"What is this, Esyr?"
The inquisitive wallflower Linnea's countenance lit up with wonder as she rapped her knuckles against the gleaming metal of the knight's armor, which stood proudly beside a seat that could easily be deemed a throne.
Lately, she had been scurrying on her small feet to explore unheeding the warning of Esyr about tripping. He patiently satisfied her curiosity about literally everything.
The dragon's ears twitched with keen interest nevertheless he refused to show it, "That's the remains of a valiant knight." "I wonder what it'd be like to wear that." Linnea laughed a bit, " Heavy, right?" touching the red plume of the Knight's crest, "The person who wore it must have been brave. Very brave."
'How naive, would she say it when I tell her she's touching a corpse?' Esyr snickered under his breath. Kekeke.
The cavern was remarkably vast, allowing Linnea to dance with grace. The walls sparkled with a reflective shimmer. Her visage was distinctly visible. A weathered chandelier dangled from above, casting light upon the enchanting scene.
Glitter.
A sudden shift in the armor, accompanied by a crimson light emanating from the helmet, sent Linnea retreating in fear. The knight advanced menacingly..
Brandishing his darkness enveloping sword with a foreboding introduction in a somber tone, "O' challenger, do you have the courage to vanquish this Ignacio—' He halted, taken aback by the unforeseen child who quickly concealed herself behind the unremarkable dragon, "Esyr! A ghost is trying to eat me!"
Getting branded as a ghost certainly didn't impress a knight of Ignacio's stature. Ignacio— The commander of the King's last battalion who swore to protect his master's relics even after death.
"It won't consume you. It's merely a Spector." Esyr, in a rather irritable mood, attempted to shake off Linnea, who clung to his tail like an adhesive locust. "Release me, human."
Said that, The knight withdrew his blade. During his lifetime, he had never harmed the innocent; women and children in that regard.
"I shall not bring you any harm," Ignacio pledged. "I have awaited a worthy adversary, not a mere child." His tone was grave, and despite the presence of a dragon in the boss chamber, he showed no signs of hostility, having grown somewhat accustomed to the languid nature of the dragon's existence,..
— That of a creature of great might which had desentisized the seering nerves of the astute knight who patiently awaited an adversary to defeat himself, then to unceremoniously become the sole witness to the dragon's repetitive entries and exits made him spiritually numb.
It was too late for the knight to rid of the dragon that had burrowed in and built a nest in the prestigious throne room of his late master.
Shortly after discovering Ignacio's past, Linnea's curiosity fluttered like the delicate wings of a butterfly. This, however, caused the knight to feel a twinge of uncertainty in the face of such vibrant enthusiasm.
Esyr, the dragon lounging in a corner said to Ignacio, "You will become accustomed to her presence in no time." in an unfriendly tone, " For the time being, leave me alone, both of you." Hiding his snout behind his wings in a sauntering manner with slanted reptile red eyes.
It didn't take long for Linnea to befriend Ignacio, the Spector. Most of the time, Esyr would lay low and sleep. For that, Linnea often chatted with Ignacio.
From the tales he shared, she discovered that his recollections of his past life were fragmented. The knight vaugely recalled bidding farewell to his wife and their unborn child as he set forth to war on behalf of his master, the King. Yet, he was never granted the chance to return.
Thus, upon his passing, he was entrusted with the monumental duty of safeguarding the tomb of the King—revered by challengers as the boss room. Despite, how pitiful and anarchistic his master had become in the end, his loyalty and devotion never faltered surpassing mortal death.
"The creator of this place as well the person who trapped you was your master?" Her crystal blue eyes flickered with a hint of sadness, "You must have been lonely." drooping her head, "But, you have me and..Esyr. He's nice to me." She fidgeted her fingers awkwardly.
The Knight's face was unreadable under the helmet. However, Never anticipating to be sympathized by a little girl. With uncertainty, he responded in a cool voice, "Ahem.., I might have been at some point. Henceforth, I do not fully recall." raising his armoured knuckles to caress her head.
"Hihihi.." It tickles, Mr. Ignacio..
Esyr, meanwhile, arrogantly wiggled his large tail,a part of him felt gratification.
"I'll be sad if you die again."
"I'll not die. I'm already dead." Ignacio retracted his hand, "Don't worry, I'll respawn once the dungeon resets."
Linnea's face brimmed with happiness.
" I'll be able to see Ignacio!!"
"Esyr, did you hear me?!"
" I heard you." The dragon opened an eye.
...
...
One day, Esyr left the den entrusting Linnea's well-being to the spector knight, Ignacio; It was the very Dungeon the adventurers searched earths and heavens for. He was slightly angsty about his little toy freezing to death during his absence but, meticulously, she was making camp fire with Ignacio.
That very evening, Esyr had returned with a pair of greenish purplish pungent scented monsterous fruit which compelled Linnea to take shelter behind Ignacio.
The rejuvenation fruit had the ability to replenish one's vitals in addition to known for having some healing properties.
"Eat this." A tinge of smugness crossed the dragon's face already half expecting Linnea's gratefulness.
Unfortunately, Holding the nose, Linnea repulsively waved, "Keep it away from me!!" Hugging onto the arm of the conflicted Ignacio. It fueled Esyr's annoyance to a burning degree. How ungrateful!!
"Human, I brought the Rejuvenation fruit. It'll heal your body." Esyr decided to coax, out of character, "And—"
"NO." Linnea violently shook her head making him eyes slit in two, "Listen to me! You'll not remain ugly!"
"Still NO!"
Just then, Ignacio intervened, "I may not be able to smell. The fruit might be too strong for a child her age." In correspondence, Linnea also agreed.
The tail of the dragon suddenly flew upwards as it bore a scathing glare into Ignacio's body. 'How dare this wretched Spector steal my credit?' He didn't like that one bit.
"One more gulp." Esyr stared hatefully at Ignacio who was feeding Linnea grinded serum of the fruit of Rejuvenation and Linnea who was holding her nose to drink it. Amidst everything, Esyr felt left out.
He somersaulted toppling off an angel statue with its tail when no one was looking.
"Hmph."
"Over there, metal head. There's still dust left." He stayed extremely calm for a perpetrator, eagerly watching Ignacio clean the mess.