'If what you're after is my life, then take it.'
Dracula raised both hands, crossing his arms in front of him, standing like a man offering himself to fate.
A clear, calm voice broke the tension.
"What are you doing?"
He blinked. "I'm… looking at you."
The girl slid down gracefully from the back of the white dragon. Her boots touched the earth with a soft thud, but her presence carried weight far greater than her frame. The dragon's golden eyes followed Dracula with sharp intent, its wings slightly spreading, protective of its rider.
She stepped closer, her silver-white hair catching the faint morning light. "Who are you?"
'Dracula hesitated. Should I give my real name… or make up something cooler?'
Finally, he straightened his posture. "I'm Dracula, the hero summoned from another world."
'Well… that's the truth. Hopefully it doesn't come back to bite me.'
The girl tilted her head, studying him with curiosity. "Really?"
"Yes."
"So that explains the energy radiating from your body."
Dracula froze. "What?"
She quickly looked away, her tone shifting back to casual. "Oh, it's nothing." Then her eyes narrowed again, sharp and probing, as if testing whether he truly understood what she had just revealed.
'Energy… from my body? What the hell does that even mean?'
"Are you by any chance of the family name Targaryen?" Dracula asked, half serious, half testing his own suspicion.
The girl raised a brow. "No, why do you ask?"
"Oh, it's nothing."
'Confirmed. I'm not in the Game of Thrones world. If I were, I'd have no idea how to deal with the White Walkers. Good thing it didn't end up like that.'
He said "If your investigation is over, let me take my leave."
"Of course, feel free to go."
Before turning away, Dracula glanced at the white dragon again. Its golden eyes were still locked on him, unblinking.
'Doesn't it ever get bored staring at me like that? Or maybe… it's admiring my beauty.'
The girl broke his thought. "If you're planning to rejoin your village, you'll need a horse to catch up."
He shrugged. "I don't see any horses here, so walking might be my best option."
"I can give you a ride… if you want to."
Dracula blinked. 'Wait, seriously? A ride on a dragon? With a beautiful girl?' His heart skipped, and he nearly laughed at the absurdity of it.
"If you're fine with walking—"
"I'm in," he interrupted before she could even finish.
Her lips curved into the faintest smile. "Great, then get on."
The dragon lowered itself, wings folding slightly, its massive body bowing so its rider and the new "hero" could climb.
Dracula went close to the dragon. Its eyes still followed him. He reached out, touched its scales, and muttered, "Good dragon." Then he climbed up, settling beside the girl.
The dragon spread its wings, ran forward, and launched into the sky. Dracula's heart pounded—this was the dream he'd carried since childhood: to ride a dragon. He clung tight, because letting go meant instant death.
From above, the world shrank, the trees, the houses, the people, everything looked like toys scattered across the land. They soared over a vast forest, thick with trees, until the village finally appeared below.
Suddenly, the dragon tilted down. The descent was sharp, the wind roaring in his ears.
'How is she sitting so calmly while I'm over here questioning every life decision I've ever made?!'
The village bell rang out, warning of danger. Warriors prepared for battle, thinking the dragon was their enemy. But the white beast landed gracefully near the village.
"Here is your destination," the girl said.
They both climbed down. The girl stepped forward and spoke clearly, "I am Princess Liana Silva, daughter of Livando Silva of the Highland." Gasps spread through the villagers.
But she wasn't finished. She gestured at Dracula. "Beside me stands no ordinary man. He is the hero, Dracula, summoned from another world to save us all."
The gates creaked open, and the villagers rushed out. They dropped to their knees, voices trembling. "We are terribly sorry, sir. Please forgive us!"
Dracula lifted a hand with all the seriousness he could fake. "I forgive you. You may raise your heads."
They entered the village together. As they walked through the narrow paths, every villager's eyes clung to him.
'Again with the staring. Do people here not have hobbies?'
He scanned the area. 'Looks like the Alivan and the villagers haven't arrived yet.'
One of the elders stepped forward. "We didn't know of your arrival, sir. Had we known, we would have made proper preparations."
Dracula gave a dismissive wave. "It's fine. I'm alright with this. But I do need your help with something."
"Ask me anything, sir. We will do whatever we can," one of the villagers said.
Dracula straightened his back, trying to look grand. "A whole group from another village is coming here. I want you to welcome them and give them a place to stay."
'I have no idea what I'll do if they refuse this.'
"Do not think of refusing the hero's words," Princess Liana declared firmly, her voice carrying over the crowd.
Outside the gates, Alivan and his people waited, arms heavy with supplies. "We bring many goods to share with you. Please, allow us a place to stay," Alivan pleaded.
The villagers on the wall gave no answer. Silence stretched. Everyone held their breath.
Then, with a creak, the gates opened. They all expected the mayor to step out. But instead, it was Dracula.
He spread his arms wide, his voice booming with theatrical weight. "Your savior is here!"
They all smiled with relief, as if a huge weight had been lifted. "Don't worry about the stay," Dracula declared, stepping forward with one hand on his chest like he was on a theater stage. "I've already made the arrangements for you."
The same little girl who had once come running to him in tears now ran up again. She looked up at him with sparkling eyes. "You really are a hero." Then she wrapped her tiny arms around him.
'Wow, only NOW you're realizing this? Did the whole part where I nearly sacrificed my life not count? Kids these days…'
Dracula placed a hand gently on her shoulder, gazing off toward the horizon like a tragic protagonist. "I wish I could tell you the entire tale of what happened," he said in a voice dripping with drama, "but, I must leave. The king and queen await my arrival."
"You're leaving already?" Alisha asked softly, almost sad.
'i was waiting for this question, I'm glad it came. Now I'll do the usual hero leaving scene dialogue thing.'
"Yes," Dracula said, straightening up like a soldier going off to war. "I must go… and save the world. But fear not," he turned his head slightly so the light hit his face just right, "I shall return."
At that exact moment, Princess Liana approached, and the white dragon appeared from behind the village walls, its scales shimmering like moonlight. The villagers gasped, some even ducking as though the beast would eat them whole.
"Do not be afraid!" Dracula announced loudly, holding his arms out as if calming a crowd at a rock concert. "This dragon is no enemy, it is my… companion." He gave the dragon a pat on the side like it was an oversized puppy, though the beast's eyes clearly said 'touch me again and you're toast.'
The princess climbed gracefully onto the dragon's back, and Dracula quickly followed, tripping slightly but disguising it as a "heroic leap." He turned to the villagers below, raising a hand in farewell.
"Until we meet again," he declared, waving not once but several times as the dragon's wings spread wide.
The villagers stared blankly, not sure if they should clap, cry, or just be relieved he was leaving.
'Man, that was a perfect exit. I probably look like a legend to them. Yep… total Oscar-worthy performance. Eat your heart out, Leonardo DiCaprio.'