climbing it."
A giant? There were giants?
Hopefully they were all extinct.
Mike and Ice had found a way to travel quickly, nearly to the edge of the jungle.
Mike nodded gratefully and turned to Ice, who was still cuddling with the shadow tigers. Their fur looked incredibly soft. He wanted to try it too, but with everyone watching, he felt too embarrassed.
"Zaikel, I think you are a better king for them. How can I give you the crown?"
Zaikel waited before answering.
"Just leave them here. They will follow you to my nest and you can command them to stay and live there. Now come."
For a creature that lived thousands of years, Zaikel seemed extremely impatient.
Mike turned to Ice.
"Hey Ice, I have good news."
Mike explained everything to her. At first she was scared and refused, but she quickly realized the huge advantage and the distance they would save. So she gritted her teeth and climbed onto the plant dragon's back.
Mike followed her. Suddenly two vines grew from the dragon's back so they could hold on.
"We can go!" Mike shouted, and the dragon rose into the air. His wings beat, sending thick clouds of dust over the poor shadow tigers.
After only a few minutes, Mike saw how high they were. The ruin was no longer visible.
The flight was rough because of the tall trees, but the dragon was used to it and avoided them with ease.
Mike felt like he was inside a video game.
Well… actually…
They were riding a dragon.
Mike was thrilled and looked down, but quickly looked back up. His eyes went to Ice. She did not look good at all. She was pale and her face showed pure fear.
"Hey Ice, everything okay? As long as you hold on tight."
Ice only nodded and closed her eyes.
Mike looked at the dragon again, admiring the creature.
After about an hour, they landed.
The nest was inside a cave made of bark from giant trees and a lot of moss. Very much moss.
They landed in front of the cave and could walk straight in.
"Thank you, you saved us a lot of time."
Zaikel nodded and went into his nest.
Mike had never expected the strongest creature in the jungle to be so friendly.
He thanked the dragon again and left the cave.
Ice quickly stepped outside as well.
"Now Ice, we can start climbing the mountain from here."
Ice nodded but looked like she had no desire to climb anything.
When they were far enough from the nest, they found themselves in a small valley with a little lake. Looking ahead, they saw the enormous mountain.
It was frightening to imagine that this was once a giant.
But suddenly, a few stones shot toward Mike from behind.