Noah and his crew walked behind the dragons as they were escorted deeper into the island. The snow-covered ground slowly changed into warm stone paths, and the cold air became softer. Strange creatures peeked from the forest. Tiny dragons with wings like butterflies, long snake-like beasts that glowed blue, and tall stone statues that moved on their own.
"This place… is crazy." Emma whispered.
Amy nodded. "Yeah… I don't know if I'm scared or impressed."
Noah smiled. "I like it."
Emma glared at him. "You like everything that tries to kill you."
Noah shrugged. "I take what I can get."
The silver-haired woman, walked at the front with her spear in her hand.
The prince walked beside her. He was still weak, wearing a simple cloak they wrapped around him.
After a long walk, the trees opened up and a huge village appeared.
Tall stone buildings rose out of the ground like giant towers. Bridges made of glowing crystals stretched between cliffs. Dragons of all sizes flew overhead. Kids ran through the streets. Some human, some dragon-folk, some half-dragon with scales on their cheeks.
Amy's jaw dropped. "This… is a whole kingdom."
Emma nodded. "Definitely not a village."
Noah whistled. "I'm definitely coming back here."
Alice snapped her head back. "No, you are not."
Noah smirked. "We'll see."
"Stop teasing her, Noah…" Emma whispered.
They reached a huge palace carved into a mountain. Dragon statues stood at the entrance. Flames burned in giant bowls at the stairs.
The Prince raised his hand weakly.
"Let them stay here. In the palace."
Alice looked at the prince shocked. "Allen, Your Highness… they are outsiders."
Allen shook his head. " It's alright they can stay here."
Alice clenched her jaw. "As you command… Your Highness."
Emma leaned to Amy. "She looks like she wants to hit Noah."
"She's gonna kill him in his sleep…" Amy whispered.
Noah waved happily. "Thanks, prince."
Alice glared at him.
Noah chuckles awkwardly.
They entered the palace. Servants rushed to help the prince and bow to Alice. Noah and the girls were given a large room with beds, warm blankets, and even a hot bath.
Emma jumped on a bed. "This is so comfy!"
Amy looked around. "This place is nicer than any Inn we've stayed in."
Noah stretched. "Wake me up next week."💤
After settling in, someone knock on their door.
A servant bowed. "Prince Allen requests your presence for lunch."
Emma looked surprised. "Lunch? Already?"
Noah rubbed his stomach. "Good timing. I'm starving."
"Weren't you just sleeping " Emma asked.
"And now I'm awake!" Noah replied.
The dining hall was huge, with a long table carved from stone and glowing gems placed in the walls. Gold plates. Silver cups. Food piled up everywhere. Roast meat, dragon-fruit dishes, hot soups, fresh bread, and glowing blue drinks.
"This looks expensive…" Emma said.
"Everything here looks expensive." Amy replied.
Allen sat at the head of the table. Alice stood behind him.
Allen smiled brightly. "Please. Eat as much as you like!"
Noah didn't wait. He grabbed meat, soup, bread...anything in reach.
Emma glared at Noah. "At least pretend to have manners!"
Amy nodded. "Yeah! We're in a palace!"
Noah shrugged with his mouth full. "Food's food."
Allen watched Noah like he was watching a hero.
Then he asked, "So… Noah. Are you a warrior? A hero? A knight?"
Noah paused.
"I'm a pirate."
Allen stared at Noah stunned.
The room went silent.
Alice almost chocked. "He…WHAT?"
Emma slapped her forehead. "Oh no…"
"Noah… why would you tell them that?" Amy whispered.
Noah swallowed his food.
"Because it's true."
Allen blinked. "A… pirate? But… you don't look evil."
Noah grinned. "Thanks, I think."
Alice stepped forward. "Your Highness, pirates are dangerous criminals."
Noah raised a hand. "Hey. Not all pirates are bad."
Alice pointed her spear at him. "Most are."
Noah pointed to himself. "I'm different."
"Barely…" Emma muttered.
Amy coughed. "Just… eat your food, Noah…"
Allen stared at Noah with big curious eyes.
