Lose her forever

The melody of Esha'lora's Call filled the cavern, soft and trembling at first, but growing stronger with each note. The dragon's eyes narrowed, its growl fading into silence.

As the song reached its chorus, Eira found her courage. She sang with all the strength she could muster, her voice echoing through the cave.

The dragon didn't move. It watched her intently, its expression unreadable. When the final note of the song faded, the silence was deafening.

For a long moment, the dragon said nothing. Then, it spoke, its voice quieter but no less commanding.

"Where did you learn that song?"

Eira swallowed hard, her throat dry. "I… I don't know. It came to me."

Eira trembled as the dragon's golden eyes bore into her, but she refused to look away. There was something strange about the creature's demeanor—its calmness seemed unnatural for a beast reputed to have slaughtered so many.

"Why haven't you attacked yet?" she asked suddenly, the words escaping her before she could stop them.

The dragon let out a low, humorless laugh. "Do you truly wish for me to? Your bones would join the others outside before you could scream."

Eira flinched but kept her ground. "Then why… haven't you? Everyone says you kill anyone who comes near your territory. Yet you're just… sitting there."

The dragon's gaze flickered, and its expression darkened. "Because I have no desire to waste energy on insignificant pests," it growled, a sharp edge returning to its voice. But then it paused, and something softer entered its tone.

"Besides… I am not yet whole."

Eira's brows knitted together in confusion. "Not… whole?"

The dragon shifted slightly, revealing a faint scar running along its massive chest. The scales in that area were darker and duller, lacking the sheen of the rest of its body.

"Many years ago," it rumbled, "the king's men came here, seeking to end me. They failed, of course, but not without leaving their mark." It exhaled sharply, a plume of smoke escaping its nostrils. "I have slept ever since, biding my time, letting the wounds heal. But I grow stronger with each passing year. Soon, I will reclaim what is mine."

Eira's heart sank. The dragon wasn't just resting—it was preparing. If it ever fully recovered, the entire island would be at its mercy.

"I don't want to fight you," she said softly. "I'm not here to hurt you or take anything from you. I just want to fix the island. It's dying, and I can't save it without you."

The dragon's eyes narrowed. "Fix the island?" It scoffed. "And why would I care for a dying island or its people? They offered me no mercy when they came to slay me."

Eira's mind raced. She needed to make the dragon listen, to reach it somehow. Without thinking, she began humming Esha'lora's Call again. This time, the notes were soft and mournful, carrying the weight of the island's suffering.

The dragon's head snapped toward her, its pupils dilating as the melody filled the cavern.

"Stop that," it growled, but its voice lacked conviction.

Eira ignored the warning, her voice growing stronger as she transitioned into the song's verses. The words, ancient and flowing, seemed to hang in the air like magic.

The dragon's breathing slowed, and its massive body stilled. It listened, its golden eyes filled with something Eira couldn't quite place—recognition? Pain?

When she finished, the cavern was silent.

The dragon spoke after a long pause," You can't tame me with a song,you careless thing."

Eira paused,then moved closer a bit," I'm not trying to tame you, I'm just trying to...I don't know,save this island."

Eira was tired both from the journey and the pressure constantly on her due to the dragon. At this point she couldn't even remember her goal anymore.

She paused,her mind racing. Then her eyes drifted to his injuries.She took a deep breath and asked the system in her mind, "Can you heal him?"

The system's voice resonated in her thoughts. "I cannot. The restrictions placed upon me forbid it. However, the vial which would be given to you to restore your health... you may share it with him. Doing so will partially heal the dragon, earning its trust. Be warned: you will not receive its full effects."

Eira's heart sank. "But if I share it, won't I still be…" She trailed off, glancing at her trembling hands.

"You will recover fully in time," the system replied. "As long as you complete more missions and grow stronger."

Eira exhaled deeply. It wasn't an easy decision, but there was no other way. She straightened her back and met the dragon's piercing gaze.

"I'll heal you," she said firmly.

The dragon let out a low, rumbling laugh, smoke curling from its nostrils. "Heal me? You can barely heal yourself, child. Do you not see the irony?"

Eira took a step forward, her voice unwavering. "If I can uncover a song that disappeared with the age of time, don't you think it would be foolish to consider me ordinary?"

The dragon's laughter faded, replaced by a thoughtful hum. It scrutinized her for a long moment before lowering its head slightly. "Perhaps you are not as weak as you seem.Very well. If you are so eager to prove yourself…" It lowered its massive body, its wings folding slightly. "Get on my back."

Eira blinked in surprise. "What?"

The dragon smirked, its sharp teeth glinting in the light. "We'll be faster if I fly. Unless you'd prefer to crawl up the mountain on foot?"

Realizing it wasn't a jest, Eira quickly scrambled onto the dragon's back, aided by its tail. She settled herself between its ridges, clutching tightly as it spread its wings.

"Hold on," it growled.

And with a powerful leap, they soared into the sky.

------

The village remained calm left for the children playing by the streams. It was a peaceful day until a shadow loomed overhead.

A deafening roar shattered the calm as the massive dragon flew over the village, its wings creating gusts that rattled windows and sent loose objects flying.

People screamed and scattered in terror. Mothers grabbed their children, pulling them inside. Merchants abandoned their stalls, their goods forgotten. Chaos erupted as the dragon passed, its massive form unmistakable.

Kael, who was by the river gathering herbs, froze when he heard the panicked cries. He turned his gaze upward and saw it—a colossal dragon cutting through the sky. His heart skipped a beat.

Dropping his basket, he sprinted back toward the village. When he reached their small house, it was empty. His sister was nowhere to be found.

"Eira!" he shouted, searching every corner. "Eira!"

His panic grew as he ran through the village, asking everyone he came across if they had seen her. The villagers were too consumed by fear to give him answers.

Eventually, he reached the village center, where the terrified villagers had gathered, murmuring among themselves. Their leader, a stern but wise elf named Elandor, stood at the front, trying to calm the crowd.

"Everyone, remain calm!" Elandor called out, his voice firm but reassuring. "The dragon has not attacked us. There is no need for panic."

Kael pushed his way to the front, his face pale and breathless. "Elandor, my sister… Eira… she's gone. I've searched everywhere. Please, help me find her."

The villagers fell silent, their fear momentarily replaced by concern.

It was then that Mirela, standing toward the back of the crowd, spoke up. "Kael… I don't really know where she might be but...she came earlier today,asking about...the dragon." She finished with a whisper.

A stunned silence fell over the crowd. Kael's eyes widened in horror. "She went to the dragon?"

Mirela answered not too surely," maybe."

Without another word, Kael bolted toward the mountain, ignoring Mirela's desperate pleas to wait. "Kael! It's too dangerous! You'll only get yourself killed!"

But Kael didn't stop. His only thought was of Eira, and the fear that he might lose her forever.