“So, first of all, what kind of dragon are you?” Rarian asked, “Your scales are red and my only guess is you’re some kind of LushFang based on roses or red flowers.”

“I am not a LushFang, Rarian,” Artorus explained, indicating he knew about those kinds of species. “I’m not your kin either… I know about the dragon tribes here in Tatsukan, albeit faintly”

Dragon tribes? There are more dragon species other than EarthFangs and LushFangs? Rarian thought. I should seriously be reading the other scrolls and books my dad kept in his room.

Artorus showed his tail, resembling that of a spade tail. Not just that, but his tall and bulky size indicates that he is more older, older than even his dad who is 30-ish years old if he can remember correctly, quite old if you ask me.¹

“Ah, then… What are you, Artorus?” Rarian asked. Artorus thought about it and answered, “Consider me, just a dragon. I don’t remember much, remember?”

Ah, right. Completely forgot Artorus is sealed for a long time in that sword, probably had amnesia or something, Rarian thought, now he can’t help but feel sorry for him. But his bulky size, almost as large as Merlinus, and the fact he wields a freaking sword! That has got to be the most coolest and fairy-tale-like thing ever!

“Soooo, aside from that.. Is that sword your like treasure? Did someone give it to you or did you make it yourself?” Rarian asked, curious about the sword. Artorus looked down at the sword next to him, smiling softly. “Oh this thing? Yeah, I was sealed in it, but it is basically my treasure…” said Artorus.

“While I may not remember much, I do remember this sword. I hold it everyday with my two paws, slaying evil and triumphing over others with justice and authority!” Artorus pridefully remarked, laughing at such faint but vivid memories.

Rarian’s eyes shined like diamonds as he was struck in awe with Artorus, a sword wielding dragon. “You’re so cool, mister Artous!” Rarian awed, “I wish I could fight like you…”

“You don’t know how to fight? Is that why you drowned- I-i mean… you fell into the lake?” Artorus wondered worryingly. Rarian nodded his head a bit.

“My dad never taught me how to fight like proper parents should’ve. He’s too busy finding his friend, whoever they are,” Rarian explained sorrowfully, “I just wish I could be like you, Artorus. A strong, fierce dragon, wielding a magical sword or something…”

Artorus looked flustered, but also felt sorry for Rarian, the young child was never taught in his life how to fight, not even a single spar or duel. He believes every dragon deserves a right to fight, to defend themselves and defend others.

“I could teach you, but it isn’t instantaneous,” Artorus said.

“Yeah, I know,” Rarian sorrowingly said, “I still have the adulthood ceremony tomorrow at dusk. Me and my close friend, Anya, are going to be recognized as ‘independent’ young adult dragons now.”

“Part of me still doesn’t think I can live up to the standards of being an adult dragon, one who can care for others, defend their future generation,” Rarian said, “I couldn’t even defend myself from that devil, that former LushFang! I nearly died and… I-i was gonna worry…”

Rarian started tearing up, feeling remorseful and hateful of the thought that, if he didn’t have the will to persist his near-death experience, Merlinus, Anya, everyone would worry where he went. They would be burdened or scared of the thought that Rarian would run away from his responsibilities, or worse, get turned into a devil like them.

Artorus finished his juice and then scooched over to the young Rarian, putting his paws on his hood. This gave Rarian a warm and pleasant feeling of being loved, someone to listen to his problems.

“But you did care for others, Rarian,” Artorus softly said, “When I heard your desire to live and survive, your kindness and compassion to think about your friends and family first before your own. I call your courage a selfless act as you'll never know how much your caring matters.”

Hearing these wise words from an older dragon, his heart felt like it bloomed, tears run down his face. Without a moment of hesitation, Rarian hugged Artorus like a little brother. This act also warmed Artorus up too, feeling love after years of being sealed in the sword. Loneliness took a toll on him.

“Thank you, Artorus… You are the best dragon stranger I’ve met today, I needed to hear those,” Rarian whispered while still sniffling tears. Artorus gave Rarian a warm embrace back.

I always wanted a brother who loved me like this. Artorus lamented,This feels like something I’ve also been looking for.

It was becoming night and Rarian had to close up the cave. No sign of his dad returning yet. Where is he? Rarian wondered worryingly.

Artorus was in the kitchen, cooking up some leftover cow meat and chopping fruits and vegetables. Rarian looked at Artorus and saw him putting the rinsed fruits, mixing them with a few grinded cow meat and placed them in a wooden bowl.

“Wow! You can cook, Artorus?” Rarian was surprised to see how well Artorus can cook. “Yeah, what? You expect a dragon sealed for years wouldn’t know how to cook?” Artorus remarked jokingly.

Rarian laughed and punched softly on Artorus’s shoulder. “Ouch, hey! No punchies!” Artorus chuckled.

Artorus and Rarian began to eat under the faint glow of a few lanterns and Rarian’s horns. Rarian was perplexed by the taste of the food, the taste of the cow meat mixed with the fruits gave it a weird taste. “Strange taste, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, I may have lied a bit on what I said. But let’s be honest, we dragons have good digestion and metabolism” Artorus remarked. That is quite true, dragons like Rarian have been able to consume almost anything that’s edible. There was even a story of a time where an EarthFang literally ate a small cobra, along with the venom it spat out, and survived!

When they finished eating, Artorus felt tired and yawned like a cat. “Tired, Artorus?” Rarian asked. Artorus nodded a bit, rubbing his paws on his eyes.

“Come, you can sleep in my bed,” Rarian gestured, leading Artorus and him to Rarian’s small cavern bedroom with a small leaf bed.

“This is quite small for your bedroom,” Artorus said. “I know, it’s not much, but make yourself at home,” Rarian responded.

Artorus went inside and wrapped himself around the leaf bed on the floor, curling up into a ball. Rarian smiled seeing Artorus wrapping himself around like a cat, with his tail gripping onto his sword. He is quite protective of that thing, isn’t he? Rarian chuckled.

Rarian went over to him and also slept next to Artorus, feeling comfortable that someone was accompanying him for the first time. Rarian closed his eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.