"A pirate… Wow… Do you have stories? Did you visit other islands? Did you fight other pirates?"
Noah smiled. "Yeah. I got stories."
Allen leaned closer like an excited kid.
"Tell me one!"
Alice sighed loudly. "Your Highness… you have royal duties."
Allen ignored her completely.
"Noah! Tell me everything! What's the coolest adventure you had?"
Noah leaned back and think🤔 for a moment.
Then he smirked.
"Well… there was this one kingdom. Alabasta."
"Alabasta…" Allen whispered.
Noah nodded. "Big desert. Hot every day. Sand everywhere. A war was about to start."
Allen leaned forward. "A war?!"
Emma smiled softly, remembering. "It was a hard journey…"
"We almost died like ten times." Noah said
"More like twenty." Emma replied.
Allen's eyes sparkled. "Then what happened?! How did you win?"
Noah smirked. "We stopped the war by beating up a warlord and saving the kingdom."
Allen stared in awe. "You saved a whole country…? That's so cool!"
Alice sighed, annoyed. "Don't encourage him."
Allen ignored her again.
"What else? What other places?"
Noah smiled. "Skypiea."
Allen blinked. "Sky… pie… what?"
Emma laughed. "An island in the sky."
Allen's jaw dropped. "A real island? In the clouds?!"
Emma nodded. "Yeah. With people who have wings and huge sky creatures."
Allen looked like his head was about to explode. "This is the best day of my life…"
Alice crossed her arms. "Your Highness. Enough stories. You have duties to attend to."
Allen pouted. "But I want to hear more…"
Alice put a hand on his shoulder. "Later. Right now, you have to meet the council."
Allen sighed. "Fine…"
"He's kinda cute." Emma whispered to Amy.
Amy nodded. "He's like a little kid who loves stories."
Noah stretched. "We can tell you more later on."
Allen stood up slowly. "Promise?"
Noah nodded. "Yeah. I promise."
Allen's face lit up like a lantern. "Okay!"
Alice guided him toward the door, but before she left, she turned to Noah.
"You. Don't fill his head with nonsense."
Noah raised an eyebrow. "My stories aren't nonsense. They happened."
Alice glared. "That's what worries me."
Emma giggled.
Amy covered her mouth trying not to laugh.
Alice turned away and walked Allen out.
The second the door closed.
"I think she hates you." Amy whispered.
Noah shrugged. "She'll get over it."
Emma sat back in her chair. "She really won't."
Noah stretched his arms behind his head. "Anyway, that kid's cool. I like him."
Amy smiled. "He looks up to you already."
Emma nodded. "Be careful. He might copy everything you do."
Noah grinned. "Good. He'll be strong."
The girls stared at him.
After lunch, they returned to their room. Noah laid on the bed, relaxing. Emma cleaned her blades. Amy brushed her hair.
Someone knock on the door.
Alice stood outside with her spear.
Emma gulped. "Uh-oh…"
"She came to kill Noah…" Amy whispered.
Alice points her spear at Noah.
"You. And your crew."
Noah blinked. "Yeah?"
Alice took a deep breath.
"You are invited to this evening training."
Emma blinked. "Training?"
Amy tilted her head. "With who?"
"With our elite dragon warriors.
If you die… it's not my fault." Alice answered calmly.
Emma froze. "Huh—?!"
Amy face got paled. "WHAT?!"
Noah laughed. "Alright. Sounds fun."
Alice stared at Noah.
"Why are you smiling?"
Noah shrugged. "Training is training."
"Noah! This isn't normal training!" Emma said.
Amy nodded aggressively. "You're going to fight DRAGONS!"
Alice smirked slightly. "Precisely."
Noah cracked his neck. "Good. I wanna try something new."
Alice blinked again, confused by Noah's confidence.
"…You're an idiot."
"Yes! YES HE IS!" Emma said.
Amy nodded. "A big one!"
Noah looked at both girls. "Relax. It's just practice."
Alice turned to leave.
"In one hour… come to the training grounds.
If you're late, we will start without you."
Noah smirked.
"Let's go train with dragons."