I Only Tame Dragons

I\'d rather have a place I can control. A sanctuary to go back to."

Von considered his words, rubbing his chin. "A home, huh? Not a bad idea, but . . . if you\'re always adventuring, is a home really practical?"

Horizon nodded. "You wouldn\'t get it. You\'re an elf. But for humans, having a home — something to return to — means everything. It\'s the one place where you can feel grounded, knowing there\'s something waiting for you."

Von\'s serious expression melted into a smile, one filled with understanding. "Yeah . . . I can see that. It sounds .

. . comforting."

Nyx chimed in again. "But you\'re not entirely human, Horizon. You\'re part dragon. That desire to build a lair is probably more your dragon blood talking."

Von raised a hand. "Just one thing. Let\'s not turn it into a cave or a dragon\'s lair, okay?"

Horizon chuckled. "So, you\'ll help me?"

Von\'s grin widened. "Why not? I don\'t have much else to do, and your idea sounds . . . nice."

"It\'s nice," Cappy repeated, pecking at his dead feathers. "Now we\'re not homeless."

"Homeless?" Horizon questioned. He tilted his head, curious. "But don\'t you have a home to return to?"

Von glanced away, an awkward laugh escaping his lips. "Hahaha . . . let\'s just say, I\'m in no hurry to return to Crown Jade Woods."

Cappy fluttered its wings, about to chime in. "That\'s because you\'re—"

Before it could finish, Von\'s hand shot out, gripping its beak tight. "Not. Another. Word." His tone held a sharp edge, but his grin stayed playful.

Nyx snickered atop Horizon\'s head. "Knowing him, he probably got himself banished," she said in draconic tongue that Von didn\'t understand.

Before Horizon could ask more, a piercing scream echoed through the trees.

AaaArRgGhH!

Both Horizon and Von tensed, their eyes locking as they drew their weapons, instincts kicking in.

"Looks like trouble," Horizon muttered. "Let\'s check it out."

With a nod, Von bolted ahead, the eerie silence of the Singing Grove now broken by the distant cries for help.

Horizon and Von sprinted toward the clearing, bursting through the trees to find a chaotic scene.

In the wide, open space, a group of humanoids lay scattered across the ground — some unmoving, others groaning in agony.

Towering above them, a young Coatl Dragon coiled, its iridescent featehrs shimmering like a storm in the sunlight. The beast snapped its jaws, inches from a terrified woman who was screaming at the top of her lungs.

Corpses littered the ground, evidence of the brutal event that inspired, as the dragon prepared to strike.

Horizon moved like a shadow, leaping onto the Coatl Dragon\'s back. His twin scimitars flashed, driving deep into the dragon\'s body.

-4798! Critical Hit!

Even Horizon blinked in surprise at the damage number. But then again, with his stats sitting in the 300s, and his skill [Dragonbane] this young Coatl — with stats barely touching 200 — was no match to him.

While Horizon engaged the dragon in battle, Von dashed over to the woman caught in the chaos. His heart skipped a beat when he saw her up close — a vision of beauty.

She was undeniably human, with luminous skin that seemed to shimmer, silky smooth like she had just stepped out of a waterfall. Golden hair fell just past her shoulders, framing large, sparkling blue eyes that looked like priceless gems. Her lips — rosy and pouty — were hard to ignore.

Her leather armor clung to her curves, accentuating a figure that would turn heads. A taut waist, generous bust, and well-shaped hips all highlighted by the way the armor hugged her, leaving her belly button and thighs exposed. Clearly a hunter, but with an undeniable allure.

Von\'s tone deepened, a rare moment of suave confidence. "Mademoiselle," he said, his voice smooth like velvet. "Are you alright?"

Lydia nodded shaken. "T-that\'s . . . that\'s a dragon!"

Von flipped his hair with a grin that could light up a room. "That\'s right," he said, smugly confident. He had seen enough dragons during his time in Drakha to last a lifetime, and frankly, the thought of facing another was enough to make him sick.

But here in Eternia, surrounded by its beauty, both natural and otherwise, he found his spirits lifted.

"It\'s the Red Moon," he explained, casually brushing off the threat of dragons. "They\'re everywhere right now. But don\'t worry — now that we\'re here, you\'re safe."

"By the way, I\'m Von. And what\'s your name, gorgeous lady?"

Before the woman could respond, Cappy interrupted with a flap of its wings. "Aren\'t you going to help Horizon over there?"

Horizon? Lydia\'s eyes was on Horizon, who was locked in combat with the dragon. "That guy fighting the dragon . . . is his name Horizon?"

Von waved dismissively. "Yes, but don\'t worry about him. He can handle himself. How about you and I head somewhere a little more . . .

secluded? Away from dragons, hmm?"

Lydia ignored him entirely, her gaze transfixed on Horizon as he battled the dragon single-handedly. She had never seen anyone face a dragon alone — except maybe one of the Seven Lords of Eternia.

Who is this guy? she wondered. He didn\'t look entirely human, so he had to be some sort of half-breed. But the way he fought, the sheer power in each of his strikes, left no doubt that he was something else.

Meanwhile, the dragon let out a low hiss, speaking in the ancient draconic tongue, which to others would sound like nothing more than a series of growls and roars. But Horizon understood it perfectly.

"Why are you getting in my way?" the dragon snarled, its voice a guttural rasp.

A good question, Horizon thought.

"Stop interfering," the dragon huffed, its fiery eyes narrowing. "All I wanted is that golden one!"

"Golden one?" Horizon briefly glanced over at Von and the blonde woman beside him. Golden, huh?

Nyx, perched atop Horizon\'s shoulder, snickered. "Seems like the dragon\'s taken a liking to her because of her gold hair. What a perverted beast."

Horizon turned to the dragon as he leveled his sword at the creature.

"I\'ll give you two choices," Horizon declared, his voice low and dangerous. "Submit to me and live, or refuse . . . and I\'ll still make you submit in death."