The Shadow of Doubt

Tha-tha-that's a Dragon?!" The words tumbled out of Blaft's mouth, laced with disbelief. It was his first encounter with a dragon, and the creature's sheer size filled him with a primal fear. He'd seen dragons in the game, of course, but nothing could prepare him for the raw, terrifying power radiating from this magnificent beast.

"Dragons are said to be Guardians of this World. Why is it on a rampage? I have to help Captain or they will surely die."

That ferocious dragon, a creature of legend, a force of nature, was not something anyone could escape. It would leave nothing but dust.

Blaft felt panic grip him. He had to stop Libera. He grabbed her hand. "Libera! There's nothing we could help. They're done."

"We have been taught never to be scared of the enemy and never to turn our backs on our comrades," Libera said, her voice firm, her eyes reflecting the fire of a true adventurer. "I am an adventurer. An adventurer risks their lives to achieve their goal, never backing out."

"But Libera! This is something we couldn't handle. That's a huge Dragon!"

The Dragon, sensing their presence, let out a thunderous roar that shook the earth. Captain Tenert, along with the other adventurers, emerged from the camp, desperately trying to defend themselves.

"Libera! Run now! Leave it to us!" Tenert yelled, his voice echoing across the clearing.

"I won't leave you, Captain!" Libera pulled her hand away from Blaft and raced towards the camp.

The dragon reared back, its jaws opening wide, gathering the energy for a devastating flame attack.

Blaft's heart pounded in his chest. He had to get out of this! "I'm sorry, Captain. Libera. I'm just a coward. I don't want to die again."

Memories flashed before his eyes.

"Wakey, Wakey… My little boy. Welcome to the World."

He saw a village, engulfed in flames, the cries of the villagers echoing in the night.

"Please… save… my child. Please protect Blaft."

"I will… You may rest in peace."

"The memories of Blaft. This body experienced much pain, I couldn't imagine," Blaft whispered, his breath catching in his throat.

He ran faster, desperate to escape the dragon's wrath. He saw the dragon take flight, its wings beating a furious rhythm as it soared into the sky. But Blaft didn't stop. He didn't dare slow down.

He saw a cave, its entrance hidden amidst the trees. A haven, a sanctuary. He pushed himself forward, his lungs burning, his muscles screaming for rest. The dragon, sensing his presence, turned, its fiery gaze burning into Blaft's back.

The dragon swooped down, its claws outstretched, its jaws open wide. Blaft, in a desperate act of survival, dove to the ground, burying himself in the earth. He could feel the blast of hot air as the dragon flew past. As the dragon ascended, Blaft scrambled to his feet, his legs trembling, and raced toward the cave.

He didn't dare look back. He didn't dare slow down.

He plunged into the cave, his heart hammering in his chest. He stumbled through the dark, his hands outstretched, his senses on high alert. He could hear the dragon's roars, echoing through the caverns, a terrifying symphony of rage and power.

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice trembling with fear.

He felt a cold stone floor beneath his feet. He pressed himself against the wall, his body trembling, his breath ragged. The dragon's roars faded, replaced by the silence of the cave.

He had survived.

He had escaped.

For now.

A moment later, a young man, his face flushed with concern, entered the cave. "Hello?! Are you still there? Blaft?"

"Thanks God! You survived! Captain and Libera are looking for you," the young man said, his voice filled with relief.

"What? They're safe?!" Blaft exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of disbelief and relief.

"Yes. We thought we were goners that moment. But, the dragon... he diverted his attack from us. I wonder what's happening to him. He seems to be trying to stop himself from harming people. And then, he flew away," the young man said, his brow furrowed with confusion.

"Maybe, he's not a bad dragon," Blaft said, his voice still shaky.

"Actually, dragons are not monsters. They are Guardians protecting Iruna. It's unusual for them to go on a rampage," the young man replied.

Blaft nodded, remembering the lore he had learned while playing Iruna. Dragons, guardians of the world, servants of God, protectors of balance. It was strange to see one of them act so erratically.

