At the same time, at the border of Frozen
Expanse, Drake, already on the ground
pulling himself backward as the three
frost Lions close in, their eyes glinting
with predatory hunger. they launch
themselves towards him with their jaws
agape.
A sudden flash of insight strikes Drake,
Lena's words echoing in his mind,
"watch and listen attentively, ' Aqua
shield (first circle)".
with a desperate cry, Drake raises both
hands, eyes closed tight" Aqua shield
(first circle) " he bellows, a large mana
circle appear on both hands, his eyes
flutter open, materializing aqua-blue
barrier around him.
One of the frost Lions lands atop of the
barrier, claws scraping against the
shimmering surface. the barrier Cracks
under the beast's weight, sending a
tremor of fear through Drake. the barrier
explode outwards, flinging the frost Lions
back with a massive force.
The frost Lions struggle to their feet,
shaking their bodies in a futile attempt to
rid themselves of the disorientation. they
charge again, but this time, Drake is
already.
Another image flashes through his mind,
"Aqua dragon roar ( third circle),
Releases a high pressure blast of water
straight at them . Drake unleashes a
torrent of water, roaring of pure power.
one frost Lion is instantly killed, it's body
flung by the force of the blast. the other
two, badly injured, retreat into the
Frozen Expanse, disappearing from
sight.
Drake with his leg numb and heavy,
struggling to stand .
"Why do I think of her, whenever I'm in
trouble?" he muttered,his voice shaky.
"maybe it's because..... it my first time
with her." he shakes his head, trying to
clear his thoughts.
"what am I thinking? I need to get out of
here before I get attacked again." He
pushes on, struggling to move with is
stroke leg.
Four days later , Drake, now able to walk
freely, is navigating when he hears a
commotion from his left and decides to
investigate. He move cautiously until he
sees a group of people struggling against
a pack of five frost Lions.
there are three men, in their thirties each
holding a spear, protecting a young
teenage girl. all putting on dark blue
sweaters.
The five frost Lions are closing in, with
their eyes burning with bloodthirsty while
the men are visibly nervous, their voices
shaking. "lady Kald, please run! we can
buy you some time." one of the young
man voice shockingly said. The young
lady ignored his words,
" I can't be a coward and leave you all
behind. What would I say when I get
back? I can't even imagine that kind of
scene ending well in my head."
The frost Lions, unable to contain their,
launch themselves at their prey . Drake
who is watching from the sideline, steps
out of his hiding place to help "Aqua
dragon roar!" he Forms a magic circle
with his right hand, unleashing a
powerful blast of pressurized water. the
blast catches the frost Lions in the mid-
air, flipping them with incredible force.
Two of the Frost Lions, struck directly,
are instantly killed.
The three men swiftly attacked the Frost
Lions before they could regain their
footing, their spears finding their mark on
the beasts' necks. Drake approaches
the group as the young girl stepped
forward, her voice laced with authority.
" my name is Isabella kald, the daughter
of King Axel Kald of the kaldris kingdom.
these three are my guards." she
gestured to the men, as their face
hardened with vigilance. " it may sound
absurd, but I've come here to train.
May I ask your name ,our life Savior?"
Drake with caution, moved a step closer,
" my name is Alexandra Drake." To dispel
any suspicion about his true identity, he
added "I'm just a wanderer, travelling
from Frozen Expanse." he immediately
felt a shift in the atmosphere.
All eyes turned towards him with intense
gaze. Drake felt a shiver run down his
spine.
"may I ask why the sudden reaction?"
Isabella cleared her throat, her voice
laced with curiosity.
" Drake, are you. . . from the water
dragon race?" Drake's heart pounded in
his chest, fear twisted in his gut. he knew
he had to tread carefully.
"No, I am not from any dragon race. I am
human just like you." Isabella took a step
closer, her eyes scrutinizing him. " you
are indeed human, but how did you
survive the frigid temperature here? you
speak of the forbidden region, yet you
wear such thin clothing."
Drake realize, he had been focused on
his journey that he hadn't even noticed
the changes in his body. he muttered to
himself,
" is this related to her? why do I always
think of her?" he slapped his face twice,
to trying to shake off the unexpected
intrusion of his thought.
"about that," turning back to Isabella, "I
can't really explain. but may i ask why the
Frozen Expanse is called forbidden
region?" Isabella signaled to her guards.
" Why don't we continue our walk as I
explain?" Drake, regaining his compose
and replied,
"no problem, please lead the way." As
they walks, Isabella begin her
explanation. "There are five continent,
each with their own forbidden region. For
Thralia continent forbidden region is the
Frozen Expanse. the place you claim to
have come from."
" Please lady Isabella." Drake Interrupted
her, "may I ask why frozen Expanse is
labeled as forbidden? Is it because of
the dragon race residing there?" Isabella
smiled slightly. " that's only part of it. The
reason is lies in the weather, look at our
coast here; the temperature are so low
that many people try to immigrate to
warmer region. The frozen Expanse as it
name suggests, is a land where anyone
who enters instantly freezes to death. "
Isabella turns to Drake, with doubt
expression.
"Drake, are you sure that's where came
from?" To avoid further suspicion, he
decided to play it off as a
misunderstanding.
" I'm not sure. it seems I must have
mistaken another place for frozen
expanse." Isabella's doubt fade away as
did the suspicion in her guards' eyes.
Drake felt a sense of relief wash over
him.
They continue their journey towards the
kaldris kingdom.