The dragon descended while flapping its winds which sent snow swirling in chaotic spirals around the area. When it finally touched down a bit from Reinhard, it sent tremors through the area. Its wings continued flapping, creating powerful gusts that forced Reinhard to quickly move his sword up to shield his face from the wind.
Damn it! Just moving its wings is this terrifying?!
The dragon's crimson eyes fixed on Reinhard, making him shiver as he felt like he was a specimen being stared at. Then it instantly opened its mouth, and azure light began swirling around inside like a miniature whirlpool.
Reinhard's eyes widened in shock as he muttered. "Oh now… Damn it!"
Without hesitation, he quickly turned around and began rushing back along the path he had just traveled. Behind him, the swirl of azure light grew brighter and more intense, forming a concentrated point of energy deep in the dragon's throat. He could feel the area tremble with chills appearing on his back and his instincts screaming at him.
The dragon unleashed its attack and a thunderous noise rang out!
A piercing beam of blue light blasted from its mouth, rushing through the air and blasting the snow around away. Reinhard instantly dove to the right, rolling desperately through the snow just as the beam passed mere inches from where he had been running.
Everything the beam touched was instantly transformed into ice crystals! All the roots, rocks, bushes and even the snow itself became frozen sculptures that reflected the sun above. The force of the attack pushed back the surrounding snow and even sent Reinhard's tumbling form further back.
Reinhard pushed himself up from the snow in complete disbelief, his mind struggling to comprehend what he just saw. This was beyond any monsters he saw, even the Frost Giants and Yeti weren't this ridiculous.
Can I actually kill with the sword? No, that isn't the issue… Can I even get close enough to stab its eye?! Reinhard thought as he tightened his hold on the white sword. Behind him, the dragon released a thunderous roar that seemed to shake the area around and enough to make him stumble.
Then with its massive claws, the dragon began to scrape against the ground as it started rushed towards him.
Reinhard bit his lip before he began rushing forward again. He swung his arms over and over while frantically moving his leg as small balls of concentrated light began raining down around him.
The dragon was blasting out small orbs as it chased after him, forcing him to move to the side every time. As he escaped every orb, he saw the ground explode in a shower of ice fragments, turning patches of snow and earth into frozen artwork.
Reinhard continued evading and dodging the ice balls even while exhausted. But he could hear the dragon behind him, and the sound was getting closer. He grit his teeth as he slid under a root before leaping over some rocks and continued running.
Then he heard the sound of roots being crushed and rocks being smashed apart.
Then Reinhard glanced back to see the dragon opening its mouth once more and the azure light shining. He saw the azure light swirling once more, leading him to push himself to run even harder even as his muscles screamed at him.
His destination was the small opening roots, it was small enough to hide and for the dragon to not notice.
Then as he saw the familiar root-covered opening ahead, Reinhard dove toward it. At that exact moment, the dragon released its second beam attack, which blasted out and cut through the snowy area. The wind generated by the azure beam further hurled him towards the opening and made him smashed against the roots.
Reinhard grimaced as his shoulder and ribs took the brunt of the impact. Pain flooded through him, but he managed to grip onto the roots and force himself through the narrow opening. He scraped and squeezed his way inside before he crawled over to the side of the small hollow space.
Finally inside the area, he leaned back against the solid wall of the tree trunk, his chest heaving with exhaustion. Outside, he could hear ear-splitting roars from the dragon, along with the continuous trembling and shaking as the massive creature continued on its way.
He knew it couldn't find him because it lost sight of him after launching its breath attack.
But Reinhard couldn't focus on the sounds anymore. The adrenaline that had sustained him through the encounter was rapidly fading, leaving behind only bone-deep exhaustion and pain from his numerous injuries. His eyelids were becoming impossibly heavy, and despite the danger that lurked just outside his fragile shelter, he felt himself slowly drifting off to sleep as darkness took over his consciousness.
…
Reinhard stood in the kitchen as brought the steaming soup bowl from the bag and placed it onto the table. Around him were tall cabinets with dishes, plates, bowls, and wooden cups and counters with a sink.
He sighed at the dust on the counters before he placed another bowl of soup on the table and then the last one on a wooden tray.
Then he grabbed a piece of bread, tearing it before placing it next to the bowl and a small spoon down. Then he picked up the tray before walking out of the kitchen with the floor creaking as he walked past shelves lined with glass jars containing various herbs and preserved foods. He walked into the main room with chairs and a raggedy couch.
As Reinhard approached the wooden door that led to one of the bedrooms, he paused. Voices were coming from behind the door, and he could make out the familiar tones of his siblings. His brows furrowed as he leaned closer to listen.
"Klein! You can't keep doing this! Look at you clutching your-"
"Not so loud," Klein's voice interrupted urgently. "What if Reinhard hears? I heard he came inside just recently."
Anna's voice rang out quieter. "He should hear. Look at how much pain you're in, but you want to hide it."
"You know why I have to do this..." Klein replied.
"But you're in so much-"
"Pain?" Klein cut her off. "What about big brother Reinhard? He has to continue working with those terrible people for money... He barely stays home... And he's doing multiple jobs... All to gain money to buy medicine for me! I... I hate it!"
"But that's because he loves you, Klein..."
"And I love him as well. Which is why it hurts to see him gripping his head and shaking when he thinks we aren't looking... We even heard him crying one time! I hate it, Anna, especially when I know it's because of me being a burden-"
A sharp slap rang out, making Reinhard tremble against the door.
"Don't you ever say that! You stupid idiot!"
Klein's voice was barely a whisper. "I'm sorry, Anna... I just don't want big brother to suffer anymore."
"He won't. B-Believe in big brother, just like he promised to help us leave the orphanage and we did. He promises you will soon feel better and stop pushing himself."
"B-but..."
"No more buts. You need to tell Reinhard you're still in pain and trust him... If something happens to you, it will destroy us... You silly idiot."
"Anna... You're right, I'm sorry."