The young man, a companion of Libera, guided Blaft back to the camp. As they emerged from the cave, Blaft saw the camp, alive with activity, filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation. Everyone was safe.

The setting sun cast long shadows over the camp, painting the scene in hues of orange and purple. Blaft caught sight of Libera, her eyes blazing with a mixture of amusement and annoyance.

"Oh! Here he is! A scaredy cat!" she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

He knew she was mad at him for what had happened. He should have realized that earlier, before he stopped her from facing the dragon. He had failed to live up to her expectations, to the expectations of a true adventurer.

"I'm sorry, Libera," Blaft said, his voice filled with regret.

Libera burst into laughter, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous light. "Hahahaha!!"

Tenert, the Captain, approached Blaft, a cup of liquor in his hand.

"Libera is just making fun of you," he said, a warm smile on his face. "That dragon was just so big. It's natural to be afraid. But we are family. We can't turn our back if someone is in danger. That's how sticky our bond is."

"We live and experience many difficulties in life, battling monsters. But... you are just a rookie," Tenert added, his voice filled with understanding.

"Yeah, right… I'm sorry, guys," Blaft mumbled, his heart still heavy with guilt.

Night fell, and the camp settled into a quiet stillness. The stars twinkled above them, a comforting reminder of the vastness of the universe, the immensity of the world.

Blaft, unable to sleep, stood apart from the others, gazing up at the stars from the top of a nearby hill. He couldn't stop thinking about the dragon, about the attack, about his own cowardly flight.

He had failed them. He had let his fear control him. He had turned his back on them, abandoning them to face a fearsome beast.If the dragon had truly gone out of control, they might have all been killed.

"Why aren't you sleeping?"

Libera, her voice soft, her gaze understanding, interrupted his thoughts.

"Recently… I ran cowardly and never tried to look back. I'm ashamed," Blaft confessed, his voice filled with sorrow.

"Don't make yourself regret it. Besides, your actions are just natural… If I were you, I also would have run. That time when you were stopping me, I was also thinking of running away. But… I remembered all those cherished moments as their companion. I decided to go with them, no matter what happens," Libera said, her voice a soothing balm on his troubled soul.

"Captain Tenert saw a potential in me, but I disappointed him," Blaft said, his voice filled with a tinge of despair.

"Don't let that potential go to waste! You should go to sleep now," Libera said, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

"No, I'll be on watch," he said, his voice firm. He wouldn't let his fear control him again. He wouldn't let himself be a coward.

"Okay. I'll going to sleep now. Goodnight Blaft. See you tomorrow," Libera said, turning to walk away.

He watched as she disappeared into the shadows of the camp. He needed to be active. There were monsters out there. He wouldn't let it happen again. He wouldn't let them down.

Memories flashed through his mind, a jumbled mess of images and sounds.

"Stay on my back, Princess. I won't let them hurt you. They have to go through me."

He saw a valiant figure, his back broad and strong, his eyes filled with a determination that bordered on fanaticism. A figure known as Blaft.

Three men, their armor gleaming in the dim light, their faces grim and unyielding, emerged from the shadows. They were the guards of the Princess, and their mission was to protect her at all costs.

A mysterious man approached, his voice laced with a chilling menace.

"Don't waste your effort, Blaft. You should turn over the Princess and let her return to the Capital to take her responsibility for her people."

Blaft back in his consciousness... "It was just a dream. Or maybe, a memory of this body."

The first rays of dawn pierced through the darkness, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink.

"Wakey! Wakey!!" A voice, full of energy, called out to him. "It's time for us to go!"

The world was waking, and so was Blaft.

The camp was abuzz with activity. The other adventurers, refreshed by their sleep, were preparing for the day's journey.

Libera, her eyes sparkling with mischief, approached him, her smile tinged with a hint of mockery. "Good morning, scaredy-cat!"

He blushed, his cheeks burning with shame. He knew he had disappointed them all.

But, as the sun rose higher, casting its warm glow over the Iruna landscape, Blaft felt a renewed sense of purpose. He had a mission to fulfill. He had a world to explore. He had a new life to live. And he would do it with courage. He would protect his friends.

He would fight for this world.